Ohio - James Garfield National Historic Site

James Garfield was the 20th US president, for only 200 days before he died from gunshot wounds. He served from March 4, 1881, to September 19, 1881. He was shot on July 2 and succumbed over two months later.

This site is located at the farm that Garfield purchased after he married and had children. It is a nice spot, and there are informational plaques that show how the farm was set up during the time the Garfield’s lived there. One interesting thing is that during his run for the Presidency, Garfield would stand on his porch and deliver speeches to anyone that was there. A train track ran about a half mile behind his property, and the train would stop at the “Garfield Farm” stop and walk along a makeshift road to hear him speak. Apparently, it worked!

The site includes a nice museum that is located inside what used to be a carriage house, along with a movie that gives more description of Garfield’s life. I don’t think I knew ANYTHING about this man before visiting this nice property. To learn more, visit the NPS's site for the James Garfield National Historic Site.