from rscottjones

Here’s a short clip from the Hayes birthplace:

The sign’s inscription reads:

At this site on October 4, 1822, Rutherford B. Hayes was born to Sophia Hayes. Hayes’ father, Rutherford, had passed away from a fever three months prior to the birth of his son. The Hayes family were renters on the property, originally owned by Delaware founder Moses Byxbe, while their home was being built at the northeast corner of William and Franklin Streets. Sophia and her three children moved to their new home in 1823.

The brick home fell into disrepair and was purchased in 1921 by Standard Oil. Learning it was a presidential birthplace, Standard Oil offered to put up the first $500 and sell the home back to the community for $8000. Many organizations worked to obtain the funding to purchase the home but were able to raise only $4,760. The home was demolished and a Standard Oil gas station was built on the location. In 1926, a memorial marker was placed in front of the gas station by the Delaware City Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution to identify where Hayes’ birthplace structure once stood. In 2019, a statue of Hayes commissioned by Rutherford B. Hayes Heritage Fund was placed at the corner of William and Sandusky Streets.

The “original” DAR-placed granite memorial has been removed, but there’s now a Hayes statue down the street, near a timeline plaque of Hayes-related life events.

And I marked off Hayes and Harrison on my quest to visit a major site for each US president. Of publicly-accessible POTUS sites, I only have Nixon (which I’m scheduled to visit in August) and Montpelier (which I went to but didn’t get to tour due to an early closing time) left to complete.

Somehow I found myself at the High Point of Kentucky during my road trip—another objective of my quest to visit each of the drivable state summits. Here’s the video:

→ https://youtu.be/Wy956mHVog0

The first professional football game, technically, I guess.

I also visited the house of David Bradford, leader of the ill-fated anti-tax Whiskey Rebellion, which was put down by George Washington himself (who personally led federal militia troops while President!).

One thing I appreciated about Pittsburgh is the historical preservation of various sports moments, even after the original stadium or ballpark has been torn down and replaced. Here’s the spot where the Immaculate Reception happened, and the home base of where the first World Series was held.

We also hung out with Jack and Hannah, who we met on that 24 day overlanding safari in Africa during our 100-day adventure and became fast friends.

We got a chance to stay at their cool new house in the hip Fishtown neighborhood of Philly while celebrating Jen’s bday, a trip highlight.

🏷️25.05C

I think I missed posting here on ye olde microblog about getting together with my questing buddy, Tom, during the trip. He’s at least partially responsible for me adopting a solid chunk of my weirder quests. Here’s us pointing to stuff on the map. 🏷️25.05C

A couple views of Pittsburgh from my trip. I had planned on visiting two additional viewpoints, but instead found myself down by the river and spent too much time there before I needed to skedaddle, knowing I’ll likely be back soon with Jen for some SW PA national parks. 🏷️25.05C

I’m back home after my road trip.

Still have some additional photos and wrap-ups to post—something I’m trying to do a better job of than in the past.

It’s so easy during my whirlwind trips, which usually feature crappy internet at my campsite when I finally have a chance to post stuff, to get behind on trip updates. And then, upon arriving home, getting too busy catching up on all the things to get around to it.

I’m hoping to do a bit better of a job of that this go-round.

I also visited Ripley, a small town that featured two important figures in abolition and the Underground Railroad: John Rankin and John Parker. I stopped by both of their historic houses, which are now museums (closed today, of course 🙄). The Parker house might become a future NPS unit. 🏷️25.05C

Got in a short hike on the Buckeye Trail that encircles Ohio in East Fork State Park this morning. There’s an effort brewing to include the trail in the National Parks System, so gotta pre-mark it off while I’m here. 😂 🏷️ 25.05C

Was told I had to stop here (or Gold Star) while passing thru Cincinnati. Welp, I absolutely DO NOT need to come here ever again. (Everything about it was terrible). 🏷️ 25.05C

Did a short hike through the Bluffs of Beaver Bend. 🏷️ 25.05C

This is the Triple Whipple Bridge, which features a rare triple-intersection truss design—the only known example of its kind in the United States. 🏷️ 25.05C

Pushing up the Ohio River 🏷️ 25.05C

Of course, if you find yourself in Frankfort, you have to stop by the grave of Kentucky’s most celebrated folk hero. 🏷️ 25.05C