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Plattsburg in Clinton County, Missouri — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
 

David Rice Atchison

1807-1888

 
 
David Rice Atchison Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed by Jason Voigt, May 24, 2022
1. David Rice Atchison Marker
Inscription.

President of United States
one day
Lawyer, statesman and jurist
U.S. Senate 1843-1855

 
Erected by State of Missouri Memorial Commission.
 
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Government & Politics.
 
Location. 39° 33.968′ N, 94° 26.822′ W. Marker is in Plattsburg, Missouri, in Clinton County. It is on North Main Street north of East Locust Street, on the right when traveling north. Marker is in front of the Clinton County Circuit Court building. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 207 N Main St, Plattsburg MO 64477, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in North Missouri and in Greater Kansas City. It is also in the American Midwest, in the Lewis & Clark Corridor, and in the Corn Belt. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture, the Louisiana Purchase, and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers
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are within 15 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Clinton County (a few steps from this marker); War Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Jefferson Highway (approx. one mile away); James Farm (approx. 13.7 miles away); Howard Porter (approx. 14.1 miles away); World Wars Memorial (approx. 14.1 miles away); Matthew David Mason CPO (approx. 14.1 miles away); Quincy, Omaha & Kansas City Railroad Caboose #3 (approx. 14.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Plattsburg.
 
More about this marker. The statue was placed in front of the courthouse in 1928. Marker may have been added later or at the same time.
 
Also see . . .
1. David Rice Atchison on Wikipedia. It is never really taught in schools or in history books, but many believe he served one day as acting President of the United States from March 4-5, 1849. This, however, has been dismissed by most scholars and historians. Atchison served as President Pro Tempore of the Senate at the time of the transition between the presidency of James K. Polk and Zachary Taylor. The Senate President, George Dallas, had resigned on March
David Rice Atchison Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed by Jason Voigt, May 24, 2022
2. David Rice Atchison Marker
Marker is on the statue, which was erected in 1928
2nd. March 4, which was at the time the day the Presidential took the oath and was sworn in, fell on a Sunday that year - which was also the ending of the predecessor's term. Taylor was actually sworn in the next day, as were the new members of the House and Senate. Atchison himself believed he was never technically the President. In addition to being a politician, he would later serve in the Civil War, siding with the Confederates. (Submitted on May 30, 2022, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.) 

2. David Rice Atchison: (Not) President for a Day. From the U.S. Senate's website, this provides a look at why the claim was false. (Submitted on May 30, 2022, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.) 
 
David Rice Atchison Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed by Jason Voigt, May 24, 2022
3. David Rice Atchison Marker
Marker and statue are in front of the Clinton County Circuit Court building.
David Rice Atchison gravesite image. Click for full size.
Photographed by Jason Voigt, May 24, 2022
4. David Rice Atchison gravesite
The plaque on the ground reads "President of the United States for One Day". Buried at nearby Greenlawn Cemetery in Plattsburg, Missouri.
 
 
Credits. This page was last revised on May 30, 2022. It was originally submitted on May 30, 2022, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. This page has been viewed 484 times since then and 56 times this year. Photos:   1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on May 30, 2022, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.
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Jul. 11, 2026