Columbia Heights in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
James Buchanan
Rock Creek Park
| — | National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior | — |
Diplomat, Statesman, and Fifteenth President of the United States
Buchanan was our only bachelor president and relied upon his orphaned niece, Harriet Lane, to act as his First Lady during his years in the White House (1857 to 1861). In her estate, Harriet Lane Johnson made a bequest to fund a memorial to her uncle. Designed by architect William Gordon Beecher and sculpted by Maryland artist Hans Schuler, the memorial was dedicated on June 26, 1930. It features a bronze statue of Buchanan with stone figures of Law and Diplomacy at each end, representing Buchanan's career in public service.
Before becoming president, Buchanan served in the House of Representatives for nearly 18 years. He was Minister to Russia from 1832 to 1834, then a Senator until 1845. He declined an appointment to the Supreme Court by President Polk in 1844, serving instead as Polk's Secretary of State. In that post, he helped negotiate the 1846 Oregon Treaty, which established the 49th parallel as the northern boundary of the western United States.
Hostilities in Congress over slavery, abolition, and secession made Buchanan's president difficult.
this page online
For more information visit: go.nps.gov/MeridianHillPark
[Captions:]
The first Presidential inaugural ever to be photographed was James Buchanan's. On March 4, 1857, photographer John Wood recorded the event as it took place in the midst of the Capitol building construction site.
Opposition commentary on the state of the nation at the beginning of Buchanan's presidency and at the end.
Buchanan with his cabinet. Quoted on Buchanan's memorial, cabinet member Jeremiah S. Black, far right, called Buchanan "the incorruptible statesman whose walk was upon the mountain ranges of the law."
Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Government & Politics • Parks & Recreational Areas. In addition,
Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), October 26, 2026
2. James Buchanan and A Gathering Place for Washingtonians Markers
Location. 38° 55.172′ N, 77° 2.172′ W. Marker is in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia. It is in Columbia Heights. It is at the intersection of 16th Street Northwest and W Street Northwest, on the right when traveling north on 16th Street Northwest. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Washington DC 20009, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the Washington Metropolitan Area. It is also in the American Northeast, in the Upper South, in the Mid-Atlantic, in the Tidewater, and in the Chesapeake Bay Region. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: A Gathering Place for Washingtonians (here, next to this marker); Meridian Hill Park (within shouting distance of this marker); Mrs. Henderson's Legacy (within shouting distance of this marker); Buchanan (about 400 feet away, measured in
Other markers no longer nearby. A Gathering Place for Washingtonians (was a few steps from this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); a different marker also named James Buchanan (was a few steps from this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it).
Credits. This page was last revised on October 30, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 26, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 10 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 26, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
