Peters Township near Cove Gap in Franklin County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
President James Buchanan
“The incorruptible statesman whose walk was upon the mountain ranges of the law.”
Life long friend Jermiah S. Black
U.S. Attorney General 1857-1860, U.S. Secretary of State 1860-1861
This park commemorates the birthplace of James Buchanan, the 15th President of the United States. James was born on April 23, 1791 into a Scotch-Irish family that ran a trading post, Stony Batter, here on the frontier. As young James grew into a man, he made it his life’s ambition to learn the law and inner workings of American government. He became Pennsylvania’s only president in 1857.
Buchanan was no stranger to politics when he ran for president. Many believe he was better prepared for the presidency than any of his predecessors, except John Quincy Adams. He began his political career at the young age of 23. Over the next 42 years, he conducted political campaigns and garnered prominence and stature. He never lost an election in which he ran and governed under a simple principle,
“I acknowledge no master but the law.”
When President Buchanan took office, the United States was rapidly splitting over the issue of slavery. He kept the Union together through compromise, but the abolitionists in the north and secessionists in the south did not want compromise.
In a special message to Congress in January 1861, Buchanan explained his policy, but northern newspapers called his policy weak, and pro-southern papers called it wavering and even treasonable. President Lincoln’s policy in his inaugural address three months later was hailed by the same northern papers as forceful, brave, patriotic, manly, and full of decision and firmness. Only a few papers noted that Buchanan and Lincoln occupied exactly the same ground on policy!
James Buchanan’s 47-year political career:
☆ 1814 – 1817: Two terms as PA assemblyman
☆ 1821 – 1831: Five terms as U.S. representative
☆ 1832 – 1833: Foreign minister to Russia under President Andrew Jackson
☆ 1834 – 1845: Two and a half terms as a U.S. senator
☆ 1845 – 1849: Secretary of state under President James Polk
☆ 1853 – 1856: Foreign minister to Great Britain under President Franklin Pierce
☆ 1857 – 1861: 15th President of the United States of America
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Communications • Government & Politics • Industry & Commerce • Parks & Recreational Areas. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #06 John Quincy Adams, the Former U.S. Presidents: #11 James K. Polk, the Former U.S. Presidents: #14 Franklin Pierce, the Former U.S. Presidents: #15 James Buchanan, and the Former U.S. Presidents: #16 Abraham Lincoln series lists. A significant historical month for this entry is January 1861.
Location. 39° 52.263′ N, 77° 57.207′ W. Marker is near Cove Gap, Pennsylvania, in Franklin County. It is in Peters Township. Marker is on Stoney Batter Road, on the left when traveling north. Marker is located in Buchanan’s Birthplace State Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Mercersburg PA 17236, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Stony Batter (a few steps from this marker); James Buchanan (within shouting distance of this marker); Birthplace of James Buchanan (within shouting distance of this marker); A Quest for Honor (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Stony Batter (approx. half a mile away); a different marker also named James Buchanan (approx. 0.6 miles away); Black Boys Rebellion (approx. 3.4 miles away); Big Spring Graveyard (approx. 3.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Cove Gap.
More about this marker. A picture of James Buchanan appears at the center of the marker. At the top is a photo of Buchanan’s home in Lancaster with the caption “President Buchanan retired from public life in 1861, returning to his estate, Wheatland, in Lancaster, Pa. to write his memoirs.” At the bottom right of the marker is a photo of Buchanan’s grave. The caption is “James Buchanan died on June 1, 1868 and is buried in the Woodward Hill Cemetery in Lancaster.”
Additional keywords. LGBT, LGBTQ
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), February 19, 2022
Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 22, 2012, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 647 times since then and 9 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on August 22, 2012, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. 7. submitted on July 18, 2015, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. 8. submitted on February 20, 2022, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.