
It took us a few minutes to find it since we really didn't know what we were looking for. Certainly we didn't anticipate the huge structure that we found. We were simply following signs that said Garfield Monument. Luckily it was open (the schedule has it open from April 1 through November 19, 9 a.m.- 4 p.m.) so we parked the car on the side of the road, grabbed the camera and started up the steps.

He served in the Union Army during the Civil War and in 1862, Ohioans elected him to Congress. He became the Republican leader of the House and in 1880 was the party's nomination for president. In January of 1881, he took office but it was not to last long. on July 2, 1881, Garfield was mortally wounded by a disgruntled attorney who had been turned down for a consular position. He died of an infection to the wound on September 19, 1881.
The memorial is quite impressive as you can see from the pictures and in the base of it is the actual crypt with the flag draped casket of the president and beside it his wife's. Two urns are there also which contain the ashes of their only daughter and her husband.

All of that history was right in my backyard all this time. How did I miss it? I never liked history in school so it's quite possible it went right by me and I just ignored it. Guess when you are old enough to feel a part of history you take more notice.
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