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PRESIDENTIAL BIRTHPLACES 101

Three Cradles of Democracy

Ulysses S. Grant slept here -- in Point Pleasant, Ohio -- as a young boy.
Ulysses S. Grant slept here -- in Point Pleasant, Ohio -- as a young boy. (Clermont County Ohio Convention And Visitors Bureau)
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Sunday, February 19, 2006

Presidents' Day was built up around George Washington and Abraham Lincoln, yet you can't see the buildings where they were born. In fact, there aren't many presidential birthplaces left -- only 11 are open to the public. Here are three to start with.

-- Margaret Roth

Ulysses S. Grant

THE VITALS: Grant was born April 27, 1822, in Point Pleasant, Ohio, 25 miles south of Cincinnati.

WHY GO: Ohio sent seven men to the White House, but the birthplace of the 18th president is only one of two still there to see. (William Howard Taft's, in Cincinnati, is the other.)

DON'T MISS . . . the big front room, 16 1/2 by 19 feet, that was the Grants' entire house. On display in the back room, you'll find the Bible given to him on his inauguration and a locket belonging to his wife, Julia, with his hair in it. In Georgetown (pop. 4,000), 15 miles east, see the school Grant attended from ages 6 to 13.

ADMISSION: $2; open year-round. Free on April 22 for Grant's birthday celebration, with a ceremonial flag raising, 21-gun salute and guest speakers.

WHERE TO STAY: The Signal House in Ripley (234 N. Front St., 937-392-1640, http://www.thesignalhouse.com/ ; rooms from $95 a night double, including breakfast) is a Greek Italianate house on the Ohio River, 20 miles downriver from Point Pleasant and 12 miles southwest of Georgetown. Closer to I-275, the Cincinnati Days Inn-East (4056 Mt. Carmel-Tobasco Rd., Cincinnati, 800-329-7466, http://www.daysinn.com/ ; from $45) has a restaurant and pool.

INFO: Grant Birthplace (513-553-4911, http://www.ohiohistory.org/places/grantbir ). Clermont County Ohio Convention and Visitors Bureau (877-253-7666, http://www.visitclermontohio.com/ ).

Woodrow Wilson

THE VITALS: Born Dec. 28, 1856, in Staunton, Va.

WHY GO: You've driven the bridge, now see the birthplace.

DON'T MISS . . . the actual bed in the mansion where Wilson was born and his 1919 Pierce-Arrow limousine. Check out the exhibits at the museum next door that chronicle the 28th president's public life.

ADMISSION: $8; open year-round.


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