U.S. Presidents
March 31, 1864
SS River Queen, Revered Presidential Vessel of the Civil War
On March 31, 1864, the steamship SS River Queen, one of numerous side paddlewheel steam-powered vessels built in Monmouth County in the years prior to the Civil War, was launched by Benjamin C. Terry in Keyport. When launched, the River...
July 19, 1869
Ulysses S. Grant Makes First Long Branch Visit as U.S. President
On July 19th, 1869, U.S. President Ulysses S. Grant, after just months in office, visited Long Branch with his family for the first time, and found it to his liking. He and his family left Washington, D.C., on July 15th,...
August 3, 1871
U.S. President Grant Invests in Jersey Shore Real Estate
On August 3, 1871, U.S. President Ulysses S. Grant purchased a cottage in the Elberon section of Long Branch, where he would spend his summers during his presidency and beyond. In 1867, General Ulysses S. Grant had visited Long Branch...
September 19, 1881
U.S. President James A. Garfield Dies in Elberon
On September 19, 1881, U.S. President James A. Garfield died in Long Branch, exactly two months before his 50th birthday. He had asked to be brought to Long Branch in the hope that the fresh air and quiet might aid his...
September 20, 1881
Chester A. Arthur Visits James Garfield’s Widow in Elberon After Presidential Swearing-In Ceremony
On Tuesday, September 20, 1881, U.S. Vice President Chester A. Arthur was sworn in as the 21st President of the U.S. Arthur succeeded James A. Garfield, who was shot by an assassin in Washington, D.C., in July, and was eventually...
August 25, 1899
President William McKinley Talks About What the American Flag Means in Speech at Ocean Grove
On Friday, August 25, 1899, William McKinley, 25th president of the U.S., gave a speech at the Ocean Grove auditorium, following a presidential parade through the streets of Asbury Park. In his speech, about matters concerning the end of the...
August 15, 1911
President Taft Speaks About the Horrors of war at Ocean Grove Auditorium
On Tuesday, August 15, 1911, U.S. President William Howard Taft gave a speech at the Ocean Grove auditorium. According to the Monmouth Democrat, "The president went into details on the horrors of war and the past policy of the United...
October 22, 1919
U.S. President Warren G. Harding’s Illegitimate Daughter is Born in Asbury Park
By Mark A. Wallinger On October 22, 1919, Elizabeth Ann Christian (later Blaesing) was born in Asbury Park. She was the new baby daughter of the sitting president of the United States. Never heard of President Christian, or President Blaesing? That’s...
September 4, 1931
The Curious Origin of the “Seven Presidents” of Monmouth County
Editor’s note: This research project owes much to three people who deserve acknowledgement: Janice Grace, Long Branch historian, Library Associate and History Room Manager of the Long Branch Free Public Library; Robert Waitt, president, Historical Society of Ocean Grove; and Randall...