Warren G. Harding was a successful businessman and local politician who was thrust (through his own efforts) into the presidency unprepared. He conducted his campaign from the front porch of this house, giving talks to the thousands of people who gathered on the large lawn.

"I am not fit for this office and never should have been here," he once said. He was right.

Although he has become known as the worst president we ever had, during his presidency he was immensely popular. When he died the nation went into shock.

"Flossie" (Florence Kling De Wolfe Harding) and "Winnie" had this house built in anticipation of their impending marriage, in 1891. It certainly is a beautiful home. Not the same could be said of their marriage, which was not a love match. Flossie was an ambitious divorcée, and Winnie appeared to her to be upwardly mobile (which he certainly was).

They didn't have any children together, but she had one by her previous husband, and he had one by one of his many girl friends. Flossie put up with his philandering to the point, so I have read, of intimidating the women Winnie was involved with to keep quiet or else.

An example of how people felt about Harding during his presidency is this three-in-one portrait. Looking at it from one angle you see Lincoln, from another angle you see Washington, and head on you see Harding.

The Harding Memorial is located in Marion, also. It is actually quite nice, although a little overdone, I would say. Both of the Hardings are entombed here.

Photos and text ©D.L. Mark 2002

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