Rutherford B. Hayes, the president who served right after Ulysses S. Grant, inherited this home from his uncle. It certainly is a nice place. Unfortunately I was there on Memorial Day and it was closed. Darn. He and his wife "Lemonade Lucy" lived here about twenty years.

Before becoming president he was active protecting the Underground Railroad; he was wounded five times in the Civil War.

Side view of the house

Hayes became president following a contested election. The winner was chosen by a Congressional Commission, following the Constitution of the United States; in other words, it was done correctly that time. There was no usurper. The presidency was not a happy time for the Hayeses; he was glad to leave when the time came.

Lucy's nickname, "Lemonade Lucy" was given her because she refused to allow alcohol to be served at the White House. This was a time when the Temperance Movement was at its height.

The Hayes Museum Library was the first of the presidential libraries. That concept was probably his greatest legacy as president, although I don't know if he had much to do with it. He also ended Reconstruction, started the Civil Service, and initiated the White House Easter Egg Roll. When he left the presidency he completely withdrew from politics. He is considered to have been an above average president.

Rutherford [I wonder what people called him--surely not Ruth; maybe R.B. -- oh, I just found it: Rud] and Lucy are entombed here at Spiegel Grove.

Photos and text ©D.L. Mark 2002

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