President Barack Obama’s appearance on the Ohio University campus Oct. 17 makes him the 16th United States President to have visited the campus and/or the Athens community. An article in the Oct. 15 issue of The Post listed him as the 11th.
The presidents who have been here:
• James Buchanan, 1855
• William McKinley, 1891
• William H. Taft, 1908
• Theodore Roosevelt, 1912 (Courthouse steps; shortly after sinking of the Titanic)
• William Harding, 1916
• Calvin Coolidge, 1924*
• Herbert Hoover, 1932*
• Franklin D. Roosevelt, 1938*
• Harry S. Truman, 1947* (Athens Train Station — whistle-stop)
• Richard M. Nixon, 1952 and 1956 (whistle-stops)
• John F. Kennedy, 1959
• Lyndon B. Johnson, 1964*
• Dwight D. Eisenhower, 1965
• Jimmy Carter, 1989
• Bill Clinton, 2008
• Barack Obama, 2012*
Those who visited while in office are marked with an asterisk.
Seven first ladies have visited:
• Grace Coolidge, 1924
• Mamie Eisenhower, 1965
• Pat Nixon, 1952 and 1956
• Eleanor Roosevelt, 1954
• Nancy Reagan, 1979
• Hillary Rodham Clinton, 1992, 1996, 1997 and 1998
• Michelle Obama, 2008
As an Athens native, OU grad, former Athens High School teacher and somewhat of a history buff, I have taught, written articles and videotaped several shows for local and regional television. Many were on the folklore of Athens County and Ohio University and one was on U.S. presidents.
RJ Abraham is an Athens resident.
