Ohio Humanities has put together a series of trails highlighting points of interest to illustrate topics such as Historic Farms and Civil War Presidents. These curated trails offer opportunities to sample national history locally made.
Ohio Civil War Presidents
For hours of operation and admission fees, click on the individual sites’ visitor information.
- Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Center
- James A. Garfield National Historic Site
- U.S. Grant Birthplace
- McKinley Presidential Library & Museum
- National First Ladies' Library Education and Research Center
Eight United States presidents from one state is impressive enough, but Ohio can boast five Civil War veterans who became president in a span of less than 30 years.
Nearly 320,000 Ohio men served in the Union Army. Indeed, by 1865, the state had mustered 230 infantry and cavalry units. Nineteen noted generals hailed from Ohio, including George Armstrong Custer, Phillip Sheridan, William Tecumseh Sherman, and Ulysses S. Grant. Despite talented leadership and the commitment to equip its soldiers, Ohio’s losses during the Civil War were large: 6,385 Ohioans lost their lives during battle and more than ten percent of the recruits became casualties.
Those who survived the war to return home included five men who became President of the United States: Rutherford B. Hayes, James A. Garfield, Ulysses S. Grant, William McKinley, and Benjamin Harrison.