The Presidential Statues of Rapid City

You might catch yourself humming "Hail to the Chief" as you explore The City of Presidents in downtown Rapid City. This series of life-sized bronze statues of American Presidents line the area's streets and sidewalks. Engage with history and take some commanding photos with your favorite! Find a detailed walking guide here.

We Made Coolidge a Cowboy

To appease farmers & ranchers while also escaping the oppressive DC heat, President Calvin Coolidge set up a summer White House in the Black Hills of South Dakota in 1927. "His secret service agent called it sort of a second childhood that he experienced here, like he had woken up in a dimestore cowboy novel," said Seth Tupper, author of Calvin Coolidge in the Black Hills. "He really seemed to have a lot of fun."

The Fillmore Threat

Six different artists sculpted the 40+ bronze President statues on the street corners of Rapid City. According to Dallerie Davis, co-founder of the City of Presidents project, "If one of them wasn't cooperating, I threatened them with having to do Millard Fillmore."

Nix-cellent

Some say that the Richard Nixon statue is reminiscent of "The Simpsons" villain Montgomery Burns. The body language makes it hard to argue the point.