William Henry Harrison: A Legacy in North Bend, Ohio

Did you know that a U.S. President is buried on a quiet street that runs along the Ohio River in tiny North Bend, Ohio? The ninth President of the United States, William Henry Harrison, is buried on land that he owned. Also known for being the President with the shortest term, he held the position for a mere 31 days.

Among other claims to fame, he is the President with the longest inaugural speech, given outside in the cold, which may have led to the illness that claimed his life. Also, it’s reported that he spent some time walking in the cold rain in March of 1841, and then refused to change into dry clothes upon getting back to the White House. This led to pneumonia that was treated with bloodletting and other options that were customary at the time.

(For the record, a later study, published in 2014, suggested that he died from drinking the contaminated White House water, making his potential cause of death typhoid fever combined with septic shock.)

North Bend, Ohio

After marrying Anna Symmes, Harrison chose to make her hometown, North Bend, Ohio his home as well, and stated that he wanted to be buried on Mount Nebo. His wish came true, probably sooner than anticipated. What’s left of his shortened political legacy is a striking memorial that stands out from the road.

The memorial and tomb consists of an impressive set of stone steps leading up to an overlook, complete with a historical marker.

Historical marker for the William Henry Harrison Memorial

In the distance to the south is the Ohio River.

View of the Ohio River from the William Henry Harrison Memorial

The memorial itself consists of a stele with writing carved into it, memorializing Harrison.

Writing on the William Henry Harrison Memorial stele

There’s a door at the base of stele that open up to reveal a tomb, complete with space for 24 crypts. You can see the building housing the tomb when you view the memorial from its side.

Once you go through the metal gated door (which is kept locked, by the way – you’ll need to contact the Harrison-Symmes Memorial Foundation if you’d like to visit) you’ll see some information about the president, as well as the crypts.

Door to the entrance of the William Henry Harrison family crypt

The most prominent graves are those of President Harrison and his wife.

Graves of William Henry Harrison and his wife.

Although the memorial is simple in comparison to other Presidential burial sites, it’s a fitting legacy for the man who was president for one month.

William Henry Harrison’s Presidential Legacy

At age 68, was the oldest person to become a U.S. President at that time at age 68. (Ronald Reagan broke that record in 1981. He was 69 on his inauguration day.)
Spoke for 2 hours during his inauguration, which is to this day the longest inaugural speech ever given.
Grandfather of Benjamin Harrison, who became president in 1889.
Is the first-ever U.S. President to die while in office.
Is the last U.S. President technically born on British soil (the-then territory of Virginia.)
Scholars state that he is responsible for the way in which the Great Lakes areas developed, as he formed treaties with the Native Americans in the area that led to them giving up their lands and moving west. (This is exactly as horrible and problematic as it sounds.)