Program

NYS Historic

Subject

Event, People

Location

112 Webster St, North Tonawanda, NY 14120, USA

Lat/Long

43.025065, -78.877004

Grant Recipient

County of Niagara, NY

Theodore Roosevelt, the 26th President of the United States, was born into a wealthy family in 1858 in New York City. During his childhood he struggled with illness but overcame these limitations and grew to be a larger-than-life figure. Roosevelt’s rise to power began in state politics, where he served as an assemblyman in New York State. A short time later he became Police Commissioner for the New York City Police Department, where he cracked down on police corruption. From there Roosevelt briefly served as the Assistant Secretary of the Navy, until the Spanish-American War broke out. During the war he served as Lieutenant Colonel of his own military unit, the First U.S. Volunteer Calvary Regiment, known as the “Rough Riders.” He famously led a charge with the Rough Riders up San Juan Hill in Cuba, winning a major victory for American forces.

After the war Roosevelt resumed his political career and was elected the 33rd Governor of New York State. He served as Governor from 1898 to 1900. In 1900, he was selected as incumbent President William McKinley’s Vice-Presidential candidate for the upcoming presidential election. While on campaign for the election, Roosevelt stopped in North Tonawanda, New York on October 31, 1900. From a platform decorated with flags and bunting located in the triangle at the corner of Main and Goundry Streets, he spoke to a large crowd that had gathered. A November 1, 1900 edition of the North Tonawanda Evening News said, “the crowd extended out fully 200 feet in every direction.”

Following McKinley’s election victory, on September 6, 1901, President McKinley was shot at the World’s Fair in Buffalo, New York. He succumbed to his wounds just eight days later on September 14, 1901. As a result, Roosevelt became the 26th President of the United States, serving from 1901 to 1909. After his presidency he initially stepped back from politics, only to return for a second run in the 1912 presidential election. During the process he formed his own political party, the Bull-Moose Party, but he ultimately lost the election. On January 6, 1919 Theodore Roosevelt passed away and was interred at Young’s Memorial Cemetery in Oyster Bay, New York.