Ulysses S. Grant Birthplace

It’s Day 10 (Year 2) of “365 Things to do in Cincinnati” and today we’re featuring our recent visit to the birthplace of Ulysses S. Grant.

Located in Point Pleasant, the birthplace of Ulysses Grant is just outside of New Richmond.  Ulysses Grant was born on April 27, 1822 in this small unassuming home on what is now Rt. 52.

The home is very modest in size and nature.  Jesse and Hannah Grant (Ulysses’ parents) rented the two room home as newlyweds.  They lived there for a very short time before moving to a home that Jesse built in Georgetown.  Jesse was a brilliant business man and a tanner.  Their move to Georgetown, Ohio allowed the family to quickly expand their tannery business.

The birthplace of Ulysses Grant is very similar today as it was in the 1800’s thanks to the many period pieces the home has on display.   Within the home you will see the corner chest which was the chest of the Grant newlyweds.  Other Grant family items include a leather chest that Jesse made and Ulysses carried with him to West Point, shoes made by Jesse (pictured above), and linens belonging to Hannah (pillowcase, slip and shawl).  Other pieces are period pieces that the Grants may have had in the home.

The home also has a collection of Grant memorabilia on display which includes papers, photos and other momentos of Grant’s life.

The home actually travelled the across the United States “on tour” after the death of Ulysses S. Grant and eventually returned to its original location.

And here’s an additional odd fact for you…Ulysses’ name is actually not Ulysses Simpson Grant.  The name given to him at birth was actually Hiriam Ulysses Grant.  His mother’s maiden name was Simpson and it seems that an error  on his West Point application gave him the name of Ulysses Simpson Grant.

Ulysses S. Grant was a West Point graduate (entered the academy in 1839), a Mexican War hero, a Civil War General who led the Union forces to victory, and the 18th President of the United States (two terms, 1868 and 1872).

The birthplace of Ulysses S. Grant is located at the intersection of Route 52 (Ohio River Scenic Byway) and Route 232 in Pt. Pleasant, Ohio
The home is owned by the State of Ohio. See their site for hours and other details. There is a small admission fee to see the inside of the home.