Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr, Weehawken, New Jersey ~ September 2025

On July 11 in 1804, this most famous and deadly duel took place somewhere near this spot. We visited the park and also the graves of both Hamilton and Burr. Burr lived until 1836 and was Vice President under Jefferson from 1801-1805. You all know some of Hamilton's life story from the musical 😉

The enclosure with the statue also contains the rock that Hamilton allegedly rested on after he was shot. He was then brought to Manhattan where he died after 30 or so hours.

The Museum Ship Valley Camp in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, remembers Hamilton.

Princeton Cemetery, New Jersey, where you can find Aaron Burr.

I don't know the significance of the coconut 

Trinity Church Cemetery, New York City where Hamilton's funeral took place and where he is buried.

Here's to visiting historic sites!

Princeton Cemetery, 29 Greenview Avenue, Princeton, New Jersey ~ September 2025

We came here for Grover Cleveland and found much more.  But here is our 22nd and 24th President with his wife, Frances, and young daughter, Ruth.

The infamous Aaron Burr is here along with his father, the second President of Princeton.

I don't know what the coconut means.

Aaron Burr Sr.

This area is called Presidents Row where many of the Princeton Presidents reside.

Jonathan Edwards, 3rd President of Princeton and noted theologian (Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God) is here.

John Witherspoon was a Presbyterian  minister, slaveholder, and signer of the Declaration of Independence.

Paul Tulane, the founder of Tulane University resides here.

The father of the Gallup pole is here with his wife (George Horace and Ophelia).  I could not find any information on the nearby tombstone, Robina M. Gallup (1941-1987).

Lastly, we found the graves of Kitty and Jose Menendez, murdered in cold blood by their sons.

Peace out, Princeton.

Champaign-Urbana Illinois, Roadside Attractions ~ September 2025

With a few hours to spend in Champaign-Urbana, we sought out some highlights, starting with University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana campus. The Alma Mater bronze sculpture stands on the corner of Wright and Green Streets. It was designed by Lorado Taft, dedicated in 1929, and stands 13 feet tall. "Learning" and "Labor" are the two figures behind her.

The Quad features historic signs and a huge sculpture, "Mananaan" standing 26 feet tall. It was created by Alexander Liberman. Mananaan is a god of the sea in Irish mythology.

This Mammoth was installed in 2023 outside of the Natural History Building.

Lincoln Hall has a Lincoln bust in an entryway that was created by Hermon MacNeil in 1928. The University paid $450.00 for it. The nose is shiny because students rub it for good luck 😊 Allegedly, the bust was stolen for a day and found on a golf course.

"Diss-Connections" by John Adduci is located in front of the Electrical and Computer Engineering Building and is intended to highlight the cables used by engineering students.

The Courier Cafe in Urbana has a sweet mural on its wall and some cool graffiti on a building next door. Besides some history, the mural features four favorite sons, two of which attended the University (Novak and Shalit), Ebert who was born in Urbana, and Will who was born in Champaign.

And speaking of Roger Ebert, he has a sculpture in front of the Virginia Theatre in Champaign (203 W. Park Avenue). It was designed by Rick Harney and unveiled in 2014. Ebert passed away in 2013.

We enjoyed some time in Legends where the retired University mascot, Chief Illiniwek, is on display. And other than our hotel view and some cool clouds driving in, our visit was over. Until next time!