Ulysses S. Grant Cottage facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Ulysses S. Grant Cottage |
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| General information | |
| Type | Chalet |
| Architectural style | Bavarian |
| Location | Elberon, New Jersey |
| Address | 995 Ocean Avenue |
| Town or city | Long Branch, New Jersey |
| Country | United States |
| Coordinates | 40°16′17″N 73°59′08″W / 40.27139°N 73.98556°W |
| Demolished | 1963 |
The Ulysses S. Grant Cottage was a special vacation home for U.S. President Ulysses S. Grant. It was located in Elberon, New Jersey, which is part of Long Branch, New Jersey. People sometimes called it a "Summer White House" because President Grant spent so much time there.
Grant started vacationing at the cottage in the summer of 1867. He loved it so much that he spent about three months there every summer until 1885. Even after he was no longer president, he continued to visit. While at the cottage, he held important meetings with his advisors, known as his cabinet. He also wrote parts of his famous book, Personal Memoirs of Ulysses S. Grant, there.
Because President Grant stayed at the cottage, Elberon became a popular place for important people to visit. This popularity lasted until trains made the area easier for everyone to reach. Sadly, the cottage was torn down in 1963. The owner at the time did not have enough money to fix it up and keep it safe. Today, the spot where the cottage once stood is just a grassy field.
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Grant's Summer Home History
Wealthy friends of Ulysses S. Grant gave him the cottage as a gift. These friends supported the Republican Party and also had summer homes nearby in Elberon, New Jersey. Their homes were close enough to walk to, which made it easy for them to meet and talk about important issues of the day.
The Grant family used the cottage for three months each summer. They started in 1867 and continued until 1885, even after Grant had finished his time as president. This cottage was one of several "Summer White Houses" that U.S. presidents used during the warmer months. Grant enjoyed his time there so much that some people even criticized him for spending too much time away from Washington, D.C.
Grant called Long Branch, New Jersey, the "summer capital." He held important cabinet meetings at the cottage. He also worked on plans for his book, Personal Memoirs of Ulysses S. Grant, while staying there. When he was in Long Branch, Grant attended church at the Church of the Presidents on Ocean Avenue.
Why the Cottage Was Demolished
In 1941, a group called the Sisters of St. Joseph of the Peace bought the land next to the cottage. They turned the whole area into a retreat center. By 1963, the Sisters wanted to make improvements to their property. However, they did not have enough money to fix up the old Grant cottage. Because of this, they decided to have the building torn down. The retreat center itself closed in 2015.
What the Cottage Looked Like
The Ulysses S. Grant Cottage was located at 995 Ocean Avenue in Elberon. It sat right on the land facing the Atlantic Ocean. The cottage was built in a style called a chalet, which is a type of house often found in the mountains. It was designed in the Bavarian style.
As mentioned, the cottage was torn down in 1963. Today, the place where it stood is an empty, grassy field. A white picket fence borders the area.
Grant's Impact on Long Branch
By choosing to spend his summers in Long Branch, President Grant made the town very famous. He helped it become a popular seaside resort for many years. Grant started a trend for future U.S. presidents to also visit Long Branch.
Other presidents who spent time in Long Branch included:
- James A. Garfield
- Rutherford B. Hayes
- Chester A. Arthur
- Benjamin Harrison
- William McKinley
- Woodrow Wilson
Today, you can find a statue of Grant and a special plaque on the boardwalk nearby. These remind people of his connection to the area.
Images for kids
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The Ulysses S. Grant Cottage as drawn for Harper's Weekly.
