James M. Paxson
Encyclopedia
James M. Paxson is an Omaha, Nebraska
businessman who donated the land and raised funds to create the Gerald R. Ford Birthsite and Gardens
at the 1913 birth site of President Gerald Ford
.
Paxson was president of Standard Chemical Company in Omaha, a manufacturer of livestock chemicals.
Paxson, who lived nearby in the "near west" Omaha neighborhood said he grown tired of the "for sale" that lingered on the property for three years after a 1971 fire killed an occupant.
In 1974 after Ford became President he bought the property for $17,250 and offered to donate it to the city of Omaha. However the city said it did not have the funds to build a memorial. Paxson then set up the Paxson Foundation to raise funds.
Ford, as President, visited Paxson and the site on May 7, 1976 while campaigning for the Republican nomination in the Nebraska primary. Ford was to lose the primary to Ronald Reagan
and said later that the loss of his home state hurt him. Ford won the state in the general election.
The memorial was dedicated in 1977. Ford and Paxson were to fund raise together and Ford returned in 1980 for the dedication of a rose garden in honor of Betty Ford
.
Adjoining the site is the Gerald R. Ford Conservation Center (also established by Paxson) which is maintained by the Nebraska State Historical Society which provides conservation services for historical relics. The Center also contains an exhibit of Ford memorabilia.
The two sites are just to the northwest of Hanscom Park, which is one of the oldest public parks in Omaha.
Omaha, Nebraska
Omaha is the largest city in the state of Nebraska, United States, and is the county seat of Douglas County. It is located in the Midwestern United States on the Missouri River, about 20 miles north of the mouth of the Platte River...
businessman who donated the land and raised funds to create the Gerald R. Ford Birthsite and Gardens
Gerald R. Ford Birthsite and Gardens
The Gerald R. Ford Birthsite and Gardens in Omaha, Nebraska marks the location of the house at 3202 Woolworth Avenue where U.S. President Gerald R. Ford lived for a couple of weeks after his birth in July 1913...
at the 1913 birth site of President Gerald Ford
Gerald Ford
Gerald Rudolph "Jerry" Ford, Jr. was the 38th President of the United States, serving from 1974 to 1977, and the 40th Vice President of the United States serving from 1973 to 1974...
.
Paxson was president of Standard Chemical Company in Omaha, a manufacturer of livestock chemicals.
Paxson, who lived nearby in the "near west" Omaha neighborhood said he grown tired of the "for sale" that lingered on the property for three years after a 1971 fire killed an occupant.
In 1974 after Ford became President he bought the property for $17,250 and offered to donate it to the city of Omaha. However the city said it did not have the funds to build a memorial. Paxson then set up the Paxson Foundation to raise funds.
Ford, as President, visited Paxson and the site on May 7, 1976 while campaigning for the Republican nomination in the Nebraska primary. Ford was to lose the primary to Ronald Reagan
Ronald Reagan
Ronald Wilson Reagan was the 40th President of the United States , the 33rd Governor of California and, prior to that, a radio, film and television actor....
and said later that the loss of his home state hurt him. Ford won the state in the general election.
The memorial was dedicated in 1977. Ford and Paxson were to fund raise together and Ford returned in 1980 for the dedication of a rose garden in honor of Betty Ford
Betty Ford
Elizabeth Ann Bloomer Warren Ford , better known as Betty Ford, was First Lady of the United States from 1974 to 1977 during the presidency of her husband Gerald Ford...
.
Adjoining the site is the Gerald R. Ford Conservation Center (also established by Paxson) which is maintained by the Nebraska State Historical Society which provides conservation services for historical relics. The Center also contains an exhibit of Ford memorabilia.
The two sites are just to the northwest of Hanscom Park, which is one of the oldest public parks in Omaha.