Motel 6 Columbus East

Along the sidewalk directly in front of the west entrance is the complex grouping of bronze sculptures dedicated to Ohio's greatest contribution to the US presidency, William McKinley. Unlike a good number of other Ohio presidents, McKinley was not a general turned politician but a dedicated public servant born and raised in Ohio, and who worked his way through Ohio politics before going to the national scene. McKinley was elected for two terms, in 1896 and 1900, but was assassinated during his second term. The terrific mourning among Ohioans for their martyred leader resulted in quick creation of the assembly of statues, which were dedicated with the largest gathering ever on the Statehouse grounds in 1906. The statue of McKinley is flanked on either side by symbolic statues of Peace and Prosperity. The statehouse website linked below describes these two as follows: "Each is depicted as an adult figure guiding and instructing a youth, representing the next generation. The adult female figure of Peace, a palm of peace grasped in her hand, draws a little girl close to herself to confide that the greatness of the nation is in her peaceful pursuits, while the adult male figure of Prosperity instructs a young boy in the use of the tools of industry, the basis of so much of the nation's prosperity." This is another must visit memorial on the Statehouse grounds.