McKinley, William, Tomb
Why it's listed
Rising 97 feet and measuring 75 feet across at its base, this ashlar mausoleum in Canton, Ohio, holds the remains of President William McKinley. A second structure inside the outer shell houses the sarcophagi, and heavy bronze doors open into the domed rotunda. Renaissance-inspired detailing is flat and restrained, while a long flight of steps, a bronze statue of McKinley delivering his last speech at Buffalo, and the surrounding lawn and tree-lined walks give the site a monumental character. Architect Harold Van Buren Magonigle reportedly imagined the building as the handle of a sheathed sword, with the grounds forming the blade. After McKinley was fatally shot in 1901, a memorial association raised $558,452.91 by public subscription, and the tomb was dedicated on September 30, 1907. The association gave the memorial and 24 acres to the State of Ohio in 1943. It was refurbished in 1965-66, and only the reflecting pool has been removed.
Significance in brief: The memorial honors William McKinley, 25th President of the United States, who was assassinated in 1901. It was funded entirely by public subscription and is noted for its monumental Renaissance-style design and landscape. Magonigle's detailed working drawings are also considered of interest.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 70000516, listed November 10, 1970. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 7th St., NW., Canton |
|---|---|
| County | Stark County |
| Listed | November 10, 1970 |
| Reference number | 70000516 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1907 |
| Architect / builder | Harold Van Buren Magonigle (architect) |
| Architectural style | Renaissance vein detailing |
| Areas of significance | Politics/Government |
| Level of significance | National |
| National Historic Landmark | Yes, designated May 15, 1975 |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Listed in excellent condition and unaltered apart from removal of the reflecting pool; refurbished in 1965-66 and administered by the Ohio Historical Society as a state memorial. |
| Acreage | 22 |
| Coordinates | 40.80673, -81.39255 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 70000516.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q3303678
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.