1

Paul Bunyan

Image: Abby Savage

Paul Bunyan , the colossal lumberjack of American folklore, is said to have cleared forests from the Northeast to the Pacific Northwest. With his blue ox, Babe , he performed incredible feats of strength, like carving out the Grand Canyon just by dragging his axe behind him, and creating the Great Lakes with his footprints.

Originating in oral traditions among lumberjacks, Bunyan’s exaggerated exploits gained momentum with the American westward expansion during the 19th century and soon became deeply ingrained in the popular imagination.

2

Johnny Appleseed

Image: Aarón Blanco Tejedor

Born John Chapman, Johnny Appleseed wandered the American frontier planting apple trees and spreading goodwill in the early 19th century. A devout Christian, he became a folk hero for his kindness, environmentalism, and pioneering spirit.

Contrary to the popular image of Johnny Appleseed randomly scattering apple seeds, he was a skilled nurseryman who meticulously planted apple tree nurseries. Each nursery was carefully fenced to shield the saplings from livestock and wildlife. After establishing these nurseries, he entrusted them to neighbors but revisited them periodically.

3

Pecos Bill

Image: JosephHershMedia

Pecos Bill , a fictional cowboy raised by coyotes in the wilds of Texas, became a larger-than-life figure known for taming cyclones and roping tornadoes. His adventures, first popularized in the early 20th century, embody the frontier spirit and Texas mythology, blending humor with tales of rugged individualism.

Among his many tales, one credits him with creating the Gulf of Mexico . According to legend, during a severe drought in Texas, Pecos Bill lassoed a storm cloud in California and brought it to Texas. The resulting deluge caused extensive flooding, ultimately forming the Gulf.

4

Davy Crockett

Image: Joseph Corl

Davy Crockett , known as the "King of the Wild Frontier," was a real-life frontiersman later turned politician whose exploits were mythologized even during his lifetime. Born in East Tennessee, he quickly gained fame for his sharp hunting skills and captivating storytelling.

During his time in the U.S. Congress, he staunchly opposed many of President Andrew Jackson’s policies, particularly the Indian Removal Act, and championed the rights of small landowners. Crockett’s life ended with valor at the Battle of the Alamo , solidifying his folk legend as a symbol of courage and patriotism. His legacy remains an enduring part of American history.

5

Calamity Jane

Image: Vidar Nordli-Mathisen

Martha Jane Canary, better known by her alias Calamity Jane, was a frontierswoman and scout famed for her sharpshooting skills and daredevil exploits. During her youth, she stepped up to provide for her large family, taking on various jobs, from ox team driver to scout for Fort Russell. Eventually, she embraced the rough and adventurous lifestyle that made her a legend.

Despite her fearsome reputation, Calamity Jane was compassionate and often helped those in need. Her adventures in the Wild West alongside figures like Wild Bill Hickok cemented her status as a legend of the American frontier.

6

Molly Pitcher

Image: Garry T

Molly Pitcher, the nickname given to Mary Ludwig Hays McCauley, became famous for her bravery during the American Revolutionary War. Although several historical figures are known by this moniker for similar deeds, Mary Ludwig Hays distinguished herself during the Battle of Monmouth in June 1778, where she served as a water carrier for the soldiers.

When her husband, an artilleryman in the Continental Army, fell to enemy fire, she took his place, swabbing and loading the cannon with such bravery and determination that she earned a commendation from George Washington.

7

Daniel Boone

Image: Scott Longerbeam

Daniel Boone was a legendary frontiersman and explorer who blazed trails through the Appalachian Mountains and into Kentucky. Born in 1734, Boone became famous for his expert hunting and survival skills, as well as his role in establishing the Wilderness Road, a trail that facilitated westward migration through the Cumberland Gap.

After serving as a militia officer during the Revolutionary War, he was briefly taken in by the Shawnees in the Northeastern Woodlands. After a few years, he returned and continued to help protect the Kentucky settlements.

8

Buffalo Bill

Image: Judy Beth Morris

William Frederick "Buffalo Bill" Cody was a legendary figure of the American West, known for his Wild West shows that toured the United States and Europe. Born in 1846, Cody was a skilled buffalo hunter, Army scout, and showman who brought cowboy skills and frontier life to audiences worldwide.

He earned his nickname after the Civil War by providing Kansas Pacific Railroad workers with buffalo meat, hunting record numbers of the animal. He even engaged in hunting competitions with his partner, Bill Comstock. His legendary figure has been frequently portrayed in film and television, especially during the height of the Western genre in the 1960s.

9

Wild Bill Hickok

Image: Pablò

James Butler Hickok, famously known as Wild Bill Hickok, was a legendary figure of the American Old West. Born in 1837, Hickok gained fame as a skilled marksman, gambler, and lawman.

Though his exploits were certainly exaggerated by the outlandish tales he told about himself, he was involved in several notorious gunfights during his life. Most notably, he dueled with Davis Tutt, a local gambler with whom he had various disagreements, particularly over their mutual affection for the same woman.

10

John Henry

Image: Lucio Patone

John Henry was a legendary steel-driving man whose man-against-machine tale epitomized the strength and resilience of the American worker. An African American freedman, his dangerous job involved hammering steel drills into rocks to create holes for explosives used to blast open railroad tunnels.

According to the legend, John Henry's prowess was tested in a race against a steam-powered drill. He won the race but tragically died after victory, hammer in hand when his heart gave out from the immense physical stress.

1

Appalachian Trail, Shenandoah National Park, Virginia

Image: Wes Hicks

Yes, the entire Appalachian Trail is extremely long. Actually, it is over 2,190 miles long. But, the Shenandoah National Park, 75 miles from Washington, D.C., has over 500 miles of hiking trails, including more than 100 miles of the Appalachian Trail ; You can tackle a small section in a day’s hike.

The park is the perfect place to explore the great outdoors in Virginia and it consists of 200,000 acres of protected land that are home to animals like deer and songbirds.

2

Burroughs Mountain Trail, Mount Rainier National Park, Washington

Image: Scott Longerbeam

More than 260 miles of maintained trails lead visitors through peaceful old-growth forests, river valleys, and subalpine meadows on the Mount Rainier National Park in Washington state.

The park is home to one of the most iconic mountains in the world: Mount Rainier rises 14,410 feet above sea level straight into the clouds. Check out the Burroughs Mountain Trail for stunning views of mountain peaks and the alpine landscape.

3

Rim Trail, Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah

Image: Tim Golder

Bryce Canyon National Park in Utah is home to the largest collection of odd-shaped pillars of rock left standing from the forces of erosion, known as hoodoos. Many of them can be viewed from the 5.5-mile Rim Trail .

The park also offers hikes for all levels, including backcountry options for those looking for a little added adventure and guided Full Moon Hikes for night-owl explorers.

4

Upper Emerald Pools Trail, Zion National Park, Utah

Image: Jamie Hagan

A park filled with hiking trails for all experience levels, Zion National Park, Utah's first national park , is famous for its massive cream, pink, and red sandstone cliffs, and freestanding arches.

Hikers should attempt to visit at sunrise and sunset to enjoy the breathtaking views of sunlight splashing off the cliffs and into the rivers below. And if it is an approachable trail they’re looking for, the Upper Emerald Pools Trail is an easy hike leading to sparkling waterfalls.

5

Grinnell Glacier Trail, Glacier National Park, Montana

Image: Aaron Clinard

Over 700 miles of hiking trails, including more than a dozen options around the Many Glacier area , like the popular Grinnell Glacier Trail , can be found at the Glacier National Park.

Lucky visitors can spot some of the park's varied wildlife, including 71 species of mammals, from the tiny pygmy shrew to one of the largest remaining grizzly bear populations in the country.

6

Charlies Bunion Hike, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee and North Carolina

Image: Leslie Cross

The Great Smoky Mountains are world-renowned for its animal and plant life diversity, as well as for its miles of official and backcountry trails with views of waterfalls and old-growth forests.

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park spreads across two states and offers plenty of activities for hikers. For a particularly breathtaking vista, hike to Charlies Bunion, a popular outcropping along the Appalachian Trail.

7

Billy Goat Trail, Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park, Maryland

Image: Eduardo Gutierrez

Considered a moderate-difficulty trail, Maryland's Billy Goat Trail has three sections totaling eight miles, though portions are strenuous and challenging . Outdoor enthusiasts can experience the raging Potomac River and the rocky crags of Great Falls. The hike is very popular, so early hours are advisable to beat the crowds.

8

Chautauqua Trail, Chautauqua Park, Colorado

Image: Leslie Cross

An old park, Chautauqua Park in Boulder, Colorado, has been around since 1898. The 80-acre park has miles of hiking, much of which are uphill . But there are less strenuous hikes, too, like the Chautauqua Trail, which offers views of the Flatiron mountains and Boulder.

9

Canyon to Rim Loop, Smith Rock State Park, Oregon

Image: Alex Diaz

Hikers of every level can find an appropriate trail at Smith Rock State Park, in Oregon. These vary in length and difficulty, but they all offer beautiful views of the Central Oregon landscape**.**

The park offers hundreds of miles of hiking and biking trails, and visitors may spot golden eagles, prairie falcons, river otters, and beavers throughout the day.

10

Petroglyph Wall Trail, Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, Nevada

Image: Kristin Melville

As visitors to the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area can testify, not all short-distance hikes are the same. Many are labeled difficult, and it can take four to five hours to complete a five-mile hike.

Along the different routes, desert wildlife can be spotted, including lizards, toads, and hawks. One of the park's most beginner-friendly hikes is the 0.2-mile Petroglyph Wall Trail , where centuries-old rock art can be appreciated.

1

Anna Harrison

Anna Harrison was preparing for her belated move to the White House in 1841, when her plans were shattered by some devastating news.

That March, Anna, then 65, was too ill to travel from Ohio to Washington for her husband William Henry Harrison’s inauguration. She was expected to recover and join him later that spring, so her daughter-in-law, Jane Irwin Harrison, served as White House hostess in the meantime. But just one month after taking office, President Harrison died at 68 of a mysterious illness. Anna never made the journey and became the shortest-serving first lady in American history , despite never actually occupying the official role in the capital itself.

2

Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt

The White House may look like a historic home, but by 1901 it was struggling to keep up with presidential life. By 1902, Theodore and Edith Roosevelt’s family had outgrown the cramped residence. Theodore Roosevelt had six children, a growing staff, and too little room for official work.

His second wife, Edith Kermit Carrow Roosevelt, helped shape the major 1902 renovation, working with architect Charles McKim to reorganize the building and its furnishings. The family quarters on the second floor were expanded, and the West Wing was built to move much of the president’s staff out of the residential floor. The project also introduced a more coordinated Colonial Revival style, replacing mismatched décor with a more unified look. Edith’s influence went beyond choosing curtains or furniture: the changes helped separate family life from government business, laying the groundwork for the White House layout people recognize today.

3

Frances Cleveland

It’s not common to see weddings inside the White House, but President Grover Cleveland made it happen in 1886.

On June 2, he married Frances Folsom in the Blue Room, making her the only first lady to marry a president inside the mansion. Their relationship attracted enormous public interest due to the difference in age: s he was 21, while Cleveland was 49. Frances also remains the youngest first lady in American history— and that’s not all. On September 9, 1893, Frances gave birth to their daughter Esther at the White House, the only child of a president ever born there. With a young family in the Executive Mansion, Frances also worked to protect her children’s privacy, including restricting access to the press to the grounds when needed.

4

Dolley Madison

In August 1814, British troops marched into Washington, D.C., during the War of 1812, and the White House was in danger. President James Madison had left the capital, but First Lady Dolley Madison stayed long enough to help arrange the removal of important belongings.

That includes a portrait of George Washington painted by Gilbert Stuart in 1797, the first artwork brought into the White House. The story has become one of the best-known episodes in first lady history, although later illustrations sometimes dramatized the rescue. The portrait was a large, framed likeness, not something she could simply tuck under her arm. Official accounts describe the frame being removed so the canvas could be carried away. British forces later set fire to the presidential mansion on August 24, 1814. The painting survived, and Dolley’s quick action helped preserve a powerful symbol of the young republic.

5

Edith Wilson

When a president becomes seriously ill, doctors and advisers step in. But after Woodrow Wilson suffered a major stroke on October 2, 1919, his wife, Edith, became the gatekeeper to the Oval Office’s most important decisions.

Edith, working alongside the president’s physician, Dr. Cary Grayson, screened documents and decided which matters were important enough to bring to her husband. She insisted that Wilson remain in office rather than resign, while limiting access to him. Critics later described her as an unelected ruler, although she maintained that she never made public-policy decisions herself.

6

Helen Taft

If you’ve ever seen photographs of Washington, D.C., covered in pink cherry blossoms, you can thank a first lady with an eye for natural beauty.

Helen Herron Taft became first lady in 1909 and supported plans to transform Potomac Park into a tree-lined promenade. She worked with writer and Japan traveler Eliza Scidmore, who had advocated for Japanese cherry trees for nearly 25 years. An initial shipment of 2,000 trees arrived in 1910, but inspectors found them so infested with insects that they were destroyed. Tokyo sent a replacement gift of 3,020 trees, and on March 27, 1912, Helen Taft and Iwa Chinda, wife of the Japanese ambassador, planted the first two beside the Tidal Basin.

7

Sarah Polk

Sarah Childress Polk was no carefree hostess; when she was first lady, there were some strict rules for guests inside the White House.

When her husband, James K. Polk, became president in 1845, she took her responsibilities seriously, paid close attention to politics, and helped manage the household with a firm hand . She was also deeply religious and opposed drinking, so alcohol was not served at White House receptions during the Polk Administration. Some accounts say disgruntled staff members nicknamed her "Sahara Sarah" because they found her rules and strict manners dry and joyless. The nickname makes for a good story, but there are no firmly documented records of this being true. Sarah’s influence wasn’t limited to social rules: she was an educated political partner who discussed public affairs with her husband and followed the news closely.

8

Abigail Adams

Long before women could vote in national elections, Abigail Adams was already pushing her husband to consider their rights.

In a letter dated March 31, 1776, while John was attending the First Continental Congress in Philadelphia, she urged her husband John Adams, then helping shape the new nation’s political future, to "Remember the Ladies, and be more generous and favourable to them than your ancestors," when establishing laws for the emerging republic. She warned against giving husbands unlimited power over their wives and argued for greater fairness. John replied playfully, but the new country’s laws did not deliver the changes Abigail wanted. When John became president in 1797, Abigail served as a trusted adviser and White House hostess. More than a presidential spouse, she was a sharp political thinker who made her views known at a time when women were largely excluded from formal power.

9

Letitia Tyler

The White House is usually associated with ceremonies, celebrations, and political history, but it has also been the scene of private grief. At the age of 51, Letitia Christian Tyler, wife of President John Tyler, became the first first lady to pass away inside the mansion due to a fatal stroke on September 10, 1842.

She had been in poor health after a first stroke that left her confined to a chair upstairs, and led a quiet life. It was her daughter-in-law, Priscilla Cooper Tyler, who took on many hostess responsibilities, welcoming guests and organizing social events. Letitia’s death left the president and their large family mourning in the very place where the country conducted its business. She was buried in Virginia, at the plantation where she had been born.

10

Martha Washington

Today, seeing a woman’s portrait on money might not seem unusual, but for much of the country’s history it was rare.

Martha Washington, the nation’s inaugural first lady, became the first and, to date, only woman whose portrait appeared on a U.S. paper currency note in her own right. Her likeness was featured on silver certificates issued in 1886, 1891, and 1896, decades after her death in 1802. The 1806 note, held in the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History collection, shows her bust on the front of a one-dollar silver certificate. These notes were not the same as today’s familiar Federal Reserve bills: they represented silver held by the U.S. Treasury and could be redeemed under the rules of the time.