Popular Culture Review Vol. 13, No. 1, January 2002 | Page 129

The Theodore Roosevelt Highway

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(DiClerico 346-347). Virtually every one ranks Lincoln at the top and either Franklin
Roosevelt and George Washington as second or third in greatness. The rankings
for Theodore Roosevelt range from fourth to a low of seventh.
To put matters into perspective, it is necessary to consider the conditions
existing during the first Roosevelt’s presidency. His substantial ranking emerges
even in the absence of an overwhelming crisis during his time in office such as the
founding, the Civil War, or the Great Depression—events creating conditions that
can encourage heroism and call forth greatness. His record is therefore all the
more impressive and places Theodore Roosevelt among the most outstanding figures
who have served as President.
For that reason alone, Theodore Roosevelt’s most extensive memorial
deserves to be remembered. There are other reasons as well, including historical
significance. The T [