[2] President James Buchanan was born into an Ulster Scots family on April 23, 1791, near the village of Cove Gap.

The complex was known as Stony Batter, named for the family home near Ramelton in County Donegal in Ulster, the northern province in Ireland.

Pioneers travelling from the East Coast through Cove Gap stopped at Stony Batter to rest and replenish their supplies.

As the area was no longer a center of commerce, and had become a remote place, it is uncertain why it took years to purchase Stony Batter, but the Riggs' were finally successful in doing so in 1907.

The work force grew to 35 men and the monument was completed by late winter with a surrounding iron railing.

The Pennsylvania General Assembly of 1911 accepted the monument from the trust of Harriet Lane Johnston and Buchanan's Birthplace State Park was formally established.