
“Photo For Representation Purposes”
Grover Cleveland was both the 22nd and the 24th President of the United States, and to this day remains the only President to ever have served 2 non-consecutive terms. He and his wife Frances loved animals and kept several with them both at the White House and in their other lifetime homes.
Some pets were traditional – like their hounds and other dogs – but others were more exotic, such as the hundreds of imported fish. It is unclear whether these fish resided at the White House or at the Cleveland’s Oak View mansion (also called “Red Top” for its red roof). According to an article in the Washington Post, at least some of these fish were gifted to Frances (or “Frank” as she was known) by the U.S. Consul in Indochina.
Some fish were exotic, and some were more common such as regular goldfish. And the crowning jewel of the fish family was a paradise fish all the way from Siam. All of these fish could be seen swimming in pools located in both the Rose and Orchid conservatories at the White House.
Given the number of fish she had, it is likely Frank Cleveland enjoyed them very much – it is a good thing the Cleveland didn’t have any cats, else their fish collection may have unexpectedly dwindled!