President George W. Bush made history Friday - at least modern-day history -when he stepped onto Fourth Street in Ironton.

Bush's impromptu campaign stop marks the first visit by a sitting president since President Harry S. Truman stopped in

1948 on his famous Whistlestop Tour.

On Friday, an estimated crowd of approximately 3,000 to 5,000 covered the grounds of the Lawrence County Courthouse and lined the streets along the president's route into the city.

Wearing a blue dress shirt, unbuttoned at the top, with no tie and the sleeves rolled up, the president stepped off the bus as the crowd roared and cheered.

Stepping onto a portable platform, facing the courthouse, the president grabbed a microphone and spoke.

"Thank you all. Thank you all for coming out," Bush said. "We're here today to ask for the vote in Ironton, Ohio."

Bush introduced Senator Mike DeWine (R-Ohio) and Senator Zell Miller, (D-Georgia). Miller recently gave a rousing speech at the Republican National Convention in which he was highly critical of his own political party and complimentary of Bush.

Flanked by the senators, Bush pointed from one to another.

"One Republican, one Democrat, all united to making this country a better place for everybody," he said.

"We've got plans to make this world a safer place, a stronger place and a better place for every American, and I'm here to ask for your help," Bush said. "And I'd like your support."

The president was cheered at each pause by crowd members, many of whom held signs of support.

"I appreciate your prayers," Bush said. "May God bless you and may God continue to bless our great country."

Before leaving Bush was presented with a key to the City of Ironton by Mayor John Elam.

"We're honored to have you here," Elam said. "We're looking forward to four more years."

Elam also gave the president a proclamation declaring Sept. 10, 2004, as George W. Bush Day in the city.

After speaking, the president stepped down from the podium and shook hands with a few people in the crowd and signed a few autographs before getting back on the bus and heading to his next scheduled stop, a campaign rally in Portsmouth.

Bush was physically on the ground in Ironton for approximately 3 minutes, 30 seconds.

But for the thousands on hand, it was 3 minutes and 30 seconds that they'll remember forever.

"That was so cool," said Debbie Lewis of Ironton. "I really liked it. I was so excited.

"A friend told me late last night (about Bush's visit) all our plans had to change," she said. "It was definitely worth the wait."

For Lewis, like many in the crowd, the visit was one of only a handful of times during which she had seen a United States president in person.

"I was this close to the limousine when (President Richard) Nixon came to Ashland (Ky.)," said Maxine Wallace of Ironton. "I voted my whole life and I've voted for the Republican presidential candidates."

Working to keep his granddaughter, 5-month-old Alexis Lawson, in the shade, Jim and Floye Sherman said the primary draw was just the history of it all and the president's stance against abortion.

"Our daughter, who had to work today, ordered us to bring her (Alexis) down here," Jim Sherman said with a laugh. "She's a Bush baby, too."

Local schools sent approximately 1,400 students to the event.

"I thought it was awesome," said 10-year-old Ashley Callicoat, a fifth-grader at Dawson-Bryant. "I'd never seen a president before. He's kind of taller than I thought."

Justin Kelley, a 16-year-old Ironton High School student, agreed that it was exciting.

"It was cool," he said. "It was a great experience."

Contact with the president wasn't limited to the courthouse area. Bush's motorcade traveled down Fourth Street to Etna Street, turned on Second Street and continue to Hanging Rock, where it returned to U.S. 52. Along the way through Ironton, the president spoke to spectators through a public address system on the bus.

"I didn't have to fight that 3,000 person crowd, and I got talk to him one-on-one," said Lana Thompson of Ironton.

She painted the words "Thank God for George Bush" on a queen-sized sheet and hung it up along Fourth Street near Etna.

"He thanked me over the PA," Thompson said. "He said 'thank you so much for that sign.' I'll never forget it. We were like kids."

"There was history made in Ironton, Ohio, today," Mayor Elam said. "It was a sincere honor and pleasure to be able to welcome President Bush to the city of Ironton. It was absolutely awesome."