If You Can't Match The Capital City To The State, You Don't Deserve To Be An American
- by Jessica
- – on
- in Mind Twisters
Canada and the US are distinct from Europe in that their state capitals are often small cities, and thus easily forgotten. Paris and London are the metropolitan hubs of France and England, so it's easy to remember they are the capital cities. It seems unintuitive that New York's capital would be Albany instead of, say, New York City. But it's good for a state to diversify it's economic interests.
The location of state capitals were chosen for a combination of factors. In eastern states these capital cities were maybe cultural hubs in the eighteenth century-- they've had a lot of time to change. In western states capitals are often at the centre of the state territory because the land was (exactly) a territory before it became a state. Settlers had to be able to fight off indigenous tribes and wanted their centre of government to central for people's needs. Sometimes geographical barriers influenced this decision, for example, if an environment was hostile or infertile.
You would think all the state capitals were built in the image of D.C's, and that's typically the case the more West you go. But some of these capitals have had a face lift in the past century or two.
Can you match the state capital to the 50 states?
California
Though the California state capital might not have the Golden Gate or Disneyland, it does have Sutter's Fort. Remember, American capitals were based on their historic utility. It was distribution point during the California Gold Rush and the terminus for the Transcontinental Railroad. Two rivers also merge in this city, making it a transport haven in yet another domain. The city is known for its temperate climate (*California*) and its farm-to-fork dining. The capital city is just a short drive from the mountains and the Bay Area.
Alabama
This city sits on the Gulf Coastal Plain and the Alabama River flows through it. This city has a rich history as it is known both as the "Birthplace of the Civil Rights Movement" and "Cradle of the Confederacy". This was the city where activist Rosa Parks refused to give up her bus seat. It was the capital that Martin Luther King and fellow nonviolent civil rights champions marched towards to protest barriers against black voter registration before governor George Wallace.
New Jersey
This city name is like Springfield-- there are cities with this same name dotted all over the United States. Briefly, this city was capital of the United States; it was also the site of General George Washington's first military victory (where he's headed in that famous painting of him crossing the Delaware). Locals in this city are divided over sports allegiance. The NJ capital is equidistant from New York City and Philadelphia and thus receives sports broadcasting from both. From hockey to baseball it's a hard choice.
Florida
This city is where Florida State University is. It is a financial centre, known for business, banks, and government buildings. The city has a humid subtropical climate and unfortunately lies prey to hurricanes. Like other states bordering the Gulf of Mexico this capital has been hurt. The city used to support their own semi-pro hockey team, the Tiger Sharks, and the Titans (basketball) and the Tigers (football). It now only has the Seminoles, A&M Rattlers, and a bunch of amateur sports teams.
Colorado
This city is the most populous one in Colorado and the second biggest city in the Mountain West after Phoenix. It is aptly dubbed "Mile-High City" as when major sports teams play there the participants need to ready themselves for the altitude. It's a great place to live if you love the outdoors, because it's known to have easy access to ski resorts as well as national parks. This city is home to the Broncos (NFL) and the Avalanche (NHL).
Georgia
This city is the most populous one in Georgia, and during the Civil Rights Movement it earned the reputation as "too busy too hate" because of the progressive stance of its businessmen. Most of the city burnt during the Civil War, so Georgia's capital does not have many historic buildings. The city hosted the 1996 Summer Olympics and after this the city underwent a huge demographic change. It underwent gentrification as more young non-black people flooded this historically African American city.
Hawaii
This city is the most populous in the state and is on the island of Ohau. It's name means "sheltered harbour". This capital city has been ranked as the second safest city in the US from a statistical model that measures violent crime. The city gained international prominence after the WWII attack on Pearl Harbour. It preserves historical evidence of early Polynesian migrants and Kamehameha I's reign in this capital city. Of course, it was the British who first capitalized on the island's strategic trading location.
Illinois
The Illinois capital is another one of those cities that is found in every state. The Simpsons is set here (though not necessarily in Illinois). However, this city is unique because Abraham Lincoln lived here for over twenty years before he became president of the US. This Illinois city is near the Sangamon River. It was only named state capital after two previous cities shed the title, and was originally named Calhoun before the town had a falling out with that Senator.
New Mexico
This city was occupied by indigenous peoples for thousands of years. The Tanoan called this location Ogha Po'oge, translated as White Shell Water Place. The nearby river was also used for transport. In 1610 the Spanish colonists conquered and founded this city, so it's actually the oldest city in the state. At that time the city was given a longer name that included a tribute to San Francisco de Asís. There were several indigenous resistance efforts against the Spanish, like the Pueblo revolt. The US acquired this territory with the Louisiana Purchase.
Arkansas
This capital city was named by a French explorer who was travelling down the Arkansas River and spotted a unique geological formation he would name "la petite roche". Before this fur trader came down there's evidence indigenous tribes Cherokee and Choctaw inhabited the area. Today this capital city is a cultural and economic centre for the South, though in the 1990's it was one of the cities known for homicides in the US. The city boasts the Trojans, the Travellers, and the Rangers as it's sports teams.
Delaware
Like many other New England cities, this capital was named after its British counterpart in Kent. Etymologically, the city's name means water in Welsh. Delaware's capital is located on the St.Jones River and is the second most populous city in the state, with almost 40,000 people in 2015. This city was a "stop" on the Underground Railroad because of its proximity to slave-holding Maryland and free Pennsylvania/New Jersey. Nearby this city hosts two international NASCAR race weekends and held farm teams for the Phillies and the Orioles.
Alaska
This capital is the second largest city in the US by area (the municipality is larger than states Delaware and RI) and sits on the Gastineau Channel. The city was named after a Quebec gold prospector, though the Tlingit named it "Base of the Flounder's River". The Russians had a colony in Alaskan territory but did not settle there. Like Honolulu, there are no roads connecting this city to the rest of the state or North America. All resources must be shuffled in and out via boat or plane.
Oklahoma
This capital city has the largest municipal population in the Great Plains. The local economy is run by oil, hydrocarbons, and petroleum products. The city sits on the I-35 corridor which serves as the trade route through Texas and Mexico. Unfortunately this is the land of Dorothy-- the region is vulnerable to tornadoes and this capital city has been hit by strong ones (F4 and above) over ten times. The city boasts sports teams the Thunder, the Wranglers, and the OC Dodgers.
New York
This capital is one of the oldest surviving settlements of the original thirteen colonies. It sits on the North end of the Hudson river and was a stop on some of the early railroads. So throughout the nineteenth century it was the centre of trade and transportation. It was a centre of European immigration and many of these people's descendants eventually became involved in the Democratic Party. This state's capital seems counterintuitive today because of overbearing NYC but in the nineteenth century this city was an important trading city.
Louisiana
A French colonist sailed down the Mississippi to name and conquer the territory that later became Louisiana. This capital city is protected from regional flooding thanks to the Istrouma Bluff. After Hurricane Katrina devastated a nearby Louisiana city in 2005, this capital became the destination of over 200,000 displaced residents. The city hosts many religions, from Cajun and Creole Catholics, to Florida Baptists. The city is also known for its college sports, mainly the LSU Tigers and Southern University Jaguars.
Connecticut
Connecticut's capital is also known as the "Insurance Capital of the World" as it hosts many of the region's insurance headquarters. Because the city was founded in 1635 it also has the nation's oldest public facilities, like an art museum, a public park, and a published newspaper. Following the Civil War, this capital city was one of the richest in the US but now there's a huge income disparity between commuters and those who live in the town. Those who commute from outside typically earn more than twice the mean income of this city's residents.
Kentucky
This capital's name allegedly came from a European settler who lost his life when battling Native Americans for the territory. Thereafter the locale was called "Frank's Ford" (later undergoing elision). This city had a postoffice as early at 1794 and the old Governor's mansion is still standing. Kentucky's capitol is bisected by the Kentucky River, making four distinct neighbourhoods. The city certainly experiences all the seasons though it stays quite humid year-round. This capital city is also home to major Bourbon distilleries.
Texas
This city's location was first inhabited by the Tonkawa tribe, only to be taken over by Spanish colonists, and later the Americans. The Texas capital is the 11th most populous city in the US, though only the 4th most populous in Texas. It has become a thriving centre of tech culture with the opening of some Fortune 500s. It's known for live music scene which celebrates rock, country, and blues. The city is located in Texas Hill Country and there's a beautiful wildlife reserve quite close to this city.
Kansas
This capital city is known for the historic civil rights case Brown vs. Board of Education (1954) which found separate but equal schools to be unconstitutional, thus overturning Plessy vs. Ferguson. It sits on the Kansas River and the name comes from a Kansa-Osage sentence that means, "a good place to dig potatoes". The city was founded as a free town in 1854 by Eastern antislavery men. This city boasts the sports teams the college Golden Giants and the professional RoadRunners.
Idaho
Idaho's capital city is its most populous. There is much speculation around who decided the name for this capital city, with many concluding it was the French Canadian fur trappers who were remarking on "la rivière boisée," or the wooded river. The territory was first trekked out by European colonists seeking from Hudson's Bay Company, a fur trading company based in Canada. The city is now a cultural centre for jazz, theatre, and indie music. The city is home to the Hawks of minor league baseball and the Idaho Steelheads (ECHL).
Oregon
Oregon's capital city is sits on the Willamette River and is at the centre of this valley. The Native Americans who first inhabited this valley called it "Chim-i-ki-ti," meaning meeting or resting place in Santiam. The city relies on agriculture as it's major employers, along with the state government, are the farming communities and a major agricultural food processing centre. So the city is dotted with farmer's markets, food share collectives, and tasting festivals. The municipality has eighteen independent neighbourhood associations which receive administrative support from the city.
Virginia
Virginia's capital city is located along the James River. It was an important meeting point for the Powhatan Confederacy before English settlers from Jamestown took over. The city also served as the centre of the Southern Confederacy during the Civil War. Now Virginia's capital is known for its legal and banking firms. It is home to a Federal Reserve Bank and a US Court of Appeals. With all of this paperwork there's not much time for sport, but tennis, NASCAR, and cycling are popular.
Maine
This area was first charted by settlers from Jamestown who tried to establish the Popham Colony in 1607 (though this settlement was soon abandoned). Next English settlers would establish the place for fur trading. However ties with the indigenous Canibas would deteriorate and the region remained unsettled until 1771. The city sits on the Kennebec River, and, like Canada, has many surrounding lakes. Since initial settlement Maine's capital has developed substantially and today serves as a headquarters for the National Guard.
Utah
Utah's capital was founded in 1847 by Brigham Young and followers of the Church of Jesus Christ and Latter-day Saints. Young initially led his following there to escape religious persecution in the East. Before the Mormons, Shoshone, Ute, and Paiute indigenous peoples had occupied this area sporadically but the US treated the area like public land. Utah's capital is over 1,000 meters above sea level and is adjacent to the Great Salt Lake. In 2002 the Winter Olympics was hosted there.
Pennsylvania
The capital is based alongside the Susquehanna River, and the town itself was named after an eighteenth century English trader. In the nineteenth century Pennsylvania's capital was an industrial centre. It produced infrastructure for the state's canal and railroads. It was the home of steel. Unfortunately that means this capital faced industrial decline and since the 1980's many people moved away to bigger cities. Pennsylvania's capital boasts sports teams like the Hershey Bears(AHL), the Senators (EL), and the City Islanders (USL).
Iowa
DM and Racoon river snake through Iowa's capital city. In U.S. presidential politics, this capital is the site of the first caucuses in the primary cycle. So, many presidential candidates make a point to campaign and tour through this city. The capital is known as a publishing, business, and insurance-- with Wells Fargo being named atop the private employer's list. The city was first established to defend expanding the US Westward and to again displace the indigenous Sauk and Meskwaki.
Michigan
This capital is often referred to as "Mid-Michigan," supposedly due to it's geographical location. One of the most notable incidents that happened in this capital was in 1963. A 3,000-pound female elephant got loose and provoked a frenzied pursuit. She caused thousands of dollars in damage before the capital police shot her. Michigan's capital offers a lot of professional schools and with some of these come professional sports. The city offers the Spartans (NCAA), the Hot Rods, and the Lugnuts (ED).
Mississippi
This city is named after a General for his bravery in the battle of 1812. He would later become a U.S. president. Around that time the indigenous Choctaw were forced to cede all their land East of the Mississippi River. Currently Mississippi's capital is recognized as "The City with Soul," as a nod to prominent blues, gospel, folk, and jazz musicians. The Mississippi Freedom Trail commemorates historic landmarks from the Civil Rights movement. The city sits on the Pearl River and owns more than 3,000 acres of land.
Wyoming
Wyoming's capital is viewed as the Northern end to the Front Range Urban Corridor (that stretches to Colorado). This territory was scouted out by an American General as the place where the Union Pacific Railroad should cross the Crow Creek. The city's name comes from the indigenous nation that inhabited these plains. The climate is cool/semi-arid and the city is at the Southeast corner of the state. Professional sports consisted only of the football Warriors who folded their franchise in 2013.
South Carolina
South Carolina's capital sits at the confluence of Saluda River and Broad River, which together create Congaree River. Nearby is the Congaree National Park and Lake Murray. The city is on the fall line of the Piedmont region which means it becomes difficult to travel upstream and downstream the water force could not power mills. The city boasts Fort Jackson, the largest US Army installation for basic training. Sports-wise the capital has the Gamecocks in the SEC (for football and basketball).
Rhode Island
Founded in 1963, Rhode Island's capital is one of the nation's oldest cities. It was founded by Roger Williams who was facing religious persecution from the Massachusetts Bay Colony; the name comes from a tribute to "God's merciful Providence". The city sits on the mouth of the Seekonk River. It used to be known for it's industrial capacity (textiles, machines, jewelry) but now has turned more to arts and education. The city is home to Brown University and Rhode Island School of Arts and Design.
Washington
Washington state's capital sits on the Budd Inlet at the southern end of Puget Sound. The sound was named after European explorer Peter Puget trekking down from the Vancouver expedition in 1792. Oregon Trail migrants came to the area steadily after 1850 and pushed out the original Lushootseed-speaking indigenous peoples. From 1896-2003 this city has been brewing beer with an eponymous name. Despite the shutdown of the brewery, the city has remained a major cultural centre and home to many artists and musicians.
Maryland
Maryland's capital sits on Chesapeake Bay as a peninsula between the Severn River and the South River. The city was temporarily the nation's capital after the Treaty of Paris was signed in the eighteenth century. In 2008 the city celebrated the 300th anniversary of the 1708 Royal Charter which declared a wish for self-governance. The city is the only capital this side of the Mississippi without a railway connection. Maryland's capital is home to the US Naval Academy and St.John's College.
South Dakota
This city was originally established as a fort on the Missouri River. South Dakota's capital was named after a French-American fur trader. One notable landmark in the town is the Oahe Dam. Just north of South Dakota's capital this dam later creates the fourth largest artificial reservoir in the US. Also, this city was voted into the top "Boardwalk" spot when Monopoly launched a Here and Now edition to celebrate eighty years on the market. The capital is known for cold winters and dry summers.
West Virginia
West Virginia's capital is also it's most populous city. But, according to Wikipedia, it's the second least populous city in the US to be the most populous city in a state. The city's economy was first based on salt and natural gas but then switched to relying on coal. The city sits on the confluence of the Elk River and Kanawha River. During the Civil War, this city was divided between its allegiances because Virginia had pledged to the Confederacy. In 1863 West Virginia became a state through Lincoln's presidential proclamation.
Montana
This capital city was founded as a gold camp during the gold rush in 1864 and produced over $3.6billion of gold. The money flowing out of these Montana hills paid for the capital city's elaborate Victorian architecture. Prior to this, Salish and Blackfeet indigenous peoples used to stop by this valley. Montana's capital boasts professional sports teams like the Bighorns Tier III and the Brewers minor league baseball. The capital's name was decided by those during the year of the gold rush.
Arizona
Arizona's state capital is the only one with more than a million residents. The city is set in the so-called Valley of the Sun, a smaller counterpart of Salt River Valley. The capital city sits near the confluence of Salt River and Gila River and north of the Sonoran Desert. The economy was built off the "five C's"-- cotton, cattle, citrus, climate, and copper until the later twentieth century introduced industry and technology. Arizona's capital hosts the Diamondbacks in baseball, Coyotes in hockey, and the Suns in basketball.
New Hampshire
The Merrimack River snakes through New Hampshire's capital. This territory was settled by the indigenous Abenaki who called the area Pennacook and used the river for sustenance. The Merrimack would flood and provide fertile ground for pumpkins, maize, and melons. The US land grant was originally named after the indigenous title but this changed when the territories became a city. New Hampshire's capital experiences some bipolar weather with snowy winters and sweltering summers. The city is now a centre for health care and insurance.
Vermont
This capital's name is a nod to French allyship in the Revolutionary War. There are similar French names in both Quebec and France. Vermont's capital is situated around the Winooski River which provided water force for mills. The city's economy relied on manufacturing and trade, especially after the Central Vermont Railway built one end of the line there. Vermont is known for its beautiful nature and so the state has three separate nature centres (Hubbard Park, Mill Pond Park, and Branch Nature Centre).
Minnesota
When paired with neighbouring Minneapolis, Minnesota's capital forms the "Twin Cities". This one became the capital because it contains the government and financial institutions. The capital is built around the Mississippi River's horse shoe and ends just about where the Mississippi meets up with the Missouri River. The city's largest lakes are Pig's Eye Lake and Lake Phalen. Minnesota's capital is known as a business hub of the Upper Midwest and is home of the Minnesota Wild (hockey), Minnesota United (soccer) and the Saints (baseball).
Tennessee
The Cumberland River snakes through Tennessee's capital. The city was built for transport and trade thanks to the shipping port and the railroad. The Tennessee capital is where the heart of country music is located, so it is aptly called "Music City, U.S.A." The city is home to country venues like the Grand Ole Opry and Country Music Hall of Fame. The capital is also home to Vanderbilt University. Tennessee's capital boasts professional teams like the Tennessee Titans (NFL) and the Predators (NHL).
North Carolina
The capital of North Carolina is known as "the city of oaks". During the 1960's the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee was founded at Shaw University as part of the Civil Rights movement. North Carolina's capital is known for its universities-- with cities Chapel Hill and Durham this area is known as the Research Triangle. The city hosts major sports teams like the NC State Wolfpack (football, basketball) or the Carolina Hurricanes (NHL). Culturally, there is also a major centres for performing arts and an amphitheatre available.
Indiana
This capital is Indiana's most populous city and the third most populous in the Midwest. It sits on the White River and has been named the "Crossroads of America" because both the railroad and the National Road pass through it. Indiana's capital city is also known for the annual open-wheel Memorial Day formula known as "Indy Car Racing". On the other hand, the city's philanthropic community have played a fundamental role in developing museums and artistic talent within the region.
Nebraska
Nebraska's capital sits on the intersection of Oak Creek and Salt Creek. The city was originally founded on wild salt marshes In the 1970's this city was declared "Refugee Friendly" and since has become the twelfth-largest refugee resettlement site. In recent years Nebraska's capital has the largest Yazidi (Iraqi ethnic minority) population in the United States. Bertram G. Goodhue designed the contemporary state capital building (the second tallest in the nation) as earlier ones found structurally unsound. The city is home to the Nebraska Cornhuskers (NCAA).
North Dakota
North Dakota's capital is located on the Missouri River. Across from the capital, on the Western side of the river is Mandan, a city named after original indigenous peoples in the area. The capital city was founded in 1872 and named Missouri Crossing, later changed to Edwinton. The following year the Northern Pacific Railway renamed the city in honour of a German chancellor. North Dakota's original state capital burnt down around 1930-- the new art deco capital building had to be recreated during the Great Depression and cost around $2million.
Nevada
Nevada's capital city was named after a mountain man and was established in 1864. The hub was initially a stopping point for the Virginia and Truckee Railroad. It developed into a city after the Comstock Lode promised silver in Mount Davidson. This city's limits extend to the California state line in the middle of Lake Tahoe. Nevada's capital has never had professional sports teams, but it has access to ski resorts on the Sierra Nevada mountain range right next door.
Missouri
Missouri's state capital sits on the Ozark Plateau, borders the Missouri River, and is called America's "Most Beautiful Small Town". It is named after the third U.S. president and mostly served as a trading town until 1825 when it was chosen to be the site of a state prison. The capitol is built on a bluff and so overlooks the city; Lewis and Clark would have passed this way on their expedition before any Americans settled out West. Like Kentucky, Missouri was claimed by both the Confederacy and the Union.
Massachusetts
The Massachusetts capital sits on the Shawmut Peninsula and, as it was established in 1630, was the setting for many events during the American Revolution. Boston has many colleges and universities making it a globally recognized as a centre of higher education. This has also made it a centre of technological innovation and philanthropy. It is called a "city of neighbourhoods" due to how the scenery can change quickly. Much of the land area in the city is man made-- created from the flattening of three hills.
Ohio
Ohio's capital is the second largest Midwestern city after Chicago. It all started in 1831 when the National Road reached this capital city from Baltimore and European immigrants began to trek out. Before the abolition of slavery this city was also a stop in the Underground Railroad, led by James Preston Poindexter. The city became an industrial powerhouse and was known as the "Buggy Capital of the World". As an economic and cultural hub this city hosts Ohio State Buckeyes (NCAA), the Blue Jackets (NHL), and the Clippers (IL).
Wisconsin
Wisconsin's capitol building sits on an isthmus between Lake Mendota and Lake Monona. This city was named the capital of Wisconsin territory in 1836 and became state capital in 1848, the same year the state university was founded. The city has high education levels with almost 50% of people over 25 holding a bachelor's degree. The city's parks were landscaped by John Nolen who is known for comprehensive city planning. Culturally, there's a craft beer festival, tons of winter sports, sailing, and extensive bike lanes.