50 Fun Facts About US State Capitals

What is the capital of California?

Sacramento has been the capital of California since 1854. Despite Los Angeles being the largest city in the state, Sacramento was chosen for its central location in the agriculturally rich Central Valley.

What is the capital of New York?

Albany has been the capital of New York since 1797. New York City, while far larger and more famous, has not been the state capital since the early days of the republic.

What is the capital of Texas?

Austin has been the capital of Texas since 1839, when it was chosen by Mirabeau B. Lamar during the Republic of Texas era. It was named after Stephen F. Austin, known as the Father of Texas.

What is the capital of Florida?

Tallahassee has been the capital of Florida since 1824. It was chosen as a compromise location between the two former capitals of St. Augustine and Pensacola.

What is the capital of Illinois?

Springfield has been the capital of Illinois since 1839. It is also famously known as the hometown of Abraham Lincoln, who lived there before becoming president.

Before Atlanta became the capital of Georgia in 1868, which city served as the state capital during the Civil War?

Milledgeville served as the capital of Georgia from 1804 to 1868. It was the state capital throughout the Civil War until the capital was moved to Atlanta during Reconstruction.

What is the capital of Ohio?

Columbus has been the capital of Ohio since 1816. The city was founded in 1812 specifically to serve as the state capital and was named after explorer Christopher Columbus.

What is the capital of Pennsylvania?

Harrisburg has been the capital of Pennsylvania since 1812. Philadelphia served as both the state capital and the nation's capital before the government moved to Washington, D.C.

Juneau is the capital of which US state?

Juneau is the capital of Alaska and is notable for being one of the most remote state capitals in the country. It is not connected to any other city by road and can only be reached by air or sea.

Besides Honolulu (Hawaiian Kingdom) and Austin (Republic of Texas), which US state capital also served as the capital of an independent republic?

This is a tricky question. While Baton Rouge was part of the short-lived Republic of West Florida (1810), the strongest answer among the options is that none fully qualify. However, Baton Rouge was indeed briefly the capital of the Republic of West Florida before it was annexed by the United States.

Which US state capital was named for the Olympic Mountains visible from the city, not the ancient Greek site?

Olympia, Washington was named for the Olympic Mountains that are visible across Puget Sound from the city. The mountains themselves were named by English explorer John Meares in 1788, who thought they were fit for the gods of Olympus.

Denver is unique among US state capitals because it is also which of the following?

Denver is a consolidated city-county, meaning the City and County of Denver are one and the same entity. This is unusual among state capitals. The consolidation happened in 1902.

What is the capital of Michigan?

Lansing has been the capital of Michigan since 1847. Detroit, the state's largest city, previously served as capital but the legislature moved it inland partly to keep it farther from the British-controlled Canadian border.

In how many US states is the state capital NOT the most populous city?

In 34 of the 50 US states, the capital city is not the most populous city. Only 16 state capitals are also the largest city in their state, including Phoenix (Arizona), Atlanta (Georgia), Columbus (Ohio), Indianapolis (Indiana), Denver (Colorado), and Honolulu (Hawaii).

What is the capital of Louisiana?

Baton Rouge has been the capital of Louisiana since 1880. Its name means 'Red Stick' in French, referring to a red cypress pole that marked the boundary between two Native American tribal territories.

What is the capital of Minnesota?

Saint Paul is the capital of Minnesota. Together with neighboring Minneapolis, they form the Twin Cities metro area. Saint Paul was named after the Cathedral of Saint Paul built in 1841.

What is the capital of Arizona?

Phoenix is the capital of Arizona and its largest city. With a population of over 1.6 million, Phoenix is the most populous state capital in the United States.

What is the capital of Massachusetts?

Boston is the capital of Massachusetts and its largest city. It has been the capital since the Massachusetts Bay Colony was founded in 1630, making it one of the oldest continuously serving capitals in the US.

What is the capital of Nevada?

Carson City is the capital of Nevada. Named after frontiersman Kit Carson, it became the state capital when Nevada achieved statehood in 1864. Despite Las Vegas being far more famous, it has never been the capital.

What is the capital of Missouri?

Jefferson City has been the capital of Missouri since 1826. It was named after Thomas Jefferson, who authorized the Louisiana Purchase that made Missouri part of the United States.

Which US state capital was named after the eighth president of the United States?

Madison, Wisconsin was named after James Madison, the fourth president (not the eighth). Actually, all four of these capitals were named after presidents: Jackson (7th), Lincoln (16th), Madison (4th), and Jefferson City (3rd). Madison, the capital of Wisconsin, was named after James Madison, the fourth president.

Which state capital sits on the banks of the Cumberland River?

Nashville, the capital of Tennessee, sits on the Cumberland River. The river played a crucial role in Nashville's development as a major trading and transportation hub in the 19th century.

Montpelier is the capital of which US state?

Montpelier is the capital of Vermont and is the least populous state capital in the United States, with fewer than 8,000 residents. It was named after Montpellier, France.

What is the capital of Kentucky?

Frankfort has been the capital of Kentucky since 1792. It is one of the smallest state capitals by population and was named after Stephen Frank, a pioneer killed at a nearby ford on the Kentucky River.

What is the capital of South Carolina?

Columbia has been the capital of South Carolina since 1786. The city was specifically planned and built to serve as the state capital, replacing Charleston. It was named after Christopher Columbus.

What is the capital of New Jersey?

Trenton has been the capital of New Jersey since 1790. It played a pivotal role in the American Revolution when George Washington famously crossed the Delaware River to attack Hessian forces there on Christmas night, 1776.

What is the capital of Connecticut?

Hartford has been the sole capital of Connecticut since 1875. Before that, Connecticut had two co-capitals: Hartford and New Haven, with the legislature alternating between the two cities.

Which US state capital is also home to the Kentucky Derby?

This is a trick question! Louisville hosts the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs, but Louisville is NOT the capital of Kentucky. Frankfort is. The Kentucky Derby has been held annually at Churchill Downs in Louisville since 1875.

What is the capital of Maryland?

Annapolis has been the capital of Maryland since 1694. It also briefly served as the capital of the United States in 1783-1784. The United States Naval Academy has been located in Annapolis since 1845.

What is the capital of Wisconsin?

Madison has been the capital of Wisconsin since 1838, when the territory was created. The city is built on an isthmus between Lake Mendota and Lake Monona, giving it a unique geography among state capitals.

Which US state capital contains the full name of its state in its city name?

Oklahoma City is the only US state capital that contains the full name of its state. While Indianapolis contains part of Indiana, Oklahoma City literally starts with Oklahoma.

Which US state capital was the site of a gold rush that began in 1848?

Sacramento was at the center of the California Gold Rush. Gold was discovered at Sutter's Mill in nearby Coloma in January 1848, and Sacramento became the supply hub for miners flooding into the region.

What is the capital of Maine?

Augusta has been the capital of Maine since 1832. It sits on the Kennebec River and is significantly smaller than Portland, Maine's largest city. Augusta was named after Pamela Augusta Dearborn, the daughter of Henry Dearborn.

Which US state capital is nicknamed the 'City of Trees'?

Sacramento, California is known as the City of Trees. The city boasts more trees per capita than any other city in the world, according to multiple urban forestry studies.

What is the capital of North Carolina?

Raleigh has been the capital of North Carolina since 1792. The city was specifically created to serve as the state capital, named after Sir Walter Raleigh, who sponsored the first English settlements in North Carolina.

Trenton, New Jersey played a pivotal role in which major American historical event?

On Christmas night 1776, George Washington led his troops across the Delaware River to launch a surprise attack on Hessian soldiers garrisoned in Trenton. This Battle of Trenton was a turning point in the American Revolution.

Which state capital sits on the Kansas River?

Topeka, the capital of Kansas since 1861, sits on the Kansas (Kaw) River. The name Topeka comes from a Kansa-Osage phrase meaning a good place to dig potatoes.

What is the capital of New Hampshire?

Concord has been the capital of New Hampshire since 1808. The New Hampshire State House in Concord is the oldest state house in which the legislature still meets in its original chambers, built in 1819.

Which US state capital has the highest elevation?

Santa Fe, New Mexico is the highest state capital in the United States at approximately 7,199 feet (2,194 meters) above sea level. Denver, known as the Mile High City, sits at 5,280 feet, more than 1,900 feet lower than Santa Fe.

What is the capital of Virginia?

Richmond has been the capital of Virginia since 1780. During the Civil War, Richmond also served as the capital of the Confederate States of America from 1861 to 1865.

Which US state capital is the oldest continuously occupied European-established settlement in the country?

Santa Fe, New Mexico was established by Spanish colonists in 1610, making it the oldest state capital in the United States. While St. Augustine (1565) is older, it is not a state capital. Santa Fe has served as a capital under Spanish, Mexican, Confederate, and American rule.

Which state capital cannot be reached by road from any other part of its state?

Juneau, Alaska is the only state capital in the US that cannot be reached by road. Despite being on the North American mainland (not an island), the rugged terrain of the Tongass National Forest and surrounding mountains makes road construction impractical. All access is by air or sea.

Which US state capital was also the capital of the Confederate States of America?

Richmond, Virginia served as the capital of the Confederate States of America from May 1861 until the end of the Civil War in 1865. Montgomery, Alabama was the initial Confederate capital but only briefly, from February to May 1861.

How many US state capitals have the word 'City' in their name?

Four US state capitals contain 'City' in their name: Oklahoma City (Oklahoma), Salt Lake City (Utah), Jefferson City (Missouri), and Carson City (Nevada).

Which state capital is home to the United States Naval Academy?

The United States Naval Academy is located in Annapolis, Maryland, where it was established in 1845. The academy sits on the banks of the Severn River and Chesapeake Bay.

Pierre is the capital of which US state?

Pierre is the capital of South Dakota. With a population of about 14,000, it is one of the least populous state capitals. Its name is pronounced 'peer' rather than the French pronunciation 'pee-AIR.'

Which US state capital was originally called 'Pig's Eye'?

Saint Paul, Minnesota was originally known as 'Pig's Eye' after Pierre 'Pig's Eye' Parrant, a French-Canadian fur trader who was one of the first European settlers in the area. The name was changed to Saint Paul in 1841 when a chapel was built.

Which state capital was named after Otto von Bismarck, the Chancellor of Germany?

Bismarck, North Dakota was named in 1873 after German Chancellor Otto von Bismarck. The name was chosen by Northern Pacific Railway officials hoping to attract German immigrant settlers and German investment in the railroad.

What is the capital of Delaware?

Dover has been the capital of Delaware since 1777. Delaware was the first state to ratify the US Constitution in 1787, earning it the nickname 'The First State.' Dover is home to Dover Air Force Base.

Which US state capital is located at the junction of the Scioto and Olentangy rivers?

Columbus, Ohio is located at the confluence of the Scioto and Olentangy rivers. The Scioto River runs through downtown Columbus and was a key factor in the city's founding and growth.