The Big Book of Hometown Trivia

By Mark Usler

In this book you will find amazing stories and information about America's cities and towns.  Some communities are famous for local heroes while others have very unique claims.  Find out which community has the largest, the one and only or celebrates a very unusual event!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Mark Usler
• Release date: Sep 12, 2018
• ISBN: 9781386823735

Mark Usler

If you have never heard of Mark, he's the guy along the side of the highway looking at the funny road sign or historical marker. Please don't hit him!

Book preview

Dedication

There are many people I need to give credit for the contents of this book.  Through years of travel and many conversations with people across the United States, I want to thank:

United States Chambers of Commerce, National Historical Societies, State Historical Societies, State Historical Markers, Library of Congress, New York Public Library, County and local museums

And

The great citizens of these great hometowns, the many friends and acquaintances who contributed to this hobby of mine, and to the many people at restaurants, cafes, police and fire stations, convenient stores, hotels, motels, tourist stops and anywhere else along the way!

.

Acknowledgements

All artwork by Brother Warren

Edited by Dolores Cook and Jennifer

United States Chambers of Commerce, National Historical Societies, State Historical Societies, State Historical Markers, Library of Congress, New York Public Library, County and local museums

Inspiration by Jennifer

Contents

Introduction

Hometown Firsts

Homes of the World’s Largest

One of a Kind – Hometowns

Amazing Hometown Festivals

Unique Contests and Events

State Fair Trivia

State Fair Hometowns

Halls of Fame

Favorite Hometown Mottos

Homes of Unique Museums

Unique Celebrity Museums

Hometown Inventions

Hometowns of Famous Events

Hometown World Capitals

World Capitals by State

Origin of Names of the 50 Largest Cities in the United States

Hometowns Named for American Heroes

Towns Named in Honor of Native American Indians/Tribes

Lost In Translation

Funny Names of Hometowns

Hometown Heroes

Popular University Hometowns

Capitals of the United States

Introduction

So what makes us so proud of our hometown?  Maybe it’s the heritage of the community and the recognition by others for top achievements.  Maybe it’s an accomplishment from individuals who have lived with us.  Or maybe it is home to a natural wonder or landmark.  The pride of our town could even be tied to a major festival or event.  The bond we have to our hometown could be the simple sound of its name.  The truth is there are many reasons which factor into the pride we have for our hometown.

The towns and cities covered in this book are often known for the reasons mentioned above.  Everyone wants to be special.  Often our hometown possesses these traits.

I have been fortunate to travel throughout these great United States.  I have always loved driving down the road and entering a new community.  I often stop and ask a citizen what they like about living there.  Often, they will tell me a story about a past accomplishment, a famous person, or something about their hometown which is unique.  But sometimes the answer is the people who live here.  If you do not find your hometown in this book, please don’t be disappointed.  Maybe I have overlooked a famous citizen or well-known celebration in your hometown.  The best thing that makes a great community is its people.  The people don’t need to be famous or high achievers.  We like our community because we are surrounded with good people who love life, like to help others, work hard, and enjoy the freedoms of America.

Hometown Firsts

Anoka, MN - In 1920, Anoka was the first community to hold a Halloween party in the United States.

Arco, ID - Arco was the first community to have its electricity powered by a nuclear plant.

Atomic City, ID - This community was one of the first locations to build a nuclear plant in the United States.

Baltimore, MD - Baltimore was the first community to open a Roman Catholic Church in America.  Also, in May of 1830, Baltimore opened the first railroad station.

Boston, MA - The first modern day World Series baseball game was played here in Boston.  In 1903, the Boston Americans played the Pittsburgh Pirates.  The Americans lost 7 to 3 but went on to win the World Series.  In addition, Boston was the first city to construct a subway.

Bridgewater, NJ - This community was the first to hoist a 13 star flag.  Since 1889, the town has commemorated hoisting a 13 star flag every July 4th.

Cambridge, MA - Cambridge is home to the very first university in the United States.  Harvard University was established in 1683.

Charleston, SC - The first public museum in the United States opened here in Charleston on January 12, 1773.

Chicago, IL - Chicago was the first community to unveil the Ferris wheel at its 1893 World’s Fair.  Chicago was also the first city to have constructed a skyscraper.

Cincinnati, OH - In 1865, the city opened the first ambulance service in America.

Cleveland, OH - Cleveland was the first community to use traffic lights.

Columbia, MO - The first Homecoming Football Game was played here in 1911.  It was the University of Missouri vs. the University of Kansas.  The game ended in a 3 to 3 tie.

Deery, NH - Deery claims to be the first community in America to plant potatoes.

Dixville Notch, NH - Since 1960, this community has always cast the first votes in a Presidential Election.  The citizens are allowed to vote right after midnight.

Fort Wayne, IN - This city is the first community to have ever hosted a professional baseball game.  On May 4, 1871, the Fort Wayne Kekiongas defeated the Cleveland Forest Cities 2 to 0 in front of a crowd of 500 people!

Grand Rapids, MI - This community was first to use fluoride in its water.

Haleyville, AL - Haleyville was home to the first 911 emergency phone call system in the United States.

Hoboken, NJ - Hoboken claims to be the place where the first recorded baseball game was played.  It happened here in 1846.

Houston, TX - Houston is home to the Astrodome.  The Astrodome was the first dome stadium of its kind.  It opened here on April 9, 1965.

Kitty Hawk, NC - This community is world renown for being the site where the first flight in aviation history took place.  Orville and Wilbur Wright took flight here in 1903.  It’s amazing how technology has evolved.

Kokomo, IN - Kokomo hails to be the City of Firsts.  Some of the community’s firsts include the automobile, canned tomato juice, the mechanical corn picker, and the push button car radio.

Latrobe, PA - This community was home to the first professional football game ever played in America.

Lawrence, KS - James Naismith of the University of Kansas first invented the game of basketball here in 1891.  Naismith is the only K.U. basketball coach with a losing record!

Levittown, NJ - In 1946, Levittown claimed itself to be the first official suburb in the United States.

Lewes, DE - The citizens of Lewes claim to be the first town in the first state.

Liberty, MO - Liberty is known as being the place where the first successful daylight bank robbery took place in America.  On February 13, 1866 the James Gang robbed the Liberty Bank and got away.  Today, the community views this event as a positive!

Los Angeles, CA - The first movie theater in the United States was opened here in Los Angeles on April 2, 1902.

Lynchburg, VA - In the 1870’s, local citizen Charles Browne Fleet was the first to invent Chap Stick lip balm.

New Albany, NY - In 1641, New Albany became the first chartered city in the United States.

New Haven, CT - New Haven became the first city in the United States to have a public tree planting program.  The city is known as The Elm City.

New York, NY - In 1900, New York City opened the first Hall of Fame.  It was known as the Hall of Fame of Great Americans.  New York is also known for opening the first fish aquarium and having built the first electric company.

Oklahoma City, OK - Oklahoma City was the first community to introduce parking meters in the United States.

Philadelphia, PA - The first newspaper in the United States was published here on September 21, 1784.  In 1752, the city was first to open a hospital.

Providence, RI - In 1828, this city opened the Arcade, the first indoor shopping mall in the United States.

Redlands, CA - This community was the first to use a center divider between its roads.

Seattle, WA - The very first revolving restaurant was opened on top of the Space Needle on May 22, 1961.

St. Augustine, FL - The very first St. Patrick Day Parade was celebrated here in 1601.

York, ME - In 1641, this community became the first chartered town in the United States.

Homes of the World’s Largest

Alligator - Christmas, Florida

Arch - St. Louis, Missouri

Artichoke - Castroville, California

Ball of Paint - Alexandria, Indiana

Ball of Twine - Cawker City, Kansas

Baseball Bat - Louisville, Kentucky

Basket - Dresden, Ohio

Binoculars - Venice, California

Buffalo - Jamestown, North Dakota

Bull - Audubon, Iowa

Bull Head (Fish) - Crystal Lake, Iowa

Catsup Bottle - Collinsville, Illinois

Chair - Fanning, Missouri

Coffee Pot & Tea Cup - Stanton, Iowa

Cow - New Salem, North Dakota

Cow (Talking) - Neillsville, Ohio

Cross - Wickliffe, Kentucky

Eight Ball - Tipton, Missouri

Frying Pan - Long Beach, Washington

Gas Pump - King City, Missouri

Goose - Sumner, Missouri

Horse Shoe - Martinsville, IL Louisville, KY

Jackalope - Douglas, Wyoming

Jack Rabbit - Odessa, Texas

Lutefisk - Madison, Wisconsin

Muskie - Hayward, Wisconsin

Praying Hands - Tulsa, Oklahoma

Pumpkin - Circleville, Ohio

Shuttlecock - Kansas City, Missouri

Six Pack of Beer - La Crosse, Wisconsin

Spinach Can - Alma, Arkansas

Strawberry - Strawberry Point, Iowa

Superman - Metropolis, Illinois

Teapot - Chester, West Virginia

Turkey - Frazee, Minnesota

Walleye - Garrison, MN & Garrison, ND

One of a Kind - Hometowns

Alton, IL - Alton was the home to Robert Wadlow.  Wadlow is still considered to have been the tallest man in the world.  He was eight feet, 11 inches tall!

Anchorage, AK - The city is known as the City of Lights and Flowers.  Every summer the community