Liberal, KANSAS!!!!

Liberal, KS - The town was founded in 1888.  Water was very scarce in the 1880’s but S.S. Rogers had dug a well on his homestead and offered free water to the visitors and their livestock who passed through the area.  This was unusual because water was not free.  The surprised visitors would comment to Rogers that “this was mighty liberal of you”.  The name caught on and was known to travelers as Liberal.  Kansas has always been considered a conservative state.

Britt, Iowa - Hobo Convention

The Hobo Convention has been going on in this community since 1900. In 1899, the town leaders were able to convince the leaders of Tourist Union #63 to move their convention permanently from Chicago to Britt, Iowa. You see, Tourist Union #63 members were real hobos. In the 19th century traveling migrant workers were often arrested for vagrancy when not employed. However, if you were a member of a union, you were given free passage on a train to your next destination. These workers used this loophole, created a union, and were able to travel free across the United States to find work. These types of union workers became known as hobos and there was a very large number of them. So for the town of Britt to land a big convention from Chicago was a big deal. In the late 1890’s, it was estimated there were over 500,000 hobos in the United States. Today, the tradition is more of a family affair which is held in August. This weekend event includes a parade, crowning of a Hobo King and Queen, and serving mulligan stew in the city park. Real hobos still come here to celebrate and exchange stories with the locals. If you venture downtown, you can even visit the one and only Hobo Museum!

World's Largest Penny - Woodruff, Wisconsin

Woodruff, Wisconsin
1n 1954, Dr. Kate Newcomb had a dream about building a new hospital for this community.  She became a surprise guest on the television program "This is your Life".  During the program, she asked the listeners to send in just a penny to make her dream come true.  Over $106,000 came in and Dr. Kate's dream came true!

What is a Hodag??

Rhinelander, Wisconsin

What is a Hodag?  The people in this town know.  It is a legendary creature with horns and was finally captured by a local lumberjack in the late 19th century.  According to legend, they grow here to be over 6 feet long and are pretty scary.  When you visit this community, you will find the town is covered with statues of this creature.  They take their Hodags seriously.  By the way, if you believe in Jack a lopes you should believe in Hodags!

The Wurst City in the World

Sheboygan, WI

Bratwurst Days

This community is the county seat of Sheboygan County. Sheboygan County has been famous for its brats for a long time. Sheboygan County is home to Johnsonville brats and the Old Wisconsin bratwurst company. The community is host to “Bratwurst Days”. This is a three day event held at the end of July and sponsored by the Johnsonville Company. Most connoisseurs of bratwurst consider Sheboygan the “wurst” city in the world!  If you have ever visited this city, it is one of the most beautiful too.

Largest Coffee Pot in the World!

Stanton, Iowa was the birthplace of Mrs. Olson. Mrs. Olson became famous from her ads as the Swedish host serving coffee. Stanton is also the home to the World's Largest Coffee Cup. It can hold over 2.4 million cups of coffee. (That is if you tried to fill it up!)

Trivia about towns - World's Largest Cross

This 90-foot cross in Wickliffe, Kentucky, at the confluence of the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers, serves as a beacon for the hundreds of ships which ply the two rivers. The cross was financed by Donations from individuals in Kentucky, Tennessee, Illinois, Missouri, and many other states, and also by those who purchased bricks in the pedestal supporting the cross, and on the "walking wall" in front of the cross.


Contribution by Joe Culver at http://www.monkeyseyebrow.org/ (A great site)

Annual Pie Town Festival - Every September!

Pie Town, NM – A true pie story


Clyde Norman came to this area in 1922 to open up a mine. To keep his mining efforts alive, Clyde opened up a gas station to supplement his income. Clyde was a great pie maker and started selling his pies to his gas station customers. His pies became so popular with the customers many of the locals who lived in the area referred to his business as “Pie Town”. Clyde teamed up with a local cowboy, Harmon Craig, in 1923. Harmon added his famous chili to the menu and now the gas station was also a restaurant. Clyde sold his part of the business to Harmon in 1924. Harmon’s wife and daughters kept the pies famous and the customers kept coming. In 1927, a post office was added and “Pie Town” became an official town. The town still exists and is located about 160 miles southwest of Albuquerque. The town is small but you can still get a great piece of pie. Every September, the citizens celebrate the “Annual Pie Town Festival”.

Super American Festival!!

Metropolis, IL

Superman Celebration

Who lives in Metropolis? Superman does and if you visit this town you will believe it. You will find the Superman Museum, a giant statue of Superman, and a new statue of Lois Lane. The recently installed Lois Lane statue honors the town’s First Lady, actress Noel Neill. Neill became famous for her role as Lois Lane in the 1950’s Superman TV series. For the past 30 years, Metropolis has hosted the “Superman Celebration” honoring the famous “Man of Steel”. This four day festival includes plenty of fun for everyone. There is a carnival, live entertainment, food, and a Superman costume contest with the winner taking home a $1,000 prize. You will also enjoy a pageant for super girls, super boys, and super dogs. Another great attraction is the celebrity autograph sessions featuring many famous stars of Superman movies and television. Yes, if you are lucky, you can even get a picture and an autograph with Noel Neill, the real Lois Lane!

Ragtime in Missouri

Sedalia, Missouri

Scott Joplin Ragtime Festival

If you remember the music from the movie “The Sting” starring Paul Newman and Robert Redford, you have heard the music of Scott Joplin. Joplin was a famous ragtime black musician and composer in the early 1900’s. His music is world renowned and Sedalia, MO was his birthplace. In 1899, Joplin became famous for his musical piece “Maple Leaf Rag”. Within six months Maple Leaf Rag sold over 75,000 copies. However, as the music scene changed so did Joplin’s fame and fortune. In 1917, he died nearly penniless and all but forgotten. In his honor, the community hosts this festival each year. If you would like to enjoy the music or learn an early 20th century dance, this is your venue. Many famous musicians display their talent throughout these days and draw more than 6,000 visitors to this festival.

It was an Accident - Maryland

Accident, MD – It was an accident!

In the early 1700’s, George Deakins was given over 600 acres of land in this area by King George II of England. Deakins wanted to plat the land to establish a town. He hired two surveyors and instructed each of them to choose the best location for the town. Deakins and the town citizens studied the findings of both surveyors. To their surprise, each surveyor had chosen the same tree and area of land to plat for their new community. Deakins and the citizens exclaimed this must be an “accident”! Because of this coincidence, both Deakins and the citizens agreed that “accident” surely must be the name for their town. Shortly afterwards, the town became known as “Accident”. Throughout the evolution of naming America’s new towns we find fate, superstition or just plain accidents are responsible for the some of our community names.

The Crook in Colorado - Crook, Colorado

Born in Ohio in 1828, George Crook rose quickly to success in his military career. Crook started his military career in 1852 and just ten years later became a brigadier general during the Civil War. He led many successful campaigns for General Ulysses S. Grant in the defeat of the Confederacy. After the Civil War, General Crook led campaigns against the Apaches and Paiutes bringing peace to the Southwest and Western territories. He was well respected by his Indian competitors who nicknamed him the “Grey Fox”. Crook became a great proponent for the rights and liberties of the American Indian. Crook often pointed out the atrocities and was outraged with the injustice being done to the Apaches in the Southwest.

Photo Courtesy of Library of Congress

Great Trips to see the World's Largest!

It is always a pleasure for me when I'm driving down the highway to see how creative towns can get in trying to attract tourists. I have been to a lot of these "Largest Wonders" and wanted to share some great sites to see! If you are near one of these towns you really need to check them out. It will make your day with a smile.


Here are ones to check out!

Alligator - Christmas, Florida
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
Goose – Sumner, Missouri
Chair – Fanning, Missouri
Coffee Pot – Stanton, Iowa
Cow (Holstein) – New Salem, North Dakota
Cow (Talking) – Neillsville, Ohio
Cross - Wickliffe, Kentucky
Cuckoo Clock – Wilmot, Ohio
Frying Pan – Long Beach, Washington
Gas Pump – King City, Missouri
Horse Shoe – Muleshoe, Texas
Jack Rabbit – Odessa, Texas
Lutefisk – Madison, Wisconsin
Muskie – Hayward, Wisconsin
Praying Hands – Oral Roberts University – Tulsa Oklahoma
Pumpkin – Circleville, Ohio
Raisin Box – Kingsburg, California
Rubber Stamp – Cleveland, Ohio
Shuttlecock – Kansas City, Missouri
Six Pack of Beer – LaCrosse, Wisconsin
Spinach Can – Alma, Arkansas
Strawberry – Strawberry Point, Iowa
Teapot – Chester, West Virginia
Turkey – Frazee, Minnesota
Walleye – Garrison, Minnesota

Marked Tree, Arkansas

In 1883, the railroad built a track through this area. The community was known as “Edwards” in honor of Jonathan Edwards, head of the railroad crew. When Edwards and the railroad crew moved on, he told the citizens to rename the town. The people decided on “Marked Tree” because of a famous legend. The legend starts with the Indians who lived here before the white man. The Osage and Cherokee Indians marked a giant oak tree in this area for transportation purposes to navigate up and down the nearby rivers. In the early 1800’s, the infamous Murrell Outlaw Gang marked the same tree with an “M” for rendezvous purposes after their bank robberies. So in 1883, the town was named after this giant oak tree. Later in 1890, the giant tree was swept away by a huge flood which devastated the area. However, in 1979 during a construction project, the trunk of a well preserved giant oak tree was excavated which was believed to be the famous tree. The town also claims to be the only community in the world with the name “Marked Tree” and the only town where two rivers run in different directions! Just in case you are curious, the two rivers are the Saint Francis and the Little. I have been there and the rivers actually run in opposite directions.

Toad Suck DAZE Festival - April 30 - May 2

Located on the Arkansas River, Toad Suck claims one of the most unique legends. Way back when, this is where the river captains and their crews chose to relax. Along with the river traffic came many questionable characters. Drinking was often the recreation for both the employees of the river industry and the shady people who hung out in this area. Early settlers to this area observed the excessive drinking going on and named the drinking patrons as “Toad Sucks”. They exclaimed “these people sucked on their whiskey and swelled up like toads”! The area became known as “Toad Suck”. Every May, a three day festival known as Toad Daze is held in nearby Conway, AR. Thousands of people attend and a good time is experienced by all. Events during the festival include various toad races, a Mardi Daze parade and a toad pageant. There is plenty of food and usually a major country western star performs on Saturday night. Also, you will find a lot of unique “Toad Suck” merchandise available for sale!

Unique Celebrity Museums in the United States

Baltimore, MD – Babe Ruth Birthplace & Museum

(Just a few yards from Camden Yards)



Branson, MO – Roy Rogers Museum



Cleveland, OH – Rock & Roll Museum



Dewey, OK – Tom Mix Museum

(Tribute to the first famous cowboy of the silver screen)



Fort Wayne, IN – Lincoln Museum

(World’s largest museum dedicated to Abraham Lincoln)



Gene Autry, OK – Gene Autry Museum

(Where else would this tribute be of the Singing Cowboy?)



Golden, CO – Buffalo Bill Cody Museum

(One of my heroes – plus located in a beautiful area)



Greenville, OH – Garst Museum

(Home of Annie Oakley & other greats)



Hannibal, MO – Mark Twain Museum & Boyhood home



Harlem, GA – Laurel & Hardy Museum



Indiana, PA – Jimmy Stewart Museum

(Famous actor’s hometown museum)



Jamestown, NY – Lucille Ball & Desi Arnaz Museum

(Birthplace of Lucille Ball & they love Lucy)

Kansas City, MO – Negro Baseball Leagues & Jazz Museums

(Discover Buck O’Neil & Count Basie)



Louisville, KY – Muhammad Ali Museum



Marceline, MO – Walt Disney Boyhood Museum



Memphis, TN – Elvis Presley’s Graceland



Metropolis, IL – The Superman Museum



Queens, NY – Louis Armstrong Home

(Home of the great jazz musician)



Scranton, PA – The Harry Houdini Museum

(The greatest escape artist of all time)



Sedan, KS - Emmett Kelly Clown Museum

(World’s most popular clown)


Winterset, Iowa – John Wayne Birthplace & Museum

A great Indian Story!

Bowlegs, OK - Chief Billy Bowlegs

Bolek, also known as Billy Bowlegs, was a fierce Seminole Chief from Florida. After signing a treaty in 1832, Bowlegs and his 200 warriors were peaceful until his fellow Seminole Chief Osceola was wrongfully imprisoned. Chief Bowlegs and his warriors led many successful raids against the U.S. military. Finally in 1858, the government convinced Chief Bowlegs to relocate to the new Indian Territory in Oklahoma. He was given $10,000 dollars and each of his followers received $1,000. Here he became a prominent chief to his people and was once again peaceful. During the Civil War, he became a captain in the Union Army and was instrumental to the success in this region against the Confederacy. In 1864, the famous chief died of smallpox.

Photo Courtesy of Library of Congress

Favorite Hometown Mottos

Abilene, TX – A whole lot of Texas going on!



Andover, KS – Where the people are warm even when the weather isn’t!



Atlantic City, NJ – Always turned on!



Broadview Heights, OH – Highest of the Heights!



Bushnell, SD – It’s not the end of the world but you can see it from here!



Cando, SD – You can do better in Cando!



Conneaut, OH – Ohio’s sharpest corner?



Del Mar, CA – Where the surf meets the turf!



Devine, TX – Where the name says it all!



Happy, TX – The town without a frown!



Havre, MT – Get Er Done!



Hereford, TX – The town without a toothache!



Hershey, PA – The sweetest place on earth!



Hico, TX – Where everybody is somebody!



Hooker, OK – All of our friends are hookers!

Independence, MO – Where the trails start and the buck stops here!



Jacksonville, FL – Where Florida begins!



Las Vegas, NV – What happens here stays here!



Leavenworth, KS – How about doing some time in Leavenworth?



Lewes, DE – The first town in the first state!



Mackinaw City, MI – The town that loves company!



Melbourne, IA – Right on top, not down under!



Midland, TX – The sky’s the limit!



New York, NY – The city that never sleeps!



Omaha, NE – Rare and well done!



Oregon City, OR – The end is just the beginning!



Peculiar, MO – Where the odds are with you!



Portland, OR – The city that works!



Raleigh, NC – The southern part of heaven!



Roswell, NM – The aliens are not the only reason to visit!



San Antonio, TX – Something to remember!



San Diego, CA – City with Sol!

San Gabriel, CA – The city with a mission!



San Juan Capistrano, CA – Where the swallows return!



Saratoga, WY – Where the trout leap in Main Street!



Show Low, AZ – Named for the turn of a card!



Sitka, AK – The natural place to visit!



Spring Lake, MI – Where nature smiles for seven miles!



St. Louis, MO – There’s more than meets the Arch!



Taos, NM – Soul of the Southwest!



Texarkana, AR – Twice as nice!



Tombstone, AZ – The town too tough to die!



Topeka, KS – To the stars through difficulty!



Uvalde, TX – Clearly Texas!



Virginia City – The richest place on earth!



Walker, MI – From solid roots and strong branches!



Washington, D.C. – City living, D.C. style!



Wichita, KS – We got the goods!



Yuma, AZ – Experience our sense of Yuma!

Great Ragtime Festival

Sedalia, MO


Scott Joplin Ragtime Festival

If you remember the music from the movie “The Sting” starring Paul Newman and Robert Redford, you have heard the music of Scott Joplin. Joplin was a famous ragtime black musician and composer in the early 1900’s. His music is world renowned and Sedalia, MO was his birthplace. In 1899, Joplin became famous for his musical piece “Maple Leaf Rag”. Within six months Maple Leaf Rag sold over 75,000 copies. However, as the music scene changed so did Joplin’s fame and fortune. In 1917, he died nearly penniless and all but forgotten. In his honor, the community hosts this festival each year. If you would like to enjoy the music or learn an early 20th century dance, this is your venue. Many famous musicians display their talent throughout these days and draw more than 6,000 visitors to this festival.

Mardi Gras

New Orleans, LA
Mardi Gras

This celebration dates back to Europe during the middle Ages. When the French came to America so did the Mardi Gras. French explorer, Iberville, came to this area on March 3, 1699. Iberville proclaimed his campsite “Mardi Gras Point” in honor of the French holiday. The city of New Orleans has been celebrating this tradition since 1837. This French term literally means “Fat Tuesday”. This is the day before Christians honor “Lent”, a time to celebrate Jesus through one’s own personal sacrifice, i.e. food. At one time, the wearing of masks was prohibited. After my last visit to New Orleans, I do not believe anything is prohibited! Although Mardi Gras is celebrated in other cities around the world, there are no others like New Orleans Mardi Gras.

Congrats - SAINTS!

Groundhog History

Punxsutawney, PA
Groundhog Day

The area was full of these little critters and on February 2, 1886, the local newspaper declared it “Groundhog Day” and this community has been celebrating the event ever since. The weather forecasting by the groundhog dates back to an Old Dutch legend. W.O. Smith, owner of the local newspaper and a U.S. Congressman, kept the event alive. Through radio and television, the town and the event have become famous throughout the world!

Rabbit Hash, KY - A Great Rabbit Story

The town acquired its name from the events of a major flood which happened in the area. The name came into existence in 1847 after a huge flood ravished the settlement. A large rabbit population retreated into this area from the rising waters and became the main food source for the citizens. There were so many rabbits the local people created a special stew called “hash”. The dish became so popular the community adopted the name of “Rabbit Hash”. The town was completely submerged in 1937 by another flood. Today, only the Rabbit Hash General Store stands in this community. I’m not sure about the rabbit population!

Rabbit Hash Recipe

1 1/2 to 2 cups of cooked rabbit

1/3 cup of shortening

3 potatoes

3 onions

½ teaspoon of celery salt

½ teaspoon of salt

½ teaspoon of pepper

Hometowns with Famous Landmark - Quiz

1. What town is home to the Golden Gate Bridge?

2. Where is the Liberty Bell located?

3. What city is home to the World Famous Corn Palace?

4. What city is the home of the Alamo?

5. Where is Churchill Downs?

6. What city is famous for its French Quarters?

7. What town is host to the famous Chloride Murals of Roy Purcell?

8. Where is the Gateway Arch located?

9. What city is considered the oldest European established community in the United States?

10. What community is home to the London Bridge?

11. What city is known for its river walk?

12. What city are you in if you are walking on the “Magnificent Mile”?

13. Where is the famous “Boardwalk”?

Answers

1. San Francisco, California

2. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

3. Mitchell, South Dakota

4. San Antonio, Texas

5. Louisville, Kentucky

6. New Orleans, Louisiana

7. Chloride, Arizona

8. St. Louis, Missouri

9. St. Augustine, Florida

10. Lake Havasu City, Arizona

11. San Antonio, Texas

12. Chicago, Illinois

13. Atlantic City, New Jersey

Favorite Hometown Mottos

Abilene, TX – A whole lot of Texas going on!
Andover, KS – Where the people are warm even when the weather isn’t!
Atlantic City, NJ – Always turned on!
Broadview Heights, OH – Highest of the Heights!
Bushnell, SD – It’s not the end of the world but you can see it from here!
Cando, SD – You can do better in Cando!
Conneaut, OH – Ohio’s sharpest corner?
Del Mar, CA – Where the surf meets the turf!
Devine, TX – Where the name says it all!
Happy, TX – The town without a frown!
Havre, MT – Get Er Done!
Hereford, TX – The town without a toothache!
Hershey, PA – The sweetest place on earth!
Hico, TX – Where everybody is somebody!
Hooker, OK – All of our friends are hookers!
Independence, MO – Where the trails start and the buck stops here!
Jacksonville, FL – Where Florida begins!
Las Vegas, NV – What happens here stays here!
Leavenworth, KS – How about doing some time in Leavenworth?
Lewes, DE – The first town in the first state!
Mackinaw City, MI – The town that loves company!
Melbourne, IA – Right on top, not down under!
Midland, TX – The sky’s the limit!
New York, NY – The city that never sleeps!
Omaha, NE – Rare and well done!
Oregon City, OR – The end is just the beginning!
Peculiar, MO – Where the odds are with you!
Portland, OR – The city that works!
Raleigh, NC – The southern part of heaven!
Roswell, NM – The aliens are not the only reason to visit!
San Antonio, TX – Something to remember!
San Diego, CA – City with Sol!