# Tell me about your location - is it famous for anything? Does it hold any records? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [September 21, 2007, 12:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-your-location-is-it-famous-for-anything-does-it-hold-any-records/419934 "2007-09-21T00:53:03Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![Cheez\_Whia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/d26b3c/32.png) [@Cheez\_Whia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheez_Whia)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2007, 2:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-your-location-is-it-famous-for-anything-does-it-hold-any-records/419934/81 "2007-09-22T02:11:07Z")
Grand Junction, CO. Most recently, Norman Hsu made an unscheduled visit. And we’re just a few miles down the road from Fruita, CO, home of [Mike the Headless Chicken](http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a4_086.html), the subject of the Straight Dope classic column in this weeks newsletter. ---
**Author:** ![Bobotheoptimist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/919ad9/32.png) [@Bobotheoptimist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bobotheoptimist)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2007, 2:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-your-location-is-it-famous-for-anything-does-it-hold-any-records/419934/82 "2007-09-22T02:15:31Z")
The first documented Colorado gold find was in Arvada. Took nearly 10 years for word to get around and the Colorado gold rush to start, and the majority of the gold and silver later was not found here. This is fairly typical of Arvada. ---
**Author:** ![lobstermobster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobstermobster/32/10033_2.png) [@lobstermobster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lobstermobster)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2007, 2:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-your-location-is-it-famous-for-anything-does-it-hold-any-records/419934/83 "2007-09-22T02:24:10Z")
[QUOTE=mhendo] in 2005, Baltimore had the highest homicide rate for American cites with populations over 250,000. And even when it doesn’t win this category, it’s usually in the top three or four. This year, we’re looking like topping the 300-homicide mark for the first time in a while, which will probably put Baltimore at or near the top again. On a more upbeat note, the city is famous for a bunch of things, probably too many to list here. But that’s probably true of just about any city that’s been around as long as Baltimore has. Famous names associated with Baltimore include H.L. Mencken, Babe Ruth, Billie Holliday, Frederick Douglass, Cal Ripken, Eubie Blake, Edgar Allen Poe, Thurgood Marshall, and a bunch of others. Apparently Baltimore was the first city in America to adopt 311 as a non-emergency police number. John Wilkes Booth is buried about 10 blocks from where i live. Johns Hopkins University was founded as the first modern research university in the United States in 1876. [/QUOTE] you forgot the most important thing…JOHN WATERS!!! ---
**Author:** ![BarnOwl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e95f7d/32.png) [@BarnOwl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BarnOwl)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2007, 2:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-your-location-is-it-famous-for-anything-does-it-hold-any-records/419934/84 "2007-09-22T02:38:04Z")
George W. Bush was born in CT. I cannot tell you how proud I am. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![zoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zoid/32/336_2.png) [@zoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zoid)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2007, 4:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-your-location-is-it-famous-for-anything-does-it-hold-any-records/419934/85 "2007-09-22T04:17:25Z")
[QUOTE=Harmonious Discord] Wisconsin Dells a town based on tourism, that was originally resorts and the trips for the unique landscape. It used to be dead for 6 months a year, but with the indoor water parks and Ho Chunk casino nearby, it stays busy all year. Lake Delton is next to Wisconsin Dells and it all gets called the Dells. A hundred years ago Baraboo and the Devils Lake resorts were included when referencing the Dells. Devils Lake is a state park with high granite bluffs. Some of the resort buildings still remain for park use, but most are gone. General attractions [http://www.dells.com/index3.html](http://www.dells.com/index3.html) Historical Society Bennett Material [http://www.wisconsinhistory.org/libraryarchives/hhbennett/index.asp](http://www.wisconsinhistory.org/libraryarchives/hhbennett/index.asp) Pictures of the Dells rock formations taken by Bennett. [http://www.wisconsinhistory.org/libraryarchives/hhbennett/dells.asp](http://www.wisconsinhistory.org/libraryarchives/hhbennett/dells.asp) This page has a picture of the Mir space module. > **[Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin](https://www.roadsideamerica.com/story/6560)** > > An overdose of delights at the cheesy attraction and mega-water-park mecca of the Upper Midwest. We haven’t any leprechauns, but Mount Horeb is infested with trolls. Visit the main street Trollway. > **[Mount Horeb, WI - Troll Carvings Town](https://www.roadsideamerica.com/tip/1456)** > > Visit reports, news, maps, directions and info on Troll Carvings Town in Mount Horeb, Wisconsin. The International Crane Foundation is in Baraboo and breeds some of the rarest cranes from around the world. The ones they don’t breed they are consulted on. [http://www.savingcranes.org/about/history.cfm](http://www.savingcranes.org/about/history.cfm) [/QUOTE] Hey **Harmonious Discord**! We LOVE it up there! Touristy? YOU BET! But that’s EXACTLY what entertains young kids. OK - so we’re not going to Arlington Cemetery and learning about “Great Moments In History” while we’re on vacation. But you know what - I just want to spend time with my wife and kids and have fun for the short time I can get away. The Duck tours are a ton of fun, the scenery is outstanding (Ishnala is always going to be one of my favotite places), and if you know where to go (go to the ORIGINAL Fields, NOT the one at the Wilderness) the food is great too. If you ever want to organize a **Doper Water-Park Romp** Im in! Or we could all just crash at your place 😉 ---
**Author:** ![eleanorigby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ee7513/32.png) [@eleanorigby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eleanorigby)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2007, 4:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-your-location-is-it-famous-for-anything-does-it-hold-any-records/419934/86 "2007-09-22T04:25:49Z")
I live near this [quarry](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thornton_Quarry) We were told growing up that it was the LARGEST limestone quarry in the world, but Wikipedia debunked that. ☹ Seriously, that is the only claim to fame here. One of Muhammad Ali’s ex-wives used to live nearby. (that hardly counts) Oh, and Ray Kroc lived in Olympia Fields, IL–the next town over from here. His home was torn down and a rebuild went up a few years back. No, his house did not look like a McDonald’s (although it did have arches in front). ---
**Author:** ![msmith537](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d9b06d/32.png) [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2007, 4:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-your-location-is-it-famous-for-anything-does-it-hold-any-records/419934/87 "2007-09-22T04:39:09Z")
Hoboken, NJ is famous as the birthplace of Frank Sinatra and baseball. It holds the record for town with the most bars per capita in New Jersey. Director Danny Leiner references Hoboken in several of his movies. It is the starting point for Harold & Kumars trip to White Castle and where they attempted to banish the Super Hot Giant Alien in Dude, Where’s My Car? ---
**Author:** ![bathsheba](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/9e8a1a/32.png) [@bathsheba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bathsheba)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2007, 6:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-your-location-is-it-famous-for-anything-does-it-hold-any-records/419934/88 "2007-09-22T06:21:39Z")
Wine casks (box wine) were invented here. So was penicillin but who cares about that. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2007, 2:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-your-location-is-it-famous-for-anything-does-it-hold-any-records/419934/89 "2007-09-22T14:17:40Z")
This is a state of largest and most. Some examples: Most bald eagles Most lakes Tallest mountains in North America Most bears Most land Most glaciers Most volcanos (or is it volcanoes?) Most powerful earthquake to yet strike North America Farthest northern, western and eastern state And Mark McGuire cut his teeth playing for the local minor league team. ---
**Author:** ![Ferd\_Burfel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ecccb3/32.png) [@Ferd\_Burfel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ferd_Burfel)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2007, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-your-location-is-it-famous-for-anything-does-it-hold-any-records/419934/90 "2007-09-22T21:33:22Z")
[QUOTE=3acresandatruck] According to this, you might think we’re tops in meth… > [@](#): > > “Methamphetamine is a dangerous drug…,” stated Rep. Russ Carnahan (D-MO). Carnahan, a Science Committee member and bill cosponsor, represents Missouri’s 3rd Congressional District, which includes Jefferson County, Missouri, the number one county in Missouri for methamphetamine related arrests and seizures. Missouri tops all states for such arrests and seizures. from the House Science and Technology Committee [/QUOTE] Or perhaps you’re just more easily caught than those in, say Taney County. ---
**Author:** ![David\_Simmons](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9de053/32.png) [@David\_Simmons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/David_Simmons)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2007, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-your-location-is-it-famous-for-anything-does-it-hold-any-records/419934/91 "2007-09-22T22:49:25Z")
[The 20 mule team’s](http://www.scvhistory.com/scvhistory/borax-20muleteam.htm) route is only about 30 miles south of here. ---
**Author:** ![elelle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f0a364/32.png) [@elelle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elelle)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2007, 2:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-your-location-is-it-famous-for-anything-does-it-hold-any-records/419934/92 "2007-09-23T02:15:53Z")
I’m out in the country west of Chapel Hill, NC, in Alamance County. In a 15 mile radius of where I live, there are 10 Friends meeting houses (Quaker), the biggest concentration of Quakers in the whole South. Most left during the Revolutionary War, out of peaceful protest, back to a more hospitable Pennsylvania, but some stayed, and have thrived here. There is a local outdoor theatre, big attraction here in my tiny town that details the travails of the Quakers at that time, with a second production detailing how the Quakers here aided the Underground Railroad. It’s very comforting for me to be surrounded by Friends/Quakers. It’s one of the most sensible Christian branches to my Buddhist sensibilities. ---
**Author:** ![thirdwarning](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ecccb3/32.png) [@thirdwarning](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thirdwarning)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2007, 4:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-your-location-is-it-famous-for-anything-does-it-hold-any-records/419934/93 "2007-09-23T04:40:44Z")
[QUOTE=Terminus Est] Don’t let those folks in Wisconsin tell you otherwise; Ithaca, NY is the true birthplace of the ice cream sundae. There’s also some university here. [/QUOTE] You mean this isn’t the real one? ---
**Author:** ![thirdwarning](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ecccb3/32.png) [@thirdwarning](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thirdwarning)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2007, 4:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-your-location-is-it-famous-for-anything-does-it-hold-any-records/419934/94 "2007-09-23T04:43:27Z")
Park Forest, IL Planned and designed. _The Organization Man_ Except they didn’t plan far enough ahead. 'nuff said. Also home to the Scenic Ten race every Labor Day. Brings in runners from all over the world. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2007, 5:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-your-location-is-it-famous-for-anything-does-it-hold-any-records/419934/95 "2007-09-23T05:29:57Z")
The “Sex after Marriage … But Not with Your Wife” thread reminded me that Bangkok is famous for penile-reattachment surgery. The local ladies have a habit of slicing off a wayward husband’s good buddy while he sleeps. ---
**Author:** ![brendon\_small](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/brendon_small/32/17101_2.png) [@brendon\_small](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brendon_small)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2007, 10:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-your-location-is-it-famous-for-anything-does-it-hold-any-records/419934/96 "2007-09-23T22:48:53Z")
I live in Portsmouth, Ohio. Wikipedia points out our murals on the flood wall, which are actually somewhat well heard of. I know this because I work at a hotel in town and everyone wants to know how to get to the flood wall and see the paintings. We’re also the destination for TOSRV, a biking tour from Columbus to Portsmouth every year, which is regionally well-known (or at least kind of). We are also the home of Mitchellace, the largest manufacturer of shoelaces in the world (again, wikipedia as a cite…) We used to have an NFL team in the 20’s-30’s, the Portsmouth Spartans. They competed in the first NFL night game against Green Bay. There was some success of the team, but the Great Depression caused them to be sold off to a new home, Detroit, where they became the Lions. Other than that, it was noted in the newspaper about a year ago that we have a huge number of drug runners in town. The section of 23 between here and Columbus is well known as a drug route, and the number of drug arrests (specifically cocaine) is rather high. For the region, this was a small surprise to me. Once I lived here for a few years, I am not so surprised… There is also a huge amount of prostitution that takes place, specifically in the area near my old apartment (near 23, down town). SOMC, our hospital, is ranked as one of the ten best employers in Ohio, and the university here is Ohio’s newest State University, founded in 1986. We also had a higher percentage of pre-med students get into med school than any other program in Ohio (cite is my prof. mentioned this. I don’t know where that came from) Brendon Small ---
**Author:** ![Musicat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/musicat/32/20189_2.png) [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2007, 11:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-your-location-is-it-famous-for-anything-does-it-hold-any-records/419934/97 "2007-09-23T23:06:23Z")
My county (Door) has the most miles of shoreline of any US county (300). It’s not hard, as we are on a peninsula in Lake Michigan, or an island, if you count the manmade canal. It used to be 242, but after some revised mapmaking, they upped it to 300. Must have found some undocumented waterfront lurking. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Sternvogel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bc79bd/32.png) [@Sternvogel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sternvogel)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2007, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-your-location-is-it-famous-for-anything-does-it-hold-any-records/419934/98 "2007-09-24T21:42:44Z")
From [this page:](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lafayette%2C_Indiana) [Quote=Wikipedia] Lafayette was the site of the first official air mail delivery in the United States, which took place on August 17, 1859, when John Wise piloted a balloon starting on the Lafayette courthouse grounds. Wise hoped to reach New York; however, weather conditions forced the balloon down near Crawfordsville, Indiana, and the mail reached its final destination by train. In 1959, the U.S. Postal Service issued a 7¢ airmail stamp commemorating the centennial of the event. [/Quote] An oversized reproduction of [the stamp](http://www.1847usa.com/identify/1950s/C54.jpg) decorates the wall of the post office I patronize. The [Knickerbocker Saloon](http://www.knickerbockersaloon.com/history.htm/) calls itself “Indiana’s Oldest Bar”, as it received the state’s first liquor license. ---
**Author:** ![Sunspace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunspace/32/1250_2.png) [@Sunspace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunspace)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2007, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-your-location-is-it-famous-for-anything-does-it-hold-any-records/419934/99 "2007-09-24T21:47:11Z")
[QUOTE=Siam Sam] The “Sex after Marriage … But Not with Your Wife” thread reminded me that Bangkok is famous for penile-reattachment surgery. The local ladies have a habit of slicing off a wayward husband’s good buddy while he sleeps. [/QUOTE] :eek: I may have to reconsider my plan to seek a Thai woman… or at least my plan to be wayward. [sub]Oh who am I kidding. I’ve never been wayward in my life.[/sub] ---
**Author:** ![Redfrost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9fc29f/32.png) [@Redfrost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Redfrost)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2007, 10:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-your-location-is-it-famous-for-anything-does-it-hold-any-records/419934/100 "2007-09-24T22:19:56Z")
Delware had the last person to be hanged as a means of execution. We are the home of the DuPont Corporation, which invented Nylon, Rayon, and many other wonderful synthetic fabrics. Gortex was invented by a Delawarean and the company is in New Castle County. Consistently rank in the top 5 for cancer deaths and HIV/AIDS positive individuals. Has the largest morgue in the US at the Dover Air Force Base (all people killed in combat are processed through that morgue). [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-your-location-is-it-famous-for-anything-does-it-hold-any-records/419934.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-your-location-is-it-famous-for-anything-does-it-hold-any-records/419934.md?page=6)