# Tell us an interesting random fact you stumbled across (Part 2) **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [July 25, 2024, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785 "2024-07-25T15:06:02Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 60
**Author:** ![Railer13](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/railer13/32/9742_2.png) [@Railer13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Railer13)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2024, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/1181 "2024-12-23T20:19:00Z")
> [@zimaane](#): > > For the first one, I’ve always assumed that it was pronounced as two syllables. > > I’ve never been to that state though Sometime back in the previous century, I worked on a custom combining crew that harvested wheat in South Dakota. We hauled many truckloads of wheat into that capitol city. We all learned really quickly that it’s pronounced as one syllable. ---
**Author:** ![Lumpy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lumpy/32/446_2.png) [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2024, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/1182 "2024-12-23T20:23:47Z")
> [@Railer13](#): > > We all learned really quickly that it’s pronounced as one syllable. It’s pronounced two syllables run into one French-style, which most English speakers who’ve never taken a heavy blow to the left temporal lobe can’t replicate. Closest is the way we pronounce the name “Pierce”. ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2024, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/1183 "2024-12-23T21:50:57Z")
I can nerd out on this kind of trivia. I was looking at state capitol elevations (specifically the capitol state house) and was surprised by a couple of them. The second highest state capitol is Cheyenne, which is actually over 800’ higher than Denver (the highest is obviously Santa Fe, which also has perhaps the most unusual architecture).        The second lowest capitol is a tie, at 21’, between two states, but the one that suprised me was Sacramento, though it really should not have, as that state has some really low spots (Honolulu is also 21’, one foot lower is the capitol in Dover). ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2024, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/1184 "2024-12-23T22:13:26Z")
Huh, I would have guessed that Florida would be lowest. Though I suppose that they do benefit from having their capital on the mainland, rather than on the sandbar. ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2024, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/1185 "2024-12-23T22:23:29Z")
There are 15 states ( + DC & PR ) with lower elevation capitols than Tallahassee, including all 5 with Pacific coastline. ---
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2024, 10:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/1186 "2024-12-23T22:54:45Z")
Totally stolen from The Credibility Gap. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/ludCVowT-DE/maxresdefault.jpg "The Credibility Gap: Who's on First (David L. Lander and Harry Shearer)") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ludCVowT-DE) ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2024, 11:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/1187 "2024-12-23T23:46:46Z")
Depends where you measure. Parts of Providence are at sea level. ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2024, 12:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/1188 "2024-12-24T00:08:50Z")
Again, I specified “capitol”. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2024, 1:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/1189 "2024-12-24T01:37:46Z")
Ah gotca. The capitol buidling in Providence must be a good 50’ above sea level. ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2024, 3:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/1190 "2024-12-24T03:21:51Z")
Alaska’s state capitol looks like an ordinary office building. [![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/9b/Alaska_State_Capitol_Building.jpg/800px-Alaska_State_Capitol_Building.jpg) ](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/9b/Alaska_State_Capitol_Building.jpg/800px-Alaska_State_Capitol_Building.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2024, 3:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/1191 "2024-12-24T03:30:19Z")
[Ours is unique](https://www.visitrhodeisland.com/listing/rhode-island-state-house/8865/). ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2024, 4:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/1192 "2024-12-24T04:45:24Z")
North Dakota’s looks like a pastry [![](https://images.fineartamerica.com/images-medium-large-5/north-dakota-state-capitol-david-penman.jpg) ](https://images.fineartamerica.com/images-medium-large-5/north-dakota-state-capitol-david-penman.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2024, 1:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/1193 "2024-12-24T13:37:56Z")
Growing up in Washington state and knowing what the US Capitol looked like, I grew up honestly thinking EVERY capitol building looked the same. Main entrance. Two wings. Dome over the center. All gray. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2024, 1:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/1194 "2024-12-24T13:45:36Z")
California is that style too. ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2024, 1:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/1195 "2024-12-24T13:57:42Z")
Almost, the dome isn’t gray. ---
**Author:** ![PatrickLondon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/patricklondon/32/4422_2.png) [@PatrickLondon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PatrickLondon)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2024, 2:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/1196 "2024-12-24T14:05:10Z")
> [@Saint\_Cad](#): > > Main entrance. Two wings. Dome over the center. All gray. Point of comparison: 19th century civic buildings in the UK could be quite like that. Some were flamboyantly Gothic, but equally grandiose were: Leeds: Town Hall > **[File:Leeds Town Hall (geograph 5671640).jpg](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Leeds_Town_Hall_(geograph_5671640).jpg)** > > Original file (4,608 × 3,072 pixels, file size: 2.9 MB, MIME type: image/jpeg) > Click on a date/time to view the file as it appeared at that time. > You cannot overwrite this file. There are no pages that use this file. Belfast City Hall > **[File:Belfast City Hall - Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK - August 13, 2017 - 01.jpg](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Belfast_City_Hall_-_Belfast,_Northern_Ireland,_UK_-_August_13,_2017_-_01.jpg)** > > Original file (18,000 × 8,234 pixels, file size: 64.33 MB, MIME type: image/jpeg) > Click on a date/time to view the file as it appeared at that time. > You cannot overwrite this file. The following 7 pages use this file: ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2024, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/1197 "2024-12-24T14:44:05Z")
Eh, it’s unique in the same way that most US capitols are unique: Neo-classical with a big dome in the middle. The details might vary, but even someone who’s never been to Rhode Island would look at that and say “That looks like a capitol building”. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2024, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/1198 "2024-12-24T15:22:27Z")
It’s unique in the sense that it’s obviously not. ---
**Author:** ![Railer13](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/railer13/32/9742_2.png) [@Railer13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Railer13)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2024, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/1199 "2024-12-24T15:32:24Z")
If you want to see a photo gallery of all 50 capitol buildings (and who doesn’t?), here’s one site that shows them all, ranked by the author’s preference. > **[Spectacular Legislatures: All 50 state capitol buildings, ranked](https://knightlifenews.com/26954/opinion/spectacular-legislatures-all-50-state-capitol-buildings-ranked/)** > > Driving to Lansing on I-96, the dome of the Michigan Capitol building stands out in stark contrast to the skyline of the city. The Lansing State Capitol, is not alone: it is one among 49 others, each designed and built not only to house the state... ---
**Author:** ![Railer13](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/railer13/32/9742_2.png) [@Railer13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Railer13)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2024, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/1200 "2024-12-24T15:36:12Z")
Also, if you’ve ever considered taking a road trip to see all 48 capitol buildings in the Lower 48 (and who hasn’t?), this guy has calculated what he believes to be the most optimal route. It’s only 13,310 miles. > **[Dr. Randal S. Olson | Computing optimal road trips on a limited budget](https://randalolson.com/2016/06/05/computing-optimal-road-trips-on-a-limited-budget/)** > > Randy Olson shows you how to compute an epic road trip across the U.S. when you're on a limited budget. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785.md?page=59) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785.md?page=61)