# US States Capitals Superlatives: Help build a list **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [April 25, 2006, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-states-capitals-superlatives-help-build-a-list/354179 "2006-04-25T18:08:32Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Zeldar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/b77776/32.png) [@Zeldar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeldar)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2006, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-states-capitals-superlatives-help-build-a-list/354179/1 "2006-04-25T18:08:32Z")
For some reason the other day I got to wondering which state’s capital is the farthest from the geographical center of the state, and therefore nearest to that state’s border. Some poking around with maps has led me to suspect it may be Boston. If you know better, please say so. Then the idea of coming up with some superlatives for as many states’ capitals as we can quickly followed. Here are some teasers to get this started: 1. Which capital(s) is/are that state’s largest city? 2. Which capital is highest in elevation? 3. Which capital is lowest in elevation? 4. Which capital gets the least annual rainfall? 5. Which capital gets the least snow? 6. Which state has had the most different capitals? 7. Which state’s capital is farthest from a large body of water (lake, ocean, river)? If you can think of some other off-the-wall superlative(s) that may apply to your own state’s capital, add that to this list. By the way, for non-US Dopers, you can apply any and all these issues to your own country, if you wish. That way we can all get some decent geography trivia to amuse our friends and neighbors with. ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2006, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-states-capitals-superlatives-help-build-a-list/354179/2 "2006-04-25T18:22:47Z")
> [@Zeldar](#): > > For some reason the other day I got to wondering which state’s capital is the farthest from the geographical center of the state, and therefore nearest to that state’s border. Some poking around with maps has led me to suspect it may be Boston. If you know better, please say so. I’m thinking Juneau for this one, actually. ---
**Author:** ![Smeghead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f1d935/32.png) [@Smeghead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smeghead)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2006, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-states-capitals-superlatives-help-build-a-list/354179/3 "2006-04-25T18:42:49Z")
Yeah, farthest from the center and nearest to the border are going to be two different things, since states come in different sizes. ---
**Author:** ![Zeldar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/b77776/32.png) [@Zeldar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeldar)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2006, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-states-capitals-superlatives-help-build-a-list/354179/4 "2006-04-25T18:46:59Z")
> [@Smeghead](#): > > Yeah, farthest from the center and nearest to the border are going to be two different things, since states come in different sizes. Good point. I’ll concede that Juneau beats Boston. ---
**Author:** ![swampbear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/swampbear/32/467_2.png) [@swampbear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/swampbear)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2006, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-states-capitals-superlatives-help-build-a-list/354179/5 "2006-04-25T18:56:10Z")
Off of the top of my head, capitals who are also the largest cities in their states: Atlanta, Georgia Phoenix, Arizona Denver, Colorado Salt Lake City, Utah Jackson, Mississippi Little Rock, Arkansas Boston, Massachusettes Columbia, South Carolina Des Moines, Iowa Indianapolis, Indiana Charleston, West Virginia Boise, Idaho Columbus, Ohio ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2006, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-states-capitals-superlatives-help-build-a-list/354179/6 "2006-04-25T19:04:55Z")
> [@Zeldar](#): > > 1. Which capital(s) is/are that state’s largest city? - Boston, Massachusetts - Columbus, Ohio (if you’re counting metro areas; if just city proper, the largest is Cleveland) - Phoenix, Arizona - Denver, Colorado - Honolulu, Hawaii > [@](#): > > 1. Which state has had the most different capitals? Hmm, could it be California? San Jose → Vallejo → Benicia → Sacramento or Ohio? Chillicothe → Zanesville → Chillicothe → Columbus (if you’re willing to count Chillicothe twice) ---
**Author:** ![Crotalus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crotalus/32/41_2.png) [@Crotalus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crotalus)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2006, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-states-capitals-superlatives-help-build-a-list/354179/7 "2006-04-25T19:07:49Z")
> [@acsenray](#): > > - Boston, Massachusetts > - Columbus, Ohio (if you’re counting metro areas; if just city proper, the largest is Cleveland) > - Phoenix, Arizona > - Denver, Colorado > - Honolulu, Hawaii > > Hmm, could it be California? San Jose → Vallejo → Benicia → Sacramento > or Ohio? Chillicothe → Zanesville → Chillicothe → Columbus (if you’re willing to count Chillicothe twice) Chillicothe definitely counts itself twice. Not sure about how the whole state counts. ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2006, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-states-capitals-superlatives-help-build-a-list/354179/8 "2006-04-25T19:09:03Z")
1. Which capital is highest in elevation? Atlanta ---
**Author:** ![UncleRojelio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/unclerojelio/32/3160_2.png) [@UncleRojelio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UncleRojelio)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2006, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-states-capitals-superlatives-help-build-a-list/354179/9 "2006-04-25T19:22:39Z")
State Capital with the most live music: Austin. Weirdest State Capital: Austin Best Mexican food: Austin ---
**Author:** ![UncleRojelio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/unclerojelio/32/3160_2.png) [@UncleRojelio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UncleRojelio)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2006, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-states-capitals-superlatives-help-build-a-list/354179/10 "2006-04-25T19:33:36Z")
> [@Zeldar](#): > > 1. Which state has had the most different capitals? Do seats of government prior to the declaration of statehood count? If so, [Texas has had quite a few captials](http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/6615/texas-capitol.html), including one in a different state altogether and one aboard ship. 1. Robeline, LA 2. San Antonio 3. Monclava 4. Saltillo 5. San Felipe 6. Washington-on-the-Brazos (twice) 7. Harrisburg 8. Galveston 9. the ship “Cuyuga” 10. Velasco 11. Columbia 12. Houston (also twice) 13. Austin ---
**Author:** ![PoorYorick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ecccb3/32.png) [@PoorYorick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PoorYorick)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2006, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-states-capitals-superlatives-help-build-a-list/354179/11 "2006-04-25T21:14:38Z")
> [@swampbear](#): > > Off of the top of my head, capitals who are also the largest cities in their states: > > Atlanta, Georgia > > Phoenix, Arizona > > Denver, Colorado > > Salt Lake City, Utah > > Jackson, Mississippi > > Little Rock, Arkansas > > Boston, Massachusettes > > Columbia, South Carolina > > Des Moines, Iowa > > Indianapolis, Indiana > > Charleston, West Virginia > > Boise, Idaho > > Columbus, Ohio Oklahoma City, Oklahoma (I only know this because I lived there). ---
**Author:** ![ShibbOleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/848f3c/32.png) [@ShibbOleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShibbOleth)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2006, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-states-capitals-superlatives-help-build-a-list/354179/12 "2006-04-25T21:57:26Z")
> [@swampbear](#): > > Off of the top of my head, capitals who are also the largest cities in their states: > Columbus, Ohio I thought Cleveland was bigger than Columbus (although Columbus is bigger than Cincinnati). Has this changed? ---
**Author:** ![Ponder\_Stibbons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ponder_stibbons/32/343_2.png) [@Ponder\_Stibbons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ponder_Stibbons)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2006, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-states-capitals-superlatives-help-build-a-list/354179/13 "2006-04-25T22:06:02Z")
> [@JohnT](#): > > 1. Which capital is highest in elevation? Atlanta Since you “spoilered” it, I’m guessing there’s a joke here. I guess you “whooshed” me, then. Just to be pedantic, the [USGS](http://erg.usgs.gov/isb/pubs/booklets/elvadist/elvadist.html) lists Denver at 5,470 ft and Atlanta at 1,086 ft. Mind you, that list isn’t exhaustive, as it only shows the elevations of the 50 largest American cities, so possible contenders like Santa Fe and Cheyenne aren’t included. ---
**Author:** ![Frosted\_Glass](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/frosted_glass/32/3926_2.png) [@Frosted\_Glass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frosted_Glass)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2006, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-states-capitals-superlatives-help-build-a-list/354179/14 "2006-04-25T22:11:23Z")
> [@Smeghead](#): > > Yeah, farthest from the center and nearest to the border are going to be two different things, since states come in different sizes. Trenton, NJ directly borders Pennsylvania but I am positive that is not the farthest capital from the center of the state since NJ is so small. ---
**Author:** ![xbuckeye](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/9e8a1a/32.png) [@xbuckeye](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xbuckeye)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2006, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-states-capitals-superlatives-help-build-a-list/354179/15 "2006-04-25T22:21:27Z")
> [@UncleRojelio](#): > > Weirdest State Capital: Austin I’m gonna have to fight you over that one…haven’t you ever heard of Madison, WI. We have a riot scheduled for this weekend. We protest protests and some people want to ban bans. Madisonioans refer to their town as 78 square miles surrounded by reality. Commutes get shorter in the winter because you can shortcut across one of the lakes. We had a kite festival…in February…on a lake. We have kayak to work day in the summer. Dogs aren’t allowed in parks because “parks are for families.” People are willing to take jobs at half the salary they could get elsewhere just because they want to work in Madison. Oh…and we haven’t had a random bombing since Christmas and the local police haven’t killed anyone in a week or so. ---
**Author:** ![Frosted\_Glass](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/frosted_glass/32/3926_2.png) [@Frosted\_Glass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frosted_Glass)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2006, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-states-capitals-superlatives-help-build-a-list/354179/16 "2006-04-25T22:23:37Z")
> [@Smeghead](#): > > Yeah, farthest from the center and nearest to the border are going to be two different things, since states come in different sizes. Trenton, NJ directly borders Pennsylvania but I am positive that is not the farthest capital from the center of the state since NJ is so small. ---
**Author:** ![Gordon\_Urquhart](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/db5fbb/32.png) [@Gordon\_Urquhart](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gordon_Urquhart)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2006, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-states-capitals-superlatives-help-build-a-list/354179/17 "2006-04-25T22:28:01Z")
> [@Ponder Stibbons](#): > > Since you “spoilered” it, I’m guessing there’s a joke here. I guess you “whooshed” me, then. > > Just to be pedantic, the [USGS](http://erg.usgs.gov/isb/pubs/booklets/elvadist/elvadist.html) lists Denver at 5,470 ft and Atlanta at 1,086 ft. Mind you, that list isn’t exhaustive, as it only shows the elevations of the 50 largest American cities, so possible contenders like Santa Fe and Cheyenne aren’t included. Cheyenne’s a little over 6,000 feet, and Santa Fe’s a little under 7,000 feet. But John Elway never played for their football teams. ---
**Author:** ![Shagnasty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9dc877/32.png) [@Shagnasty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shagnasty)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2006, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-states-capitals-superlatives-help-build-a-list/354179/18 "2006-04-25T22:32:42Z")
State with capital at the lowest elevation: I would have to guess my home state of Louisiana (Baton Rouge). Louisiana doesn’t do hills much let alone mountains and Baton Rouge is only about 50 feet above sea level. ---
**Author:** ![Frosted\_Glass](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/frosted_glass/32/3926_2.png) [@Frosted\_Glass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frosted_Glass)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2006, 10:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-states-capitals-superlatives-help-build-a-list/354179/19 "2006-04-25T22:42:09Z")
I am fairly certain that Santa Fe is the oldest state capital. As in, the oldest city that is now a state capital. My second post was supposed to say this, not really sure what happened. ---
**Author:** ![swampbear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/swampbear/32/467_2.png) [@swampbear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/swampbear)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2006, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-states-capitals-superlatives-help-build-a-list/354179/20 "2006-04-25T22:47:05Z")
> [@ShibbOleth](#): > > I thought Cleveland was bigger than Columbus (although Columbus is bigger than Cincinnati). Has this changed? According to this site [Columbus](http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0108258.html) is the largest city. I’m betting the metropolitan Cleveland area is larger, but according to this Columbus proper is larger than Cleveland proper. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-states-capitals-superlatives-help-build-a-list/354179.md?page=2)