America's Self-Proclaimed World Capitals

New Book - Hometown Celebrations

2011-01-08T09:12:00.000-08:00

Hodag Capital of the WORLD!!

2010-10-13T17:34:00.001-07:00

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!

Britt, Iowa - Hobo Capital of the World

2010-09-15T16:49:00.000-07:00

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 Capital of Mules

2010-09-03T14:49:00.000-07:00

Lathrop, Missouri
There may not be a lot of mules left in this community but the town still claims the title due to its past. The mule was a great asset to the farmers throughout the United States in the 19th century. Mules are stubborn but they are a much better work animal than horses. Missouri became the place for mules. In 1890, Missouri had over 240,000 of them. I guess that is why Missouri claims the mule as its state animal. Anyway, the Guyton and Harrington Mule Company came to Lathrop. By 1891, this company doubled the population of mules in the state of Missouri. Many people in the nation thought their mules were the finest in the world. For you city folk who wonder how to make a mule, it is a hybrid created from a “jack” (male donkey) and a “jenny” (female horse). In August, the community is host to a mule show. It’s quite an event!

Hodag Capital of the World

2010-08-23T12:43:00.000-07:00

Rhinelander, Wisconsin

Pretzel Capital of the World

2010-08-15T15:12:00.003-07:00

Reading, PA

Pretzel Capital of the World

There has been a long tradition of pretzel making in this community. In 1884, the Bachman Pretzel Company opened and grew to become a giant in the pretzel industry. The Spannuth family came here in the 1920’s. Their operation became a success overnight and is known as the Unique Pretzel Company. Later in the 1940’s, the Tom Sturgis Pretzel Company opened and became another legendary giant pretzel manufacturer. Today, the town is still world renowned for its pretzels. There are dozens of pretzel companies in the community. If you are ever honored with the “Key to the City”, you will find a pretzel on it.

You say potato?

2010-08-06T12:09:00.001-07:00

Blackfoot, ID _-Potato Capital of the World

This community is located in the heart of eastern Idaho potato country. Idaho potatoes may be the most famous found in the world. The town is host to the “Potato Museum”. Here, you can find out anything and everything you ever wanted to know about potatoes. You can also see the “Worlds Largest Potato Chip”! They even have a picture of the largest potato ever grown!

Jackalope World Capital!

2010-07-25T18:04:00.000-07:00

Douglas, WY

Jackalope Capital of the World

Legend has it the first jackalope was sighted here in 1829. Jackalopes are said to be a cross between an antelope and a jack rabbit. They look like a jack rabbit with antlers. They grow to be the size of a small horse. They are said to be aggressive if cornered. Their habitat ranges from Colorado to Wyoming and into Nebraska. Jackalopes are reported to be fond of whiskey. The City of Douglas is proud of the jackalope. They have a jackalope statue in their town center and celebrate “Jackalope Day” every June. You can even get a jackalope hunting license in Douglas! Okay, if you do not believe all of this, here is another version. Douglas Herrick, a local taxidermist, came up with a new trophy in 1939. He mounted deer antlers on a jack rabbit for fun and showed it to the local citizens. Stories started to spread and the legendary hoax grew to become a national debate. Is there really a JACKALOPE?

Super Capital!!!

2010-07-14T13:16:00.000-07:00

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!

Sedalia, Missouri - Once the Ragtime Capital

2010-07-11T12:08:00.000-07:00

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.

Chile Capital of the World

2010-07-03T17:08:00.000-07:00

Hatch, New Mexico

There are some other communities that may take offense to this claim. But, in New Mexico, chili is spelled with an “E”. Every year, this community holds a “Chile Festival” at the end of August. Here, the “Chile Queen” is crowned.

Cherry Capital of the World

2010-06-19T16:09:00.001-07:00

Traverse City, MI

Cherry Capital of the World

The cherry is not indigenous to the United States. Early French settlers brought cherry pits to America in the 1600’s. Cherry trees began to flourish in this Michigan area around 1850. A Presbyterian minister by the name of Peter Dougherty was the first to begin planting trees near this town. His cherries became so popular other cherry orchards began to sprout up throughout the Traverse City area. In the early 1900’s, the Traverse City Canning Company opened and the city began to dominate the cherry industries. Today, this community is host to the National Cherry Festival every July. This cherry festival began in 1926. Today, this eight day event draws over 500,000 visitors. The festival features over 500 events and 85% of them are free! If you and your family fly to Traverse City you will land at the Cherry Capital Airport.

Collinsville, IL - Two great attractions!

2010-05-11T16:01:00.000-07:00

Collinsville, IL

Horseradish Capital of the World

In 1933, the J. R. Kelly Company started to market horseradish roots in St. Louis. The company relocated to Collinsville in 1974. The company is one of the biggest marketers of horseradish. Each year the company sells over 7 million pounds of horseradish and claims to produce over 85% of the world’s horseradish. Collinsville hosts the annual “International Horseradish Festival”. This event is usually held in June. By the way, this community also has the “Worlds Largest Ketchup Bottle”. Maybe someday, this community will claim to be the “Condiment Capital of the World”!

Colon, MI - Magic Capital of the World

2010-04-20T18:31:00.000-07:00

In 1926, the town really got into the magic business. Harry Blackstone, a world renowned magician in the 1920’s and 1930’s, came to visit the town. Harry was looking for an off season home. He purchased a local island here and brought his more than 20 member stage crew. Later, Harry joined up with fellow magician Recil Bordner. Harry and Recil started a magic business selling magic tricks. The relationship ended badly after only 18 months due to a business transaction. While Harry was on the road doing his magic show, he purchased an illusion from another magician. Recil thought the company now owned the illusion and sold it. When Harry found out about this transaction he was furious at Recil. The two never talked to each other after the quarrel. Recil later met Percy Abbott, another magician. Both went into business together and formed the Abbott Magic Manufacturing Company. This company went on to become the world’s largest manufacturer of magic paraphernalia. The company is still in business today. The community celebrates for a week and the event is called “Abbott’s Magic Get-Together”.

Colon, MI - Magic Capital of the World

2010-04-20T18:30:00.000-07:00

LeMars, Iowa - Ice Cream Capital of the World!

2010-04-06T18:04:00.000-07:00

This community christened itself in 1994 as the “Capital of Ice Cream”. They have good reasons to back up this boastfulness. In 1913, Fred Wells, Jr. opened up a dairy operation in this community. In 1925, Fred expanded his business and the company began making ice cream. In 1928, Fred sold his company to Fairmont. Later in 1935, Fred and his sons wanted to make ice cream again but couldn’t use the family name any more because of the deal with Fairmont. They ran a contest to name their new ice cream company and “Blue Bell” was chosen. Blue Bell is the single ice cream company in LeMars. More ice cream is produced here in a day than by any other single ice cream company in the world. Those are the cold-hearted facts and that’s why this is the capital.

Columbia, TN - Another Mule Capital

2010-03-28T12:20:00.000-07:00

There may not be a lot of mules left in this community but the town still claims the title due to its past. The mule was a great asset to the farmers throughout the United States in the 19th century. Mules are stubborn but they are a much better work animal than horses.
In 1840, Columbia began Breeders Day. Here, farmers came from miles around to show off there prized mules. This event is now known as Mule Day. Every April, over 200,000 people come to this community to celebrate.

For you city folk who wonder how to make a mule, it is a hybrid created from a “jack” (male donkey) and a “jenny” (female horse).

Largest Spinach Can in the World!

2010-03-13T11:40:00.000-08:00

Alma, AR Spinach - Capital of the World

The Allen Canning Co. is responsible for this town claiming to be the “Capital of Spinach”. This company is one of the major leaders in the canning of spinach. One of its spinach brands is Popeye Spinach. The town takes its spinach seriously. You can find two huge green water towers here featuring Popeye. The Popeye tower claims to be the “Largest Spinach Can in the World”. In downtown Alma you can see the Popeye water fountain. Since 1985, the community has hosted a spinach festival in April. The festival features a spinach recipe contest and also a spinach eating contest. I don’t know about you but I think I will pass on the spinach eating contest!

Horseradish Capital of the World

2010-03-06T10:06:00.000-08:00

LeMars, Iowa - Ice Cream Capital of the World!

2010-02-24T14:36:00.000-08:00

This community christened itself in 1994 as the “Capital of Ice Cream”. They have good reasons to back up this boastfulness. In 1913, Fred Wells, Jr. opened up a dairy operation in this community. In 1925, Fred expanded his business and the company began making ice cream. In 1928, Fred sold his company to Fairmont. Later in 1935, Fred and his sons wanted to make ice cream again but couldn’t use the family name any more because of the deal with Fairmont. They ran a contest to name their new ice cream company and “Blue Bunny” was chosen. Blue Bunny is the single ice cream company in LeMars. More ice cream is produced here in a day than by any other single ice cream company in the world. Those are the cold-hearted facts and that’s why this is the capital.

Carousel Capital of the World

2010-02-18T15:31:00.000-08:00

Binghamton, NY

Carousel Capital of the World

This community aligns itself with Endicott and Johnson City to form the “Triple Cities”. In the early 20th century, George F. Johnson helped form the Endicott-Johnson Shoe Company. At one time, the shoe company employed over 24,000 workers and crafted over 170,000 pair of shoes a day. George grew up poor and remembered as a child he never had a nickel to spend on a carousel ride. George started donating carousels to the local community parks. Today, this area is home to 6 parks with carousels for the local children to ride. The community is home to 6 of the world’s carousel companies. All participants who ride all 6 carousels located in this community receive an “I Rode the Carousel Circuit” button. The carousels are open from Memorial Day to Labor Day.

Douglas, Wyoming

2010-02-08T16:54:00.001-08:00

Colon, MI - Magic Capital of the World

2010-01-24T07:18:00.000-08:00

Venice, Florida - Sharktooth Capital of the World

2010-01-14T10:59:00.000-08:00

Florida was underwater thousands of years ago. This particular region is host to thousands of pre-historic and present day shark teeth. Because of the location of Venice and the direction of currents from the ocean, shark teeth just seem to wash up on the local beaches. Sharks often go through a lot of teeth. Over a ten year period, an average shark can shed or lose more than 20,000 teeth. There must be a lot of sharks nearby! For years, visitors and locals have been combing the Venice beaches and collecting shark teeth. If you would like a nice shark tooth necklace, this is the place to shop.

Purple Martin Capital of the World

2010-01-02T18:59:00.001-08:00

Griggsville, IL

Purple Martin Capital of the Nation

Okay, maybe it’s not the capital of the world but after you visit this community you may think it should be. The town is located between the Illinois and the Mississippi Rivers. This is mosquito country! Well, what will eat 2,000 mosquitoes a day? The purple martin can accomplish this task! Anyway, in 1962, the community wanted to solve their mosquito problem without using insecticides. Local citizen, J. L. Wade, came to the rescue and converted his antenna factory into a purple martin bird house factory. The rest is history. Since then, Griggsville citizens have installed over 5,000 bird houses in their community. When you visit, take a look at their 562 room purple martin high-rise apartment that is over 70 feet tall!