Weird Facts About All 50 States You Definitely Didn't Know
Did you know one of them only has two escalators in the entire state?
Wisconsin is known for its cheese, and you really can't think of California without imagining its charming beach towns. But trust us: There's so much more to learn about your state and the 49 others in the good ol' U.S.A. For instance, do you know in which state the shopping cart was invented? Or where exactly the cheeseburger was officially named? How about which state has a building with its own zip code or which one is home to the "Pumpkin Capital of the World?"
In a country as large and diverse as the United States, there's really no limit to the new things that you can learn about the 50 states every day — which is why we've rounded up some of the weirdest and most random facts for each state right here. Whether you're looking to stump your friends and family with random trivia facts or just want to learn a few new things about America, these weirdest, wackiest facts about your state — which include fun info about native animals to random facts about food — will truly amaze you. And for more fun tidbits about the U.S. afterwards, be sure to check out the weirdest town names and the craziest laws in each state, too!
Alabama
Though the boll weevil is often considered a tiny pest, it's praised in a 50-pound statue in the city of Enterprise. It dates back to 1919, when the statue of the Greek woman was constructed. Thirty years later, they placed the weevil on top. The purpose? To show the town's "profound appreciation of the boll weevil and what it has done as the herald of prosperity."
Alaska
Due to its long summer days, produce in Alaska can often reach jaw-dropping sizes — like a 138-pound cabbage that was grown in the great state (this photo isn't the cabbage in question, but you get the idea).
Arizona
Love watching planes land and take off? Get on board the PHX Sky Train. Located at the Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, the trains cross over an active airport taxiway. It's the first system in the world to do this!
Arkansas
Believe it or not, you can potentially take home a priceless souvenir from your day at Crater of Diamonds State Park. It's the only diamond mine in the world that allows the public to hunt for such a precious gem.
California
You'll experience highs and lows in this great state. At 14,494 feet in height, Mt. Whitney is the highest point in the contiguous United States. It's a mere 76 miles away from Death Valley, known as the lowest point in the contiguous United States.
Colorado
Cheeseburgers may not have been invented in Colorado (two other states contest this!), but the name "cheeseburger" was indeed trademarked by Louis Ballast of Denver's Humpty Dumpty Drive-In in Denver in 1935. In 1987, a roadside monument was dedicated to this accomplishment.
Connecticut
Chances are, you already know Connecticut's state song by heart: It's Yankee Doodle! The famous tune was designated as the official state song in 1978 at the Connecticut State Capitol in Hartford (which you can see pictured here).
Delaware
Apparently, chickens outnumber people 200-to-1 in Delaware, with the state having more than 200 million chickens every year. This makes sense given that Delaware is not only the second smallest state (ahead of Rhode Island), it's also the sixth least populous state in the U.S. (it is, however, the sixth most densely populated!).
Florida
Brevard County in Florida officially adopted the area code 321 in 1999 as a nod to Kennedy Space Center — and the rocket launch countdown sequence that happened there!
Georgia
The state was once home to the largest wild hog, which was discovered in the town of Alapaha. At 1,000 pounds and 12 feet in length, it was appropriately nicknamed "Hogzilla." We can only imagine that it looked like a much, much bigger version of this more petite wild boar in Hungary, but you get the idea!
Hawaii
If Spam has never ended up in your grocery cart, you might wonder who regularly stocks up on the canned meat. The answer? Hawaii residents. More Spam is eaten in Hawaii than in any other state. In fact, it's even served as breakfast at McDonald's!
Idaho
Here's a geography fact you might not have known: It's possible to sail from the Pacific Ocean to Idaho through the Snake and Columbia Rivers, which will take you to the farthest inland port on the West Coast, called Lewiston.
Illinois
The town of Morton is the "Pumpkin Capital of the World." It's mainly due to the presence of the Libby's canning plant that cans more than 82% of canned pumpkin in the world.
Indiana
The Indiana Dunes (located on the shore of Lake Michigan) is a habitat for all sorts of interesting plants, including over 20 varieties of orchids. The largest dune is named Mount Baldy, and moves a few feet from the shore each year.
Iowa
This state might be known for corn as far as the eye can see, but it's also a place where you can find your center. Fairfield, Iowa, is considered the capital of Transcendental Meditation. The town is home to Maharishi University, which was founded in 1974 by Maharishi Maheh Yogi, who was famously the former spiritual adviser to The Beatles.
RELATED: 10 Dreamy Meditation Retreats for Your Most Relaxing Vacation Ever
Kansas
Fast food history was made in 1958 when the world's first Pizza Hut was opened in Wichita. It was opened by brothers Dan and Frank Carney, who were still college students and had to borrow $600 from their mother!
RELATED: The 13 Best Frozen Pizzas Are Proof That Store-Bought Pizza Can Be Delicious
Kentucky
Cheers to Kentucky! In 1799, the first commercial winery in the United States was established near Lexington. And yes, you can still enjoy wine produced by the winery (now named "First Vineyard.") It's even maintained by a descendant of the original shareholders of the winery.
Louisiana
The Lake Pontchartrain Causeway bridge in New Orleans, Louisiana is the longest continuous bridge passing over water. It's nearly 24 miles long (and for eight of those miles, you can't even see any land at all).
Maine
Think of a city in Maine and you'll probably automatically think of Portland, the state's most populous city. Here, it's easy to find a place where you can get away from it all, since more than one-third of Maine's total population lives in the Greater Portland area (which also makes it the most populous metropolitan area in northern New England!).
Maryland
The first Ouija board was invented in Baltimore by Elijah Bond, who proudly selected its design for his tombstone. Apparently, when Bond asked the board what it wanted to be called, it spelled out "O-U-I-J-A."
Blake Bakkila has been writing about everything from pop culture to lifestyle products for more than eight years. Her work has appeared on GoodHousekeeping.com, WhattoExpect.com, Health.com, and in the print and digital versions of Real Simple and People.
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