5 Facts About 5 States #9

The Badlands are known as "the dinosaur playground" because of the enormous quantity of dinosaur fossils discovered. The Mammoth Site at Hot Springs is a paleontological site and museum located near Hot Springs, South Dakota. This location boasts the world's highest concentration of fossil remnants. The location was discovered in June 1974, while heavy equipment operator George Hanson was leveling the property for home development.

Mount Rushmore is a sculpture park in the Black Hills that features sculptures of former US presidents Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln, and Theodore Roosevelt. The four faces on the hill reflect four periods in American history: Washington represents the founding of the country, Jefferson represents growth, Lincoln represents preservation, and Roosevelt represents development.

Fort Pierre Chouteau, the largest (almost 300′ square) and best-equipped fur trade/military fort on the western American frontier, was the largest (nearly 300′ square) and best-equipped trading station in the northern Great Plains. The trading activities at the site highlighted the commercial alliance crucial to the success of the fur business. It was built in 1832 by John Jacob Astor's (1763-1848) American Fur Company as part of its expansion into the Upper Missouri region.

Split Rock Creek, near Garretson, has carved deep gorges across Palisades State Park for millions of years. The Sioux quartzite spires are 1.2 billion years old, according to geologists! A thin coating of debris was deposited on top of the quartzite by glaciers. Between the layers, there are dark red pipestone beds. Pipestone is only found in a few places around the country. American Indians regard the mineral as sacred.

The Vérendrye brothers were the first Europeans in the area, claiming it for France in 1743. The area was purchased by the United States in 1803 as part of the Louisiana Purchase, which contained approximately 827,000 square miles of land west of the Mississippi River. Famous explorers Lewis and Clark sailed through the newly acquired region in 1804, surveying the land obtained in the Louisiana Purchase on their way to the Pacific Ocean. In 1889, the Dakota Territory, which contained what is now North Dakota, was split into two states.

Wilma Rudolph, an African-American sprinter from Tennessee, won three gold medals in track and field at the 1960 Olympic Games. At the age of five, she contracted pneumonia, scarlet fever, and polio (infantile paralysis), among other ailments. She was able to walk unassisted again, compete in the Olympics, and win medals, because to her strong dedication and the assistance of her physicians and family.

It's worth noting that the grave of the 11th president of the United States (James K. Polk) is located on the grounds of the state's capitol, rather than a national monument or cemetery. The president and his wife were both interred at Polk Palace, but in 1893, their remains were moved to the grounds of the Tennessee State Capitol.

Did you know that Tennessee has the most caves of any state in the United States? Tennessee has about 10,000 caves, accounting for 20% of all known caves in the US, according to the Tennessee Cave Survey. Surprisingly, more than 90% of the caverns are situated on private land. All of these caves have one-of-a-kind resources. In the summer, bats, for example, devour a lot of insects and are a farmer's best buddy. Bats are projected to be worth more than $313 million to Tennessee agriculture each year. Bats comprise nearly one-fifth of the world's animal population, according to Bat Conservation International.

East, Middle, and West Tennessee are the three major divisions of the state. The Great Smoky Mountains and the Cumberland Plateau dominate the state's eastern region. Middle Tennessee is characterized by flat, fertile plains punctuated by gently rolling hills. This is where Nashville is located. This is an agricultural and commercial zone that is well-balanced. The west, on the other hand, is mostly flat and has fertile land.

Over 28,000 barges now transport 45 to 50 million tons of commodities annually up and down the Tennessee River. 1 barge equals 60 semi-trucks or 15 rail carriages. You can now calculate the economic importance of rivers such as the Tennessee and others. Goods may be transported to other parts of the country more cheaply and quickly thanks to reliable and inexpensive river channels.

Julio Palmaz of the University of Texas Health Science Center devised the ballon-expandable stent, which is utilized to clear blocked blood channels during heart surgery. The stent patent was issued in 1985, and it was named one of the "Ten patents that altered the world" by Intellectual Property International Magazine.

The first Seven-Eleven was established in Dallas, Texas, in 1827. It is a Japanese-American convenience shop chain with its headquarters in Dallas, Texas. It is also the country's first convenience shop. Tote'm Stores was the name of the chain until 1946, when it was rebranded. 7-Eleven operates, franchises, and licenses 68,236 outlets in 17 countries as of June 2019.

Paul Barron and Eddie Bufkin discovered the bone of a Columbian mammoth along the Bosque River in the spring of 1978 while looking for arrow heads and fossils. Excavation at the site began with the help of volunteers. The site has been home to the fossil remains of 24 Columbian mammoths up to now. The fossils discovered at the site date back 65,000 years. The Waco Mammoth Site is a well-known location. It was finally exposed to the public in December 2009, after more than 30 years of meticulous excavation to uncover the past's mysteries.

The oil revolution began in Texas after the discovery of the Spindle Top Oil Field, which became known as the Texas oil boom. A geyser of oil erupted from a drilling site at Spindletop Hill on January 10, 1901. The geyser spewed more than 10,000 barrels each day for 9 days and reached a height of more than 150 feet. This is considered the start of the oil business in America, and many of the world's largest oil corporations, such as Exxon and Gulf Oil, can trace their roots back to this location.

Texas fought for independence from Mexico before joining the United States of America. Texans fighting with Mexican troops took refuge in the Alamo, a beleaguered fort, during the Battle of Alamo. However, the fort was eventually taken over by Mexican troops who overpowered the Texans and slaughtered all of the Texans. "Remember the Alamo!" became a rallying cry for Americans fighting in the Mexican War.

Utah is named after the Ute tribe of Native Americans. The tribe has resided in this area for generations, long before the arrival of the first Europeans in America. While the Utes used to hunt, fish, and gather food for themselves, they also traded with other Native American tribes and the Spanish. In fact, after purchasing horses from the Spaniards, the tribe's way of life changed considerably. There are now three tribal reservations in the state. 

Archaeological evidence suggests that Native Americans have lived in the Utah region for about 12,000 years. Range Creek's archaeological ruins are a treat for archaeologists and historians alike. Dugout pit homes have been discovered dating back over a millennium. The settlement's geographic location aided in the preservation of the historic site. Furthermore, for half a century, the rancher who purchased the land kept it a secret.

Utah is home to one of the world's oldest living species. The trembling giant is a grove of Aspen trees in the Fishlake National Forest. The fact that these trees have a single root system is fascinating. This also implies that the trees have the same genetic makeup. Pando is another name for it. This Latin phrase means 'I spread,' which is a perfect fit for Aspens. Even with a modest breeze, the leaves of the trees begin to flutter, earning the trees the nickname "quaking aspens."

Utah is located in the Rocky Mountain Region on the western side of the United States of America. Because of its unique location, the state features stunning mountains and valleys. Utah's tallest summit, Kings Peak (13,534 feet or 4,125 meters), is located in the Uinta Mountains. There are five national parks in the state. It's worth noting that national forest land can be found in every Utah county.

Because it is home to two major institutions, Provo has a large number of young people who do not consume alcohol. As a result, don't expect to discover many clubs or bars. However, the culinary industry is thriving, thanks in part to Mormonism. Mexican fruit pops/kronuts, crisscross hotdogs, sushi, pizza with serrano and honey, Belgian fries/pomme frites, Czech pastries, and Indian food are just a few of the distinctive dishes available. Dine in odd restaurants that serve speciality sodas that are easily mistaken for alcohol.

In 1903, Dr. Horatio Nelson Jackson became the first person to drive a car across the United States. He was a Burlington native. A $50 bar bet provided the impetus for the journey. Someone challenged Jackson to see if he could get to New York City in less than 90 days by car. The challenge was accepted by Jackson. He set out in a used 20 horsepower Winton touring vehicle with a 22-year-old bicycle racer and a gasoline mechanic to accomplish the yet-to-be-achieved feat. The automobile was given the name "Vermont" by Jackson. In fewer than 64 days, the two completed the voyage and won the wager. Nonetheless, the journey cost roughly $8,000. Several problems arose during the journey, including the car's equipment failing and flat tires. However, they maintained a good attitude in the face of adversity.

The state is without a doubt the country's greatest producer of maple syrup. It produces a whopping 35 percent of the market's total supply. Many residents make the syrup at home, while others work as large-scale producers. Did you know that 1 gallon of maple syrup requires 40 gallons of maple sap? Maple sap is gathered in buckets as it runs from the trees. This normally occurs in the early spring, when the weather is most favorable.

According to the Guinness Book of World Records, the Fairbanks Museum and Planetarium in St. Johnsbury, Vermont presented the largest ever outdoor astronomy session on August 10, 2018. (GBWR). There were a whooping 1580 persons in attendance! The event was held to commemorate the fact that the Fairbanks Museum and Planetarium is the state's sole public planetarium. Those who attend the planetarium and those who live nearby are undoubtedly thrilled about the approaching solar eclipse on April 8, 2024. St. Johnsbury is predicted to have a brief blackout at that time.

Isn't it true that everyone enjoys a parade? It's more special when there's a procession of vintage and current Cadillacs in the hometown of the Cadillac's creator! On August 17, 2011, a procession of 298 Cadillac cars in Barton, Vermont commemorated Henry M. Leland, the company's founder in 1902, and the event was recorded in the Guinness Book of World Records as the greatest parade of Cadillac cars ever. Due to his high standards, LeLand was dubbed the "Master of Precision," and numerous of his relatives still remain in the area.

Ben & Jerry's, the well-known ice cream company, was founded in the state. The company's headquarters are still in Vermont. Ben & Jerry's commercial activities support local farmers since they receive ice cream trash to feed the hops. Ben and Jerry's, the world's most renowned ice cream shop, was founded by its founders after they took a $5 correspondence course in ice cream production. The team opened their first ice cream scoop store in a converted gas station in Burlington, Vermont, with a $12,000 investment.