"Rock Star" road tripper checking in! Self-proclaimed anyway! Road trips and visits to all 50 states are my game. Find your next road trip destinations here. Fill your bucket list with fantastic US journeys. I love road trips and spare no effort in making my travels and experiences inviting for members of the road-tripping family! Pick a trip you want to take, or get inspired to plan your own. - - The Driveby Tourist (or call me Stan!)
A Tale of Two Capitals! 🏛️✨
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Hartford is world-famous as the "Insurance Capital of the World," but its political history is even more fascinating. Did you know it wasn't always the sole seat of power? For over 170 years, Connecticut had two capitals: Hartford and New Haven! 😲⚖️ Starting in 1701, the state legislature played a long-running game of "musical chairs." To keep both major hubs happy, the government rotated between the two cities. One year, the politicians would meet in Hartford, and the next, they’d pack up their quills and parchment and head to New Haven. While it was a unique compromise, it was also a logistical nightmare for the 1800s! 🐎📜 The "tug-of-war" finally ended in 1875 when Hartford was named the permanent, sole capital. To celebrate its victory, the city constructed the stunning Connecticut State Capitol. With its shimmering gold leaf dome and Victorian Gothic architecture, it remains one of the most beautiful state houses in the country. 🏛️🌟 Beyond politics, Hartford is a treasure trove of history, home to the Mark Twain House and deep colonial roots. It’s a city that proves sometimes you have to stop rotating to truly find your place in history. 🖋️🌳 Although you could probably cover all six New England states in one day, Don’t Do It! There is much to see in every state! “Just Google It!” Stay historic, The Driveby Tourist Team ✌️🗺️ "What wouldn’t have happened to me if I hadn’t ended up in Hartford, CT!” – Peter Falk Classic Rock song: "We’ve Only Just Begun” by The Carpenters (from Connecticut) Please email me about a visit you made to Connecticut, or why you want to go there! Here is the Premium Subscription page: You will get early access to new blog posts, one extra weekly newsletter, and access to all past newsletters. And occasionally, I'll ask for votes on content! Stan Featured Post: I passed through Connecticut (staying one night in Hartford) on this trip (link here). “Someday,” I’ll write a post about the state! |
Stan Wiebe
"Rock Star" road tripper checking in! Self-proclaimed anyway! Road trips and visits to all 50 states are my game. Find your next road trip destinations here. Fill your bucket list with fantastic US journeys. I love road trips and spare no effort in making my travels and experiences inviting for members of the road-tripping family! Pick a trip you want to take, or get inspired to plan your own. - - The Driveby Tourist (or call me Stan!)
Sorry, I didn't include that the Great American State Fair is on the National Mall in Washington, DC. I hope it doesn't get "political," but since it's Washington, it probably will (or already is). But it's a good place to celebrate the 250th anniversary. If you are old enough to remember the Bicentennial in 1976, you'll likely remember it receiving much more publicity and celebration. I make a supreme effort to keep politics out of The Driveby Tourist. It's about visiting America, one road...
I’m sure you’ve heard about visiting all fifty states here! Approximately 1.3% of Americans have visited all fifty. I visited my fiftieth state for the first time around in 1987. Amazingly, it was New York state. So far, not a big deal. However, in 2014, I decided I “needed” to visit all 50 again! And I completed that in January 2023, upon visiting Hawaii. Now, I’m up to 30 the third time around. So, when the All Fifty Club asked for volunteers at their booth at the Great American State Fair,...
On the way home from my week in Chicagoland and Route 66, I couldn't resist seeing this place. It's in Riverside, Iowa, near Iowa City. The TV series and Star Trek books stated that Captain Kirk was born in Iowa. In 1985, a city councilman suggested that someone contact Gene Roddenberry, the creator of the original Star Trek series. Since no Iowa city was mentioned, Roddenberry gave his approval. In a later movie, Riverside received recognition as the birthplace. A plaque erected attests to...