Washington, D.C., has been the capital of the United States since 1800. Eight other cities have served as the meeting place for Congress and are therefore considered to have once been the capital of the United States. In addition, each of the 50 U.S. states and the five principal territories of the United States maintains its own capital.
Contents |
In 33 of the 50 U.S. states, the state capital is not the state's most populous city. Only two of the state capitals — Trenton, New Jersey, and Carson City, Nevada — border another state, while Juneau, Alaska, shares a border with the Canadian province of British Columbia.[a] The dates listed in the following table indicate the year in which the city started to continuously serve as the state's sole capital. Most states have changed their capital city at least once; see Historical state capitals for details.
State | Date of statehood | Capital | Capital since | Most populous city? | Municipal population | Metropolitan population | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Alabama | 1819 | Montgomery | 1846 | No | 200,127 | 469,268 | Birmingham is the state's largest city. |
Alaska | 1959 | Juneau | 1906 | No | 30,987 | Anchorage is the state's largest city. | |
Arizona | 1912 | Phoenix | 1889 | Yes | 1,552,259 | 4,039,182 | Phoenix is the most populous U.S. state capital. |
Arkansas | 1836 | Little Rock | 1821 | Yes | 204,370 | 652,834 | |
California | 1850 | Sacramento | 1854 | No | 467,343 | 2,136,604 | The Supreme Court of California sits in San Francisco. Los Angeles is the state's largest city. |
Colorado | 1876 | Denver | 1867 | Yes | 566,974 | 2,408,750 | |
Connecticut | 1788 | Hartford | 1875 | No | 124,397 | 1,188,241 | Bridgeport is the state's largest city, but Greater Hartford is the largest metro area. |
Delaware | 1787 | Dover | 1777 | No | 32,135 | Wilmington is the state's largest city. | |
Florida | 1845 | Tallahassee | 1824 | No | 168,979 | 336,501 | Jacksonville is the largest city, and Miami has the largest metro area. |
Georgia | 1788 | Atlanta | 1868 | Yes | 486,411 | 5,138,223 | Atlanta is the most populous state capital by metropolitan area. |
Hawaii | 1959 | Honolulu | 1845 | Yes | 377,357 | 909,863 | |
Idaho | 1890 | Boise | 1865 | Yes | 201,287 | 635,450 | |
Illinois | 1818 | Springfield | 1837 | No | 116,482 | 188,951 | Chicago is the state's largest city. |
Indiana | 1816 | Indianapolis | 1825 | Yes | 791,926 | 1,984,664 | In addition to being the second-largest state capital, Indianapolis is also the third largest city in the Midwest. |
Iowa | 1846 | Des Moines | 1857 | Yes | 209,124 | 625,384 | |
Kansas | 1861 | Topeka | 1856 | No | 122,327 | 228,894 | Wichita is the state's largest city. |
Kentucky | 1792 | Frankfort | 1792 | No | 27,741 | 69,670 | Louisville is the state's largest city. |
Louisiana | 1812 | Baton Rouge | 1880 | No | 224,097 | 751,965 | New Orleans is the state's largest city and home to the Louisiana Supreme Court. |
Maine | 1820 | Augusta | 1832 | No | 18,560 | 117,114 | Augusta was officially made the capital 1827, but the legislature did not sit there until 1832. Portland is the state's largest city. |
Maryland | 1788 | Annapolis | 1694 | No | 36,217 | Annapolis is the third-longest serving capital in the United States after Santa Fe and Boston. Its capitol building is the oldest still in use. Baltimore is the state's largest city. | |
Massachusetts | 1788 | Boston | 1630 | Yes | 590,763 | 4,455,217 | Boston is the longest continuously serving capital in the United States. The Boston-Worcester-Manchester Combined Statistical Area encompasses the state capitals of Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island. |
Michigan | 1837 | Lansing | 1847 | No | 119,128 | 454,044 | Lansing is the only state capital that is not also the county seat of the county in which it is situated. Detroit is the state's largest city. |
Minnesota | 1858 | Saint Paul | 1849 | No | 287,151 | 3,502,891 | Minneapolis is the state's largest city; it and Saint Paul form the core of the state's largest metropolitan area. |
Mississippi | 1817 | Jackson | 1821 | Yes | 184,256 | 529,456 | |
Missouri | 1821 | Jefferson City | 1826 | No | 39,636 | 146,363 | Kansas City is the state's largest city, and Greater St. Louis is the state's largest metropolitan area. |
Montana | 1889 | Helena | 1875 | No | 25,780 | 67,636 | Billings is the state's largest city. |
Nebraska | 1867 | Lincoln | 1867 | No | 225,581 | 283,970 | Omaha is the state's largest city. |
Nevada | 1864 | Carson City | 1861 | No | 57,701 | Las Vegas is the state's largest city. | |
New Hampshire | 1788 | Concord | 1808 | No | 42,221 | Manchester is the state's largest city. | |
New Jersey | 1787 | Trenton | 1784 | No | 84,639 | 367,605 | Newark is the state's largest city. |
New Mexico | 1912 | Santa Fe | 1610 | No | 70,631 | 142,407 | Santa Fe is the longest serving capital in the United States. El Paso del Norte served as the capital of the Santa Fe de Nuevo México colony-in-exile during the Pueblo Revolt of 1680–1692. Albuquerque is the state's largest city. |
New York | 1788 | Albany | 1797 | No | 95,993 | 1,147,850 | New York City is the state's largest city. |
North Carolina | 1789 | Raleigh | 1794 | No | 380,173 | 1,635,974 | Charlotte is the state's largest city. |
North Dakota | 1889 | Bismarck | 1883 | No | 55,533 | 101,138 | Fargo is the state's largest city. |
Ohio | 1803 | Columbus | 1816 | Yes | 733,203 | 1,725,570 | Columbus is Ohio's largest city but the Cleveland and Cincinnati metropolitan areas are both larger. |
Oklahoma | 1907 | Oklahoma City | 1910 | Yes | 541,500 | 1,266,445 | Oklahoma City is the shortest serving current state capital in the United States. |
Oregon | 1859 | Salem | 1855 | No | 149,305 | 539,203 | Portland is the state's largest city. |
Pennsylvania | 1787 | Harrisburg | 1812 | No | 48,950 | 647,390 | Philadelphia is the state's largest city. |
Rhode Island | 1790 | Providence | 1900 | Yes | 176,862 | 1,612,989 | Providence also served as the capital 1636–1686 and 1689–1776. It was one of five co-capitals 1776–1853, and one of two co-capitals 1853–1900. |
South Carolina | 1788 | Columbia | 1786 | Yes | 122,819 | 703,771 | |
South Dakota | 1889 | Pierre | 1889 | No | 13,876 | Sioux Falls is the state's largest city. | |
Tennessee | 1796 | Nashville | 1826 | No | 607,413 | 1,455,097 | Memphis is the state's largest city, and Nashville is the largest metro area. |
Texas | 1845 | Austin | 1839 | No | 709,893 | 1,513,565 | Houston is the state's largest city and the previous capital, and Dallas–Fort Worth is the largest metro area. It is the largest state capital that is not also state's largest city. |
Utah | 1896 | Salt Lake City | 1858 | Yes | 181,743 | 1,115,692 | |
Vermont | 1791 | Montpelier | 1805 | No | 8,035 | Montpelier is the least populous U.S. state capital. Burlington is the state's largest city. | |
Virginia | 1788 | Richmond | 1780 | No | 195,251 | 1,194,008 | Virginia Beach is the state's largest city, and Northern Virginia is the state's largest metro area. |
Washington | 1889 | Olympia | 1853 | No | 42,514 | 234,670 | Seattle is the state's largest city. |
West Virginia | 1863 | Charleston | 1885 | Yes | 52,700 | 305,526 | |
Wisconsin | 1848 | Madison | 1838 | No | 221,551 | 543,022 | Milwaukee is the state's largest city. |
Wyoming | 1890 | Cheyenne | 1869 | Yes | 55,362 | 85,384 |
An insular area is a United States territory that is neither a part of one of the fifty states nor a part of the District of Columbia, the nation's federal district. Those insular areas with territorial capitals are listed below.
Insular area | Date | Capital | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
American Samoa | 1899 | Pago Pago | De facto capital of the Territory of American Samoa. |
1967 | Fagatogo | Official seat of government stated in the territory's constitution. | |
Guam | 1898 | Hagåtña | Dededo is the area's largest village. |
Northern Mariana Islands | 1947 | Saipan | |
Puerto Rico | 1898 | San Juan | The city of San Juan was originally called Puerto Rico while the island was called San Juan Bautista. |
U.S. Virgin Islands | 1917 | Charlotte Amalie |
From 1774 to 1800, Congress met in numerous locations; therefore, the following cities can be said to have once been the United States capital:[1]
Before joining the United States as the fourteenth state, Vermont was an independent republic known as the Vermont Republic. Two cities served as the capital of the Republic:
The capital of the State of Vermont is Montpelier.
Prior to becoming a territory of the United States in 1898, Hawaii was an independent nation. Three cities served as its capital:
Before joining the United States under the Texas Annexation in 1845, Texas was an independent nation known as the Republic of Texas. Seven cities served as its capital:
The Confederate States of America had three capitals during its existence.
The Confederate constitutional convention was held in Montgomery, Alabama, in December 1860 because it was the largest and most influential city in the geographic center of the original seven Confederate states (South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Florida, Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas) that planned to secede from the Union. The first Confederate capital was established on February 4, 1861 in Montgomery and remained there until it was moved to Richmond after Virginia joined the Confederacy on May 23, 1861. As the Army of Northern Virginia was pushed farther south and Richmond fell under the Federal guns in early 1865, the Confederate government fled using the only viable railroad line available on April 2, 1865 to Danville, Virginia.
The CSA state capitals remained the same as when each state seceded from the Union. Some of the capitals were moved temporarily in an effort to stay ahead of the advancing Federals. As Confederate areas were occupied, the U.S. Army established military districts to govern each area.
Following the surrender of General Lee's Army of Northern Virginia in Appomattox Court House, Virginia, which ended the American Civil War on April 9, 1865, the eleven southern states that seceded from the United States of America to create the Confederate States of America, gradually had their Senators and Representatives recognized and seated by Congress starting with Tennessee on July 24, 1866, then Arkansas on June 22, 1868, Louisiana, Florida, North Carolina and South Carolina on June 25, 1868, then Alabama on July 14, 1868, then Virginia on January 26, 1870, then Mississippi on February 23, 1870, then Texas on March 30, 1870 and finally Georgia on July 15, 1870.
There is some disagreement over whether this recognition by Congress is what determines the status of "statehood". The U.S. Supreme Court decision in Texas v. White raises questions on this point where the court ruled that Texas never left the Union, and essentially that once a territory is admitted and recognized as a state, it is in perpetuity a state in the Union. The court did allow some possibility of divisibility of the union "through revolution, or through consent of the States."[2][3]
There have been a handful of nations within the current borders of the United States which were never officially recognized as legally independent sovereign entities; however these nations did have de facto control over their respective regions during their existence.
The State of Franklin was an autonomous, secessionist United States territory created, not long after the end of the American Revolution, from territory that later was ceded by North Carolina to the federal government. Franklin's territory later became part of the state of Tennessee. Franklin was never officially admitted into the Union of the United States and existed for only four years.
The State of Muskogee was a short-lived Native American state in Florida. It consisted of several tribes of Creeks and Seminoles. It existed from 1799 to 1803. It had one capital:
The Republic of West Florida was a short-lived republic consisting of parts of Louisiana, Mississippi, Florida and Alabama.
The Republic of Indian Stream was an independent nation within the present state of New Hampshire.
The Republic of the Rio Grande was an independent nation including land now in Texas and Mexico.
Before being annexed by the United States in 1848 (following the Mexican–American War), a small portion of north-central California declared itself the California Republic, in an act of independence from Mexico, in 1846 (see Bear Flag Revolt). The republic only existed a month before it disbanded itself, to join the advancing American army and therefore became part of the United States.
The very short-lived California Republic was never recognized by the United States, Mexico or any other nation. There was one de facto capital of the California Republic:
Most of the original Thirteen Colonies had their capitals occupied or attacked by the British during the American Revolution. State governments operated where and as they could. The City of New York was occupied by British troops from 1776 to 1783. A similar situation occurred during the War of 1812, during the American Civil War in many Confederate states, and during the Pueblo Revolt of 1680–1692 in New Mexico.
Twenty-two state capitals have been a capital longer than their state has been a state, since they served as the capital of a predecessor territory, colony, or republic. Boston, Massachusetts, has been a capital city continuously since 1630, making it the longest-running U.S. capital. Santa Fe, New Mexico, has been a capital city the longest having become capital in 1610 and interrupted only by the Pueblo Revolt of 1680–1692.
The table below includes the following information:
State | Capital | Date | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
Alabama[5] Statehood in 1819 |
San Agustín (FL) | 1565 | Capital of the Spanish colony of la Florida.[6] |
Savannah (GA) | 1733 | Capital of the British proprietary Colony of Georgia. | |
1755 | Capital of the British Province of Georgia. | ||
1776 | Capitals of the State of Georgia. | ||
Augusta (GA) | 1778 | ||
Heard's Fort (GA) | 1780 | ||
Augusta (GA) | 1781 | ||
Savannah (GA) | 1782 | ||
Ebenezer (GA) | 1782 | ||
Savannah (GA) | 1784 | ||
Augusta (GA) | 1786 | ||
Louisville (GA) | 1796 | ||
Natchez (MS) | 1798 | Capitals of the Territory of Mississippi. | |
Washington (MS) | 1802 | ||
St. Stephens | 1817 | Capital of the Territory of Alabama. | |
Huntsville | 1819 | Capitals of the State of Alabama. | |
Cahawba | 1820 | ||
Tuscaloosa | 1826 | ||
Montgomery | 1846 | Capital of the State of Alabama. (Capital of the Confederate States of America in 1861.) |
|
Alaska[7] Statehood in 1959 |
Novo-Arkhangelsk Sitka |
1808 | Capital of the Russian colony of Alaska. |
1867 | Capital of the Department of Alaska. | ||
1900 | Capitals of the District of Alaska. | ||
Juneau | 1906 | ||
1912 | Capital of the Territory of Alaska. | ||
1959 | Capital of the State of Alaska. | ||
Arizona[8] Statehood in 1912 |
Santa Fe (NM) | 1848 | Capital of the U.S. provisional government of New Mexico 1848–1850. |
1850 | Capital of the U.S. Territory of New Mexico 1850–1912. | ||
Mesilla (NM) | 1862 | Capital of the Confederate Territory of Arizona (southern New Mexico and Arizona 1862). | |
San Antonio (TX) | 1862 | Capital of the government-in-exile of the Confederate Territory of Arizona 1862–1865. | |
Fort Whipple | 1864 | Capitals of the U.S. Territory of Arizona. | |
Prescott | 1864 | ||
Tucson | 1867 | ||
Prescott | 1877 | ||
Phoenix | 1889 | ||
1912 | Capital of the State of Arizona. | ||
Arkansas[9] Statehood in 1836 |
Saint-Louis San Luis St. Louis (MO) |
1765 | Capital of the Spanish (though predominantly Francophone) district of Alta Louisiana. |
1800 | Capital of the French district of la Haute-Louisiane. | ||
1804 | Capital of the District of Louisiana (under the authority of the Indiana Territory.) | ||
1805 | Capital of the Territory of Louisiana. | ||
1812 | Capital of the Territory of Missouri. | ||
Arkansas Post | 1819 | Capitals of the Territory of Arkansaw.[10] | |
Little Rock | 1821 | ||
1836 | Capital of the State of Arkansas.[10] (Washington was the Confederate state capital 1863–1865.) |
||
California[11] Statehood in 1850 |
Loreto (BCS) | 1770 | Capitals of the Spanish Virreinato de la Nueva España colonies of las Californias. |
Presidio Reál de San Carlos de Monterey Monterey |
1777 | ||
1804 | Capital of the Spanish Virreinato de la Nueva España province of Alta California. | ||
1821 | Capital of the Mexican province of Alta California. | ||
1846 | Capital of the U.S. military government of California. | ||
1849 | Capital of the Provisional government of California. | ||
Pueblo de San José de Guadalupe San Jose |
1850 | Capitals of the State of California | |
Vallejo | 1852 | ||
Benicia | 1853 | ||
Sacramento | 1854 | ||
Colorado[12] Statehood in 1876 |
Denver City Denver, Auraria, and Highland |
1859 | Capitals of the extralegal Territory of Jefferson. |
Golden City | 1860 | ||
Denver City | 1861 | Capitals of the Territory of Colorado. | |
Colorado City | 1862 | ||
Golden City | 1862 | ||
Denver City Denver |
1867 | ||
1876 | Capital of the State of Colorado. | ||
Connecticut Statehood in 1776 |
Fort Amsterdam (NY) | 1625 | Capital of the Netherlands colony of Nieuw-Nederland. |
Hartford | 1639 | Capital of the English Colony of Connecticut 1639–1686. | |
New-Haven | 1640 | Capital of the English Colony of New-Haven until its merger into the Connecticut Colony in 1662. | |
Boston (MA) | 1686 | Capital of the English Dominion of New-England in America. | |
Hartford | 1689 | Capital of the English Colony of Connecticut. | |
joint capitals | 1701 | Hartford and New-Haven served as the "co-capitals" of the English Colony of Connecticut, with the Assembly holding its May session in Hartford and its October session in New-Haven. | |
1707 | Hartford and New-Haven joint capitals of the British Colony of Connecticut. | ||
1776 | Hartford and New Haven joint capitals of the State of Connecticut. | ||
Hartford | 1875 | Capital of the State of Connecticut. | |
Delaware Statehood in 1776 |
Fort Kristina | 1638 | Capital of the Swedish colony of Nya Sverige. |
Fort Amsterdam Nieuw-Amsterdam New-York Nieuw-Oranje New-York (NY) |
1655 | Capital of the Netherlands province of Nieuw-Nederland. | |
1664 | Capital of the English Colony of New-York. | ||
1673 | Capital of the Netherlands military government of Nieuw-Nederland. | ||
1674 | Capital of the English Colony of New-York. | ||
Philadelphia (PA) | 1682 | Capital of the English Colony of Pennsylvania. | |
New-Castle | 1704 | Capital of the English Lower Counties on the Delaware. | |
1707 | Capital of the British Lower Counties on the Delaware. | ||
1776 | Capitals of the State of Delaware. | ||
Dover | 1777 | ||
Florida[13] Statehood in 1845 |
Fort de la Caroline | 1564 | Capital of the French colony of la Caroline 1564–1565. |
San Agustín St. Augustine |
1565 | Capital of the Spanish colony of la Florida 1565–1763.[6] | |
1763 | Capital of the British Colony of East Florida 1763–1783. | ||
1783 | Capital of the Spanish colony of Florida Oriental 1783–1821. | ||
Santa María de Ochuse Pensacola |
1763 | Capital of the British Colony of West Florida 1763–1783. | |
1783 | Capital of the Spanish colony of Florida Occidental 1783–1821. | ||
Tallahassee | 1824 | Capital of the Territory of Florida. | |
1845 | Capital of the State of Florida. | ||
Georgia[14] Statehood in 1776 |
San Agustín (FL) | 1565 | Capital of the Spanish colony of la Florida.[6] |
Savannah | 1733 | Capital of the British proprietary Colony of Georgia. | |
1755 | Capital of the British Province of Georgia. | ||
1776 | Capitals of the State of Georgia. | ||
Augusta | 1778 | ||
Heard's Fort | 1780 | ||
Augusta | 1781 | ||
Savannah | 1782 | ||
Ebenezer | 1782 | ||
Savannah | 1784 | ||
Augusta | 1786 | ||
Louisville | 1796 | ||
Milledgeville | 1807 | ||
Macon | 1864 | ||
Milledgeville | 1865 | ||
Atlanta | 1868 | ||
Hawaii Statehood in 1959 |
Lahaina | 1820 | Capitals of the Kingdom of Hawaii. |
Honolulu | 1845 | ||
1894 | Capital of the Republic of Hawaii. | ||
1898 | Capital of the Territory of Hawaii. | ||
1959 | Capital of the State of Hawaiʻi. | ||
Idaho[15] Statehood in 1890 |
Fort Vancouver (WA) | 1825 | Capital de facto of the Oregon Country. |
Oregon City (OR) | 1843 | Capital of the Provisional Government of Oregon in the Oregon Country.[16] | |
1848 | Capitals of the Territory of Oregon (all of Idaho 1848–1853, southern Idaho 1853–1859.) | ||
Salem (OR) | 1851 | ||
Olympia (WA) | 1853 | Capital of the Territory of Washington (northern Idaho 1853–1859, all of Idaho 1859–1863.) | |
Lewiston | 1863 | Capitals of the Territory of Idaho. | |
Boise | 1865 | ||
1890 | Capital of the State of Idaho. | ||
Illinois[17] Statehood in 1818 |
Marietta (OH) | 1788 | Capital of the Territory Northwest of the River Ohio. |
Vincennes (IN) | 1800 | Capital of the Territory of Indiana. | |
Kaskaskia | 1809 | Capital of the Territory of Illinois. | |
1818 | Capitals of the State of Illinois. | ||
Vandalia | 1820 | ||
Springfield | 1839 | ||
Indiana Statehood in 1816 |
Marietta (OH) | 1788 | Capital of the Territory Northwest of the River Ohio. |
Vincennes | 1800 | Capitals of the Territory of Indiana. | |
Corydon | 1813 | ||
1816 | Capitals of the State of Indiana. | ||
Indianapolis | 1825 | ||
Iowa[18] Statehood in 1846 |
Saint-Louis San Luis St. Louis (MO) |
1765 | Capital of the Spanish (though predominantly Francophone) district of Alta Louisiana. |
1800 | Capital of the French district of la Haute-Louisiane. | ||
1804 | Capital of the District of Louisiana (under the authority of the Indiana Territory.) | ||
1805 | Capital of the Territory of Louisiana. | ||
1812 | Capital of the Territory of Missouri (1812–1821). | ||
Detroit (MI) | 1834 | Capital of the Territory of Michigan. | |
Belmont (WI) | 1836 | Capitals of the Territory of Wisconsin. | |
Burlington | 1837 | ||
1838 | Capitals of the Territory of Iowa. | ||
Iowa City | 1841 | ||
1846 | Capitals of the State of Iowa. | ||
Des Moines | 1857 | ||
Kansas[19] Statehood in 1861 |
Saint-Louis San Luis St. Louis (MO) |
1765 | Capital of the Spanish (though predominantly Francophone) district of Alta Louisiana. |
1800 | Capital of the French district of la Haute-Louisiane. | ||
1804 | Capital of the District of Louisiana (under the authority of the Indiana Territory.) | ||
1805 | Capital of the Territory of Louisiana. | ||
1812 | Capital of the Territory of Missouri (1812–1821). | ||
Pawnee | 1855 | Capital of the Territory of Kansas (July 2 – July 6). | |
Shawnee Mission | 1855 | Capital of the Territory of Kansas. | |
Lecompton | 1856 | Capital de jure (pro-slavery) of the Territory of Kansas. | |
Topeka | Capital de facto (anti-slavery) of the Territory of Kansas. | ||
1861 | Capital of the State of Kansas. | ||
Kentucky[20] Statehood in 1792 |
Williamsburg (VA) | 1699 | Capital of the English Colony of Virginia. |
1707 | Capital of the British Colony of Virginia. | ||
1776 | Capital of the Commonwealth of Virginia. | ||
Richmond (VA) | 1780 | ||
Frankfort | 1792 | Capital of the Commonwealth of Kentucky. (Bowling Green was the Confederate state capital 1861–1862.) |
|
Louisiana[21] Statehood in 1812 |
San Agustín (FL) | 1565 | Capital of the Spanish colony of la Florida.[6] |
Mobile Bay (AL) | 1702 | Capitals of the French colony of la Louisiane. | |
Biloxi (MS) | 1720 | ||
la Nouvelle-Orléans Nueva Orleans New Orleans |
1722 | ||
1763 | Capital of the Spanish district of Baja Louisiana. | ||
1800 | Capital of the French district of la Basse-Louisiane. | ||
1804 | Capital of the Territory of Orleans. | ||
1812 | Capitals of the State of Louisiana. | ||
Donaldsonville | 1830 | ||
New Orleans | 1831 | ||
Baton Rouge | 1849 | ||
Opelousas | 1862 | ||
Shreveport | 1863 | ||
New Orleans | 1865 | ||
Baton Rouge | 1880 | ||
Maine[22] Statehood in 1820 |
Île Sainte-Croix | 1604 | Capitals of the French colony of l'Acadie. |
Port-Royal (NS) | 1605 | ||
Boston (MA) | 1630 | Capital of the English Colony of Massachusetts Bay. | |
1686 | Capital of the English Dominion of New-England in America. | ||
1689 | Capital of the dissident Colony of Massachusetts Bay. | ||
1691 | Capital of the English Province of Massachusetts Bay. | ||
1707 | Capital of the British Province of Massachusetts Bay. | ||
1774 | Capital of the dissident Province of Massachusetts Bay. | ||
1776 | Capital of the State of Massachusetts Bay. | ||
1780 | Capital of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. | ||
Portland | 1820 | Capital of the State of Maine. | |
1827 | Capital de facto of the State of Maine. | ||
Augusta | Capital de jure of the State of Maine. | ||
1832 | Capital of the State of Maine. | ||
Maryland[23] Statehood in 1776 |
St. Mary's City | 1634 | Capital of the English proprietary Colony of Maryland. |
Anne Arundel's Towne Annapolis |
1694 | Capital of the English Province of Maryland. | |
1707 | Capital of the British Province of Maryland. | ||
1776 | Capital of the State of Maryland. (Capital of the United States of America 1783–1784.) |
||
Massachusetts Statehood in 1776 |
Plimouth | 1620 | Capital of the English Colony of New-Plimouth 1620–1686. |
Boston | 1630 | Capital of the English Colony of Massachusetts Bay 1630–1686. | |
1686 | Capital of the English Dominion of New-England in America 1686–1689. | ||
Plimouth | 1688 | Capital of the dissident Colony of New-Plimouth 1688–1692. | |
Boston | 1689 | Capital of the dissident Colony of Massachusetts Bay 1689–1692. | |
1692 | Capital of the English Province of Massachusetts Bay. | ||
1707 | Capital of the British Province of Massachusetts Bay. | ||
1774 | Capital of the dissident Province of Massachusetts Bay. | ||
1776 | Capital of the State of Massachusetts Bay. | ||
1780 | Capital of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. | ||
Michigan[24] Statehood in 1837 |
Marietta (OH) | 1788 | Capitals of the Territory Northwest of the River Ohio (all of Michigan 1788–1800, eastern Michigan 1800–1803.) |
Chillicothe (OH) | 1800 | ||
Vincennes (IN) | Capitals of the Territory of Indiana (western Michigan 1800–1803; all of Michigan 1803–1805, a portion of the Upper Peninsula 1805–1816.) | ||
Corydon (IN) | 1813 | ||
Detroit | 1805 | Capital of the Territory of Michigan (Lower Peninsula 1805–1818, all of Michigan 1818–1837.) (Detroit was occupied by British Armed Forces 1812–1813.) |
|
1837 | Capitals of the State of Michigan. | ||
Lansing | 1847 | ||
Minnesota[25] Statehood in 1858 |
Saint-Louis San Luis St. Louis (MO) |
1765 | Capital of the Spanish (though predominantly Francophone) district of Alta Louisiana 1765–1800. |
1800 | Capital of the French district of la Haute-Louisiane (west of Mississippi River 1800–1804.) | ||
1804 | Capital of the District of Louisiana (west of Mississippi River under the authority of the Indiana Territory 1804–1805.) | ||
1805 | Capital of the Territory of Louisiana (west of Mississippi River 1805–1812.) | ||
1812 | Capital of the Territory of Missouri (west of Mississippi River 1812–1821.) | ||
Marietta (OH) | 1788 | Capital of the Territory Northwest of the River Ohio (east of Mississippi River 1788–1800.) | |
Vincennes (IN) | 1800 | Capital of the Territory of Indiana (east of Mississippi River 1800–1809.) | |
Kaskaskia (IL) | 1809 | Capital of the Territory of Illinois (east of Mississippi River 1809–1818.) | |
Detroit (MI) | 1818 | Capital of the Territory of Michigan (east of Mississippi River 1818-1834, all of Minnesota 1834–1836.) | |
Belmont (WI) | 1836 | Capitals of the Territory of Wisconsin. | |
Burlington (IA) | 1837 | ||
1838 | Capital of the Territory of Iowa (west of Mississippi River 1838–1841.) | ||
Madison (WI) | Capital of the Territory of Wisconsin (east of Mississippi River 1838–1848.) | ||
Iowa City (IA) | 1841 | Capital of the Territory of Iowa (west of Mississippi River 1841–1846.) | |
Saint Paul | 1849 | Capital of the Territory of Minnesota. | |
1858 | Capital of the State of Minnesota. | ||
Mississippi[26] Statehood in 1817 |
San Agustín (FL) | 1565 | Capital of the Spanish colony of la Florida.[6] |
Savannah (GA) | 1733 | Capital of the British proprietary Colony of Georgia. | |
1755 | Capital of the British Province of Georgia. | ||
1776 | Capitals of the State of Georgia. | ||
Augusta (GA) | 1778 | ||
Heard's Fort (GA) | 1780 | ||
Augusta (GA) | 1781 | ||
Savannah (GA) | 1782 | ||
Ebenezer (GA) | 1782 | ||
Savannah (GA) | 1784 | ||
Augusta (GA) | 1786 | ||
Louisville (GA) | 1796 | ||
Natchez | 1798 | Capitals of the Territory of Mississippi. | |
Washington | 1802 | ||
Natchez | 1817 | Capitals of the State of Mississippi. | |
Jackson | 1821 | ||
Missouri Statehood in 1821 |
Saint-Louis San Luis St. Louis |
1765 | Capital of the Spanish (though predominantly Francophone) district of Alta Louisiana. |
1800 | Capital of the French district of la Haute-Louisiane. | ||
1804 | Capital of the District of Louisiana (under the authority of the Indiana Territory.) | ||
1805 | Capital of the Territory of Louisiana. | ||
1812 | Capital of the Territory of Missouri. | ||
Saint Charles | 1821 | Capitals of the State of Missouri. (A Confederate state government in exile operated from Neosho 1861–1863, and from Marshall, Texas, 1863–1865.) |
|
Jefferson City | 1826 | ||
Montana[27] Statehood in 1889 |
Saint-Louis San Luis St. Louis (MO) |
1765 | Capital of the Spanish (though predominantly Francophone) district of Alta Louisiana (east of Continental Divide 1763–1800.) |
1800 | Capital of the French district of la Haute-Louisiane (east of Continental Divide 1800–1804.) | ||
1804 | Capital of the District of Louisiana (east of Continental Divide under the authority of the Indiana Territory 1804–1805.) | ||
1805 | Capital of the Territory of Louisiana (east of Continental Divide 1805–1812.) | ||
1812 | Capital of the Territory of Missouri (east of Continental Divide 1812–1821.) | ||
Fort Vancouver (WA) | 1825 | Capital de facto of the Oregon Country (west of Continental Divide 1818–1843.) | |
Oregon City (OR) | 1843 | Capital of the Provisional Government of Oregon (west of Continental Divide 1843–1848.) | |
1848 | Capitals of the Territory of Oregon (west of Continental Divide 1848–1853.) | ||
Salem (OR) | 1851 | ||
Olympia (WA) | 1853 | Capital of the Territory of Washington (west of Continental Divide 1853–1863.) | |
Omaha (NE) | 1854 | Capital of the Territory of Nebraska (east of Continental Divide 1854–1861.) | |
Yankton (SD) | 1861 | Capital of the Territory of Dakota (east of Continental Divide 1861–1863.) | |
Lewiston (ID) | 1863 | Capital of the Territory of Idaho. | |
Bannack | 1864 | Capitals of the Territory of Montana. | |
Virginia City | 1865 | ||
Helena | 1875 | ||
1889 | Capital of the State of Montana. | ||
Nebraska Statehood in 1867 |
Saint-Louis San Luis St. Louis (MO) |
1765 | Capital of the Spanish (though predominantly Francophone) district of Alta Louisiana. |
1800 | Capital of the French district of la Haute-Louisiane. | ||
1804 | Capital of the District of Louisiana (under the authority of the Indiana Territory.) | ||
1805 | Capital of the Territory of Louisiana. | ||
1812 | Capital of the Territory of Missouri (1812–1821). | ||
Omaha | 1854 | Capitals of the Territory of Nebraska. | |
Lancaster Lincoln |
1867 | ||
1867 | Capital of the State of Nebraska. | ||
Nevada[28] Statehood in 1864 |
Fillmore (UT) | 1850 | Capitals of the Territory of Utah. |
Salt Lake City (UT) | 1858 | ||
Carson City | 1861 | Capital of the Territory of Nevada. | |
1864 | Capital of the State of Nevada. | ||
New Hampshire[29] Statehood in 1776 |
Boston (MA) | 1630 | Capital of the English Colony of Massachusetts Bay. |
Portsmouth | 1680 | Capital of the English Province of New Hampshire. | |
Boston (MA) | 1686 | Capital of the English Dominion of New-England in America. | |
Portsmouth | 1689 | Capital of the dissident Province of New Hampshire. | |
1691 | Capital of the English Province of New Hampshire. | ||
1698 | Capital of the English Province of New Hampshire under jurisdiction of the Royal Governor of the Province of Massachusetts Bay. | ||
1707 | Capital of the British Province of New Hampshire under jurisdiction of the Royal Governor of the Province of Massachusetts Bay. | ||
1741 | Capital of the British Province of New Hampshire. | ||
Exeter | 1775 | Capital of the Revolutionary War government of New Hampshire. | |
1776 | Capitals of the State of New Hampshire. | ||
Concord | 1808 | ||
New Jersey Statehood in 1776 |
Fort Amsterdam (NY) | 1625 | Capital of the Netherlands colony of Nieuw-Nederland. |
1652 | Capital of the Netherlands province of Nieuw-Nederland. | ||
Elizabethtown (now Elizabeth) | 1665 | Capital of the English Province of New Jersey. | |
Perth Amboy | 1673 | Capital of the English Province of East Jersey 1673–1688. | |
Burlington | Capital of the English Province of West Jersey 1673–1688. | ||
Boston (MA) | 1688 | Capital of the English Dominion of New-England in America 1688–1689. | |
Perth Amboy | 1689 | Capital of the English Province of East Jersey 1689–1702. | |
Burlington | Capital of the English Province of West Jersey 1689–1702. | ||
joint capitals | 1702 | East Jersey and West Jersey were re-united as the English Province of New Jersey in 1702. Perth Amboy and Burlington served jointly as the capital until 1784. | |
1707 | Joint capitals of the British Province of New Jersey. | ||
1776 | Joint capitals of the State of New Jersey. | ||
Trenton | 1784 | Capital of the State of New Jersey. (Capital of the United States of America in 1784.) |
|
New Mexico Statehood in 1912 |
San Juan de los Caballeros | 1598 | Capitals of the Spanish Virreinato de la Nueva España colony of Santa Fe de Nuevo México. |
La Villa Real de la Santa Fé de San Francisco de Asís | 1610 | ||
El Paso del Norte (now Ciudad Juárez CHH) | 1680 | Capital of the Spanish Virreinato de la Nueva España colony-in-exile of Santa Fe de Nuevo México (Pueblo Revolt 1680–1692). | |
La Villa Real de la Santa Fé de San Francisco de Asís Santa Fe |
1692 | Capital of the Spanish Virreinato de la Nueva España colony of Santa Fe de Nuevo México. | |
1821 | Capital of the Mexican province of Santa Fe de Nuevo México. | ||
1824 | Capital of the Mexican territory of Santa Fe de Nuevo México. | ||
1846 | Capital of the U.S. military government of New Mexico 1846. | ||
1846 | Capital of the U.S. provisional government of New Mexico 1846–1850. | ||
1850 | Capital of the U.S. Territory of New Mexico 1850–1912. | ||
Mesilla | 1862 | Capital of the Confederate Territory of Arizona (southern New Mexico and Arizona 1862). | |
San Antonio (TX) | 1862 | Capital of the government-in-exile of the Confederate Territory of Arizona 1862–1865. | |
Santa Fe | 1912 | Capital of the State of New Mexico. | |
New York Statehood in 1776 |
Fort Amsterdam Nieuw-Amsterdam New-York Nieuw-Oranje New-York |
1625 | Capital of the Netherlands colony of Nieuw-Nederland (Novum Belgium). |
1652 | Capital of the Netherlands province of Nieuw-Nederland. | ||
1664 | Capital of the English Province of New York. | ||
1673 | Capital of the Netherlands military government of Nieuw-Nederland. | ||
1674 | Capital of the English Province of New York. | ||
Boston (MA) | 1688 | Capital of the English Dominion of New-England in America. | |
New-York | 1689 | Capital of the dissident government of New-York. | |
1691 | Capital of the English Province of New York. | ||
1707 | Capital of the British Province of New York. | ||
1776 | Capitals of the State of New York. | ||
Kingston | 1777 | ||
Hurley | 1777 | ||
Poughkeepsie | 1777 | ||
New York | 1788 | Capital of the State of New York. (Capital of the United States of America 1785–1788 and 1789–1790.) |
|
Albany | 1797 | Capital of the State of New York. | |
North Carolina Statehood in 1776 |
San Agustín (FL) | 1565 | Capital of the Spanish colony of la Florida.[6] |
Charlestown (SC) | 1670 | Capital of the English Province of Carolina. | |
1707 | Capital of the British Province of Carolina. | ||
New Bern | 1712 | Capital of the British Province of North Carolina. | |
1776 | Capitals of the State of North Carolina. | ||
Fayetteville | 1789 | ||
Raleigh | 1794 | ||
North Dakota Statehood in 1889 |
Saint-Louis San Luis St. Louis (MO) |
1765 | Capital of the Spanish (though predominantly Francophone) district of Alta Louisiana. |
1800 | Capital of the French district of la Haute-Louisiane. | ||
1804 | Capital of the District of Louisiana (under the authority of the Indiana Territory.) | ||
1805 | Capital of the Territory of Louisiana. | ||
1812 | Capital of the Territory of Missouri (1812–1821). | ||
Detroit (MI) | 1834 | Capital of the Territory of Michigan (east of Missouri River and White Earth River 1834–1836.) | |
Belmont (WI) | 1836 | Capitals of the Territory of Wisconsin (east of Missouri River and White Earth River 1836–1838.) | |
Burlington (IA) | 1837 | ||
1838 | Capitals of the Territory of Iowa (east of Missouri River and White Earth River 1838–1846.) | ||
Iowa City (IA) | 1841 | ||
Saint Paul (MN) | 1849 | Capital of the Territory of Minnesota (east of Missouri River and White Earth River 1849–1858.) | |
Omaha (NE) | 1854 | Capital of the Territory of Nebraska (west of Missouri River or White Earth River 1854–1861.) | |
Yankton (SD) | 1861 | Capitals of the Territory of Dakota. | |
Bismarck | 1883 | ||
1889 | Capital of the State of North Dakota. | ||
Ohio Statehood in 1803 |
Marietta | 1788 | Capitals of the Territory Northwest of the River Ohio. |
Chillicothe | 1800 | ||
1803 | Capitals of the State of Ohio. | ||
Zanesville | 1810 | ||
Chillicothe | 1812 | ||
Columbus | 1816 | ||
Oklahoma Statehood in 1907 |
Saint-Louis San Luis St. Louis (MO) |
1765 | Capital of the Spanish (though predominantly Francophone) district of Alta Louisiana. |
1800 | Capital of the French district of la Haute-Louisiane. | ||
1804 | Capital of the District of Louisiana (under the authority of the Indiana Territory.) | ||
1805 | Capital of the Territory of Louisiana. | ||
1812 | Capital of the Territory of Missouri. | ||
Arkansas Post (AR) | 1819 | Capitals of the Territory of Arkansaw[10] (south of the parallel 36°30' north 1819–1824, southeastern Oklahoma 1824–1828.) | |
Little Rock (AR) | 1821 | ||
Tahlequah | 1838 | Capital of the Cherokee Nation. | |
Tuskahoma | 1838 | Capital of the Choctaw Nation. | |
Tishomingo | 1855 | Capital of the Chickasaw Nation. | |
Wewoka | 1866 | Capital of the Seminole Nation. | |
Okmulgee | 1867 | Capital of the Creek Nation. | |
Pawhuska | ? | Capital of the Osage Nation. | |
Guthrie | 1889 | Capital of the Territory of Oklahoma. | |
1907 | Capitals of the State of Oklahoma. | ||
Oklahoma City | 1910 | ||
Oregon[30] Statehood in 1859 |
Champoeg | 1841 | De facto Capital of the Oregon Country |
Oregon City | 1843 | Capital of the Provisional Government of Oregon in the Oregon Country.[16] | |
1848 | Capitals of the Territory of Oregon. | ||
Salem | 1851 | ||
Corvallis | 1855 | ||
Salem | 1855 | ||
1859 | Capital of the State of Oregon. | ||
Pennsylvania[31] Statehood in 1776 |
Philadelphia | 1682 | Capital of the English proprietary Colony of Pennsylvania. |
1707 | Capital of the British proprietary Colony of Pennsylvania. | ||
1776 | Capital of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. (Capital of the United States of America 1776, 1777, 1778–1783, and 1790–1800.) |
||
Lancaster | 1799 | Capital of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. (Capital of the United States of America 1777.) |
|
Harrisburg | 1812 | Capital of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. | |
Rhode Island Statehood in 1776 |
Providence | 1636 | Capital of the English Colony of Providence 1636–1663. |
Portsmouth | 1639 | Capital of the English Colony of Aquidneck Island 1639–1644. | |
1644 | Capital of the English Colony of Rhode Island 1644–1663. | ||
Providence | 1663 | Capital of the English Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations. | |
Boston (MA) | 1686 | Capital of the English Dominion of New-England in America. | |
Providence | 1689 | Capital of the English Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations. | |
1707 | Capital of the British Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations. | ||
five capitals | 1776 | From 1776 to 1853, the legislature of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations rotated among the county seats of the state's five counties: Providence, Newport, East Greenwich, South Kingstown, and Bristol. | |
joint capitals | 1854 | From 1854 to 1899, the legislature of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations alternated sessions between Providence and Newport. | |
Providence | 1900 | Capital of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations. | |
South Carolina Statehood in 1776 |
San Agustín (FL) | 1565 | Capital of the Spanish colony of la Florida.[6] |
Charlestown | 1670 | Capital of the English Province of Carolina. | |
1707 | Capital of the British Province of Carolina. | ||
1712 | Capital of the British Province of South Carolina. | ||
1776 | Capitals of the State of South Carolina. | ||
Columbia | 1786 | ||
South Dakota Statehood in 1889 |
Saint-Louis San Luis St. Louis (MO) |
1765 | Capital of the Spanish (though predominantly Francophone) district of Alta Louisiana. |
1800 | Capital of the French district of la Haute-Louisiane. | ||
1804 | Capital of the District of Louisiana (under the authority of the Indiana Territory.) | ||
1805 | Capital of the Territory of Louisiana. | ||
1812 | Capital of the Territory of Missouri (1812–1821). | ||
Detroit (MI) | 1834 | Capital of the Territory of Michigan (east of Missouri River 1834–1836.) | |
Belmont (WI) | 1836 | Capitals of the Territory of Wisconsin (east of Missouri River 1836–1838.) | |
Burlington (IA) | 1837 | ||
1838 | Capitals of the Territory of Iowa (east of Missouri River 1838–1846.) | ||
Iowa City (IA) | 1841 | ||
Saint Paul (MN) | 1849 | Capital of the Territory of Minnesota (east of Missouri River 1849–1858.) | |
Omaha (NE) | 1854 | Capital of the Territory of Nebraska (west of Missouri River 1854–1861.) | |
Yankton | 1861 | Capitals of the Territory of Dakota. | |
Bismarck (ND) | 1883 | ||
Pierre | 1889 | Capital of the State of South Dakota. | |
Tennessee[32] Statehood in 1796 |
New Bern (NC) | 1712 | Capital of the British Province of North Carolina. |
1776 | Capital of the State of North Carolina. | ||
Rocky Mount | 1790 | Capitals of the Territory South of the River Ohio. | |
White's Fort Knoxville |
1791 | ||
1796 | Capital of the State of Tennessee. | ||
Kingston | 1807 | Capital of the State of Tennessee for one day in 1807 to fulfill treaty obligations with the Cherokee Nation. | |
Knoxville | 1807 | Capitals of the State of Tennessee. | |
Nashville | 1812 | ||
Knoxville | 1817 | ||
Murfreesboro | 1818 | ||
Nashville | 1826 | ||
Texas Statehood in 1845 |
Los Adaes (LA) | 1729 | Capitals of the Spanish colony of Tejas. |
San Antonio de Béxar (now San Antonio) | 1772 | ||
Saltillo (COA) | 1824 | Capitals of the Mexican province of Coahuila y Tejas. | |
Monclova (COA) | 1833 | ||
Washington (now Washington-on-the-Brazos) | 1836 | Capitals of the Republic of Texas. | |
Galveston | 1836 | ||
Harrisburgh | 1836 | ||
Velasco | 1836 | ||
Columbia | 1836 | ||
Houston | 1837 | ||
Austin | 1839 | ||
1845 | Capital of the State of Texas. | ||
Utah Statehood in 1896 |
Salt Lake City | 1849 | Capital of the extralegal State of Deseret. |
Fillmore | 1850 | Capitals of the Territory of Utah. | |
Salt Lake City | 1858 | ||
1896 | Capital of the State of Utah. | ||
Vermont[33] Statehood in 1791 |
Westminster | 1777 | Capitals of the Republic of New Connecticut. |
Windsor | 1777 | ||
1777 | Capital of the Vermont Republic. | ||
1791 | Capitals of the State of Vermont. | ||
Montpelier | 1805 | ||
Virginia[34] Statehood in 1776 |
Jamestown | 1619 | Capitals of the English Colony of Virginia. |
Middle Plantation Williamsburg |
1698 | ||
1707 | Capital of the British Colony of Virginia. | ||
1776 | Capital of the Commonwealth of Virginia. | ||
Richmond | 1780 | Capital of the Commonwealth of Virginia. (Capital of the Confederate States of America 1861–1865.) (A rival pro-Union state government operated from Wheeling 1861–1863 and from Alexandria 1863–1865.) |
|
Washington[35] Statehood in 1889 |
Oregon City (OR) | 1843 | Capital of the Provisional Government of Oregon in the Oregon Country.[16] |
1848 | Capitals of the Territory of Oregon. | ||
Salem (OR) | 1851 | ||
Olympia | 1853 | Capital of the Territory of Washington. | |
1889 | Capital of the State of Washington. | ||
West Virginia Statehood in 1863 |
Jamestown (VA) | 1619 | Capitals of the English Colony of Virginia. |
Middle Plantation (VA) Williamsburg (VA) |
1698 | ||
1707 | Capital of the British Colony of Virginia. | ||
1776 | Capitals of the Commonwealth of Virginia. | ||
Richmond (VA) | 1780 | ||
Wheeling | 1861 | Capital of the rival pro-Union government of the Commonwealth of Virginia. | |
1863 | Capitals of the State of West Virginia. | ||
Charleston | 1870 | ||
Wheeling | 1875 | ||
Charleston | 1885 | ||
Wisconsin[36] Statehood in 1848 |
Marietta (OH) | 1788 | Capital of the Territory Northwest of the River Ohio. |
Vincennes (IN) | 1800 | Capital of the Territory of Indiana. | |
Kaskaskia (IL) | 1809 | Capital of the Territory of Illinois. | |
Detroit (MI) | 1818 | Capital of the Territory of Michigan. | |
Belmont | 1836 | Capitals of the Territory of Wisconsin. | |
Burlington (IA) | 1837 | ||
Madison | 1838 | ||
1848 | Capital of the State of Wisconsin. | ||
Wyoming[37] Statehood in 1890 |
Lewiston (ID) | 1863 | Capital of the Territory of Idaho. |
Yankton (SD) | 1864 | Capital of the Territory of Dakota. | |
Cheyenne | 1869 | Capital of the Territory of Wyoming. | |
1890 | Capital of the State of Wyoming. |
^[a] Even though the urbanized area of Carson City is about 15 miles (24 km) from the California border, the larger Consolidated Municipality of Carson City does form part of the Nevada state border. Similarly, the City and Borough of Juneau extends eastward to British Columbia, although the urbanized area of Juneau is about 35 miles (56 km) from the Canadian border. See:[1]
^[b] Congress was forced to move from Philadelphia due to a riot of angry soldiers. See: Pennsylvania Mutiny of 1783
^[c] President James Madison fled to the home of Caleb Bentley in Brookeville, Maryland following the burning of Washington on August 24–25, 1814. As such, the town claims to have been the "U.S. Capital for a Day" despite the fact that Congress never met there. See: "A Brief History". Town of Brookeville, Maryland. 2006. http://townofbrookevillemd.org/history.html. Retrieved 2008-10-07.
Whereas, confusion of practice has arisen in the pronunciation of the name of our state and it is deemed important that the true pronunciation should be determined for use in oral official proceedings.
And, whereas, the matter has been thoroughly investigated by the State Historical Society and the Eclectic Society of Little Rock, which have agreed upon the correct pronunciation as derived from history, and the early usage of the American immigrants.
Citizens of the State of Kansas often pronounce the Arkansas River /ɑrˈkænzəs/ in a manner similar to the common pronunciation of the name of their state.Be it therefore resolved by both houses of the General Assembly, that the only true pronunciation of the name of the state, in the opinion of this body, is that received by the French from the native Indians and committed to writing in the French word representing the sound. It should be pronounced in three (3) syllables, with the final "s" silent, the "a" in each syllable with the Italian sound, and the accent on the first and last syllables. The pronunciation with the accent on the second syllable with the sound of "a" in "man" and the sounding of the terminal "s" is an innovation to be discouraged.
|