List of city nicknames in Missouri

This partial list of city nicknames in Missouri compiles the aliases, sobriquets and slogans that cities in Missouri are known by (or have been known by historically), officially and unofficially, to municipal governments, local people, outsiders or their tourism boards or chambers of commerce. City nicknames can help in establishing a civic identity, helping outsiders recognize a community or attracting people to a community because of its nickname; promote civic pride; and build community unity.[1] Nicknames and slogans that successfully create a new community "ideology or myth"[2] are also believed to have economic value.[1] Their economic value is difficult to measure,[1] but there are anecdotal reports of cities that have achieved substantial economic benefits by "branding" themselves by adopting new slogans.[2]

Some unofficial nicknames are positive, while others are derisive. The unofficial nicknames listed here have been in use for a long time or have gained wide currency.

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c Muench, David "Wisconsin Community Slogans: Their Use and Local Impacts", December 1993, accessed April 10, 2007.
  2. ^ a b Alfredo Andia, Branding the Generic City :), MU.DOT magazine, September 10, 2007
  3. ^ Wanda McKinney, Our Favorite Town Slogans, Southern Living, April 2005
  4. ^ Welcome to "America's Maple Leaf City", Carthage, Missouri Convention & Visitors Bureau. Accessed June 13, 2007.
  5. ^ a b Barry Popik, Smoky City, barrypopik.com website, March 27, 2005
  6. ^ a b c Tagline Guru City Branding Survey, Tagline Guru website, accessed August 18, 2009
  7. ^ a b c d e Kansas City Background Information, 16th Annual ACI-NA Conference & Exhibition. Accessed June 13, 2007. "Kansas City, Missouri is often abbreviated as "KCMO", or just "KC" (although this often refers to the entire metro area). It is officially nicknamed the City of Fountains, with over 200 installations, ranking second in the world and exceeded only by Rome. It is also nicknamed the Heart of America because it is within 250 miles (400 km) of both the geographic and population centers of the United States. Informal nicknames include Jazz Capital of the World, Cowtown, and the BBQ Capital of the World, while residents are known as Kansas Citians."
  8. ^ City of Fountains, Experience KC. Accessed June 13, 2007. "It's Kansas City. And these are but a few of the hundreds of majestic fountains that make their home in this Midwestern treasure, known as the City of Fountains."
  9. ^ "Kansas City Draws Upon Its Jazz Heritage at Paris Air Show", Kansas City infoZine. June 11, 2007. "The Kansas City Aviation Department, Greater Kansas City Area Development Council, Platte County (Mo.) Economic Development Council and State of Missouri will join forces to host a "Paris of the Plains" booth inside the U.S.A. Pavilion at the Paris Air Show (Hall 3, Booth D13B), featuring the music of well-known jazz icons such as Kansas City natives Charlie "Yardbird" Parker, William "Count" Basie and Jay McShann."
  10. ^ [1]
  11. ^ Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, City of Kirkwood. Missouri, September 27, 2002. Accessed June 13, 2007. "Known as “The Green Tree City,” the City is an attractive suburban residential community with tree- lined streets."
  12. ^ City Of Lathrop, Mo - Mule Capital Of The World (official city website), accessed September 19, 2008
  13. ^ White Squirrel Wars, Roadside America, accessed April 21, 2007. "Olney, IL; Marionville, MO; Kenton, TN; Brevard, NC; Exeter, ON. Not one, but five towns use albino squirrels as their claims to fame, and none is particularly happy about the others."
  14. ^ Welcome to Moberly, Missouri, Moberly, MO - Official Website. Accessed June 13, 2007. "Founded in 1866, Moberly’s explosive growth in 1873 earned it the title, “The Magic City.”"
  15. ^ a b Claims to Fame - Favorites, Epodunk, accessed April 16, 2007.
  16. ^ a b U.S. City Monikers, Tagline Guru website, accessed January 5, 2008
  17. ^ Steve Parker, Offended by “The Lou”, St. Louis Post-Dispatch editors' blog, 05.01.2008
  18. ^ The World Capital of Whatever, The New York Times by Harold Faber, September 12, 1993.
  19. ^ Whistle Stops 1 - 15, Sedalia's Heritage Trail. Accessed June 13, 2007. "We’re proud to be called the Queen City of the Prairie."
  20. ^ Billings, Hank. "Historian puts date on origin of 'Queen City'", Springfield News-Leader, June 4, 2007. Accessed June 13, 2007. "Does Springfield's title as Queen City of the Ozarks go back to 1876?"
  21. ^ Springfield sits at the crossroads of history!, Springfield, Missouri, Convention & Visitors Bureau. Accessed June 13, 2007. "Officially recognized as the birthplace of Route 66, it was in Springfield on April 30, 1926, that officials first proposed the name of the new Chicago-to-Los Angeles highway."
  22. ^ Claims to Fame - Birds, Epodunk, accessed April 16, 2007.
  23. ^ goBurg.com