List of city nicknames in Virginia
This partial list of city nicknames in Virginia compiles the aliases, sobriquets and slogans that cities in Virginia 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
- ^ a b c Muench, David "Wisconsin Community Slogans: Their Use and Local Impacts", December 1993, accessed April 10, 2007.
- ^ a b Alfredo Andia, Branding the Generic City :), MU.DOT magazine, September 10, 2007
- ^ Birthplace of Country Music website
- ^ a b c Tagline Guru City Branding Survey, Tagline Guru website, accessed Aug 18, 2009
- ^ Wanda McKinney, Our Favorite Town Slogans, Southern Living, April 2005
- ^ Goolrick, John. T. (2006). Fredericksburg: America's Most Historic City. Kessinger Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1428654228.
- ^ Town of Honaker website, accessed July 30, 2008
- ^ a b [1] Lynchburg Online website
- ^ Barry Popik, Smoky City, barrypopik.com website, March 27, 2005
- ^ [2] Official nickname on website
- ^ River City Magazine website
- ^ History: River City Observed, Discover Richmond website
- ^ The Roanoke Star, City of Roanoke website, accessed January 5, 2008. The nickname refers to a large lighted star on a mountainside overlooking the city, installed in 1949 and originally intended as a Christmas decoration. "It was over 50 years ago Roanoke earned the nickname, 'Star City of the South,' and the star has been a part of the landscape of Mill Mountain ever since."
- ^ Case 54: Roanoke, Virginia, Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies website, accessed January 5, 2008. "The City of Roanoke, once known as the 'Magic City' due to the speed of the city’s growth, was chartered in 1884."
- ^ The World Capital of Whatever, The New York Times by Harold Faber, September 12, 1993.
- ^ http://www.history.org/Almanack/places/hb/hbcap.cfm
- ^ http://law.wm.edu/about/ourtown/index.php