A world worth discovering.

Historical Facts, Minnesota

In 1891 a Gloucester, Massachusetts, schooner landed a 112-pound red fish no one could name. See how it got a name and a trip to the world’s fair.

A Railroad Man in Howard Lake, Minnesota, Tied His Cow to a Box Car. Then the Train Left.

In 1915 a railroad agent in Howard Lake, Minnesota, tied his cow to a box car. An engine pulled it away, and a brakeman danced on the roof to stop it.

Four Card Players in Cincinnati, Ohio, Each Got a Whole Suit. They Swore It Was No Trick.

Historical Facts, Ohio

In 1882 four men at a Cincinnati, Ohio, club were each dealt one whole suit of cards. People doubted it, so they swore to it before a judge.

The Night Pine Bluff, Arkansas, Watched the Election on a Canvas Screen in the Street

Arkansas, Historical Facts

In 1912, with no radio or TV, Pine Bluff, Arkansas, read the election results off a canvas in the street, flashed there by a magic lantern.

Grown Men in Providence, Rhode Island, Played Hide-and-Seek With a Set of Silver Arrows

Historical Facts, Rhode Island

In 1907 Odd Fellows lodges in Providence, Rhode Island, hid a set of silver arrows from each other. Two men a week went out to guess which hall had them.

Before Text Messages, Old Neighbors Traded Jokes All Year in the Logan, Ohio, Newspaper

Historical Facts, Ohio

In 1908 a farm family moved from near Logan, Ohio, to Virginia. Old neighbors kept teasing them in the weekly paper about deer, fish and watermelons.

Why Did Crawfordsville, Arkansas, Throw a Party for a Hole in the Ground?

Arkansas, Historical Facts

In 1922 Crawfordsville, Arkansas, closed its banks to christen an oil well with a barbecue, a queen and a mystery bottle. Here is what the drill found.

Did You Know a Hungry Bear Once Stole Dinner at a Butcher Shop in Scranton, Pennsylvania?

Historical Facts, New Jersey

In 1897 a big cinnamon bear grabbed a bundle of bones and meat outside a butcher shop in Scranton, Pennsylvania, and ate every bit of it.

The Prize for Having the Most Company in South Amboy, New Jersey, Was a Ton of Coal

In 1919 South Amboy, New Jersey, gave a ton of coal to the family with the most out-of-town guests on Old Home Day. Mrs. James Letts had 28.

When Flying Was Brand New, a San Antonio, Texas, Newspaperman Went Up to Tell How It Felt

Historical Facts, Texas

In April 1910, San Antonio, Texas, newspaperman Frank Tillman rode in a flying machine, then told the town how it felt. He could not look down.

The Summer a Sewer Ditch in Charleston, South Carolina, Turned Up Cannonballs and Lost Graves

Historical Facts, South Carolina

In 1910, men laying sewer pipe in Charleston, South Carolina, dug into a forgotten graveyard and cannonballs from the Revolutionary War.

How a Spot on the Sun Lit Up the Sky Over Barre, Vermont, and Jammed the Telegraph Wires

Historical Facts, Vermont

In May 1921 the northern lights covered the whole sky over Barre, Vermont, while a giant sunspot jammed telegraph wires from New York to Sweden.

A Man Counted 40 Steps Down an Empty Street in Wheeling, West Virginia. Then He Looked Back.

Historical Facts, West Virginia

In 1905 a hotel man in Wheeling, West Virginia, staged a fake foot race at 1:30 a.m. A helpful visitor stepped off the track and was left counting alone.

On Circus Day in The Dalles, Oregon, Four Boys Found a Lost Pocketbook and Turned It In

Historical Facts, Oregon

On circus day in 1896, four boys in The Dalles, Oregon, found a pocketbook with enough change for tickets and elephant peanuts. They turned it in.

Did You Know 30 Women Ran a Daily Paper in Honolulu, Hawaii, for One Day?

Hawaii, Historical Facts

In January 1917, thirty women of the Honolulu Y.W.C.A. wrote and edited the Star-Bulletin for a day. The regular reporters wrote them a poem.

Could One Man Drive 40 Horses? If Not, the Circus Was Free in Morgantown, West Virginia

Historical Facts, West Virginia

In 1857 a circus promised Morgantown, West Virginia, a free show if one man could not drive forty horses. The town bought more than 5,500 tickets.

Brawley, California, Gave Away Crates of Iced Cantaloupe the Night Its Street Lights Came On

California, Historical Facts

In June 1917 Brawley, California, switched on its new street lights and gave away hundreds of crates of iced cantaloupes. Here is how the party went.

The Day an Old Cow Horse Raced a Bicycle 50 Miles From Delta, Colorado

Colorado, Historical Facts

In 1894 a 13-year-old cow horse named Prince raced a bicycle 50 miles from Delta, Colorado, to Montrose and back. The horse won.

A Railroad Car Full of Cash Was the Friendliest Ghost in Americus, Georgia

Georgia, Historical Facts

In 1903 Americus, Georgia, called the railroad pay car the ghost. Once a month it rolled in with thousands of dollars in coin. Here is how payday worked.

Teens in Willimantic, Connecticut, Acted Out Mother Goose for Halloween. Nobody Said a Word.

Connecticut, Historical Facts

On Halloween 1896, about forty Willimantic, Connecticut, high school students acted out Mother Goose rhymes in pantomime for a packed Franklin Hall.

How Grand Junction, Colorado, Saw Its Mayor’s Face Drawn in Fireworks

Colorado, Historical Facts

In 1908 a New York fireworks company drew the mayor of Grand Junction, Colorado, in fire at the Mesa County Fair. Here is how the night went.

Did You Know One Man Got a New York City Crowd to Stare at a Star That Wasn’t There?

In May 1873 a joker on Broadway near Union Square bet a supper he could keep a crowd staring at an invisible star all day. He won.

What Made the Mystery Knocks That Rochester, New York, Couldn’t Solve?

Historical Facts, Indiana

In 1849 three committees in Rochester, New York, tested Maggie and Leah Fox for the mystery knocks. In 1888 Maggie showed a crowd her big toe.

Why Did a Barber Push a Man in a Silk Hat Through Hammond, Indiana, in a Wheelbarrow?

In 1908 a Hammond, Indiana, barber lost a bet on Bryan and pushed his friend in a wheelbarrow down Hohman Street while hundreds watched.

The Day a Town Builder Rode a Wright Biplane Above the Clouds Over Corpus Christi, Texas

Historical Facts, Texas

On July 4, 1911, F. Z. Bishop, who built Bishop, Texas, rode a Wright biplane over Corpus Christi. “Real estate is going up,” he joked.

A Snow-White Monkey Named Jack Sailed Into New York City and Ran Up a Reporter’s Cane

In May 1882 a snow-white monkey named Jack sailed into New York from Singapore. He held up a newspaper and ran up a reporter’s cane to his hat.

A Bottle of Mother’s Catsup Had No Name on It. Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, Delivered It Anyway.

In 1917 a bottle of homemade catsup reached the Gettysburg army camp with no soldier’s name on it. The postmaster tracked down the boy anyway.

How a Boston, Massachusetts, Swimmer Fell Asleep in the Ocean and Woke Up Lost

In 1905 Henry S. Horan fell asleep floating off South Boston, woke up lost at sea, then swam Hull Gut with his hands and feet tied to win a bet.

Did You Know a Hypnotist Gave Away a Gold Watch in Ellsworth, Maine?

Historical Facts, Maine

In 1871 Professor Stone’s hypnotist show packed Hancock Hall in Ellsworth, Maine, with stiff-armed volunteers and prizes like a gold watch.

The Billiards Wizard Nobody in Chicago, Illinois, Would Bet a Cent On

Arkansas, Historical Facts

In 1869 Chicago wouldn’t bet a cent on A. P. Rudolphe, a French trick-shot wizard who had played for a czar. Then he went to New York.

Who Found Water in a Bone-Dry Arkansas Lane? A Nosy Old Pig.

In the dry fall of 1921, an old sow rooting in a dusty Ozark lane uncovered a pool of clear water, the Yellville, Arkansas, Mountain Echo reported.

Was It the Revolution? No, It Was the First Car in Moctezuma, Mexico

Arizona, Historical Facts

In December 1910 a car crossed the mountains to Moctezuma, Sonora. Crowds came out to see it, and one woman asked if it was the revolution.

The Day a Mile-Long Parade of Schoolkids Marched to the Fair in Covington, Louisiana

Historical Facts, Louisiana

In October 1921 a school parade a mile long marched to the St. Tammany Parish Fair in Covington, Louisiana. Here is what the kids saw there.

Ottawa, Illinois, Waited for John Philip Sousa. His Sailors Came Without Him.

Historical Facts, Missouri

In December 1917, Ottawa, Illinois, was promised John Philip Sousa. Forty-two Navy sailors came instead, with a band, a birthday joke and 25-cent stamps.

How Flour Millers Brought a Steamboat to the Prairie in Arkansas City, Kansas

Historical Facts, Kansas

In 1885 the flour millers of Arkansas City, Kansas, brought a flat-bottomed steamboat up the Arkansas River. It carried 100 people in 13 inches of water.

Before It Had a Patent, a New Monkey Wrench Made the News in Versailles, Missouri

At Thanksgiving 1906 a Pennsylvania inventor visited Versailles, Missouri, with a new quick monkey wrench. See how it worked and what a wrench cost.

A Magician Swapped Places With a Boy Locked in a Trunk in Wichita, Kansas

Historical Facts, Kansas

In 1900 a magician called Durno traded places with a boy sealed in a sack and locked in a trunk in Wichita, Kansas, in about two seconds.

Did You Know Chicago, Illinois, Went Two Summers Without Its Ball Club After the Great Fire?

Historical Facts, North Dakota

The Great Fire of 1871 took Chicago’s pro ball club too. In 1874 the White Stockings came home, and 5,000 fans watched them win 4 to 0.

The Old Chief Who Said Bismarck, North Dakota, Stood on His People’s Land

In 1899 Hidatsa chief Crow Flies High came to Bismarck, North Dakota, with a $1 million land claim. He took home a line of type. In 1930 his people won.

Meteor or Airplane? A Man in York, South Carolina, Said He Saw Two People Inside

Historical Facts, South Carolina

In April 1918 a fireball crossed the Carolinas at dusk. In York, South Carolina, some folks insisted it was an airplane and heard the propellers.

The Night 70 Lawyers in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, Saw Their Younger Selves on the Big Screen

Colorado, Historical Facts

In 1916, about 70 Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, lawyers watched their childhood pictures flash on a screen, sang the answers, and turned the streetlights red.

Loveland, Colorado, Fed Thousands of Strangers Free Corn. Locals Were Asked to Wait.

Every fall, Loveland, Colorado, roasted corn in a giant pit and fed thousands of visitors for free. In 1905 the town expected 10,000 strangers.

Before Air Conditioning, a Giant Steam Fan Cooled Concert Crowds in New York City

Historical Facts, North Dakota

In 1877, a steam-driven fan wheel pushed fresh air through wooden pipes at Gilmore’s Garden in New York City. Crowds found it cooler inside than on the street.

How a High School Class in Grafton, North Dakota, Tested Congress’s Free Seeds

For 80 years Congress mailed free garden seeds. In 1913 a high school class in Grafton, North Dakota, tested them and most barely sprouted.

After 418 Miles, a Women’s Bicycle Race in New York City Came Down to Three Wheels

Historical Facts, Indiana

In January 1896, twenty women raced bicycles for six days at Madison Square Garden. After 418 miles, Frankie Nelson won by three wheels.

The Grizzly Bear at the Big Fair in Portland, Oregon, Was Made of Prunes

Historical Facts, Oregon

At the 1905 Lewis and Clark fair in Portland, Oregon, California showed a grizzly bear made of prunes and an elephant made of walnuts.

Did You Know Folks Near Richmond, Indiana, Heard the 1921 World Series in Their Own Parlors?

In 1921 the Richmond Palladium sent the World Series out by wireless telephone. Fans in Indiana and Ohio heard every play from their own parlors.

What Did Boys in an Alaska Village Call the First Airplane They Ever Saw?

Alaska, Historical Facts

In 1929 a plane landed at a village 90 miles from Bethel, Alaska. Boys who had never seen one ran in shouting about a big eagle.

A Man in East St. Louis, Illinois, Would Trade Anything That Didn’t Bite. Then Came an Alligator.

In 1920 J. A. Johnson of East St. Louis, Illinois, would trade for anything that didn’t eat or bite. Then came a cow, two dogs and an alligator.

A Millionaire Kept a Cow in His Front Yard on Broadway in New York City

Georgia, Historical Facts

In 1877 millionaire Peter Goelet kept a cow, a stork and peacocks behind an iron fence at Broadway and 19th Street in New York City.

How Pictures of Llamas in a Book Sent One Woman 40,000 Miles

Hawaii, Historical Facts

In 1913 explorer Harriet Chalmers Adams told Honolulu why she traveled 40,000 miles in South America: the llamas and monkeys in a geography book.

The Night Nearly 1,000 People in Savannah, Georgia, Heard a Fight Through a Megaphone

In 1903 nearly 1,000 people in Savannah, Georgia, packed Whitaker Street at midnight to hear the Jeffries-Corbett fight shouted through a megaphone.

Days Before He Became President, Woodrow Wilson Got a Box of Marbles and a Dare

Historical Facts, New Jersey

In February 1913 a New York hotel man mailed President-elect Woodrow Wilson a box of clay marbles and a dare. Wilson said, “I’ll bet I can beat him.”

The Day the Movies Were Free in Ardmore, Oklahoma

Historical Facts, Oklahoma

In 1914 the movie at Ardmore, Oklahoma’s Theatorium was stuck on a late train, so the manager let the crowd in free. Then nearly everyone paid anyway.

Did You Know a Muskegon, Michigan, Man Found His Airship Idea in the Bible?

Historical Facts, Michigan

In 1909 a Muskegon, Michigan, photographer named D. C. Clark designed an airship from Ezekiel’s wheels and kept its motive power a secret.

Did You Know a Family in Culpeper County, Virginia, Said They Had a Pet Frog for 57 Years?

Historical Facts, Virginia

In 1867 Mr. Yager of Culpeper County, Virginia, said his family’s doorstep frog, Old Tom, came when called for 57 years. What a 1906 frog scientist said.

For a Few Years, a White Collar Could Stay White in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Historical Facts, Oklahoma

In 1889 a Sacramento visitor wrote that a white collar could finally stay white in Pittsburgh. Natural gas had cleared the Smoky City, for a while.

A Farmer Near Audubon, Iowa, Was Building His Own Airplane. Then a Real One Flew Him Home.

Historical Facts, Iowa

In 1919 Leo Jenks, a farmer near Audubon, Iowa, had no money for an airplane, so he built his own. Then a pastor’s son flew him home in a real one.

Did a Farmer Near Guthrie, Oklahoma, Really Win $50 With a Day of Meals Made From Weeds?

In 1911 papers said a farmer near Guthrie, Oklahoma, won $50 cooking a day of meals from weeds and cattle crops. Then the story got a second farmer.

Pensacola, Florida, Found a Perfect Fake Half Dollar. Its Sound Gave It Away.

Florida, Historical Facts

In 1909 a perfect fake half dollar turned up in Pensacola, Florida. Its only flaw was its sound. Here is how people caught bad coins by ear.

Snow Closed the Sierra. A Farmer on 10-Foot Skis Carried California’s Mail Anyway.

California, Historical Facts

In 1856 John A. Thompson began skiing the mail 90 miles over the Sierra from Placerville, California, with no blanket and no overcoat.

How Do You Play Polo With Ford Cars? Fargo, North Dakota, Found Out in 1913

Historical Facts, North Dakota

In August 1913 Fargo, North Dakota, saw its first auto polo game: two stripped-down Ford cars, a mallet man on each, and a basketball painted white.

How a Man in Colfax, Washington, Planned to Stretch Wrinkles Away While You Slept

Historical Facts, Washington

In 1904 William B. Hargrave of Colfax, Washington, patented a head harness of sticky cloth and straps to stretch wrinkles away while you slept.

He Bet Against Lincoln, So He Pushed 750 Oysters From Providence, Rhode Island, to Boston

Historical Facts, Virginia

In 1864 Joshua Hobart bet against Lincoln and lost. He paid by wheeling 750 oysters 40 miles from Providence to Boston, then kept betting for 20 years.

A Pilot Trailed Fire Across the Night Sky Over Richmond, Virginia

In October 1915 Art Smith flew over the Virginia State Fair in Richmond at night with fireworks wired to his plane, trailing fire like a comet.

The First Airship Over Arizona Sent Downtown Phoenix Pouring Into the Streets

Arizona, Historical Facts

In November 1908 Roy Knabenshue flew the first airship over Arizona. Doubting Phoenix crowds poured into the streets shouting There’s the airship!

A Fisherman in Boston, Massachusetts, Caught a Haddock With Three Eyes

Georgia, Historical Facts

In October 1927 a Boston, Massachusetts, schooner landed a haddock with three eyes. Crowds came to the Fish Pier to see it, and papers ran it coast to coast.

The Morning Rats Dragged a Hoop Skirt Down the Stairs in Upper Sandusky, Ohio

Historical Facts, Ohio

In November 1867 the Wyandot Pioneer’s apprentice in Upper Sandusky, Ohio, heard a rattling on the office stairs. It was rats dragging a hoop skirt.

The Day One Tiny Ad Flooded a Store in Rome, Georgia, With Cats

In the early 1870s a store in Rome, Georgia, said nobody read ads. Young editor Henry Grady ran one tiny want ad for cats. Here is what showed up.

Walla Walla, Washington, Opened Its Fair With 100 Cars. One Was Dressed as the North Pole.

Historical Facts, Washington

Walla Walla, Washington, opened its 1909 fair with 100 cars. One was dressed as the North Pole, with Cook and Peary arguing. Plus a balloon man and a dog show.

Did You Know the Circus Brought an Elephant Brass Band to Topeka, Kansas, in 1899?

Historical Facts, Kansas

In May 1899 a Topeka, Kansas, reporter watched the Ringling circus unload three trains and raise its tents by 10:30, elephant brass band included.

Why Did a Sheriff Ride His Horse Into an Elevator in Portland, Oregon?

Historical Facts, Oregon

In July 1912, Pendleton, Oregon, Elks brought 280 horses to Portland, won a parade prize, then rode into hotels and up an elevator.

Why Did People in Indianapolis, Indiana, Paint Their Hats Red?

Historical Facts, Indiana

When Indianapolis neighbor Benjamin Harrison won the 1888 election, the city partied in the rain and dyed its hats red from a druggist’s bucket.

Detailed Map of Pine Grove, Mississippi

Mississippi

A detailed map of Pine Grove, Mississippi, showing every building in its true location, the roads by name, and shaded topographical relief.

Detailed Map of Zurich, Ontario

A detailed map of Zurich, Ontario, showing every building in its true location, the roads by name, and shaded topographical relief.

Detailed Map of Zhiibaahaasing, Ontario

A detailed map of Zhiibaahaasing, Ontario, showing every building in its true location, the roads by name, and shaded topographical relief.

Detailed Map of Zephyr, Ontario

A detailed map of Zephyr, Ontario, showing every building in its true location, the roads by name, and shaded topographical relief.

Detailed Map of Woodville, Ontario

A detailed map of Woodville, Ontario, showing every building in its true location, the roads by name, and shaded topographical relief.

Detailed Map of Wunnumin, Ontario

A detailed map of Wunnumin, Ontario, showing every building in its true location, the roads by name, and shaded topographical relief.

Detailed Map of Winterbourne, Ontario

A detailed map of Winterbourne, Ontario, showing every building in its true location, the roads by name, and shaded topographical relief.

Detailed Map of Willisville & Whitefish Falls, Ontario

A detailed map of Willisville & Whitefish Falls, Ontario, showing every building in its true location, the roads by name, and shaded topographical relief.

Detailed Map of Pawitik, Ontario

A detailed map of Pawitik, Ontario, showing every building in its true location, the roads by name, and shaded topographical relief.

Detailed Map of West Montrose, Ontario

A detailed map of West Montrose, Ontario, showing every building in its true location, the roads by name, and shaded topographical relief.

Detailed Map of Wendover, Ontario

A detailed map of Wendover, Ontario, showing every building in its true location, the roads by name, and shaded topographical relief.

Detailed Map of Webequie, Ontario

A detailed map of Webequie, Ontario, showing every building in its true location, the roads by name, and shaded topographical relief.

Detailed Map of Wawakapewin, Ontario

A detailed map of Wawakapewin, Ontario, showing every building in its true location, the roads by name, and shaded topographical relief.

Detailed Map of Webbwood, Ontario

A detailed map of Webbwood, Ontario, showing every building in its true location, the roads by name, and shaded topographical relief.

Detailed Map of Wardsville, Ontario

A detailed map of Wardsville, Ontario, showing every building in its true location, the roads by name, and shaded topographical relief.

Detailed Map of Wapekeka, Ontario

A detailed map of Wapekeka, Ontario, showing every building in its true location, the roads by name, and shaded topographical relief.

Detailed Map of Wahnapitei, Ontario

A detailed map of Wahnapitei, Ontario, showing every building in its true location, the roads by name, and shaded topographical relief.

Detailed Map of Wabigoon, Ontario

A detailed map of Wabigoon, Ontario, showing every building in its true location, the roads by name, and shaded topographical relief.

Detailed Map of Wabauskang, Ontario

A detailed map of Wabauskang, Ontario, showing every building in its true location, the roads by name, and shaded topographical relief.

Detailed Map of Vienna, Ontario

A detailed map of Vienna, Ontario, showing every building in its true location, the roads by name, and shaded topographical relief.

Detailed Map of Wabaseemoong, Ontario

A detailed map of Wabaseemoong, Ontario, showing every building in its true location, the roads by name, and shaded topographical relief.

Detailed Map of Utica, Ontario

A detailed map of Utica, Ontario, showing every building in its true location, the roads by name, and shaded topographical relief.

Detailed Map of Trout Creek, Ontario

A detailed map of Trout Creek, Ontario, showing every building in its true location, the roads by name, and shaded topographical relief.

Detailed Map of Tiverton, Ontario

A detailed map of Tiverton, Ontario, showing every building in its true location, the roads by name, and shaded topographical relief.

Detailed Map of Thorne, Ontario

A detailed map of Thorne, Ontario, showing every building in its true location, the roads by name, and shaded topographical relief.

Detailed Map of Thedford, Ontario