What Do You Know About Iowa? Trivia Quiz

Answer: The Hawkeye State

Iowa is known as "The Hawkeye State." Many people might assume Iowa's nickname is from the University of Iowa Hawkeye team. Actually, that is not true. The popular nickname for the state of Iowa is said to have come from the recommendation of Judge David Rorer and James G. Edwards: Rorer because of the mention of Hawkeye in a book and Edwards because of his friendship with Chief Black Hawk of the Blackhawk War in 1832. Edwards also changed the name of his Burlington newspaper to "The Hawk Eye."

In addition, Iowa is known as "The Corn State". This nickname is the main nickname I remember Iowa being known for because of its crop. Corn could be seen for miles! Iowa is known for the agricultural products of its rich farmland.

Last and not as common, Iowa is also known as "Land of the Rolling Prairie" for its prairie land.

For more info please visit: http://www.netstate.com/states/intro/ia_intro.htm

Answer: True

The Plains Tribe Indians included: Comanche, Sioux, Omaha, Arapaho, Kansas, Iowa, Missouri, Cree, Ossage, Cheyenne, Wichita, Crow, Okobwa, Blackfoot and Mandan.

Answer: Kossuth County

Iowa has 99 counties. "The largest Iowa county by size is Kossuth, which consists of 973 square miles. The largest Iowa county by population is Polk County with a population of over 374,600."
Source: http://www.classbrain.com/artstate/publish/iowa_counties.shtml

Answer: James Knox Polk

James Polk worked hard while he was in office (1845 to 1849). During his tenure, the Oregon and California territories became states, as did Iowa, Wisconsin and Texas. Polk refused to run for office again due to exhaustion. He died three months later in Nashville, TN.

Herbert Hoover was born October 10, 1874 in West Branch. He became the 31st President of the United States. Hoover died at the age of 90 on October 20, 1964 in New York City; he is buried in West Branch.

Answer: No

Florida entered as a Slave State in 1845 so that Iowa could enter into the Union in 1846 as a Free State.

Answer: Yes

Believe it or not, Burlington has been the capital twice! Burlington was the temporary capital of the Wisconsin Territory and Iowa Territory and it was the first capital of Iowa until 1841 when the state capital was moved to Iowa City. Des Moines is the current capital.

Answer: Iowa's crookedest street

According to "Ripley's Believe it or Not," Burlington's Snake Alley is the 'world's crookedest street.' (Lombard Street in San Francisco also makes that claim, but Snake Alley is certainly the crookedest in Iowa!)
Strawberry Point has the world's largest strawberry. Dubuque is the oldest city in Iowa. The longest bridge, the Holliwell Bridge, is in Madison County.

Answer: Burr Oak

Laura lived with her family in Burr Oak during the fall of 1876. It was here that the Master's Hotel was run by the Ingalls family. Laura's sister Grace Pearl was born in Burr Oak in May 23, 1877. The hotel has been restored. There is a book called "Little House Country: A Photo Guide of Home Sites of Laura Ingalls Wilder." It provides details of places that Laura lived.

The three other places mentioned are real towns in Iowa. I thought they were very interesting names!

Answer: Burlington

These other cities are mentioned in the song "Iowa Stubborn." The original 1962 movie version of "The Music Man" is set in Iowa about 1912 and was by composer Meredith Wilson. It starred Robert Preston and Shirley Jones and produced several hits such as "76 Trombones" and "Trouble." This musical, as well as others by Meredith Wilson, continues to be re-created across the country.

This was one we performed during high school. Did you?

Answer: Geode

Geodes have a cement-like exterior appearance; when broken open they contain clear crystals. Southeast Iowa has Geode State Park, which used to sell geodes. Since 1967, the geode has been the state rock. Source: http://www.legis.state.ia.us/Pubinfo/StateSymbols/