North Salem is a New York City’s Suburb belonging to the Westchester County, New York, US. The suburb is located in the northeast of the County and as a suburb of New York; it is 50 miles away from the north of Manhattan.
The town borders with Connecticut to the east and Putnam County to the north. The United States Census Bureau puts the area of the town at 32.9 square miles. Only 1.5 square miles is covered by water. The remaining 31.4 square miles is covered by land.
North Salem has a median house value of $772,817 in 2011 with per capital income of $59.403. The average income of the town in 2011 per household was 147,258. 2.0 percent of the entire population and 1.5 percent of families in the North Salem are under the poverty line.
The town is made up of several communities which include:
- North Salem
- Salem Center
- Twin Lakes Village
- Grants Corner
- Purdys
The hamlet of Grant Corner is situated in the southeast of the town. North Salem hamlet is located in the western part. The hamlet of Salem Center is situated in the eastern part of the country. The Purdys and Twin Lakes Villages are hamlets located at the south of Croton Falls and South town line respectively. There are several structures or places in these hamlets that are listed in the National Register of Historic Places. The Town Hall of North Salem became a national historic place in 1980 while the Joseph Purdy Homestead was added in 1973.
The history of this town dated back to 1731. The town started as an agrarian community and even today, the rural quality of some areas in the town has not been destroyed by civilization. As you are driving through the roads in some of the locations in the town, you can still see grazing lands with horses moving about in search of their daily bread. One notable feature of this town is the uninterrupted views of the rolling countryside embellished with horse corrals, rail and post fences as well as grazing cows that are seen occasionally. You can view the Catskill Mountain’s foothills from certain strategic positions. The town during the days of Mr. Purdy has a lot of farms, orchards and grazing field for the oxen.
As a town, North Salem has many facilities. It has a school, namely, the North Salem Middle School/High School. You will find this school at 230 June Road in North Salem. The town also has an elementary school.
The town today boasts of three post offices which are located in Purdy hamlet, Crotons Falls and North Salem hamlet. Each of these hamlets has its own specific zip code.
North Salem has greatly changed nowadays. There are buildings with modern time architectural styles and awesome landscapes. Around the Peach Lake, there are many beautiful cottages for holiday makers. If you are looking for a place to invest in property, you should consider North Salem.
Chappaqua is derived from an Algonquian word “shah-pah-ka” meaning the rattling land or rustling land. The word has been spelt differently until it was finally spelt as Chappaqua. It is a hamlet of Westchester County in the state of New York. The history of the community could be traced to the 1730s when some Quakers in Purchase, NY left the place and settled in the hamlet. This group of Quaker established their settlements on the Quaker Street and normally met at the Abel Weeks’ home for their meeting. Gradually, they started developing the area. Thus in 1753, their meeting house was built. It served as their hall for their Sunday service.
Several buildings of that era were listed in the National Register of Historic Places. The house built by Horace Greeley is still in existence today and it is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. The Old Chappaqua Historic District is another historic site in the hamlet. It is the area around the meeting house of the Quakers.
The first Quakers to settle in Chappaqua hamlet were mainly farmers. This explains why the hamlet was known for milk production. The Saw Mill River and Roaring Brook were the two rivers in the area that helped the dwellers in the milling industry. The mills that were crushing corn as well as extracting oil from beans were powered by these streams. Besides farming, there were other industries that flourished in the area during this time. The industries included shoe, vinegar, furniture, pickles, hardware and eyeglasses.
One of the factors that brought development in the area and also increased commercial activities in the area was the construction of New York and Harlem railroad in 1846. This railroad passed through Chappaqua. The railroad eventually became the center of the commercial activities. Various stores as well as small factories were built in the hamlet then.
People began to commute from Chappaqua to New York and vice versa. A good number of people settled there and were commuting to and from Chappaqua to New York and New York back to Chappaqua. A notable figure among these settlers was Horace Greeley. He was a New York Tribune editor. He purchased a 78 acre of land in 1853 in this area. This was where he built his house that was listed among the historic places. The house is still standing on King Street today. The historical society normally visits this house.
Today, Chappaqua has developed very well. Though it is a hamlet, it has one of the best schools in the entire US. However, this is not the case in the past. The schools in the hamlet started gradually in the 19th century as one-room schoolhouses. Many of them have no windows then. The Quaker later built a very big school in 1870 which was known as the Chappaqua Mountain Institute, sited on Quaker Street. The school today has been acquired by the Children’s Aid Society.
There are other awesome buildings in the hamlets today. Chappaqua has become a very good place to live. It has safety Amenities and this explains why it has a low crime rate.
Also see: Redesign Your Chappaqua Property with Professional Landscaping Designs
New Canaan is a very wealthy town in Connecticut, US. It belongs to the Fairfield County. According to the 2010 census, the town has a population of 19,738. It occupied the 8th position in the in the CNN Money’s list of high earning locations in the US in 2008. The median family income of New Canaan in 2008 is the highest in the whole of US.
New Canaan covers a total area of 22.5 square miles. 1.56% (that is 0.3 square miles) of the total area of the town is covered by water. The remaining square miles are lands. There are about 6 parts or section of the town, namely, the New Canaan center, Smith Ridge Road, Tallmadge Hill, part of Silvermine, Pinneys Corners and Ponus.
New Canaan shares borders with Lewisboro, New York, Pound Ridge and Westchester County in the north, Wilton in the east and Darien in the south. In the southeast border of the town is Norwalk. Stamford is located in the west and southwest of the town.
New Canaan has many awesome buildings. Besides, the living homes, there are a lots of restaurants, antique shops, old movie theater and several churches in the town. The historic Roger Sherman Inn is located in the place.
Religion played a very important role in the history of New Canaan. Initially, New Canaan was not planned as a town. This explained while the town had no main street, central common or town hall when it was incorporated in 1801. The colonial legislature of Connecticut created the Canaan Parish in 1731. The parish was a religious entity located northeastern part of Stamford and northwestern Norwalk. Families within this location were given the right to form their congregational church. However, people from Norwalk and Stamford living in the Canaan Parish at this time were still voting, serving juries, paying taxes and filing deeds in their various home towns.
Before the Revolutionary War, the residents of New Canaan were mainly farmers. However, there was a shift from farming to shoe making after the war. The shoe making industry contributed a lot in the development of the town. Settlement patterns changed to settlements of clustered houses rather than central village pattern. Schools and mills were developed in the various district centers.
The construction of railroad that led to New Canaan contributed greatly to the architectural development in the place. The railroad made it easy for wealthy people from other places like New York to have access to the town. So, they started building their holiday home with magnificent landscape in New Canaan. Gradually, many of them began spending more than summer holiday in the area since they could easily get back to New York anytime of their choice. As many started commuting to their jobs from New Canaan, new residential communities that are still in existence today started developing.
Notable architects that contributed in the architectural designs in the area are the famous Harvard five, namely, Philip Johnson, John M. Johansen, Landis Gores, Eliot Noyes and Marcel Breuer. In the movie The Ice Storm, you will find a lot of modern houses with awesome architectural designs of New Canaan.
Today, the town has many utilities, fire department, medical emergence services, public schools, police department and others.
Also See: Outdoor Activities in New Canaan
Westport is a town in Fairfield County, Connecticut, situated on Long Island Sound. It is 47 miles away from New York City northeast. It is coastal town with a population of 26,391 in 2010. A 2008 ranking of wealthiest towns in the United States with populations ranging from 20,000 to 65,000, Westport occupied the 10th position. It is the second richest town in the state.
As coastal area, the area attracted the white settlers. But before the white settled down in the area, the Native Americans have been living in the area for about 7,500 years. The area was not initially known as Westport. It was first named Bankside after the first 5 farmers who first came to area in 1693 with their families as they were following their cattle. However, the name was changed in 1732 to Green’ Farm to honor John Green, a Bankside Farmer. But the name was changed again in 1835 to Town of Westport when it was incorporated.
Initially, the inhabitants of Westport which was carved out from the Town of Fairfield were mainly farmers. As a coastal area, agricultural produce such as onions were transported from the town. Thus by the 19th century, the town was serving as the major seaport. However, in the course of history owing to the collapse of onions production in the region, there was a shift in industry. The agricultural industry was gradually replaced by the mills and factories. The economic power of the town was no longer based on the production and exportation of onions.
Owing to the influx of artists, authors and musicians in the area, Westport gradually became the arts center of the state. During this time, the town was dubbed a creative heaven. This coupled with the ease of commuting to and from the city of New York helped to increase the population of the town. Excellent school system and awesome fashion shopping experience that the town offered were other factors that contributed to the increase in the population of the town.
The present day Westport town shares its border on the north side with Weston, in the northwest with Wilton, in the east with Fairfield, and then in the south with Long Island. According to the US Census Bureau, the town covers a total area of 86 km2 and 60.02 percent of the total area is covered by land. The remaining percent is covered by water.
As a wealthy town, the Westport also boast of a number of amenities, utilities and structures that help to improve the beauty as well as the landscape and architectural design of the town. One of the structures that should be mentioned in the area is Westport Town Hall located on Myrtle Avenue serving the town meeting governance of the town started in 1949.
The town also has a fire department existing since 1929. Westport has several high schools, elementary schools, preschools and private schools. There are many places of interest in the town such as The Nature Discovery Center. There are parks and historic places as well in this town.
Also See: Beautifying your Home in Westport with Landscape Design Services
Ridgefield is one of the towns of Fairfield County, Connecticut, and it is located on the Berkshire Mountains’ foothills. The town has been in existence for 300 years. Based on the 2010 census, it has a population of 24, 638.
Ridgefield shares border with New York in the west, Wilton in the south, Danbury in the north and reading in the east. Other places located at the western border of the town are Lewisboro of Westchester County and North Salem. The US States Census Bureau had it that the Ridgefield occupied a total of 35.0 square miles; 0.5 square miles of the entire area is covered by water.
The English colonists were the first to settle in this region in 1708. The colonists who were formerly in Norwalk and Milford had purchased land from chief of Ramapo tribe known as Chief Catoonah. However, it was under a royal carter of 1709 that the town became incorporated. One of the important historical events that helped to put an end to the inland operations of the British forces in Connecticut was the April 27, 1777, Battle of Ridgefield that went in favor of the British. The town homed a lot of landbanks resulting from the Revolutionary War in the place such as the Keeler Tavern which served as a museum and a local inn.
During the first three centuries in the history of the town, the residents were mainly farmers. There were many farms in Ridgefield. The Lounsbury Farm which is still in existence today is a farm cultivated in those days in Ridgefield. There are many influential families from Ridgefield in the 19th century, the Lounsbury and Rockwells. Two governors of Connecticut have emerged from these two families which intermarried.
Wealthy families from New York City discovered Ridgefield during the ending part of 19th century when the new railroad connecting Ridgefield to other places was completed. These wealthy families from New York started amassing large estates in the town as their summer holiday. Many homes with magnificent landscapes were built in this place by these wealthy families during this time. Some of the estates built during this period were Outpost Farm of Colonel. Louis D. Frederic E. Lewis, Seth Low Pierrepont and others.
During the Great Depression period, a good number of the estates became too difficult for their owners to handle and so, most of them were broken up. The estates were subdivided into many acres creating different suburbs during the 1950s to 1970s. However, the building’s architectural designs as well as landscaped were planned with great thought to detail. Zoning was also maintained in the planning.
The Ridgefield Historic District is included in the list of National register of historic places in 1984. There were also other individual properties from this town that were included in the list. The Victorian and other medieval styles of buildings are found in New Canaan.
Today, Ridgefield as one of the wealthiest towns in the US, Ridgefield has lots of amenities and utilities such as a golf course, schools, various attractions and a whole lot of others.
Also See: Ridgefield – A Small Town with City-like Diversity
In the beginning, everyone wanted the town of ‘’Darrien’’ to be named after their own family. But the name Darrien was first suggested by a sailor who had sailed to Darrien, which was Panama, back then it was a part of the Spanish Empire. The name was unanimously agreed upon by the people living in the town. Darrien is a town in the state of Connecticut. The town has a population size of about 20,000 people. Darrien is located between Stamford and Norwalk with some building used as offices. For the purpose of recreation, the town of Darrien has 2 beaches, 4 small parks, 4 country clubs, 2 yacht clubs and 1 hunt club.
A Bit of History
Records have it that the clearing of the Darrien land was first done by people from the Wethersfield, Norwalk and New Haven in 1641. The landscaping was done to befit that era. But in this generation, the design and implementation of landscaping has taken a new dimension. Landscaping experts may be consulted to carryout site visit in order to prepare a beautiful design that matches up with today’s aesthetics.
In 1740, the first community Church was built by the Middlesex Society. The church is the present day First Congregational Church of Darrien. The element of being ancient is still seen in the building. The building can still be remodeled to look more beautiful and attractive. The work of remodeling either for the building or the land space around the building is easy to accomplish without stress. With little money, especially within the allocated financial budget, the remodeling work can be carried out. The work will be done by professional hands in the different segments of the work. This will be done to give an attractive look to the job.
The Present Day Darrien
There are great changes in Darrien in the present day. Several things have changed. In the past, transportation for example was a bit stressful, also the number of schools available were very limited with little or no annual events. Now, there are a number of schools, more clubs, better transportation network, philanthropic groups, more recreation spots, several interesting events and so on. Darrien is a center of attraction for recreational activities now. This is achieved as a result of the volumes of work of development that were done in the community.
However, more volumes of developmental works are recommended. As long as there is life, there should be unstoppable developments so that the town will not be phased out or become obsolete in the scheme of the world architecture. Some of the philanthropic groups can come together to fund the developmental project especially the Community Fund of Darrien. State of the art architectural design work will be done within the shortest period with little financial stress. It is certain that the town of Darrien will be the New Jerusalem Paradise if this concept of collective efforts of development is imbibed.
Also See: Pool-Scaping for your Darrien Home
Cresskill has an interesting history. Formerly it was part of Palisades Township, but it was made a borough on May 8, 1894, by the Act of the New Jersey Legislature. However, in 1904, a portion of the town was added to Alpine. The Borough is part of Bergen County, NJ, US and it has a population of 8,573 according to the 2010 US census. The name of the town was derived from a plant that grows in the streams and kills of the town.
United States Census Bureau reports that the borough covers a total area of 2.074 square miles. 0.010 square miles of the total area of Cresskill is covered by water while the rest is land.
As a borough in New Jersey, Cresskill is using the borough system of government of NJ. It has a mayor and 6 Borough Council members. All the seats are occupied via election. The Mayor has four year tenure while the councils have three tenures each. The two council members are elected on a yearly.
One of the important and significant sites that should form a chapter in the annals of the borough is the Camp Merritt. The Camp Merritt which was initially known as the camp Tenafly served as the point of debarkation for many US forces sent abroad to join in the World War I fight. The name Tenafly camp was chosen because every deliberation, negotiation and communication on the building of the camp was done in Tenafly. However, the camp was renamed Camp Merritt to honor Major General Wesley who was the first Governor General of the islands and also commanded the Philippine Expedition in 1986.
Camp Merritt has a total area of 770 acres. Construction cost of $11 million. There were more than 1,300 buildings in the camp and it could accommodate 2,000 officers as well as 40,000 enlisted men. The total number of soldiers that passed through the gates of Camp Merritt was 1,088,081.
The camp was opened in 1917 but was closed in 1919 after the end of WWI. Unfortunately, most of the structures in the camp were destroyed by fires. However, there are still few original structures in the camp still in existence today such as the Hungry Peddler belonging to the Burns brothers.
Another point of interest in the Camp is the Monument facing the highway. The Monument is about 56 feet and it is built at the intersection of Madison Avenue and Knicker Bocker Road. The dedication of the Monument was done in 1924 by General John Joseph in honor of 563 people that lost their lives during the flu epidemic in 1918 while in the Camp Merritt.
Cresskill has good railroads that make it easy for its residents to go to New York, the world’s famous financial and commercial city. Besides the railroads, there are bus services for local transport.
Some of the important personalities that hail from this town are:
- Mary J. Blige
- Rick Ceromee
- David Broza
- Lynn Chen
Also See: Adding Life to your House in Cresskill
Franklin Lakes is one of the boroughs of Bergen County, NJ. The history of the borough could be traced as far back as 18th century. The Dutch who were mostly farmers were among the first settlers in the area and this explains while the Dutch dominated the early inhabitants of the borough in terms of population. Popular figures among the first early Dutch that settled in the Franklin Lakes include Van Winkle, Pulisfelt, Van Houten, Ackerman and Van Blarcom.
As it has been said above, the early dwellers of the area were mostly farmers. They used sandstone and fieldstone in building their farmhouses then. Though most of the farm houses are no longer standing today, there are still 14 of these farmhouses that are still in existence.
The borough which became a township in 1772 started developing gradually. Owing to the agricultural activities going on in the area, mills such as sawmills, gristmills as well as forges and tanneries were built along the creeks. The first business to be established in the area was the Daniel Youman’s GristMill which later was used as cider mill and saw mill.
According Walker Atlas of 1876, the population of the borough then was about 100 people. There were three schools, one church, one store, four blacksmith and wagon shops, five mills, two railroad depots and one tannery in Franklin Lakes then. The railroad was constructed during the extension of New Jersey Midland Railroad to Oakland in 1869. As an agrarian community, the farmers were using the railroad to transport their farm produce. They were also commuting and moving mails via the railroads.
However, as time went on there was a remarkable improvement in the architectural designs of the buildings and landscapes in the place. Awesome estate houses and mansions with amazing landscapes and gardens were being built. The farmers became wealthy during the industrial revolution. Thus, they were able to build amazing houses and estates. Typical examples of such houses are Post-Terhune house, Bartholf-Hughes house on Somerset and others.
However, significant development of the borough began in 1922 when Franklin Lakes became autonomous from Franklin Township. However, it was in March 11, 1922, that the borough was created from Franklin Township. After the incorporation of the Borough, William V. Pulis was elected as the first Mayor. Different individuals began erecting structures with great architectural design. For example, three lakes were built by Edward May. During the same time, he also started the Shadow Swim Club. It was this club that later became the Shadow lakes Estates. J. Nevins McBride was another person that made a remarkable contribution in the development of borough. He bought land on the other side of the lake and started constructing single family houses in the Urban Farms.
People got easy access to Franklin Lakes after the extension of Route 208 to Oakland in 1959. Another boom in building and population was witnessed in the 1980 when the Interstate 287 was completed.
Today, the borough has numerous amazing buildings and landscapes with a population of 10, 590 according to 2010 census. There are also remarkable improvement in transportation and educations.
Also See: Architecturally Designed Property in Franklin Lakes
Far Hills town got its name even before it was built. The name was derived from the observation made by Elizabeth Schley, the wife of Grant the brother of Evander H. Schley’s on their visit to the farms of Evander in the area. They were among the first visitors to that area. Far Hills residents today still appreciate the rolling landscape and countryside views on their town. Interestingly, the rural character of the area is still maintained by the municipality. The new construction maintains a ten-acre minimum residential zoning laws.
Far Hills is located in Somerest County. It covers a total area of 5 square miles with Bedminster Township, Bernards Ville, Bernards Township and Peapack-Gladstone. The borough is sharing first aid squad as well as fire department with Bedminster Township one of its neighboring town.
The residents of the borough obtain their education in the Somerset Hills Regional School District starting from kindergarten to high school. There are three schools in the district that are serving not just Far Hills but also Bernardville, Peapack-Gladstone and Peapack. These schools are located in Bernardville. However, there is a private day school in Far Hills that provides education from nursery to eight grade level.
Far Hills boosts of awesome structures. The buildings in the borough have Victorian styles with well tended landscape and gardens as well as front porches. There are also antique farmhouses, awesome country estates, modest mid-century homes and traditional center hall colonials. There are also luxury homes constructed according to the modern time architectural design. In a nutshell, Far Hills encompasses different housing styles of different price ranges.
The borough has a train station that provides transportation services to Penn Station of New York as well as the Hoboken Terminal. The train station appears in the listings of the National Register of Historic Places. It is a section of the Gladstone Branch in the Morristown Line.
Far Hills has a lot to offer its residents and visitors when it comes to areas of interest and attractions. It has a 33-acre public botanical garden known as Leonard J. Buck Garden which is run by the Somerset Country Park Commission.
Another local attraction in the area is the Natirar. It covers an area of 491 acres within Far Hills, Bedminster and Peapack-Gladstone. Formerly the estate was sold to the Late King of Morocco at the cost of $7.5 Million in 1983. The transaction which was brokered by Turpin Real Estate set a record sales price for home sale in NJ. But it was recently transferred to Natirar Association which is a private and non-profit organization. The estate comprises a mansion, carriage house, two cottages and greenhouse all of which are contained in 88 acres. The remaining acres serve as open arena for its residents.
At Moorland Farms is another attraction known as the Far Hills Race Meeting. It is a well known steeplechase horse races across the entire US.
Other places of interest in the city are:
- United Gold Association
- Fun Fact
All of these structures have beautiful landscape, design and architecture.
No matter where you go, the weather is always changing. Some places will be cold, others warm and some will even change by the hour. In Oregon, the weather stays near the same all year round. If you are looking for a place that isn’t too hot, or too cold then Oregon would be a good choice.
In Salem, Oregon, the averages for the year stay within a 40 degree change of temperature. Even in the coldest part of the year the lowest average is 32 degrees, so it’s not too cold. In the summer, you can plan on sunshine without all the excruciating heat as the average temperature at the peak is 82 degrees. At Central Point, Oregon it’s warmer with less annual precipitation. During July the highest average temperature is only 90 degrees while the lowest is only 30 degrees. I could keep naming the temperatures of Oregon, but I think you get the hint. Pretty much the state stays about the same throughout with a few small differences. That is what people find so great about Oregon they don’t have to prepare much for extreme heat or cold.
Now you’re thinking if they don’t have major changes in the hot and cold temperatures around the state, then what do the deal with? Well, the most they have to deal with is a lot of rain! Even or should I say especially during the winter. In the winter months almost half of the days are covered with precipitation. While in summer months there is only about 10-15% of the days where they deal with the precipitation. In fact, July is known to be the driest part of the year for Oregon. From November to March tends to be the wettest part of the year for Oregon, so if you are traveling during those months, you definitely want to pack to stay dry. When traveling, if you’re visiting Oregon during the dryer months, you still would want to pack just in case a rainfall hits. This is true especially if you are in the western part of Oregon, near the coast. They traditionally get more rainfall than the eastern edge does.
History has shown that the eastern side of Oregon has a more regular rainfall pattern, than the other parts. A lot of the weather changes in the state have to do with the mountains there and the coast. There is a lot of extra moisture on that side of the mountain, nothing you wouldn’t expect with that much water though.
As long as you don’t mind a little bit of wetness, the weather in Oregon is usually ideal for each season. The precipitation really isn’t that big of a problem as long as you’re prepared. All you need to make sure is that you have an umbrella or some type of rain jacket to keep you dry. Plus, if you visit the further side of Oregon from the coast then you will be able to stay dry and have less chance of getting soaked.
Montana is a state that truly has something for everyone. With so much culture, history and scenic beauty, each visit to Montana would be different. This state truly does have enough to offer everyone. Here are a few reasons to make Montana your next destination:
- Wildlife
- Glaciers
- Indian Culture
- History
The wildlife in Glacier National Park in northern Montana is absolutely breathtaking. Endangered wildlife, such as the bald eagle, black bear and the Lynx are among some of the animals you may encounter. Frequently seen are mule deer, wolves, mountain goats and big horn sheep, since they live there throughout the year. In 1900s the moose was thought to be extinct in the Rockies south of Canada. The moose count today is well over 8,000 in the state of Montana. They also have the largest grizzly bear population in the lower 48 states. In Montana, the number of elk, deer and antelope populations outnumber the humans!
There are several types of glaciers throughout Glacier National Park. Each name represents the action from the glacier to create different kinds of landscape:
- Aretes
- Cirques
- Hanging Valleys
An arête forms when two glaciers work on opposite sides of the same wall, leaving a narrow ridge. The Garden Wall, Glacier National Park’s prominent features, is an arête separating two valleys. The second glacier, Cirques, is when a large bowl formed at the head of the glacier begins to melt, leaving a lake in the depression gouged by the glacier, over 250 lakes within its boundaries. Finally, the Hanging Valleys are throughout the park. Since these types of glaciers don’t cut into the ground as deep, small valleys are left high up on the mountain which creates a waterfall.
Archaeologists have found evidence of humans in northern Montana dating back 10,000 years. The tribes that still exist today could most likely be traced back to these people from very long ago. One of the tribes that lived in this area of Montana was the Blackfeet Indians. Before the northwestern part of Montana had been explored by the English and before it became a national park, the Blackfeet Indians lived off the abundance the land provided them with. In 1895, the Blackfeet Indians sold part of this land to the government and soon after, the land was declared a national park. It was appropriately named Glacier National Park because of the glaciers from millions of years ago that carved out the valleys and lakes we see in Montana today.
The most impressive fact about Glacier National Park is that it is over 1 million acres! This park straddles the Continental Divide, and contains some of the most unspoiled wilderness you will ever find. A scenic and breathtaking drive along the Going-to-the-Sun Road is an engineering feat and is a National Historic Landmark. Completed in 1932, after 11 years, it has forever changed the way visitors would experience Glacier National Park. Take a drive for yourself and you will agree that Glacier National Park in northern Montana is one of the best destinations you can experience!
Even before European settler discovered North Dakota, it was home to many Native American tribes including Hidasta, Sioux and Chippewa. The place that eventually became North Dakota was brought into focus by French explorer named La Verendrye when visited tribe called Mandan. It was around 1738 when La Verendrye decided to follow path from Canada to search for a water route to Pacific Ocean. It was during his journey that he met Mandan tribe and was amazed by the development made by native tribe. This historical meeting then paved path for other European traders led by his sons. This meeting provides the first glimpse into state of North Dakota. But most of what is recorded is by famous American exploration led by Lewis and Clark who made the journey from Missouri to St. Louis in 1804 and re-discovered North Dakota or at least what will later become North Dakota.
Archeological investigation have proved the presence of game hunting culture back dating around 10,000 years and farming culture at around 2000 BC to 1860. There were two kinds of adaption route that people followed in order survive somewhat harsh plain environment. They either lead nomadic life caring for their famous Bison cattle or a slow paced sedentary farmer’s life who occasionally hunted for food. The nomads quickly moved from cattle to horse allowing them a greater mobility. By 18th and 19th century, the place saw commercial success and was a known market place for fur trade. After discovery by French explorer, the place saw succession of European claims over the land including French, Spain and Great Britain and there was intense competition between the three countries when it came to fur trade and prime location to sell goods.
From what has been discerned from history, the association between natives and European settler was mainly peaceful aside from few incidents. It did impact the life of Native Americans who were now exposed to diseases like small pox in 1837 that almost wiped out their population, unsavory goods like guns. It also brought into world children born to Chippewa Native women and European settlers, called Métis, the product of two amalgamations of two different cultures. By 1803, the American gained the control of territory from French and Native Americans were forced to live on reservation.
When the area was first incorporated by United States the state was treated as part of Minnesota territory but by 1861 it was incorporated as Dakota Territory. Next few years saw several confrontations between opposing culture and also military incursion. A great deal of Bison herds were slaughtered to make Natives submit to increasing federal power and around 1880, most if not all of natives had given up their old life. The power struggle between various culture still simmered and there was tension that was intensified by military occupation and counter attack by natives. Some of the names such as Crazy Horn, Gall gained notoriety. Also the period saw mass exodus of some of native Dakota settlers who decided to lead a more peaceful life across the Canadian border.
It was on Nov 2nd1889, that Dakota territories was split into South Dakota and North Dakota and state of North Dakota was born. The next few years saw settlement boom followed by ethnic variety. Some of the major development occurred during the period of 1880 and 1910 followed by shift of the state’s occupation from trading to farming. The 21st century saw demographic and economic decline in North Dakota and it is only recently that the state has gained its fame as one of leading oil producing state in United State.
With all the wonderful historical events that New York City is known for, there are memorable events which left the city in a disastrous way and in tragedy. These events will always be in the history books as the day the City of New York was tested and tried. The disasters range from earthquakes, drowning, and floods to severe rainfall. Examples of the different disasters and tragedies which New York Encountered is:
NY Storm, Troy and Drowning
In August 30, 1871 in the city of Troy, there was a massive and severe rainstorm which led to the drowning of the city. A lot of people were affected together with their houses. It was reported that there were bodies which drowned and were not recovered. The heavy storm and rain left Troy in a devastated and unpleasant way.
New York Rockaway Beach Storm and Drowning
This happened in June 9, 1902. A great gale raged about New York and lasted about half a day. This led to the loss of eight lives. Many who were on pleasure and recreation crafts perished. About 100 sloops and cat boats were caught up in this great gale. These sloops and boats housed about four to fifteen amateur fishermen, and the gale they experienced gave them a dreadful time. Many of the pleasure and recreation crafts were also believed to be lost in the gale.
East Coast Earthquake
This occurred around August 1884, and brought about a devastating effect to the area. After the terrific earthquake experience that took place in Washington and Baltimore, New York City was shocked and alarmed almost the same time by an earthquake of much greater severity. Coney Island, an Island located in New York, was thoroughly shaken by vibrations, and this made the guests to become alarmed and scared, and actually led to panic. This shock led to trembling faces from children, men, women and even animals in the menagerie.
Buffalo, New York – Kelker Blower Company Explosion
In January 24, 1926, a massive explosion broke out in Kelker Blower Company, New York. This explosion led to the loss of four lives, injuries to about four people and also led to several people becoming missing. The explosion led to the demolition of the walls and roof of the company, and eventually leading to the destruction of the foundation of the building.
Chateauguay, New York
In June 30, 1856, a terrible tornado hit Franklin County, New York. The invasion by the tornado led to the destruction of many properties and houses. It is reported that about 300 to 400 houses were destroyed by the tornado hit. Even though the tornado passed through the county around 9am to 10am on a particular Monday morning, it left the Franklin County in a terrific state. It was left in a state of complete desolate and not a single building escaped injury with several ones severely destroyed. It was estimated that $100,000 will not be enough to cover the damage.
The state of New Jersey is the most densely populated in the United States. It has a varied and rich mix of people of different languages, races and color. In this state, one can find people speaking Spanish, Italian, Mandarin Chinese, Creole, Hindi, Tagalog, Tamil, Portuguese and a host of others. One major reason why this is possible is that the state has a clement weather and climate that people of various nationalities have found conducive for habitation and work.
Unlike other states that are known to have one climatic belt, New Jersey is quite different in this regard. The state is divided into different climatic regions. Based on the slight climatic differences and variability’s, there are two major classifications. The central, south and northeast regions of the state is said to have a humid sub-tropical climate. The northwest region has a humid continental climate. However, because the northwest is situated on a higher elevation, it usually experiences cooler temperatures than other areas. The climate of New Jersey is heavily influenced by geographical features such as the Atlantic Ocean and the Delaware River.
The seasons of New Jersey have an interesting pattern. Recordings during the seasons are usually oscillating between high and low values. For example, there are hot and humid summers. During these summers, the average high temperature can reach 31oC (88oF) while the average low reading can be around 21oC (70oF). In some cases though, the temperature can go above 32oC and even shoot past 38oC. But this happens only on very rare occasions. The state’s temperature ranges from 23oC (74oF) to a cold -1oC (30oF) in January. The hottest month is usually July.
Winters in the state are cold and can be as low as -12oC (10oF) in very rare circumstances. Although the average high temperature of the winters is 3oc (38oF) and 0oC (-320F) for most parts of the state. In the northwestern regions, there are slightly colder winters because of a number of geographical factors. It is important to note, especially for the visiting tourist, that heavy clothing and some extra bundling are needed for the winter months while light clothing will be sufficient during the hot and humid summers. For the other seasons of spring and autumn, there can be very wide differences in the temperatures. The seasons can be chilling cold or warm but at degrees that are quite tolerable. These seasons also record lower values of humidity than the summer months.
Rainfall is another integral part of the weather and climate of this high-population American state. The rainfall is well-distributed all over the state. The average annual rainfall ranges from 44 inches to well over 50 inches in some areas. Apart from the fair distribution pattern, rainfalls in New Jersey are usually not too copious like some other states. There is moderate rainfall throughout the year. This however, does not change the fact that the state can experience flooding or even blizzards that are triggered by the notorious ‘northeasters’. These occurrences are mostly recorded during winters and at the start of spring time. On the whole, the good news is that natural disasters such as tropical storms, earthquakes and tornadoes are very uncommon. The good weather and relative absence of extreme natural phenomena has made the state the toast of millions.
Climate and weather are very crucial factors in the growth, development and decline of an area. The state of New Hampshire is not immune from this universal phenomenon. The most important atmospheric conditions considered in geography are temperature and rainfall (precipitation). Other factors include solar radiation, humidity and cloud cover. The state of New Hampshire has a humid continental climate although the weather has a very high degree of variability. The four seasons vary greatly in temperature and overall general pattern. This brings to mind an old Yankee saying “If you don’t like the weather, wait a minute.” Nothing can be more descriptive of the ever-changing weather of New Hampshire.
In terms of seasons and temperature, the state enjoys warm humid summers and cold wet winters. Winter usually starts in late October which can be quite cold and snowy particularly in the northern and mountainous areas. Records have shown that the average snow fall throughout the year ranges from 60 inches (150 cm) to more than 100 inches (250 cm) and continue well into April. In the past, there have been times of extreme snow falls, such as the blizzards of 1978 and 1993. However, during the winters, ice-fishing, downhill and cross-country skiing are very popular sports.
Concerning precipitation, the state has an all-year-round precipitation. The average of this in the state is about 40 inches (100 cm), but it must be noted that there are considerable variations in the White Mountains and its surrounding areas. This is as a result of the differences in the height and the total snowfall. Talking about the other seasons, an interesting pattern is revealed. The spring season commences after the end of winter which is in the middle of March. An important fact is that it is during this season that the weather comes with its most erratic patterns. This season is regarded as the season of the ‘maple syrup’ with a lot of festivities and activities like dances and pole fishing going on. Apart from its streak of unpredictability, the season is surely an enjoyable one!
The summer is also another interesting season in the state. Summer usually begins during the middle of June and lasts till early September. During this time, there are sunny days and clear nights as the state goes all-out with the excitement of so many activities. With so much playing, canoeing, hiking and other adventurous things in the air, summer may be the best season to enjoy a vacation in New Hampshire.
On a more frightening scale, the Granite State is also prone to natural disasters, although this is on rare occasions. It has been recorded that extreme climatic events like hurricanes and tropical storms have hit the state before. As a matter of fact, the state experiences almost 20 days of thunderstorms every single year. This is apart from the fact that a couple of tornadoes cause considerable mayhem every year. On a larger scale, New Hampshire is a relatively safe and geologically-stable (there is no history of significant earthquakes). After all, it seems New Hampshire is actually as solid as granite!
Mississippi is a prosperous state today and is not a debatable fact. However, this has not always been the case; things have not always been smooth. Like every state in the world, Mississippi has its own spell-binding history, a very eventful one.
The history dates back to the crude life of the Prehistoric Age down to the hyper-sophisticated and technology-driven world of the 21st century. Mississippi continues to dazzle every student of history with its particularly enchanting history. The state has seen the blood-curdling horrors of battle and enjoyed the cool breeze of prosperity, but the good thing is that the Magnolia State has stood the test of time. Although it has made and is still making history, it is has not become history itself.
The history of Mississippi dates back to the time of the American Indians such as the Choctaws, Chickasaw, Natchez, Yazoo, Pascagoula and the Biloxi. Much of the state was not beamed to the world until the expedition of Hernando De Soto (the first major expedition by any European) in 1540. Over different periods of time, the state was ruled by the French, Spanish and the British. In fact, the popular city of Natchez (Mississippi’s first capital) was founded as a French outpost in 1716. It was not until 1783 that the United States gained control of the state under the treaty of Paris. The capital was later moved to Jackson (named in honour of Andrew Jackson, seventh president of the US) in 1822.
A prominent part of the history of Mississippi is that of land disputes which were really rampant around the time of the Land Purchase. The most notorious land issue was the Yazoo Land Scandal of 1795. Huge tracts of land were purchased from the Chickasaw and Choctaw Native Americans in the 1800s under various treaties such as the Pontotoc Treaty of 1832.
The history of Mississippi is not complete without the mention of an important agricultural crop, cotton. In the 1800s, cotton was a major driver of the state economy peaking with a cotton boom in the 1850s. The crop was the engine of prosperity at that time although there were serious issues of slavery. Another interesting aspect of the state’s history was during the American Civil War in which Mississippi was the stronghold of the Confederate States of America. As a matter of fact, Mississippi seceded from the Union in January 1861 and its senator, Jefferson Davis was to later emerge as the president of the Confederacy. Mississippi was eventually admitted into the Union in 1817.
During the Civil War, the state fought and lost heavily. The Mississippi people fought gallantly especially in the historical Vicksburg Campaign, but later fell to the overwhelming arsenal of Ulysses Grant, former US President. Although terrible losses were recorded in the Civil War, the Second World War sparked an industrial boom in the state. Today the Magnolia State has been growing in leaps and bounds, recording even more spectacular historical milestones. In 1987, Ray Mabus was elected as governor at the age of 39, the youngest in the nation. Today, in the 21st century, the state is now seen as a center of rapid industrialization and economic growth. What the future has in stock for Mississippi, only time can tell.
Depending on the climate of a particular area, people can find a place conducive for settlement, habitation, commerce, study or work. Areas of extreme climate like the unbearably hot deserts of the Sahara and the terribly cold wastes of Siberia are very inhospitable, offering little or no comfort to humans and animals. Therefore, the climate of a place has direct influence on its development and it has been observed that of the most of the advanced areas of the world have mild or moderate climate which promotes the influx of much-needed manpower. In this regard, the state of Missouri can be regarded as having a climate which has contributed to its greatness.
Missouri has a humid continental climate, characterized by long, hot summers and cool winters. Sometimes the winters can be bitterly cold. The state also experiences swings in temperature because of its location in the interior of the country and the palpable absence of temperature-modifying geographical feature such as mountain ranges or oceans. Thus, the major climate-influencing factor in Missouri is the cold Arctic air swooping down from the Canada and the northern plains. The other factor is the warm air blowing from the Gulf of Mexico causing heavy rainfall. The effect of this geography makes areas in the northwest to be cooler than the southeast.
The state has interesting temperature variations. The hottest period of the year is the summer which usually runs from June through August. During these periods, heat waves like the one in 1980 that claimed over 300 lives are fairly common. The coldest month is January during temperatures can plunge to -2o C (29o F). Interestingly, the coldest temperature ever recorded in the Show Me State was -40oC (-40o F) at the city of Warsaw in the February of 1905. During spring, the mean temperature is about 12oC (54o F) while it is not too different during the fall when it is about 13.6oC (56.5oF). In terms of dryness, the winter with its prevailing northwest winds is the driest period of the year.
When it comes to the rainfall (precipitation), there is a close correlation with the temperature. The lowest precipitation is around 34 inches in the northwest region while the highest rainfall recordings of about 50 inches are usually made in the southeast. There is snowfall from November through April, although most of it is in the months of December, January and February and the heaviest falls are over the northern areas. This piece of information is more relevant to lovers of winter sports.
Furthermore, the state of Missouri has its own share of extreme climatic phenomena such as cyclones, windstorms, droughts, heat waves, snowstorms, cold waves and tornadoes. Tornadoes are common occurrences in Missouri. This is because of the location of the state in the Tornado Alley of the United States. During spring, (March through May), up to 35 tornadoes can be recorded every year. This is in addition to the fact that the spring is the wettest period of the year. On the whole, Missouri has a moderate climate which encourages growth and development.
Let’s look at the history and the generic facts about Massachusetts. We may even uncover information about the state that you didn’t know. Some of these facts will even lead to further investigation and new prospects for your future visit.
The state of Massachusetts nickname is the ‘Bay State’, it got the state name from the Algonquian Tribe as the word in their language means, ‘a big hill place.’ The state was born as part of the USA on February 6, 1788. Of course, the capital of the state is Boston, Massachusetts. The state song is as dominant as the states motto, “All Hail to Massachusetts,” is the great song while the motto states, “by the sword we seek peace, but peace only under liberty.”
How many different state animals can they have? Well, let’s find out. They’re state bird is the Black-Capped Chickadee while the game bird is the Wild Turkey. You could probably guess the dog or fish that they have chosen to represent their state. They both have the same name as famous parts of Massachusetts. The Boston terrier is the dog and then there is the Cod fish. As I said, they both share something imperative with the state itself. They also have a state horse, cat and insect.
What are some facts that you may not know about the wonderful state of Massachusetts? Well, the state flower is the Mayflower, pretty important to more than just the state itself. Since we are on history, Massachusetts state folk hero is the amazing Johnny Appleseed. Everyone knows about him, but not many know just how connected he is to one of our state’s history.
The female heroine of the state was name for receiving the first military pension ever awarded to a female. Who was she? Well, during the American War of Independence she was known as Robert Shurtleff, hiding the fact that she was born a woman so that she could help fight for our rights. The name she was born with was Deborah Samson. Any ideas about other famous and important people of our history that originated in the state of Massachusetts? Several of our Presidents to be exact, two of them were even born in the same town. John Adams (the 2nd President) and John Quincy Adams (the 6th President) were both born in the town known today as of Quincy, Massachusetts but was known as Braintree, Massachusetts.
There is so much history to this amazing state. It is something that deserves the time to research and then the ability to see the magnificent view with your own eyes. Every piece of this land has a hidden part of our history to it, something that connects it with other facts that you learned in school. Some of the background on this state is so unusual and fascinating that you may not have learned of it before, but it is definitely worth looking into!
There are three counties contained in the D.C metro or Maryland, all offering excellent shopping and scenic getaways and all three widely varied. These counties are Montgomery County, Frederick County and Prince George’s county. This area, DC Metro in Maryland is an excellent place to visit for those who want to get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life without giving up the facilities offered by city life.
Frederick County is truly a place to visit and only a few hours distance from Harper’s Ferry or Gettysburg or D.C, Baltimore, and Antietam, it is easily accessible. For passionate art lovers or shoppers, this is the place to come. In this county alone there are literally hundreds of shops, from big retail shops dealing in brand name items, to cozy antique shops offering a treasure trove of items, and art galleries to browse.
In Fredrick, which is one city in Frederick County, there are three colleges: Frederick Community College, Hood College and the Maryland school for the Deaf. Thurmont, another city located in Frederick County contains two state parks, one of which is well known for its cascading waterfall of 78 feet. This is the Cunningham Falls State Park. Here too in Frederick, history is kept fresh with three museums, Monacacy National Battlefield, National Museum of Civil War Medicine, and the South Mountain Battlefield. This county is probably best known for its downtown district of more than 45 blocks of Maryland historic sites.
In Montgomery County, there are seven cities, Rockville, Potomac, Montgomery Village, Silver Spring, Germantown and Gaithersburg. There are three major DC Metro airports, Dulles International, Thurgood Marshall Baltimore/Washington International Airport and the Ronald Reagan Washington International Airport. This makes travelling to and fro easy. Generally, these airports are less than an hour away from the DC Metro area of Maryland. Located in DC Metro, Maryland is the great Patuxent River State Park. This park contains about 6700 acres of great Maryland terrain for hunting, hiking, horse riding or fishing. Here also are found other activities such as golfing, in any of the numerous golf courses, or visiting the museums such as the Clara Barton National Historic Site and the National Capital Trolley Museum or the National Library of Medicine.
Prince George’s county has lots to offer. At just minutes away from DC, Maryland, and 25 minutes from Annapolis, this county offers lots of family geared activities. There are more than a dozen golf courses, and about twenty thousand acres of national parks and recreational centers to ride horses, bike or go hiking. Visit the National Harbor on the Potomac, or the well-known NASA Goddard Flight Centre, Six Flag America, or the National Wildlife Visitor centre for an enjoyable day out with your family and friends. There are two universities in this county, The University of Maryland located in College Park and the Bowie State University.
There is also the Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center, the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center and the FedEx Field and The Washington Redskins to list as a must in your list of places to visit.
Illinois is well known around the world as an US state that features many cultural attractions while also offering high standards when talking about medical facilities. The state is a great vacation destination and constantly accommodates all kinds of travelers. Those that want to have a break from the commotion of the city can always find relaxation and relief in Illinois.
Illinois show many cities and also offers an attractive demographic diversity. It is also highly important when talking about economy because there are many transportation centers in the area. Illinois brings to the table many places that should be visited by tourists and a long list of attractions of all kinds.
Peoria is one of the cities that must be featured on the must visit list of any tourist that plans a trip to Illinois. There are many attractions here that are perfect for an entire family. We are in front of one of the oldest settlements that the state has to offer. Peoria is well known for many tourist destinations, riverside shops, golfing and many fabulous buildings.
If you want to plan a perfect business meeting or a weekend getaway you should seriously consider Peoria, Illinois. There are many athletic tournaments and festivals that are held here and you will find many family attractions like the Wildlife Prairie State Park, Splashdown, Peoria River Front and even a perfect biking trail.
If you are visiting Peoria, you should go to the Wildlife Prairie State Park. It is a tremendous zoological park that is located right outside the city. Here you will find over 150 animal species and 50 bird species. This is actually one of the biggest wildlife parks in the country and it covers 2000 acres. By visiting you will get to see cougars, waterfowl, bison, wolves, otters, elks and many other animal species.
Peoria River Front must be visited as well as it is among the most popular places that the city offers. You can find different activities that are suitable for all ages in Peoria and it is sure that a tour here will give you many memories that will last forever.
We also recommend that you take the time to visit Peoria Riverfront Museum. This museum is really special because it is a mixed effort of many museums and organizations. Over 7000 square feet are covered and here you will find a lot about nature, science and even art.
Whenever planning your trip to Peoria you should check to see if there are any festivals when you visit. This is because there are many that exist throughout the year. We especially recommend the East Peoria Festival of Lights, the Strawberry Festival and the Cherry Festival.
Peoria is definitely a must visit place in the state of Illinois. The sheer quality of the attractions offered needs to be taken into account and all tourists that come here will leave disappointed that they have to leave. This is the effect that this city has on visitors and this is why you should seriously consider a visit there.