Q 01/05

Which city was Alabama's capital before Montgomery took over in 1846?

A) Mobile

B) Tuscaloosa

C) Huntsville

D) Cahaba

Answer · why

B) Tuscaloosa

The move reflected the shift of power toward the cotton-growing Black Belt.

Q 02/05

Lansing became Michigan's capital in 1847 partly over fears that which city was vulnerable to British attack?

A) Grand Rapids

B) Ann Arbor

C) Flint

D) Detroit

Answer · why

D) Detroit

The worry dated back to the War of 1812; Lansing's central location won out.

Q 03/05

Where did Florida Territory's first legislative session meet in 1822, before Tallahassee?

A) St. Augustine

B) Pensacola

C) Jacksonville

D) Key West

Answer · why

B) Pensacola

Pensacola had been the capital of West Florida; Tallahassee got the job in 1824.

Q 04/05

Frankfort, Kentucky takes its name from a river crossing named after which pioneer, killed there in 1780?

A) Franklin Pierce

B) Stephen Frank

C) Benjamin Franklin

D) Frank Wilkinson

Answer · why

B) Stephen Frank

'Frank's Ford' was gradually smoothed into Frankfort.

Q 05/05

Which town was Illinois' second state capital, from 1819 to 1839?

A) Kaskaskia

B) Vandalia

C) Peoria

D) Alton

Answer · why

B) Vandalia

Springfield won the capital largely through the efforts of Abraham Lincoln and other local lawmakers.