Tour of the 50 States
Ariana Moffitt
Alabama
Population: 4,779,736
Size: 29/50
Year admitted into the Union: December 14, 1819
Region: SOutheast
Historical Site Visited: Aliceville Museum
this site was once a prisoner of war camp for Germans during wwii. This site was one of the largest internment camps in the us. I went here because it tied into the crime and murder aspect of my trip.
Alaska
Population: 710,231
Size: 1/50
Year admitted into the Union: January 3, 1959
Region: west
Historical Site Visited: Adak Army Base and Adak Naval Operating Base
this naval base has alot of information about war , which indirectly relates to death. it WAS very fun and engaging.
Arizona
Population: 6,392,017
Year admitted into the Union: February 14, 1912
Region: Southwest
Historical Site Visited: Yuma territorial prison
the Yuma territorial prison was not only among the first western prisons, but it harbors other history such as being a wwii watching station. this prison fit into the crime aspect of the trip.
Arkansas
Population: 2,915,918
Size: 27/50
Year admitted into the Union: June 15, 1836
Region: west
Historical Site Visited: old mike's grave
this grave site belongs to a traveling salesman who was tragically killed and was not identified. His body was embalmed and sat outside of the court house to be claimed, but in 1975 the governor decided to bury him.
California
Population: 37,253,956
Size: 3/50
Year admitted into the Union: September 9, 1850
Region: west
Historical Site Visited: Alcatraz island
alcatraz is one of the most notorious prisons and the tours seem very engaging and fun.
Colorado
Population: 5,029,196
Size: 8/50
Year admitted into the Union: August 1, 1876
Region: west
Historical Site Visited: the museum of Colorado prisons
This museum has 32 cells with different exhibitions such as the hangman's noose used for the last execution in Colorado,rare and historic photos from prison facilities, and a real gas chamber. This was a fun and exciting museum.
Connecticut
Population: 3,574,097
Size: 48/50
Year admitted into the Union: Jan. 9, 1788
Region: Northeast
Historical Site Visited: old newgate prison and copper mine
this prison was the first in Connecticut and it also has tunnels leading to copper mines. This was a cool AND exciting event because you can actually tour the mines.
Delaware
Population: 897,934
Size: 49/50
Year admitted into the Union: December 7, 1787
Region: Mid-Atlantic
Historical Site Visited: fort Delaware
this military fortress with a dungeon is thought to be haunted. it housed confederate soldiers during the civil war and it was used during both world wars. tHis was definitely a spooky experience.
Florida
Population: 18,801,310
Size: 21/50
Year admitted into the Union: March 3, 1845
Region: SOutheast
Historical Site Visited: Saint augustines lighthouse
the deaths of many children have occurred AROUND this lighthouse and many say it is haunted. it is very high up and some people have even fallen from it. This trip was spooky to say the least.
Georgia
Population: 9,687,653
Size: 23/50
Year admitted into the Union: Jan. 2, 1788
Region: SOutheast
Historical Site Visited: fort pulaski
this fort was constructed during the war of 1812. it was later used during the civil war and 45 men died due to lack of basic necessities. the information museums made this a great experience.
Hawaii
Population: 1,360,301
Size: 47/50
Year admitted into the Union: August 21, 1959
Region: west
Historical Site Visited: OLD LAHAINA COURTHOUSE
this courthouse was first a customs house for trading and whaling ships. this was a fun experience and i learned allot about Hawaiian culture.
Idaho
Population: 1,567,582
Size: 13/50
Year admitted into the Union: July 3, 1890
Region: Northwest
Historical Site Visited: Idaho state penitentiary
THe Idaho state penitentiary was built early into Idaho's existence. it was the site of many riots and strikes due to bad conditions. the penitentiary is nicely preserved today and it was a fun experience.
Illinois
Population: 12,830,632
Size: 24/50
Year admitted into the Union:December 3, 1818
Region: midwest
Historical Site Visited: Franklin county jail museum
The franklin County jail has preserved memorabilia from the prohibition gang era. it also has information about native convicts. this was a fun, history filled experience.
Indiana
Population: 6,483,802
Size: 38/50
Year admitted into the Union: December 11, 1816
Region: midwest
Historical Site Visited: tHe John Dillinger Museum
this museum tells the story of an american gangster. john Dillinger was an infamous gangster during the 30's, and this museum tells the story of him and other gangsters, and also advancements in crime fighting technology. it contains a plethora of unique artifacts such as Dillinger's famous wooden gun, and even the shorts he was shot in. this museum is a must see.
Iowa
Population: 3,046,355
Size: 25/50
Year admitted into the Union: December 28, 1846
Region: west
Historical Site Visited: The Villisca Axe murder house
this cold case entails the brutal murder of 2 adults and 6 children in their beds. this is one of the most brutal murders in Iowa history. the Home has now been restored into a museum, and this was a fun but scary adventure.
Kansas
Population: 2,853,118
Size: 14/50
Year admitted into the Union: January 29, 1861
Region: Southwest
Historical Site Visited: The Dinner Detective Murder Mystery Dinner Show
THis is an interactive murder mystery during dinner. RoLES are assigned and by the end of the meal the murderer is discovered. THis was a very fun trip.
Kentucky
Population: 4,339,367
Size: 37/50
Year admitted into the Union: June 1, 1792
Region: SOutheast
Historical Site Visited: garrard county jail museum
this jail housed prisoners for over 100 years. it has been rumored to be haunted. tHis is my home state and i enjoyed this museum alot!Louisiana
Population: 4,533,372
Size: 31/50
Year admitted into the Union: April 30, 1812
Region: SOutheast
Historical Site Visited: The Museum of Death and the Bonnie and Clyde ambush Museum
the museum of death is just that , a museum about death. it was initially created to avoid conversations about in an educational setting. this was a deathly fun museum. the bonnie and clyde museum is miles away from the site of their death and it contains alot replicas relating to the untimely demise of the dynamic duo.
Maine
Population: 1,328,361
Size: 39/50
Year admitted into the Union: March 15, 1820
Region: Northeast
Historical Site Visited: old york gaol
it is a colonial prison and it seems very interesting and it fits my theme.
Maryland
Population: 5,773,552
Size: 42/50
Year admitted into the Union: April 28, 1788
Region: Mid-Atlantic
Historical Site Visited: MAryland Penitentiary
this large and old prison is now apart of the maryland historical society experience. This was a somewhat boring trip because the tour was not engaging.
Massachusetts
Population: 6,547,629
Size: 45/50
Year admitted into the Union: Feb. 6, 1788
Region: Northeast
Historical Site Visited: Boston gaol
THis prison was home for quakers, pirates,witches,and rebels. it was replaced by the leverett-Street jail. it became a gun house. this was an interesting museum in a cool state.Michigan
Population: 9,883,640
Size: 22/50
Year admitted into the Union: January 26, 1837
Region: midwest
Historical Site Visited: Allegan jail museum
this jail has many exhibits, such as the civil war exhibits and news paper clippings. this was a very cool and small museum.
Minnesota
Population: 5,303,925
Size: 12/50
Year admitted into the Union: May 11, 1858
Region: west
Historical Site Visited: minnesota territorial prison
this prison was not used long, but it became notorious after members of jesse james's gang were housed here. the prison was very nice .
Mississippi
Population:
Size: 32/50
Year admitted into the Union: December 10, 1817
Region: SOutheast
Historical Site Visited: mississippi state penitentiary
the land for this site was purchased in 1901. It did not take as long to build due to its desolate location, which meant that an extensive fencing system was not needed.
Missouri
Population: 5,988,927
Size: 19/50
Year admitted into the Union: August 10, 1821
Region: Southwest
Historical Site Visited: glore psychiatric museum
this museum is about those with mental health issues. it details the life of a patient in a hospital such as this one. many interesting thing about death and crime are detailed in this museum.