Tour of the 50 States
Ariana Moffitt
Montana
Population: 989,415
Size:4/50
Year admitted into the Union: November 8, 1889
Region: Northwest
Historical Site Visited: The Law Enforcement Museum
The Law Enforcement Museum has information about law enforcement and it contains a memorial for the officers that have fallen in the line of duty.
Population: 1,826,341
Size: 15/50
Year admitted into the Union: March 1, 1867
Region: west
Historical Site Visited: chimney rock
this landmark is a place where many people passed on the oregon trail. many deaths and mourning of deaths occurred here. this was a beautiful landmark.
Population: 2,700,551
Size: 7/50
Year admitted into the Union: October 31, 1864
Region: west
Historical Site Visited: Nevada state prison
this is one of the oldest prisons in america and it was the first prison to use a gas chamber. History is alive inside the gates of this prison.
New Hampshire
Population: 5,303,925
Size: 44/50
Year admitted into the Union: June 21, 1788
Region: Northeast
Historical Site Visited: Camp stark German POW Camp
this camp held germans during world war two. MAny brutalities occurred here. Also, many positive german-american relations were restored. this was a very fun tour.
New Jersey
Population: 8,791,894
Size: 46/50
Year admitted into the Union: Dec. 18, 1787
Region: Mid-Atlantic
Historical Site Visited: burlington County prison museum
this was the second prison in new jersey, the first being in the basement of the courthouse. This prison was always overcrowded, but it is very nice and the tour was great.
New Mexico
Population: 2,059,179
Size:5/50
Year admitted into the Union: January 6, 1912
Region: west
Historical Site Visited: fort seldon
this fort was created to stop crime and violence by protecting settlers and travelers in the area. this fort was nice and the tour was very informative.
New York
Population: 19,378,102
Size: 30/50
Year admitted into the Union: July 26, 1788
Region: Northeast
Historical Site Visited: new York City police museum
this museum strives to preserve the history of the NYPD. it features many exhibits and collections. this was a unique and fun museum.
North Carolina
Population: 9,535,483
Size: 28/50
Year admitted into the Union: November 21, 1789
Region: SOutheast
Historical Site Visited: old Wilkes jail
this jail held union prisoners and was one of the few prisons to contain otto woods, a man who escaped from over 10 prisons. this jail is well preserved and it was a great trip.
North Dakota
Population: 672,591
Size: 17/50
Year admitted into the Union: November 2, 1889
Region: west
Historical Site Visited: lewis and clark interpretive center
this does not directly relate to my theme, but it somewhat relates to the death aspect. lewis and clark explored unknown terrain and looked death in the eyes. many would label it a crime as well since land was stolen from natives. this center sheds light on the intricate story of the duo.
Ohio
Population: 11,536,504
Size: 35/50
Year admitted into the Union: March 1, 1803
Region: midwest
Historical Site Visited: ohio state reformatory
this old prison is said to be haunted and it ties into the murder, crime, and death theme of this trip. the education and ghost information made this trip a hit.
Oklahoma
Population: 3,751,351
Size: 18/50
Year admitted into the Union:November 16, 1907
Region: Southwest
Historical Site Visited: Cherokee national prison museum
this prison was the sole prison in the indian territory from 1875-1901. many people were housed here. the area is beautifully preserved and this was an interesting sight.
Oregon
Population: 2,059,179
Size: 10/50
Year admitted into the Union: February 14, 1859
Region: Northwest
Historical Site Visited: jackson County Jail
this jail has been morphed into a children's museum. it contains disney characters and many different cartoon characters.
Pennsylvania
Population: 12,702,379
Size: 33/50
Year admitted into the Union: Dec. 12, 1787
Region: Mid-Atlantic
Historical Site Visited: Eastern state penitentiary
this was the first and most expensive prison in the united states and in the world, respectively. The basis for punishment was no punishment at all, and a push for spiritual cleansing, and method put forth by the Quakers. this was a nice piece of history.
Rhode Island
Population: 1,052,567
Size: 50/50
Year admitted into the Union: May 29, 1790
Region: Northeast
Historical Site Visited: old Washington county jail museum
this prison is also a genealogy museum. jail cells date back to the mid 1800's. this was an interesting time.
Population: 4,625,364
Size: 40/50
Year admitted into the Union: May 23, 1788
Region: SOutheast
Historical Site Visited: fort sumter
fort sumter is a sea fort located in the charleston harbor. a civil war battle occurred here, and many deaths happened as well. I took a very fun and informative tour.
South Dakota
Population: 814,180
Size: 16/50
Year admitted into the Union: November 2, 1889
Region: west
Historical Site Visited: Adams house
this house was built by a wealth man to mourn the loss of his wife and daughters. he also built a museum to preserve the history of the city. this was a very nice home.
Tennessee
Population: 6,346,105
Size: 34/50
Year admitted into the Union:June 1, 1796
Region: SOutheast
Historical Site Visited: lynchburg old jail museum
this was built in the 1800's and was used until the early 1900's. it has a plethora of artifacts that tastefully convey the past. I loved this museum.
Texas
Population: 25,145,561
Size: 2/50
Year admitted into the Union: December 29, 1845
Region: Southwest
Historical Site Visited: The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza Museum
This museum details the life, assassination, and legacy of John F. Kennedy. I choose this location because it ties into my theme, but also it is very significant to the history of the United States.
Utah
Population: 8,001,024
Size:11/50
Year admitted into the Union: January 4, 1896
Region: west
Historical Site Visited: utah territorial prison
this brick prison was constructed and used until the 1940's. the prison site is shared now with the sugar house park. i visited both and both were cool.
Vermont
Population: 625,741
Size :43/50
Year admitted into the Union: March 4, 1791
Region: Northeast
Historical Site Visited: castleton jail
this jai is constructed entirely of slate.the jail is 50 tons. it was built in a small farming town. this was a very unique jail due to its location and medium.
Virginia
Population: 8,001,024
Size: 36/50
Year admitted into the Union: June 25, 1788
Region: Mid-Atlantic
Historical Site Visited: Appomattox Court house
this location signifies the end of death and murder. here is where the surrender of the virginian armies occurred the civil war. this interactive tour is not something you want to miss.
Population: 6,724,540
Size: 20/50
Year admitted into the Union: November 11, 1889
Region: Northwest
Historical Site Visited: Washington state history museum
this museum has many exhibits, one being the life of an american soldier. this relates to death. washington is a beautiful state.
Washington DC
Population: 632,300
Size:
Year admitted into the Union: February 21, 1871
Region: Mid-Atlantic
Historical Site Visited: The crime musuem
this musuem is the highlight of the trip and it combines murder and crime into an intriguing experience.this site epitomizes the focus of the trip.
West Virginia
Population: 1,852,994
Size: 41/50
Year admitted into the Union: June 20, 1863
Region: Mid-Atlantic
Historical Site Visited: West virginia penitentiary
this gothic built prison was the site of many escapes and riots, and ultimately death. the prison is said to be haunted, and after my night tour of the prison i agree !
Wisconsin
Population: 5,686,986
Size: 26/50
Year admitted into the Union: May 29, 1848
Region: midwest
Historical Site Visited: Waushara County Historical Society
This museum contains a school room, bed rooms, jail cells, doctors' room, a haunted attic, war room, research room containing obituary & court case indexes, archives containing old court cases, newspapers, photos & glass negatives.
Wyoming
Population: 563,626
Size:9/50
Year admitted into the Union: July 10, 1890
Region: Northwest
historical site visited: Wyoming frontier prison
this epitomizes the rough western life. the prison was frequently overcrowded and housed over 13,000 inmates. the prison served as a broom, shirt, blanket, and license plate factory.