Monthly Archives: June 2011

Oklahoma gets a panhandle for free!

Posted on June 28, 2011 by

Slavery was an extremely divisive issue in American history, and, as it turns out, it was the reason that Oklahoma has a panhandle.   Early in its evolution, the Republic of Texas stretched much further north than it does today.  … Continue reading →

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Louisiana becomes a boot

Posted on June 21, 2011 by

Louisiana began its life as a giant territory purchased from France that extended all the way from the Gulf of Mexico to the Canadian border.  So how did this giant territory become an average sized state shaped like a boot? … Continue reading →

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The bump on Minnesota’s head

Posted on June 14, 2011 by

Minnesota’s little topknot was the result of an incorrect assumption made by the Congress when it was finalizing its border with Canada (then known as British North America).  To the east the border was erratic and uneven, and it appealed … Continue reading →

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Why make so many borders?

Posted on June 7, 2011 by

Surveying with the purpose of defining borders actually dates as far back as 5000 years to the Middle East and Egypt.  Rulers knew the value of establishing property lines because it was a way to extract revenue from the sale … Continue reading →

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