How the U.S. State Capitals Were Chosen 

Location, Location, Location

Far and away the most common theme in choosing a state capital is a city’s central location, which makes a lot of sense when you consider the purpose of a capital. A capital city houses the state’s governmental body, meaning legislators will frequently travel to this area from all parts of the state whenever the government is in session. The city also serves as a representative of the entire population, and a central location makes it more accessible to all of its residents. States that chose a capital city based on centrality include Richmond, Virginia ( in 1782), Columbia, South Carolina (1786), Columbus, Ohio (1816), and Salt Lake City, Utah (1896).  

Wartime Decisions 

When America was fighting for independence, the 13 colonies along the East Coast discovered another notable perk of having capital cities that were in the middle of the state versus on the coast: the protection afforded by inland locations during wartime. Central locations didn’t just have political benefits; they also made it more difficult for enemy forces (in this case, the British) to seize these major metropolises. 

During the Revolutionary War, Delaware moved its state capital from New Castle to Dover because the legislative body considered the latter city safer from attacks by British raiders traveling along the Delaware River, which was accessible by the Atlantic Ocean via the Delaware Bay. Dover was officially established as the capital of Delaware in 1781. North Carolina followed suit in 1788, opting to move its capital city from New Bern westward to Raleigh, where it was far less susceptible to British attacks from the Atlantic Ocean.

The Civil War also played a role in the establishment of some state capitals, though for different reasons. The capitals established after the Civil War were largely chosen to end any lingering territorial and social disputes. The establishment of Topeka, Kansas set the course for this kind of resolution. Before Kansas achieved statehood in 1861, conflict broke out amongst pro- and anti-slavery proponents in a period of violent conflict that began in 1854 nicknamed “Bleeding Kansas.” Topeka represented the Free State side. When these territorial fights ended in Topeka’s favor the same year Kansas achieved statehood, it became the capital. 

Arizona’s capital was also influenced by the Civil War, which had split the state itself into two halves: Confederate sympathizers and Union supporters. Tucson and Prescott were the capitals of the Confederate and Union halves, respectively. After the end of the war and the reunification of Arizona’s two territories, the capital city ping-ponged between Tucson and Prescott until state legislators decided to adopt a city located halfway between the two. Thus, Phoenix was established as Arizona’s capital city in 1889. 

Historic Hubs

Most of us would probably guess that a capital city should be the state’s most economically significant metropolis, and for many U.S. states, this holds true. However, in some cases, capital cities that were once economic strongholds no longer hold that position today. The state of New York is a perfect example of this economic shift. When Albany was founded as its capital in 1797, the city had been a trade and military hub during the Revolutionary War. Despite New York City becoming the more economically significant city in the decades to follow, Albany remains the capital to this day.

Other state capitals chosen for their historic economic importance include Honolulu, Hawaii, which Hawaii’s King Kamehameha III declared the island nation’s capital in 1850 after Honolulu Harbor became a major commerce and transportation hub between Hawaii and the mainland United States. When Hawaii was granted statehood nearly a century later in 1959, Honolulu was kept as the state capital. 

Capital cities of landlocked U.S. territories such as Idaho, Montana, and North Dakota tended to be chosen based on the territory’s major commerce and trade hubs. Boise, Idaho was established as the Gem State’s capital city in 1864 after miners and farmers began flooding into the Boise Basin from Lewiston, the then-territory’s first capital city. 

Helena, Montana followed a similar path from a regular city to state capital after gold was discovered in the surrounding area. It was selected as the capital of the Montana Territory in 1875, and after Montana became a state, Helena was named state capital in 1894. Bismarck, North Dakota’s railroads and proximity to the Missouri River made it the natural choice for the capital of the Dakota Territory in 1883, and it became the capital of the state of North Dakota six years later when the territory split.

Other capital cities that were established for their status as a transportation or economic hub include Portland, Maine (in 1820), Jackson, Mississippi ( 1821), and St. Paul, Minnesota ( 1858).

History and Natural Landscape

Other state capital cities were selected for their historical significance or natural landscape. Boston, Massachusetts is an example of the latter. Boston was already a major cultural hub in the 1630s, making it the obvious choice for the capital of Massachusetts in 1632. Trenton, New Jersey became New Jersey’s capital city for similar reasons in 1790. Not only was the city close to other major metropolises including New York City and Philadelphia, but it was also a historically significant site, since some of the earliest settlers landed in the area a century prior.

Some capitals were selected due to the area’s natural features. For example, former president of the Republic of Texas Mirabeau B. Lamar chose the southern city of Austin, Texas, in 1839 for the state’s capital city for its climate and scenic beauty. Other preferences were more practical. Lawmakers in Louisiana recognized the economic significance of New Orleans but wanted a capital city safe from the regular flooding of the Mississippi River. Thus, they established Baton Rouge as the capital city 100 miles north of the port town in 1845. Santa Fe, New Mexico, the oldest capital city , was the obvious choice for this Southwestern state due to the ample water supply from the Santa Fe River. 

Money and Political Influence 

As the old adage goes, “money talks,” and this was sometimes true when it came to establishing a state capital in the 18th and 19th centuries. Frankfort, Kentucky, though overshadowed by nearby cities Louisville and Lexington, became the Commonwealth’s capital when it outbid competing cities for the privilege in 1792. A Kentucky commission to establish a capital city had been founded that year with the goal of sorting out a geographically and financially suitable location. Frankfort landowner Andrew Holmes offered land, money, and building materials for a capitol building in Frankfort, sealing the deal for the commission.

Similarly, a wealthy land and property owner in Nevada, Abe Curry, helped establish Carson City as the state’s capital by using his wealth to finance a courthouse building. As no other comparable cities had Curry’s level of monetary backing, Carson City was the obvious choice for the then-territory’s capital city.

When the money didn’t talk, political power did. Many state capitals were founded because it was the state lawmakers’ preference at the time. This was the case in Providence, Rhode Island (in 1831), Lansing, Michigan (1847), Nashville, Tennessee (1843), Sacramento, California (1854), Atlanta, Georgia (1868), and Denver, Colorado (1881).

By Public Vote 

In true democratic fashion, some populations established their capital city through either public vote or based on which city had the largest population. Of course, these two factors tend to go hand in hand: The greater the population of a city, the higher the likelihood that it would win a statewide vote on where to put the capital. 

Before Hartford became Connecticut’s capital city, the small state technically had two capitals: Hartford and New Haven, dating back to before the Connecticut Colony and New Haven Colony merged. However, maintaining two capitals was financially and logistically arduous, prompting politicians to call for a public vote to determine which city would take over as the sole capital. Hartford won the popular vote in 1873. 

West Virginia’s capital city was also decided by popular vote. During the Civil War, the Appalachian Mountain state’s citizens were largely divided between Union and Confederacy supporters, resulting in the state capital moving from city to city to appease one party or the other. A popular vote was eventually held in 1877, granting Charleston its status as the state’s capital.

Another example is Oklahoma. Before it became a state, Guthrie was the territory’s capital city, and it remained so for a few more years after the Sooner State achieved statehood in 1906. Eventually, other cities were given the chance to compete for the right to beat out Guthrie for the status of capital city. Governor Charles Haskell held an election in the summer of 1910, and Oklahoma City was the overwhelming winner.