Hello friends,

I have been told I have a “trap mind” because it traps and holds onto random facts and scenes. For example, I remember the leopard-printed socks that my friend Carola bought 34 years ago when our oldest children were in their strollers. Obviously, my trap mind is unpredictable and undiscriminating, but it occasionally serves me well—for example, trivia nights and marital arguments disagreements discussions.

How about you? Would you love some Ohio River trivia to whip out at your next office lunch or PTA fundraiser? Look no further. I’ve got you covered.

Here’s a quiz about the six states that border the Ohio River. ANSWERS IN THE FOOTNOTES, so don’t click them until you’ve finalized your answers.

QUESTIONS

* Easy first question: name the six states that border the Ohio River.

* After Alaska, which Ohio River border state has more navigable miles of water than any other in the union?

* Blennerhassett Island sits between Ohio and West Virginia. Which former Vice President of the United States used it to stage a conspiracy for taking over the Texas Territories and the Louisiana Territory?

* Name the only U.S. state with a continuous border of rivers running along three of its sides.

* Before the Civil War, which river city was known as “The Northernmost Southern City”?

* Before the American Revolution, which two states fought over the ownership of Pittsburgh?

* Faithful newsletter readers will know this one: which two states fought over a large boulder in the Ohio River known as “Indian Rock” or “Indian Head Rock”?

* What famous man was born in a small cabin on Sinking Spring Farm near Hodgenville, Kentucky in February 1809?

* Name the four rivers that join within 40 miles of Paducah, Kentucky.

* Southern Illinois has been called Little Egypt for two reasons. Name one of them.

Quiz Intermission Message

I hate taking a quiz when the answers are printed too close to the questions and spoil the fun of figuring them out. That’s why I’m taking this space to invite you to hear me speak about the racial history of the Ohio River Valley region this December:

For longtime readers of my newsletter, yes, Hindman is indeed where I lost my new motorcycle to the thousand-year flood in 2022.

Alright, please comment with your favorite bits of Ohio River trivia and I’ll include it in the next round.

ANSWERS

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