Most iconic feature of each state

[briantroutman]

This is Flint1979's thread, so ultimately he gets to decide what constitutes "iconic" .

But that said, here's what I envision would define "iconic" : Imagine that an audience representing a broad cross section of Americans from across the nation watching a montage of scenes from across the U.S.–no subtitles or narration (and no obvious giveaways like WRIGLEY FIELD HOME OF CHICAGO CUBS) . The audience knows that each scene is from a U.S. state, and it's up to them to figure out which. Upon seeing the scene, the audience should be able to say "Of course, that's in __________."

Under those terms, I don't think most mountains would qualify. I doubt a significant number of typical Americans could distinguish Mount Rainier from Mount Shasta from a generic "Bob Ross Mountain" . Most people could identify Mount Rushmore, and hopefully at least half could identify what state it's in, as it's probably the best shot at an iconic scene that South Dakota could offer.

Ironically, I think the suggestion in the first post (Mackinac Bridge) doesn't work either. I'd be willing to bet that if a picture of the Mackinac Bridge was shown to a random sampling of Americans and they were quizzed on what they were looking at, "Mackinac"  would be at least third place after "Golden Gate Bridge"  (seriously) and "a bridge" . I don't think Michigan has a clear answer, although I think the Renaissance Center or the Ford Glass House would stand a better chance.

New York (Statue of Liberty), Washington (Space Needle), and California (Golden Gate Bridge) have easy winners. Likely Florida (Spaceship Earth–avoiding possible confusion between Disneyland and Walt Disney World), Missouri (Gateway Arch), and Illinois (Sears/Willis Tower) are right behind. Texas could probably use The Alamo, though there'd probably be a significant number of people identifying it generically as mission and guessing California instead.

Likewise, my state's most iconic site is probably Independence Hall, although I'm sure a nontrivial number of people would guess Massachusetts or Virginia. "...you know, one of those states where all of those colonial things happened with George Washington and stuff."  If we can consider the Liberty Bell to be a feature, that would probably have an edge because of its close association with Philadelphia.

[Ned Weasel]

Last time I drove that way, that sign was replaced with a respectable one.  So now that icon only lives in photographs and memory.

[Roadgeekteen]

This is Flint1979's thread, so ultimately he gets to decide what constitutes "iconic" .

But that said, here's what I envision would define "iconic" : Imagine that an audience representing a broad cross section of Americans from across the nation watching a montage of scenes from across the U.S.–no subtitles or narration (and no obvious giveaways like WRIGLEY FIELD HOME OF CHICAGO CUBS) . The audience knows that each scene is from a U.S. state, and it's up to them to figure out which. Upon seeing the scene, the audience should be able to say "Of course, that's in __________."

Under those terms, I don't think most mountains would qualify. I doubt a significant number of typical Americans could distinguish Mount Rainier from Mount Shasta from a generic "Bob Ross Mountain" . Most people could identify Mount Rushmore, and hopefully at least half could identify what state it's in, as it's probably the best shot at an iconic scene that South Dakota could offer.

Ironically, I think the suggestion in the first post (Mackinac Bridge) doesn't work either. I'd be willing to bet that if a picture of the Mackinac Bridge was shown to a random sampling of Americans and they were quizzed on what they were looking at, "Mackinac"  would be at least third place after "Golden Gate Bridge"  (seriously) and "a bridge" . I don't think Michigan has a clear answer, although I think the Renaissance Center or the Ford Glass House would stand a better chance.

New York (Statue of Liberty), Washington (Space Needle), and California (Golden Gate Bridge) have easy winners. Likely Florida (Spaceship Earth–avoiding possible confusion between Disneyland and Walt Disney World), Missouri (Gateway Arch), and Illinois (Sears/Willis Tower) are right behind. Texas could probably use The Alamo, though there'd probably be a significant number of people identifying it generically as mission and guessing California instead.

Likewise, my state's most iconic site is probably Independence Hall, although I'm sure a nontrivial number of people would guess Massachusetts or Virginia. "...you know, one of those states where all of those colonial things happened with George Washington and stuff."  If we can consider the Liberty Bell to be a feature, that would probably have an edge because of its close association with Philadelphia.

The Willis tower stands out, but if you've never been to Chicago it might just look like a very tall skyscraper.

[briantroutman]

The Willis tower stands out, but if you've never been to Chicago it might just look like a very tall skyscraper.

While I'm sure that some people couldn't label the Willis Tower more specifically than the generic "skyscraper" , its cigarette pack-inspired multi-tower design makes it one of the most distinctive skyscrapers in the country. I'd place it in the top three most recognizable skyscrapers along with the Empire State and Chrysler buildings.

And even among people who can't identify the building by name (either Willis or Sears), still more would be able to say "There's that famous building in Chicago."

[Max Rockatansky]

This is Flint1979's thread, so ultimately he gets to decide what constitutes "iconic" .

But that said, here's what I envision would define "iconic" : Imagine that an audience representing a broad cross section of Americans from across the nation watching a montage of scenes from across the U.S.–no subtitles or narration (and no obvious giveaways like WRIGLEY FIELD HOME OF CHICAGO CUBS) . The audience knows that each scene is from a U.S. state, and it's up to them to figure out which. Upon seeing the scene, the audience should be able to say "Of course, that's in __________."

Under those terms, I don't think most mountains would qualify. I doubt a significant number of typical Americans could distinguish Mount Rainier from Mount Shasta from a generic "Bob Ross Mountain" . Most people could identify Mount Rushmore, and hopefully at least half could identify what state it's in, as it's probably the best shot at an iconic scene that South Dakota could offer.

Ironically, I think the suggestion in the first post (Mackinac Bridge) doesn't work either. I'd be willing to bet that if a picture of the Mackinac Bridge was shown to a random sampling of Americans and they were quizzed on what they were looking at, "Mackinac"  would be at least third place after "Golden Gate Bridge"  (seriously) and "a bridge" . I don't think Michigan has a clear answer, although I think the Renaissance Center or the Ford Glass House would stand a better chance.

New York (Statue of Liberty), Washington (Space Needle), and California (Golden Gate Bridge) have easy winners. Likely Florida (Spaceship Earth–avoiding possible confusion between Disneyland and Walt Disney World), Missouri (Gateway Arch), and Illinois (Sears/Willis Tower) are right behind. Texas could probably use The Alamo, though there'd probably be a significant number of people identifying it generically as mission and guessing California instead.

Likewise, my state's most iconic site is probably Independence Hall, although I'm sure a nontrivial number of people would guess Massachusetts or Virginia. "...you know, one of those states where all of those colonial things happened with George Washington and stuff."  If we can consider the Liberty Bell to be a feature, that would probably have an edge because of its close association with Philadelphia.

The Willis tower stands out, but if you've never been to Chicago it might just look like a very tall skyscraper.

Willis?...what you talkin about?  Everyone knows it's the Sears Tower. 

[DaBigE]

The Willis tower stands out, but if you've never been to Chicago it might just look like a very tall skyscraper.

While I'm sure that some people couldn't label the Willis Tower more specifically than the generic "skyscraper" , its cigarette pack-inspired multi-tower design makes it one of the most distinctive skyscrapers in the country. I'd place it in the top three most recognizable skyscrapers along with the Empire State and Chrysler buildings.

And even among people who can't identify the building by name (either Willis or Sears), still more would be able to say "There's that famous building in Chicago."

Yeah, the Sears Tower is a very unique shape, especially with the antennae on the top.

Now the Hancock Building could be argued as being unique, but potentially confused for another skyscraper. The diagonal exoskeleton helps set it apart from the rest.

[hbelkins]

I think the Pro Football HOF in Canton is pretty iconic for Ohio.

Or perhaps this house in Cleveland.

I have a co-worker who takes his family there every year for vacation. They love staying there.

[Scott5114]

Last time I drove that way, that sign was replaced with a respectable one.  So now that icon only lives in photographs and memory.

I know.

I also posted that sign as a joke at my home state's expense.

[KEVIN_224]

Maybe the Basketball Hall Of Fame for western Massacusetts? Dr. Seuss was from Springfield, for what that's worth.

[Rothman]

Maybe the Basketball Hall Of Fame for western Massacusetts? Dr. Seuss was from Springfield, for what that's worth.

Try Old North Church in Boston or the North Bridge in Concord.  The Hall of Fame in its current form is actually somewhat new.

[Roadgeekteen]

Maybe the Basketball Hall Of Fame for western Massacusetts? Dr. Seuss was from Springfield, for what that's worth.

Try Old North Church in Boston or the North Bridge in Concord.  The Hall of Fame in its current form is actually somewhat new.

He's talking about Western Massachusetts.

[Rothman]

Maybe the Basketball Hall Of Fame for western Massacusetts? Dr. Seuss was from Springfield, for what that's worth.

Try Old North Church in Boston or the North Bridge in Concord.  The Hall of Fame in its current form is actually somewhat new.

He's talking about Western Massachusetts.

It's still...meh.

Mount Sugarloaf?  Bridge of Flowers?  Symphony Hall? Monarch Place?  Northampton City Hall?  Smith College gate?  UMass library?

[Roadgeekteen]

Maybe the Basketball Hall Of Fame for western Massacusetts? Dr. Seuss was from Springfield, for what that's worth.

Try Old North Church in Boston or the North Bridge in Concord.  The Hall of Fame in its current form is actually somewhat new.

He's talking about Western Massachusetts.

It's still...meh.

Mount Sugarloaf?  Bridge of Flowers?  Symphony Hall? Monarch Place?  Northampton City Hall?  Smith College gate?  UMass library?

I didn't think of any of those. Still think the basketball hall of fame is more recognizable.

[dlsterner]

Maybe the Basketball Hall Of Fame for western Massacusetts? Dr. Seuss was from Springfield, for what that's worth.

Try Old North Church in Boston or the North Bridge in Concord.  The Hall of Fame in its current form is actually somewhat new.

He's talking about Western Massachusetts.

It's still...meh.

Mount Sugarloaf?  Bridge of Flowers?  Symphony Hall? Monarch Place?  Northampton City Hall?  Smith College gate?  UMass library?

Foe Massachusetts, why not Fenway Park and the "Green Monster"?

[Roadgeekteen]

Maybe the Basketball Hall Of Fame for western Massacusetts? Dr. Seuss was from Springfield, for what that's worth.

Try Old North Church in Boston or the North Bridge in Concord.  The Hall of Fame in its current form is actually somewhat new.

He's talking about Western Massachusetts.

It's still...meh.

Mount Sugarloaf?  Bridge of Flowers?  Symphony Hall? Monarch Place?  Northampton City Hall?  Smith College gate?  UMass library?

Foe Massachusetts, why not Fenway Park and the "Green Monster"?

We are talking about Western Massachusetts.

[dlsterner]

Maybe the Basketball Hall Of Fame for western Massacusetts? Dr. Seuss was from Springfield, for what that's worth.

Try Old North Church in Boston or the North Bridge in Concord.  The Hall of Fame in its current form is actually somewhat new.

He's talking about Western Massachusetts.

It's still...meh.

Mount Sugarloaf?  Bridge of Flowers?  Symphony Hall? Monarch Place?  Northampton City Hall?  Smith College gate?  UMass library?

Foe Massachusetts, why not Fenway Park and the "Green Monster"?

We are talking about Western Massachusetts.

Oh yeah, I forgot that Western Massachusetts was a state.

[hotdogPi]

Maybe the Basketball Hall Of Fame for western Massacusetts? Dr. Seuss was from Springfield, for what that's worth.

Try Old North Church in Boston or the North Bridge in Concord.  The Hall of Fame in its current form is actually somewhat new.

He's talking about Western Massachusetts.

It's still...meh.

Mount Sugarloaf?  Bridge of Flowers?  Symphony Hall? Monarch Place?  Northampton City Hall?  Smith College gate?  UMass library?

Foe Massachusetts, why not Fenway Park and the "Green Monster"?

Or nearby: the Citgo sign

[KEVIN_224]

Been to Fenway Park three times. I HATE the Red Sox. Went up the Mohawk Trail (MA Route 2) in 1990. Still remember the hairpin turn!

[Roadgeekteen]

Been to Fenway Park three times. I HATE the Red Sox. Went up the Mohawk Trail (MA Route 2) in 1990. Still remember the hairpin turn!

Yankees fan?

[Max Rockatansky]

Been to Fenway Park three times. I HATE the Red Sox. Went up the Mohawk Trail (MA Route 2) in 1990. Still remember the hairpin turn!

Yankees fan?

I kind of agree Fenway is pretty up there for Massachusetts.  My wife and I have been to a couple games out there, for her it was the primary attraction in Boston.

[TheHighwayMan3561]

I'd volunteer Plymouth Rock, since most Americans have no idea how unimpressive the actual feature is compared to the legends built on it.

[Max Rockatansky]

I'd volunteer Plymouth Rock, since most Americans have no idea how unimpressive the actual feature is compared to the legends built on it.

The might have been the most disappointing Middle School trip I ever had.  The legends don't live up in person which is why I would still pick Fenway. 

[golden eagle]

I've lived in Mississippi most of my life and can't really think of an iconic feature that really stands out. Maybe the lighthouse in Biloxi.

For Georgia, Stone Mountain could be an iconic feature.

[Hot Rod Hootenanny]

I've lived in Mississippi most of my life and can't really think of an iconic feature that really stands out. Maybe the lighthouse in Biloxi.

For Georgia, Stone Mountain could be an iconic feature.

I would submit "The Crossroads" for Mississippi.

http://www.clarksdale.com/crossroads.php

[KEVIN_224]

Been to Fenway Park three times. I HATE the Red Sox. Went up the Mohawk Trail (MA Route 2) in 1990. Still remember the hairpin turn!

Yankees fan?

Yep! Also been to AA and AAA Yankees games a few times in Trenton, NJ and Moosic, PA (Scranton/Wilkes-Barre), respectively. I highly doubt I'll see McCoy Stadium in Pawtucket, RI ever again. I've been to Hadlock Field (AA Boston) in Portland, ME four times.