After the club of states that start with A and the total absence of B, the letter C steps in with a tight little trio. States that start with C may look like a small group, but they stretch from the Pacific coast to the East Coast and all the way up into the Rockies.
California
It has the biggest population, one of the largest economies in the world, and a culture that shapes music, film, and tech everywhere.
People love to call it “The Golden State,” and depending on who you ask, that phrase means either endless opportunity or endless traffic.
History
California joined the Union in 1850 as the 31st state. The Gold Rush of 1849 drove massive migration, reshaping the land almost overnight.
Spanish missions, Mexican ranchos, and waves of immigrants created a layered past that is still visible in place names and culture.
- The Gold Rush brought nearly 300,000 people in just a few years.
- The completion of the Transcontinental Railroad in 1869 tied California to the rest of the US.
- Hollywood rose in the early 1900s, cementing California as a cultural powerhouse.
Geography
The state runs from deserts to forests, farmland to coastline, and everything in between.
- Mount Whitney is the highest point in the lower 48 states.
- Death Valley is the hottest and driest spot in North America.
- Over 800 miles of Pacific coastline make California famous for its beaches.
Trivia
- More wine comes out of California than any other state, and it would rank among the top wine producers in the world if it were a country.
- The original “Hollywood” sign read “Hollywoodland.”
- San Bernardino is home to the first McDonald’s.
- Redwood trees are so tall that some grow taller than the Statue of Liberty.
- California has hosted more Olympic Games than any other US state.
Colorado
Colorado calls itself the Centennial State because it joined the Union in 1876, exactly 100 years after the Declaration of Independence.
Known for the Rockies, high altitude, and an outdoors culture that feels woven into daily life, it is a place where geography defines everything.
History
It became the 38th state in 1876. Mining, railroads, and settlement shaped the early years, along with conflicts between settlers and Native tribes.
The identity of people from Colorado has always leaned on mountains, resources, and a mix of cultures moving west.
- The Pike’s Peak Gold Rush in 1858 brought thousands of prospectors.
- Denver grew as a hub of railroads and commerce.
- In 1976, voters rejected plans to host the Winter Olympics due to cost and environmental concerns.
Geography
The state sits on the spine of the Rockies, with high plains stretching to the east and plateaus to the west.
- Denver is famously known as the “Mile High City” at exactly 5,280 feet above sea level.
- Colorado has 58 mountain peaks higher than 14,000 feet, called “fourteeners.”
- The headwaters of major rivers like the Colorado and Arkansas start here.
Trivia
- The cheeseburger was trademarked in Denver in 1935.
- The Eisenhower Tunnel is the highest vehicle tunnel in North America.
- Colorado has more microbreweries per capita than almost any other state. No surprise they are in the top 10 among states that consume the most alcohol.
- Leadville is the highest city in the United States at over 10,000 feet.
Connecticut
It is one of the original 13 colonies and often slips into conversations about New England charm, Ivy League prestige, and quirky state laws.
History
Connecticut became the 5th state in 1788. It played an outsized role in the colonial era and the American Revolution.
The early economy relied on farming, trade, and, later, industrial innovation.
- The Fundamental Orders of 1639 are sometimes referred to as the first written constitution in America.
- The state was a major supplier of weapons and goods during the Revolution.
- Yale University, founded in 1701, shaped American education and politics.
Geography
Connecticut may be small, but it packs in a variety of landscapes. The coast meets Long Island Sound, while inland hills and valleys create a patchwork of towns.
- The Connecticut River runs straight through the state into Long Island Sound.
- The Appalachian Trail clips the northwest corner.
- Summers are humid, winters are snowy, and fall is a classic New England postcard.
Trivia
- The first telephone book, printed in 1878, had only 50 names.
- Lollipops were first made commercially in New Haven.
- The world’s first nuclear-powered submarine, USS Nautilus, was built in Groton.
- Hartford is nicknamed the Insurance Capital of the World.
- The hamburger is claimed to have been invented at Louis’ Lunch in New Haven in 1900.
Final Thoughts
California, Colorado, and Connecticut may share the same starting letter, but each tells a very different story. One brings the Pacific coast and global culture, another stands tall with the Rockies, and the last holds deep roots in American history.
Since no states begin with D, the next step will be the states that start with F.