Capital and States?

Question

when the states (in america) were beind developed how did they determine what was going to be the capitol... what factors help decide?

Answer 1

population /  polution  / crime factors

Answer 2

The original thirteen states all had colonial capitals located at the coast.  As more people settled inland there was always pressure to move the capital to a more central location.  This was usually up a navigable river to the fall line, as far as the ships of the day could go.  All these capitals remain at the fall line today.  Later capitals were usually located on a navigable river, or where the railroad provided good transportation.

Answer 3

The capitol is the building; the city is the capital.

Factors: transportation, so people could get there more easily meaning rivers and railroads;

population, not necessarily the biggest city, but bigger than a village;

location, for some states central enough

The story goes that in 1791, Frankfort and Lexington both wanted to be capital of Kentucky.  A businessman offered the state fathers a wagonload of boards and nails to start the capitol with, if they would choose Frankfort.  They took it.