1

Washington

Washington is one of the most repeated names on the American map. It is said, though, that Pennsylvania was the only state to name its city, in its foundation in 1768, while George Washington was still alive, turning it into an early patriotic tribute. Truth is, from Washington, Missouri, to Washington, Utah, the name appears so often on the map — but travelers sometimes forget it refers to far more than just the capital.

2

Springfield

Springfield has dozens of cities, towns, and villages sharing the name. But the first Springfield was settled by William Pynthon in Massachusetts in 1636, after England’s Springfield. This city became a major industrial center after the first president, George Washington, created the Springfield Armory, which, during the Industrial Revolution, helped the city grow into a global leader in manufacturing.

Fun fact: Matt Groening, the creator of The Simpsons , chose the name Springfield as the setting for the long-running animated series because so many towns share it, making it easy for viewers to imagine the show takes place in their own hometown. How many Springfields can you think of?

3

Madison

This list wouldn’t be complete without a mention of James Madison, often called "The Father of the Constitution," because the country is filled with places named after him, including a prominent college town in Wisconsin. As the nickname hints, James Madison was not only our fourth president, but also a key figure in the drafting of the US Constitution and the Bill of Rights.

4

Franklin

During the 18th and 19th centuries, naming a town after Franklin was a sign of admiration for the intellect, civic values, and contributions of Benjamin Franklin, one of the nation’s most influential men. Nowadays, towns and cities across the country are named after him, including a well-known city in Tennessee. It’s easy to see why: he helped draft the Declaration of Independence, charmed the French into supporting the Revolution, and built the nation's first postal service.

5

Greenville

This one is clearly not named after a historical figure. Greenville is used for countless cities and towns across the United States to describe the fertile soil, river valleys, forests, and rolling hills — an advertising strategy at a time when settlers were founding communities and working the land.

6

Bristol

A surprising number of cities and towns are called Bristol. There is Bristol, Virginia, Bristol, Connecticut, and Bristol, Tennessee, among others. That is because during the colonial era, English settlers established new communities using the names from prosperous English towns and cities.

Bristol, Tennessee, holds a special mention because it is said to be the place where country music was born. Around 1927, the Bristol Sessions were one of the triggers for the genre to take off nationally when record producer Ralph Peer set up a temporary studio in Bristol to record local musicians. These sessions introduced artists like Jimmie Rodgers and The Carter Family to a national audience and helped define the sound of early country music, blending folk and Appalachian roots.

7

Clinton

A good number of towns and counties were named Clinton across the country after DeWitt Clinton became a US senator and governor of New York in the early 1800s. He was the driving force behind the Erie Canal project, a major infrastructure initiative that improved domestic trade and accelerated westward expansion, transforming New York into an economic hub.

8

Fairview

How many people do you know living in Fairview? This name is, like Greenvillis, one of the descriptive rather than commemorative monikers. "Fair view" connotes beautiful scenery, open farmland, and nearby waterways. It seemed the advertising strategy worked, and many new settlers adopted the name, spreading Fairviews all across the country.

9

Salem

Salem is a widely used name for towns and cities across the United States. Salem, Massachusetts, was the first settlement to bear this name, founded in 1626. While it became one of the most important seaports in early American history, today, the oldest Salem in the U.S.is almost always associated with the notorious Salem witch trials. In 1692, 19 people were tragically executed by hanging, and one man was pressed to death after being accused of witchcraft.

However, the name "Salem" appears in many towns across the country. As settlers moved west, they often reused familiar names when creating new communities. That’s why you can find multiple towns called Salem from coast to coast.

10

Georgetown

Nearly 300 years later, historians still debate where the name Georgetown came from. Today, the best-known Georgetown is a neighborhood in Washington, D.C., but it began in 1751 as a town in colonial Maryland, before Washington existed. Some say it was named for King George II; others credit two early landowners, George Gordon and George Beall. Either way, the name carried prestige and later spread across the country. Somewhere, there are probably three Georges still arguing about it.

1

Cattails

Image: Vlad Tchompalov

If you’ve ever seen a cattail and thought it looked kind of yummy, you were on the right track! Cattails grow abundantly in marshy areas across the U.S., and nearly every part of this plant is edible. Often called the "supermarket of the swamp," cattails are incredibly rich in carbohydrates and are a highly versatile food source. These plants not only provide nutrition but also materials for shelter and fire-starting, making them a top resource for wilderness survival in America.

The roots, once cleaned and cooked, have a potato-like quality and can also be dried and ground into flour. Impressively, they even outperform potatoes in starch yield per acre. Young shoots are edible as well, offering a fresh bite when raw or a tender taste when boiled, much like asparagus.

2

Dandelions

Image: Keegan Houser

Often dismissed as a pesky weed, dandelions are actually among the most nutritious plants you can find in the wild. In fact, dandelions are considered even more nutritious than broccoli or cabbage! Every part of the dandelion is edible, from the leaves to the roots. With a taste and texture similar to chicory, the leaves are packed with vitamins A and C and be eaten raw in salads or cooked like spinach.

The bright yellow flowers can also be used to make tea, while the roots can be roasted as a coffee substitute. Dandelion tea is loaded with powerful antioxidants, including beta-carotene and polyphenols, and studies suggest it may benefit heart health.

3

Wild Asparagus

Image: Gil Ndjouwou

Who knew you could harvest your own asparagus in the wild? Wild asparagus grows across much of the U.S., particularly in moist, sunny areas. While it looks similar to its cultivated cousin, wild asparagus tends to be thinner and tougher. When foraging, look for young shoots, which are more tender and can be eaten raw or cooked.

Like its commercial counterpart, wild asparagus is high in fiber and vitamins, offering a nutritious snack or even a potential side dish in a survival situation.

4

Acorns

Image: Annie Spratt

You’re likely already familiar with acorns, the nuts of oak trees. Found abundantly across the U.S., particularly in forests and woodlands, these wild nuts are indeed edible after some processing. Acorns contain bitter tannins, which can be toxic and need to be removed by repeated boiling or soaking in water.

Once safe to eat, acorns can be either roasted or ground into flour. Though they don’t taste like much, they’re packed with carbohydrates, fats, and proteins. Historically, acorns were a staple food for Native Americans and ancient cultures worldwide, proving their value as a survival resource.

5

Cactus (Prickly Pear)

Image: George Pagan III

In the arid landscapes of the American Southwest, prickly pear cacti offer both nourishment and hydration. The pads (nopales) and the fruit (tunas) are not only edible but are also staples in Mexican cuisine.

The cactus fruit, known as a prickly pear, is super sweet and can be eaten raw right off the plant. Depending on ripeness, the flavor ranges from mildly sweet to syrupy. Packed with vitamin C and water, prickly pear cacti can be a true lifesaver if you find yourself stranded in the desert.

6

Wild Onions

Image: Zoe Schaeffer

Wild onions grow widely across the U.S., thriving in fields, forests, and even backyards. Their bulbs, stems, and leaves are all edible and can be used just like store-bought onions to add flavor and nutrition to any meal. But foragers, beware—there’s an important distinction to keep in mind!

A highly toxic lookalike called death camas can be easily mistaken for wild onions, and as its name kindly suggests, it can have potentially lethal effects if consumed. The easiest way to tell them apart? Wild onions have a strong onion scent, while death camas has no odor. When in doubt, always trust your nose. That being said, unless you are 100% confident in your ability to identify wild onions, it’s wise to consult an expert or avoid foraging them altogether.

7

Pine Nuts

Image: Leila Issa

Pine trees are scattered across America, and their seeds—pine nuts—are a nutritional powerhouse. These small seeds, found inside pine cones, are rich in fats and proteins, making them a concentrated source of energy. In fact, pine nuts have sustained Native American tribes for centuries.

While they are labor-intensive to harvest, the effort is worthwhile. Packed with calories and bursting with flavor, they are an abundant and reliable food source. But it doesn't end there—surprisingly, most parts of a pine tree can be consumed, including the bark, needles, cones, and resin, either as food or for medicinal purposes.

8

Chicory

Image: Christopher Luther

Chicory is often found along roadsides and in open fields throughout the U.S. The plant is recognizable by its bright blue flowers, and while its leaves can be eaten like lettuce, its roots are also useful—they can be roasted and used as a coffee substitute.

During the American Civil War, soldiers used chicory to stretch their coffee supplies, and even today some beer brewers occasionally use roasted chicory to add a bitter flavor to stout varieties.

9

Blackberries

Image: Eric Prouzet

Who hasn't enjoyed picking a few blackberries during a walk? Blackberry bushes thrive across the country, especially in sunny, open areas. These delicious berries are loaded with vitamins C and K, along with fiber, making them an excellent survival food when in season. Additionally, their leaves can be brewed into a soothing tea.

Wild raspberries and strawberries are similarly plentiful in the American backcountry. Their unmistakable appearance and sweet flavor make them a great choice for novice or inexperienced foragers to safely enjoy nature’s pantry.

10

Clover

Image: Kelly Sikkema

Who knew that stumbling upon a clover patch could bring more than just good luck? Clover grows abundantly across the U.S., from lawns to meadows, and both its leaves and flowers are edible. The flowers are often dried to make tea, while the leaves can be tossed directly into salads or soups an added nutritional boost.

Rich in protein and minerals, clover has historically served as fodder for livestock, but it can also provide essential nutrition for humans, especially in a survival situation! Its versatility certainly makes it a valuable addition to any forager's repertoire.

1

He never learned to read music

Elvis Presley recorded hundreds of songs across rock, blues, country, and gospel, yet he never learned to read a single note of sheet music. In the studio, musicians would run through an arrangement, and Elvis would listen, absorb the melody, and memorize it entirely by ear.

He leaned on instinct and repetition rather than notation, catching every pause, key change, and harmony simply by listening closely and trying it himself. Producers and session players who worked with him often talked about how quickly he could pick up a complex arrangement without ever glancing at a chart the way trained musicians did. It never held him back. If anything, it forced him to feel each song rather than read it, which explains why his performances always sounded personal.

2

He was a natural blond

When you think of Elvis, you think of iconic pitch-black hair with sideburns. But Elvis’s hair wasn’t originally black; he was actually born a blond.

As Elvis grew up, his hair turned darker, but the darkest it got was simply a light brown. Trying to mimic the idols of the time, Marlon Brando and Tony Curtis, he started dyeing his hair dark. Now, here’s the twist: In Presley's household, money was tight, so he used black shoe polish instead. The more dramatic look came along with hit songs and money that allowed him to afford real dye, keeping the pitch-black tone which complimented his blue eyes. During his army years in Germany, dye wasn’t allowed, and his natural sandy color quietly returned. A single portrait from that era still hangs at Graceland in Memphis.

3

He had a huge badge collection, which led to a meeting with Nixon

Elvis had a genuine fascination with law enforcement, and over the years he built up a personal collection of honorary badges from police departments across the country. What he really wanted, though, was a federal badge from the Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs, and officials kept turning him down.

In December 1970, Elvis flew to Washington, D.C., and wrote President Richard Nixon a letter on the plane , offering his services in the fight against drug culture. He hand-delivered it to the White House gates before dawn. By that afternoon, Elvis stood in the Oval Office showing Nixon his badge collection while a photographer captured what became one of the most surreal photos in presidential history. Nixon agreed, and Elvis walked out with the badge his collection had been missing.

4

He auditioned for a gospel quartet and was rejected

In the summer of 1954, a 19-year-old Elvis Presley tried out for the Songfellows, a Memphis gospel quartet connected to the well-known Blackwood Brothers. Elvis had grown up loving gospel music and dreamed of singing in a group like this one.

The audition did not go his way. Group member Jim Hamill later said Elvis couldn't hold his own on harmony parts at the time, and the Songfellows turned him down. Elvis went home and told his father the group said he couldn't sing. Just months later, in July 1954, he walked into Sun Records and cut his first single. Ironically, the Songfellows soon had a change of heart and invited him to join after all, but by then his solo career was already taking off, leaving gospel harmony as a road not taken.

5

His comic book hero inspired his signature look

Long before Elvis designed a single jumpsuit, he was a kid in Tupelo who loved comic books, especially Captain Marvel Jr. The teenage superhero had jet-black hair with a dramatic curl, a half cape, and a lightning bolt blazing across his chest. Elvis held onto that image for the rest of his life.

His famous pompadour with its curled front piece echoes Captain Marvel Jr.'s hairstyle almost exactly. His stage capes in the 1970s mirror the hero's costume. Even his personal logo, TCB for "Taking Care of Business," built around a lightning bolt, traces back to those pages he read as a poor kid dreaming of something bigger. Graceland still keeps a box of his childhood comics in the attic, proof his whole look grew from a boyhood hero.

6

He owned a presidential yacht

In January 1964, Elvis Presley's manager Colonel Tom Parker bought a yacht at auction in his client's name for $55,000, which would be roughly over $500,000 today. It wasn't just any yacht.

It was the USS Potomac, the vessel President Franklin D. Roosevelt had used as his floating White House throughout the 1930s and early 1940s. Elvis owned it for barely two weeks. On Valentine's Day, February 14, 1964, he handed over the deed to entertainer Danny Thomas in a public ceremony in Long Beach, California, donating the historic yacht to Thomas's new St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis. The Potomac was sold that same year to a private buyer for $65,000, every cent going straight to the hospital —one of Elvis's most generous, and least remembered, acts of charity.

7

He brought his own cutlery to restaurants

Elvis loved dining out, but he had one rule most fans never noticed. He rarely touched silverware that wasn’t his own. That’s because he took his own cutlery.

From his rise to fame in the mid-1950s through his Las Vegas years, Elvis carried his own set of forks, knives, and spoons whenever he ate somewhere new. People who traveled with him often described this as a lifelong habit, closely tied to a persistent germaphobia. While the rest of the table used whatever the restaurant provided, Elvis unpacked his own utensils and ate with those instead.

8

He held an eighth-degree black belt in karate

Elvis first tried karate in 1958 while stationed with the Army in Germany, training under a local instructor named Juergen Seydel, who taught Elvis at his off-base housing in Nauheim.

He kept at it for years, and later studied under American Kenpo pioneer Ed Parker in California. But it was in Memphis, between 1970 and 1974, training under Grandmaster Kang Rhee at a small dojo on Summer Avenue , that Elvis went all in. He trained alongside regular students under the nickname Tiger and took the same tests everyone faced. On September 16, 1974, Master Rhee awarded him an eighth-degree black belt in a low-key ceremony in front of fellow students and their families. That same year, Elvis opened his own school, the Tennessee Karate Institute, and worked karate moves right into his stage shows.

9

He rented entire amusement parks and movie theaters overnight

Elvis loved movies and the fairground, but he hated crowds pressing in on him wherever he went. His solution was simple if you had his kind of money.

In Memphis, he r egularly rented out the entire Memphian Theater from midnight until dawn, filling the seats with friends and family to watch newly released films with nobody else around. He did something similar at the Memphis fairgrounds, later known as Libertyland, booking the whole park overnight so he could ride his favorite wooden roller coaster, the Zippin Pippin, again and again without a single stranger in line. He loved that ride so much he rode it into the early hours with his daughter Lisa Marie beside him in August 1977 — just eight days before he died at age 42.

10

He kept a huge collection of books

The public saw a swaggering rock and roll star in tight jumpsuits, but behind closed doors at Graceland, Elvis Presley was something of a bookworm .

He kept a personal library that grew into the hundreds, later estimated at over a thousand titles, covering philosophy, world religions, anatomy, and numerology. His hairstylist and close friend Larry Geller became his main source for these books. Geller curated, recommended, and bought the books for Elvis, and the two spent hours discussing what he read. He underlined passages, scribbled notes in the margins, and carried a rotating stack with him on tour, sometimes hundreds of books packed into trunks. Auction houses have sold some of his personally annotated copies over the years, filled with handwriting beside ideas he clearly found worth wrestling with.