10 Fun Facts About Illinois We Bet You Didn’t Know

Did you know that the world's first Dairy Queen was opened in Illinois? Where is the pinball manufacturing center of the world? How much snow is the largest amount to ever fall in Illinois during a single storm? Check out these fun facts about Illinois!

Between February 27 - 28, 1900, Astoria, Illinois received 37.8 inches of snow, the most snow ever recorded in the state from a single weather event.

The first Dairy Queen opened in Joliet, Illinois in 1940. The building is no longer a Dairy Queen (it's now serving as a church!), but it has landmark status.

The State of Illinois has a copyright for the exclusive use of the slogan "Land of Lincoln."

Springfield is actually the third capital of Illinois. Kaskaskia and Vandalia were both capital cities before Springfield.

It is illegal for boys (but only boys) to throw snowballs at trees in Mount Pulaski, Illinois.

Nearly 80% of the state's land area is farm land.

Morton, Illinois is known as the "pumpkin capital of the world." The state is the leading pumpkin producer and processor in the U.S.

Chicago is the center of pinball manufacturing, and is home to the annual Pinball Expo, which is open to the public.

Metropolis, Illinois has been designated as "Superman's Hometown." There is a giant statue of the Man of Steel in Metropolis. The city is also home to a Superman museum and annual Superman Celebration.

Illinois is the home state of country music stars like Alison Krauss, Gretchen Wilson, Suzy Bogguss and David Lee Murphy. Cheap Trick, REO Speedwagon, Dan Fogelberg and Fall Out Boy are all also from Illinois.