Friday Puzzler -- City Names

Re: Friday Puzzler -- City Names

John Veerkamp

Lincoln's reputed hometown?

Top ten

Alex Y

Good guess.

Springfield, IL is in the top ten, but is not the largest, according to the source I have.

But actually

Alex Y

Springfield, IL fails the test for another reason. There are two larger Springfields. Anyone know them?

And I just have to wonder if EVERY state doesn't have a Springfield .

Re: But actually

John Veerkamp

We drove From Missouri to New Hampshire last year. Every state we went thru had a Springfield. We drove thru or around one in each state except Missouri's, which is about 100 files south of where we live. My guess on the larger cities are Mo . and Ohio.

Re: But actually

Alex Y

Springfield, MO is the largest Springfield, but Ohio's is not #2 (and in fact, is smaller than IL). #2 is almost the same size as Springfield, MO, but I had never heard of it.

Re: Friday Puzzler -- City Names

Henry Higginbotham

I wanted to guess a Southern town, not far from me, named after that Chris guy with the three boats, but then I cheated a bit (after the fact) and tried to confirm it on Wiki to no avail. Must be in the top ten, though. KC seems possible, too.

Re: Friday Puzzler -- City Names

Larry Barrett

There is a probably quite small city in MS with the same name as a really big city in PA.

Re: But actually

Larry Barrett

How about the one in MA?

Re: But actually

Alex Y

That's the one. Springfield MO is only slightly larger than Springfield MA (as of 2010 Census), and both are about 50% larger than Springfield, IL

Good guess

Alex Y

You were right, at least according to my source for this puzzle. Columbus, GA is (or was in 1994) smaller than Columbus OH, but still had 190K residents.

However, in checking the top five cities from the list I had against the 2010 census, I find that Columbus GA has dropped to third place (among second largest cities, not among Columbuses)

Re: Friday Puzzler -- City Names

Alex Y

Yes, and the one in PA may be the largest US city with a namesake in another state. But we are looking for the largest of the second-place cities.

A hint and a source *LINK*

Alex Y

The current #1, at least as far as I can tell, was not on the list of the ten largest second-place cities in 1994. However, its namesake was, but has now grown faster than its formerly larger sibling.

That was clear as mud! In 1994, Anytown, XX was on the list as one of the largest second place cities, being slightly smaller than Anytown, YY. By 2011, Anytown,XX had grown to be bigger than Anytown, YY, and Anytown YY is now the largest second place city.

Hint: XX and YY are both west of the Mississippi

Source for checking out cities you think may fit:


Census page showing Columbus, GA; largest #2in '94

Re: A hint and a source

Henry Higginbotham

Was there maybe a train robbery (by a famous villain) in a third town with this same name?

  Correct

Alex Y

Nice job!

It took me a little Googling to find out that you had the right answer. And since I don't think anyone else is with us on this, I'll go ahead and demystify your answer:

Glendale, AZ is now larger than Glendale, CA, making the latter the largest city that is not the largest of its name. Glendale, CA; Arlington, VA (although not incorporated as a city);and Columbus, GA appear to be the top three now. In 1994, the rankings according to the source I saw were:

Columbus GA 186470 (OH)

Arlington VA 174603 (TX)

Glendale AZ 168439 (CA)

Springfield MA 149164 (MO)

Kansas City KS 142630 (MO)

Pasadena TX 129292 (CA)

Irvine CA 125624 (TX)

Aurora IL 112313 (CO)

Irvine is wrong, since the Texas city it was being compared to is actualy Irving.