jefferson city missouri – U.S. Highway 50

Jefferson City, Missouri

In the middle of Missouri, Route 50 passes through Jefferson City, one of four state capitols on the highway. The others are Annapolis, Maryland, Carson City, Nevada, and Sacramento, California.

Jefferson City was named in 1821 for Thomas Jefferson, who was still alive at the time. Before honoring Jefferson, the Missouri legislature considered and rejected the name “Missouriopolis.”

The Missouri River, seen here near Jefferson City, Missouri, is the longest river in North America. Its source is near Yellowstone National Park, and, after 2,341 miles, it flows into the Mississippi River near St. Louis, Missouri. It is nicknamed the “Big Muddy,” and the reason can be seen in this photo.