Names That Almost Were The Bizarre and Creative Titles That Nearly Defined Our States
One of the first things you likely learned was the name of your home state, but what if everything you knew about your state’s namesake could have been different? Prepare for a journey through the quirky and bizarre world of almost-names for states! The early days of American statehood were filled with creative, peculiar, and downright odd suggestions. Let’s look into history and uncover the surprising stories behind the names that could have been. KENTUCKY Kentucky’s famous horse race was almost known as the Transylvania Derby, but it has nothing to do with vampires. In 1775, a businessman named Richard Henderson established the Transylvania Company and signed a treaty with the Cherokee tribe, securing land known as the Transylvania
colony. However, Henderson’s treaty failed as Virginia had already claimed the land. Years later, in 1792, those living on Henderson’s attempted purchase broke away from Virginia to become Kentucky. Despite naming the state themselves, the residents couldn’t decide whether the state’s new name meant “prairie,” “land of tomorrow,” or “river of blood.” UTAH When Brigham Young, the leader of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (widely known as the Mormon church), moved the congregation west, they settled in the Salt Lake Basin. He petitioned Congress to create a new state for them and settled on Deseret, after a name in the Book of Mormon, one of their scriptural texts. The government declined the request until 1896, granting them statehood in a smaller area than they had originally hoped
for. They still didn’t get their desired name, though; the government named the state Utah after the Ute tribe that called the area home. NEVADA The name Humboldt almost became the name of the state of Nevada. It comes from explorer and naturalist Alexander von Humboldt, who helped popularize scientific exploration. Though he traveled thousands of miles across Central and South America, he never made it to the Western United States. So, when Nevada became a state in 1864, they used the Spanish word for “snow-covered” instead. History is full of “what ifs” and whimsical alternatives that could have shaped our country. These almost-names remind us of the rich tapestry of the past and the imagination that defines our nation.
Seize the Opportunity
Why You Should Refinance Now
LOWER MONTHLY PAYMENTS One of the biggest advantages of refinancing is a lower monthly mortgage payment. This can provide breathing room and an easier time paying your monthly bills. Even a 1% drop can result in significant savings on your monthly mortgage payment. For example, if you had a $500,000 mortgage, you would save over $300 monthly with a 6% rather than a 7% rate. While you can refinance with your current lender or with a new one, shopping around for the best new rate is best. CHANGE LOAN TERMS Refinancing involves more than just decreasing your monthly payment. It also involves changing key aspects of your mortgage loan. For example, you can convert from a fixed-rate mortgage to an adjustable- rate mortgage or vice versa. Alternatively, you can decrease the duration of your loan, going from a 30-year to a 20-year mortgage, decreasing the total interest you pay over the lifetime of your loan. WE CAN HELP If you need help with your private financing concerns, we can help. At Brooks & Crowley, we represent both borrowers and lenders in residential and commercial real estate transactions. Call our office at 781-251-0555 .
In recent years, mortgage rates reached a maximum of 7.9%, the highest rate since the 2007-2008 financial crisis. Luckily — spurred on by the Fed’s interest rate cuts — mortgage rates have been steadily decreasing since reaching their ceiling and are currently hovering between 5-5.5%. If you have purchased a home in the last few years, this is great news. Refinancing your home mortgage means replacing your existing home loan with a new one — with more favorable terms and conditions. This can help offset the burden of an increased cost of living and give you significant savings for years to come. Here is why it’s time to refinance and take advantage of decreased rates.
4 2
Published by Newsletter Pro • www.newsletterpro.com
Made with FlippingBook Ebook Creator