Before Riverside (about 15 miles south of Iowa City on Highway 27) became "that town with the casino" and we heard that annoying B.J. Armstrong on the commercial every ten minutes (did you know that he is a former Iowa Hawkeye and Chicago Bull? Well I sure as hell do since I've heard that commercial 1,396,547 times), it was known for a slightly nerdier reason.
Riverside is the future birthplace (that's right future birthplace) of Captain James T. Kirk of the Starship Enterprise. In case you either weren't born earlier or actually have a life, Captain Kirk was the main character in the show "Star Trek" which though only on for three seasons has spawned 10 movies (an 11th is being made), 5 television series and millions of nerds. Captain Kirk also launched the career of William Shatner which is a gift in itself (because without Captain Kirk, Shatner would not be able to do those very hilarious Priceline Negotiator commercials).
Anyhoo, "Star Trek" creator Gene Roddenberry claimed in a book that Kirk was born in Iowa, but did not provide a specific town. So Riverside took it on themselves to make Captain Kirk their native son, well actually future native son, anyway you get the idea.
To commemorate their future hometown status, the Riversiders has their own Starship called the U.S.S. Riverside that sits in their city park and has a stone monument that marks where Captain Kirk will be born on March 28, 2228. So if you are a fan of Star Trek or Shatner or you just want to take a small peek before hitting the craps table come see where a space legend will be born.
And may the force be with you ... (god damnit, wrong movie) And live long and prosper.
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