Kirk's Hometown

A small town in Iowa has big plans

The legend of Riverside, Iowa began in 1985. The city council needed a theme for their annual town festival. One member, Steve Miller, read in The Making of Star Trek (1968) that Captain Kirk was born in Iowa. He proposed making Riverside Kirk's future birthplace. The story is the vote was unanimous. But being a small town (pop. 928 in 2000, 15 years later), the council may have been smaller--fewer councilmen means more beer to share. In any case, the gamble paid off when Gene Roddenberry gave his blessing: Captain James T. Kirk will claim Riverside, Iowa as home.

The official plaque lists Kirk's birthyear as 2228. Although accurate by The Making of Star Trek standards, an early episode of the original series ("The Deadly Years", the one where everyone ages) establishes Kirk's birth to 2233. When those that care debate which year should be followed, the strength of the evidence is questioned: is a plaque endorsed by Gene Roddenberry more compelling or is having it on film the only acceptable canon? Roddenberry's sign-off usually wins.

Riverside has taken to their role. This year marks the 25th Annual Trek Fest. This year's celebrity guests are (contracted) to be Walter Koenig, Nichelle Nichols and George Takei. Their float leaves for the parade at 10. (Incidently, the Trek Fest website mentions Kirk's birthyear as 2230.)

If afterwards, a pilgrim needs more excitement, nearby Iowa City features a few monuments of its own:

• The World's Largest Wooden Nickel
  Just what it sounds like
• The Black Angel
  A depressing, oxidized grave marker that looks to be keeping the dead from rising

Special Finds

Rare Star Trek collectibles are often bought and sold without much attention. Grab a piece of the Star Trek universe while these special collectibles are still available.

STAR TREK Pinball by DATA EAST LIVE LONG & PROSPER!
US $3,095.00

STAR TREK cookie JARS Original Hand Painted MUSEUM QUALITY set of five - NEW
US $3,500.00

2009 Star Trek Movie XI RARE Starfleet Badge Relic RC3
US $6,500.00

star trek chair capt kirk lifesize prop
US $3,200.00