Fort Madison, IA, United States

Capital City

With a population of just 10,270, Fort Madison is a sleepy Midwest outpost that will test the patience of big-city transplants. The city's history as a former military fort is intriguing, but its present-day economy revolves around the aging Sheaffer Pen factory and the state penitentiary. Bureaucracy is a persistent headache, as evidenced by the town's relocation in 1840 due to "land title issues." For those seeking small-town charm and a slower pace of life, Fort Madison may deliver, but urban adventurers should look elsewhere.