Boldly Going to Riverside: Captain Kirk’s Future Birthplace

Captain Kirk's Future Birthplace is a must see stop for any family with a Trekkie. Seriously, who wouldn't want to stop and stretch their legs AND take a picture with Captain Kirk? Not only can you stand beside a statue for a photo op while your kids play at an AWESOME park, you can also find an engraved rock for a photo showing exactly where you stopped. If nothing else, it's a stop for kids to get out and play for a bit on the way to your next destination, but for a Trekkie this is a bucket list stop! If you weren't looking for it, you might drive right past Riverside, Iowa. But for Star Trek fans, this small town (population ~1,000) is hallowed ground. Thanks to Dad’s detour, you stood at the exact spot where James Tiberius Kirk will be born on March 22, 2228.

How a Small Town Became a Space Port

The story of how Riverside became Kirk’s hometown is almost as famous as the Captain himself. In 1985, a local councilman named Steve Miller read in a Star Trek book that Kirk was born in a small town in Iowa, but the book didn't say which one. Miller proposed that Riverside should claim the title. The city council voted unanimously to "make it so," and Gene Roddenberry (the creator of Star Trek) even gave the town his official blessing.

The Monument Under the Table

The most iconic part of the visit is the birthplace marker. For years, a small plaque sat behind a hair salon, but it has since been moved to a more prominent spot near City Hall. But the real "insider" spot is at Murphy’s Bar & Grill, where there is a plaque under one of the pool tables marking the exact spot where the Captain will be conceived. It’s the kind of quirky, tongue-in-cheek humor that makes the whole town so charming.

The Voyage Home Museum

We spent some time at the Voyage Home Museum (also known as the Riverside History Center). It’s a wonderful mix of local Riverside history and a treasure trove of Star Trek memorabilia. The USS Riverside, you can't miss the model of the starship on a trailer in the parking lot. For a few dollars, you can actually buy a small vial of "Kirk Dirt" from the future birthplace, the ultimate souvenir for someone who has everything! We took photos with the bronze statue of Captain Kirk in Railroad Park, which makes for a great "look what we found in Iowa" social media post.

A Town That Embraces the Trek

What makes Riverside so fun is how the whole community gets involved. The street signs have the Starfleet insignia, and the town slogan was even changed to "Where the Trek Begins." If you happen to visit in June, the town explodes with TrekFest, a festival featuring costume contests, parades, and even "intergalactic" pet shows. Even for those of us who aren't "die-hard" Trekkies, the detour was worth it. It’s a testament to small-town imagination and a fun reminder that history is being made (or at least planned for) every day, even in the middle of an Iowa cornfield.

Iowa Destinations

Captain Kirk's Future Birthplace 🖖

Devonian Fossil Gorge

Effigy Mounds National Monument

Herbert Hoover National Historic Site

High Trestle Trail

Lacey - Keosaqua State Park

Maquoketa Caves State Park

Russell Wildlife Area

Swinging Bridge