Except for the proximity to Europe, which was the main center of industry and trade in the 19th century. Also Appalachia is coal country and the Midwest has the lakes and rivers necessary for pre-railroad transportation, so the industrial revolution had to take place there. All much better than the deserts and mountains that abut the West coast.
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"Yeah, there's this cold wet place were the beaches are made out of jagged rocks and the fish have claws!"
They'd get across the Mississippi, take one look at the man-eating mosquito clouds in Wisconsin, and nope the fuck back across the river.
Except for the proximity to Europe, which was the main center of industry and trade in the 19th century. Also Appalachia is coal country and the Midwest has the lakes and rivers necessary for pre-railroad transportation, so the industrial revolution had to take place there. All much better than the deserts and mountains that abut the West coast.