Itasca

Itasca is the name of some places in the United States:

*Minnesota:
** Itasca County, Minnesota
** Itasca Township, Minnesota
** Lake Itasca, the "source" of the Mississippi River
** Itasca State Park
* Itasca, Illinois
* Itasca, Texas
* Itascatown, historical settlement on Howland Island
** named after Coast Guard Vessel "Itasca" (see below)

Also two warships:
* USS "Itasca", an armed steamer that fought in the American Civil War.
* USCGS "Itasca", a United States Coast Guard cutter, famous for its role during the disappearance of Amelia Earhart, which later served in the Royal Navy as HMS "Gorleston" during World War Two.

The name Itasca was coined by Henry Schoolcraft. Upon being led to the true source of the Mississippi River by Ozawindib, a local Indian guide, he used the words "Veritas" (truth) and "Caput" (Head, source) to form a new word for that purpose.