YOU LIVE WHERE?
A town name says a lot, especially if it’s an unusual word or phrase. It could be a reflection of the town’s personality, history, or perhaps the founder’s sense of humor or state of mind. A town name can inspire pride, serenity, embarrassment, jocularity, or at the very least, be a great conversation starter.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with any (okay, most) names on the following list, especially if you are fascinated, intrigued, or amused by how certain word combinations sound. If you were to settle a town, would you have thought of some of these names? If you lived in one of these towns, would you tell people about it happily or hesitantly?
The following list is only a sampling of American town names from a much larger collection, all of which can be found on topographical quadrangle maps distributed by the U.S. Geological Survey. The collection includes names that most of us have heard before (i.e. Kalamazoo, Walla Walla, Intercourse, Hell’s Kitchen, etc.), but the names below (in nine different categories) were chosen for their uniqueness, sound, charm, or history. Enjoy!
== From The Nonsensical To The Ordinary ==
Of all the town names in this article, these are the most likely to make you wonder about the stories behind them. Where do people come up with this stuff? Some research revealed the following:
Bad Axe, Michigan – Around 1865, military surveyor Randolph Pabst found a rusted axe at the intersection of two major trails, and started a camp there. Hunters allegedly left the axe. Many had tried to change the name during the Civil War, but Captain Pabst insisted that the name remain.
Bucksnort, Tennessee – As the legend goes, William “Buck” Pamplin, a pre-Civil War resident, loved his whiskey. Whenever he drank, he made all sorts of strange sounds, including snorts, which the neighbors would comment on frequently. When it came time to give the post office a town name, they decide to use the “Buck Snort” comment.
Enumclaw, Washington – Apparently the word “Enumclaw” means “strong wind” or “thundering noise,” which is what Indians heard when camping near a mountain. The nighttime wind seemed to originate from inside the mountain, thus stirring the imaginations of the native campers.
Nothing, Arizona – A tiny settlement, Nothing was founded in 1977 and once consisted of a gas station, a garage, a convenience store, and a rock shop. It supposedly had a total of four residents, who abandoned it in May of 2007. Talk about self-fulfilling prophecy!
Truth or Consequences, New Mexico – Ralph Edwards, the moderator of the 1950s radio and TV game show of the same name, announced that he would do the show from the first town that adopted the program’s name. He ended up visiting each May for approximately 20 years, making a “Fiesta” out of the event, which included a parade with the live show.
Other memorable town names include: – Accident, Maryland – Baraboo, Wisconsin – Good Grief, Idaho – Hypoluxo, Florida – Pug Ugly, California – Smoky Ordinary, Virginia – Squibnocket, Massachusetts
== Animals ==
Most towns named after animals do not hearken to cuddle time on the sofa with a bunny or a kitten. No, these founders thought it would be cool to be associated with more “earthy” creatures, like frogs.
– Cuckoo, Virginia – Dragon, Utah – Monkey’s Eyebrow, Kentucky – Worms, Nebraska – Frog City, Frogeye, Frog Pond, Frog Level, Frogtown, Frogsboro (various states)
== Earth ==
The earth – what a marvelous piece of equipment! Those who enjoyed physics and other natural phenomena of our world thought up these town names. Watch where you step in Kentucky!
– Avalanche, Wisconsin – Globe, Arizona – Gravity, Iowa – Ozone, Tennessee – Quicksand, Kentucky
== Famous Names ==
The United States would be slightly less enjoyable without a few towns named after famous folks, both real and fictitious. Does Santa really have a summer cottage in the Midwest?
– Ben Franklin, Texas – Flintstone, Maryland – Frankenstein, Missouri – Pillsbury, Minnesota – Santa Claus, Indiana
== Food ==
Naming a town after food truly has merit, but one must still put effort into it. How did those Pennsylvanians come up with their town name, and why only two eggs in Florida?
– Bacon, Indiana – Cheesequake, New Jersey – Lime, Alabama – Turnip Hole, Pennsylvania – Two Eggs, Florida
== Money ==
No, these are not towns where the rich and famous go to escape the paparazzi. Perhaps some founders were concerned about future taxes? The Nevada town makes perfect sense, actually.
– Dividend, Utah – Jackpot, Nevada – Ninety Six, South Carolina – Tariff, West Virginia – Tightwad, Missouri
== Plants ==
Sometimes when you add water to earth, you get plants, and it’s always nice to see large areas that are abundant with greenery. Texas is a big state and all, but do we really need to know where the trees are, and aren’t?
– Forest, Ohio – Garden, Michigan – Grassy, Alabama – Notrees, Texas – Trees, Texas
== Time ==
So, where are you from? “Thursday.” Huh?
– Century, Florida – Dawn, Ohio – Hurry, Maryland – Thursday, West Virginia – Time, Missouri
== Water ==
We can’t live without it, but looking at the first three names in this category induces unwanted shivers. And how many uses did those Oregonians attempt before dubbing their town name?
– Bath, Maine – Coldwater, Oklahoma – Creek, North Carolina – Useless Bay, Oregon – Waterproof, Louisiana
DISCLAIMER: A handful of the above town names exist in more than one state, and states were chosen to allow a relatively even sampling around the country. Additionally, every state in the U.S. has its own charm and appeal, and any “razzing” in this article is only meant in jest.
