logo
Advertisement

The United States has more towns with unusual names than you might think, and sometimes the origin of the name is just as interesting as the name itself. If you're thinking about taking a road trip, consider detouring off your chosen route to check out some towns with off-the-wall names. If no trip is planned, at least you'll have some funny knowledge about the quirkier corners

Ding Dong, Texas

About 60 miles North of Austin, the town of Ding Dong, Texas has quite a nice ring to it, you might say. The name's origin goes back to the 1930s when Zulis and Bert Bell commissioned a new sign for their country store on the Lampasas River. The artist, a talented oil painter named C.C. Hoover, painted two bells with the words Ding Dong, and the name stuck.

Lampasas Texas city park Hundley_Photography / Getty Images

Advertisement

Monkey's Eyebrow, Kentucky

The rural community of Monkey's Eyebrow in Kentucky is so under-the-radar, you may not even know you're there when passing through. The definitive story on how Monkey's Eyebrow came to be is unknown, but the most popular account refers to a map of Ballard County, where the town resides on the Ohio River. The county's outline resembles a monkey's profile, and the town's location is situated where the primate's eyebrow would be.

Beautiful evening scene in Kentucky's Bluegrass region alexeys / Getty Images

Advertisement

Scratch Ankle, Alabama

With a name like Scratch Ankle, you might be wondering how residents named this small town in Alabama. According to local folklore, the title was inspired by black gnats. The small insects feasted on the ankles of residents who rolled up their pants to enjoy the afternoon breeze, leaving residents with itchy skin. Other versions of the story blame mosquitoes or fleas, but the sentiment remains.

Welcome to Alabama state sign along the roadside RAUL RODRIGUEZ / Getty Images

Advertisement

Booger Hole, West Virginia

The unincorporated community in the Rush Fork Valley of West Virginia has a dark past, which some people claim is the inspiration behind its strange name. From the late 1800s until 1917, a series of grisly deaths occurred in the small community. None of the murders were ever solved, so locals attributed them to the boogeyman. Legend says an old stonemason grew tired of the violence and decided to leave the boogeyman and his booger hole behind.

West Virginia, Seneca Rocks, Champe Rocks John Elk III / Getty Images

Advertisement

Chicken, Alaska

The small town of Chicken, Alaska, counted 7 full-time residents in 2010, but in its heyday, hundreds of gold miners called it home. The establishment of a post office in 1902 required that the town claim an official name. Miners chose "Ptarmigan" after the gamebird commonly found in the region. Unfortunately, no one could verify the accurate spelling of the bird's name, and the townspeople settled on Chicken to avoid an embarrassing mistake.

U.S. Towns With Unusual Names Lisa Kedian Photography / Getty Images

Advertisement

Pee Pee, Ohio

The name of Pee Pee Township in Pike County, Ohio, may evoke a giggle, but the name doesn't mean what you think it does. The small community was named after Pee Pee Creek, which earned its title when Peter Patrick carved his initials into a tree along the banks. The settler eventually moved to Virginia, and the Pee Pee Township became a part of the Underground Railroad.

Scioto River DonNichols / Getty Images

Advertisement

Santa Claus, Indiana

The town of Santa Claus in southwestern Indiana didn't always have its merry name. Originally called Santa Fe, the community had to replace its name when it learned of another town with the same name already in Indiana. The townspeople gathered on Christmas Eve in 1856 to discuss the matter. A door burst open, allowing the sound of sleigh bells to drift inside, and the rest is history.

Sign for the city of Santa Claus, Indiana suesmith2 / Getty Images

Advertisement

Zzyzx, California

Pronounced "Zye-Zix," this roadside stop was once a luxurious healing resort in the middle of the Mojave Desert. Radio evangelist Curtis Springer established the Zzyzx Mineral Springs in the 1940s to serve as his shining legacy. He even invented the unique name to ensure he'd have the last word in the English language. Unfortunately, Springer was a con artist with no medical experience. Federal Marshals evicted him and his followers in 1974, and the resort fell into ruin.

A lake in the desert at Zzyzx, formerly Soda Springs in California LizzieMaher / Getty Images

Advertisement

Why, Arizona

Why is Why, Arizona named so oddly? Before the town's founding, Peggy and Jim Kater owned a homestead near the junction of State Routes 85 and 86. The two roads intersected in a Y-shape, so the Katers took to calling their place "the Y." They attracted so many visitors, the town had to apply for a post office, but in order to do so, the town name must contain at least three letters. Why, Arizona was born, and now, you know why.

the sanoran desert and cactus in organ pipe cactus national monument near ajo in arizona, usa crbellette / Getty Images

Advertisement

Whynot, North Carolina

Located on North Carolina's Pottery Highway 705, this quaint community received its odd handle during a town meeting. Locals debated for hours on a suitable new name for their home, asking why not name it this or that? A frustrated farmer finally cut in, asking, "Why not name it 'Why not' and then we can go home?"

Curved Road Surrounded by Greenery Glasshouse Images / Getty Images

Scroll Down

for the Next Article

Advertisement

Popular Now on Facty


Disclaimer

This site offers information designed for educational purposes only. The information on this Website is not intended to be comprehensive, nor does it constitute advice or our recommendation in any way. We attempt to ensure that the content is current and accurate but we do not guarantee its currency and accuracy. You should carry out your own research and/or seek your own advice before acting or relying on any of the information on this Website.

logo

Do you want to advertise on Facty.com?
Let’s talk about this! Contact us!
advertise@facty.com

© 2024 Assembly Digital Ltd. All rights reserved.