Tuesday, January 15, 2008

Wacky U.S. Town Names

Source: USPS Zipcode database, so these have zip codes, imagine those that don't

Alabama: Stretch Ankle, Arab, Burnt Corn, and Seed Tick
Arkansas-Texas: Texarkana (state line runs down main street)
Arizona: Why (see Mississippi)
California: Zzyzx Springs (there’s also Yreka in the Trinity Alps, with a bakery, and the “Yreka Bakery” is a palindrome, the same backwards as forwards)
Delaware: Camden Wyoming (this town is lost!)
Florida: Kissimee
Georgia: Social Circle, Santa Claus, Box Springs. (and there's a Hard Labor Creek State Park)
Hawaii: Captain Cook
Idaho: Hog Heaven
Illinois: Bone Gap, Cave In Rock (named by Neanderthals)
Iowa: What Cheer [in Georgia, if it’s not over there, it’s rat cheer]
Kentucky: Bear Wallow, Mud Lick, Minnie Mousie, Bug, Eighty-Eight
(Note: in 1948, 88 people in Eighty-eight voted for Dewey, and 88 voted for Truman; in 1988, a couple came from Caspar Wyoming to be married on the 8th day of the 8th month at 8:08 p.m. – you have to wonder if they only stayed married for 88 days or 8 days, 8 minutes!)
Louisiana: Sweet Gum Head
Maryland: Potato Neck
Michigan: Climax
Minnesota: Fertile, Blackduck
Mississippi: Whynot (see Arizona)
Missouri: Braggadoccio
Nevada: Cal Nev Ari
New Hampshire: Center Sandwich (what, no East or West Sandwich?)
New York: Breakabeen
North Carolina: Coldass Creek, Stiffknee Knob, Rabbit Shuffle (and of course, the Beverly Hillbillies had kin in “Bug Tussle”)
North Dakota: Cannon Ball
Oklahoma: Broken Arrow, Broken Bow (but no Broken Hearts?)
Oregon: Bridal Veil
Pennsylvania: Intercourse, Burnt Cabins
South Carolina: Ninety-Six
Texas: Chocolate Box, Ding Dong, Lick Skillet
Tennessee: Dull, Only, Peeled Chestnut, Defeated, Nameless
Utah: Mexican Hat
Virginia: Bland
Washington: Humptulips
Wisconsin: Cozy Corners
Wyoming: Dead Bastard Peak, Crazy Woman Creek, Maggie’s Nipples (mountains no doubt? Or just a “flashy” local denizen?) Let’s not forget The Grand Tetons (French for...) right next to Jackson Hole, Wyoming.
California is a town in four states: Missouri, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Kentucky
Carolina is a town in West Virginia and Rhode Island

Name Changes for Good Causes
In 1950, the town of Hot Springs, New Mexico, changed its name to Truth or Consequences on a dare from a radio game show of that name; the prize: the 10th anniversary show was broadcast from there.
In 1954, Maunch Chunk, Pennsylvania, changed its name to Jim Thorpe, so his widow would bury his body nearby.
In the 90’s, a town in Montana changed it’s name to Joe, as the first one to do so got a visit from and a day's celebration with Joe Montana! (He actually hails from western Pennsylvania).
Cody, Wyoming, changed its name for Buffalo Bill Cody.

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