The 16 Most Preposterous Town Names in the United States

This town was originally called “Ptarmigan” (the quotations were actually a part of the name), but no one could remember how to spell it, and the townspeople didn’t want anyone to make fun of them for that. So, naturally, they changed it to “Chicken.”

This town gets its name because the two major highways by it used to be at a “Y” intersection. Now, it just sounds like a very normal sentence that people from Arizona (myself, included) regularly ask themselves.

This town is the perfect example of someone being like, “Who cares, name it whatever.” It’s a city containing several fishing lodges. It was not named by a whimsical elf.

Toad Suck is one mile long and is mostly just a river. It has a park. The park is called “Toad Suck Park.”

This town challenges you to try and find Santa Claus himself walking around their town theme park “Holiday World,” where the rides are half-Christmas themed and half regular water park. This town is legally obligated to celebrate Christmas all year long.*

*This is a lie. They do it by choice.

This town is named Duck, North Carolina. Just “Duck.” The duck in question is featured proudly on this sign, welcoming you.

Volcano is a whole town in Hawaii, and not just a city with one volcano in it and nothing else (unfortunately).

Whoa, what? Hang on. What? They make a lot of paper in this city, and it’s called two places at once.

People from Accident are lovingly referred to as “Accidentals,” which probably doesn’t hurt anyone’s self-esteem daily or anything.

And here is Hell. Welcome to Hell.

*This town is very aware of their name, and they are super into it. They encourage people to “get married in hell.” It’s cute, really.

Sandwich is the oldest town on Cape Cod. Sandwich is 375 years old and famous for the “Sandwich Glass Museum,” which features a wide range of “rare glass.”

Sandwich, New Hampshire and Sandwich, Massachusetts have never battled each other—yet. There’s still time.

Someone tried to say “cheesecake” and “earthquake” in the same sentence once, and accidentally named a town this.* They have a really lovely park there, though.

*This is just a guess.

This town is named after a “sombrero shaped 60-foot rock located on the edge of town.” It is perplexingly racist.

And presenting: the saddest town in America.

This town name suggests holding a bird in your hand, which is probably not the preferred location of most birds. Please do not disturb the birds. Thank you.