Weird town names .. !!

Mary's Igloo, Alaska, USA

This town was originally named "Kauwerak," but by the early 1900's the entire village had been abandoned. It was during the gold boom that non-Natives had renamed the village "Mary's Igloo," after an Eskimo women named Mary. They named the village in her honor because she used to welcome miners, trappers and other non-residents into her home for some…

… hot coffee.

Knockemstiff, Ohio, USA

There are a few stories on how this town, which by the way has no main roads or stores, originated. One legend says that the town was named for the fighting ability of its young men. Another legend says that there was a huge brawl in the town saloon. I am sure these first two legends are related in some manner. A final legend tells of an angry wife who asked a preacher how she could get her cheating husband to stay home.

The preacher replied…

… “Knockemstiff.”

Monkey's Eyebrow, Arizona, USA

No, this is not a lost city from the “Planet of the Apes” where apes and monkeys act like…

… humans.

There are several legends regarding the origin of this town’s name, but most people think it originated from a local crescent-shaped hill. Apparently when the grass grows tall, it looks very similar to a monkey’s eyebrow.

Needmore, Texas, USA

This town was founded in the 1920’s and they desperately needed more settlers. So the existing settlers named the town “Needmore.” Unfortunately, their little public relations stunt did not bring the desired results. The population never broke the 100 mark

North Pole, Alaska, USA

Dahl and Gaske Development Company bought this land and named it North Pole, hoping to attract a toy manufacturer who would advertise products as being made in…

…North Pole.

Santa Claus, Indiana, USA

The story behind this town's name goes something like this: The town did not have a name for the longest time so the residents set up a meeting at the local church to come up with a name. An agreement on a name could not be reached until a stranger came to the door in a sleigh and the children in the church cried, "It's Santa Claus!" The town name issue was resolved. Now, you didn’t really think Santa Claus lived in…

… Indiana, USA did you?

Smackover, Arkansas, USA

Its funny what happens when you translate French names. In its original French form it was “Chemin Couvert.” This in English translates to Smack Cover. The Post office shortened the town name into one word and removed the redundant "c." If I was the mayor of this town, I would give tourists an opportunity of being smacked on camera and then they can show all their friends that…

… I got smacked in Smackover!

Toad Suck, Arkansas, USA

Folklore suggests that this town's name originated from the fact that rivermen used to suck whiskey until they swelled up…

… like toads.

Hence the classic town name of "Toad Suck."\

Truth Or Consequences, New Mexico, USA

This town was formerly known as Hot Springs, but took the producers of the “Truth or Consequences'' radio game show up on their request to have a town name itself after…

… the TV game show.

The town did not receive any monetary incentive, but it did benefit a good amount of publicity. The TV game show, which was hosted by Ralph Edwards, celebrates the annual Ralph Edwards Fiesta every May.

Two Egg, Florida, USA

There are numerous stories and folklore going around about the origin of this town name. The Two Egg city sign has been stolen so many times that the city workers had to bolt it all the way around to make it tougher to steal. The most realistic origin of this town’s name that I can find is that the children of a resident by the name of Allison brought eggs - usually one or two - to trade for candy, snuff and tobacco. An out of town salesman, who often did business with the General store, noticed this practice and began calling the tiny place…

… Two Egg Town.

Valentine, Texas, USA

How sweet. A city of…

… Love. NOT!

This town’s name was founded when the Southern Pacific Railroad crew, building east, reached the site on February 14, 1882.

Why, Arizona, USA

Why would they name this town Why? Why is the ocean blue? Why is the Earth round? Why do we get a funny feeling in our body when we stick our finger in our belly button?!

So many questions…

… so little time.

This town was named for a Y-shaped intersection of state Highways 85 and 86.

The spelling was changed from “Y” to “Why” after the residents had petitioned for a post office. The state required that the name be spelled differently.