“Discover America’s Most Bizarre Town Names: What Secrets Do They Hide?”
But instead of spelling the unincorporated community’s name like the French version, they called it G-N-A-W-B-O-N-E. “It took years of translation to do that,” Usler joked with NPR. Located between Columbus and Nashville, tiny Gnaw Bone is the home of three different flea markets.
Hygiene, Colorado
Before this unincorporated area in Boulder County, Colorado, was called Hygiene, it was known by the more common name Pella. But in the late 1800s a sanitarium called Hygiene Home was established there for tuberculosis patients.
The impressive and highly-esteemed sanitarium was three stories tall and boasted a glassed-in sun porch. It only made sense to name the town after this prestigious institution. Today, the scenic area and its charming downtown is
popular with locals and tourists alike.
Hell, Michigan
Hell, Michigan, might be the most famous “oddball” town name in the USA. With a population of roughly 65,000, Hell is a popular and scenic destination for tourists. Journalist Mark Usler shared the backstory to the city’s name in his book Hometown Revelations.
In 1938, a resident named George Reeves ran a backyard still. “All the husbands used to come up to George’s place to have a good time, and when the people asked the wives where their husbands were, the wives threw up their hands and said they went to hell. They’re up at George’s place,” Usler explains. “In 1841, the state of Michigan contacted George and said you have to name your town, George. And George said, just call it Hell. Everybody else does.” Fair enough, George.
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