What? Where Is That?
September 1, 2025 - August 31, 2027
One: 1 task from each town. (50 tasks)
Duration: September 1, 2025 - August 31, 2026
Lovely: 2 tasks from each town. (100 tasks)
Duration: September 1, 2025 - August 31, 2027
6/100
1. Burnt Corn, Alabama
Funny town names that have to do with food, like this Alabama town, are the coolest. There are a few legends about how Burnt Corn got its name. Some say settlers burned the Indians’ corn fields; others say Indians burned the settlers’ corn. Either way, conflict between the two groups climaxed at the Battle of Burnt Corn in 1813, which the Native Americans won.
🤔 Read a book where something gets burnt OR
Funny town names that have to do with food, like this Alabama town, are the coolest. There are a few legends about how Burnt Corn got its name. Some say settlers burned the Indians’ corn fields; others say Indians burned the settlers’ corn. Either way, conflict between the two groups climaxed at the Battle of Burnt Corn in 1813, which the Native Americans won.
🤔 Read a book where something gets burnt OR
with a 1, 3 or 8 in the page count (share count) OR
with a Native American character.
2. Unalaska, Alaska
There’s nothing anti-Alaska about Unalaska. The native Unangan, or Aleut, people called this area “Agunalaksh,” but variations in spelling and pronunciation caused confusion over the years. In the late 1800s, the United States Board on Geographic Names declared that the official name for this town, as well as the island it’s located on, was “Unalaska,” a simplification of the original name.
🤔 Read a book set on an island OR
There’s nothing anti-Alaska about Unalaska. The native Unangan, or Aleut, people called this area “Agunalaksh,” but variations in spelling and pronunciation caused confusion over the years. In the late 1800s, the United States Board on Geographic Names declared that the official name for this town, as well as the island it’s located on, was “Unalaska,” a simplification of the original name.
🤔 Read a book set on an island OR
where there a harbor important to the story OR
where a character is a
fisherman (of any kind).
3. Why, Arizona
Why, oh why, is this town called Why? It’s said to be because State Routes 85 and 86 formed a Y-intersection near the area. Since Arizona law required city names to have at least three letters, the founders changed the name from “Y” to “Why”—although if residents hadn’t seen it written down, no one would have known the difference.
🤔 Read a book whose title begins or ends with Y OR
Why, oh why, is this town called Why? It’s said to be because State Routes 85 and 86 formed a Y-intersection near the area. Since Arizona law required city names to have at least three letters, the founders changed the name from “Y” to “Why”—although if residents hadn’t seen it written down, no one would have known the difference.
🤔 Read a book whose title begins or ends with Y OR
with the word WHY in the title OR
with 85 or 86
(intact) in the page count (share count).
4. Possum Grape, Arkansas
This name is not as weird as it sounds—possum grapes are actually a kind of grape native to the southeastern United States. The townspeople couldn’t agree on whether to call the town “possum” or “grape”—and argued about it for almost 20 years and finally decided on both names in 1954!
🤔 Read a book where characters argue about something ridiculous OR
This name is not as weird as it sounds—possum grapes are actually a kind of grape native to the southeastern United States. The townspeople couldn’t agree on whether to call the town “possum” or “grape”—and argued about it for almost 20 years and finally decided on both names in 1954!
🤔 Read a book where characters argue about something ridiculous OR
where you find the word GRAPE in
the text (share page/Loc#) OR
with a dark purple or black title (show cover).
5. Zzyzx, California
Curtis Howe Springer was a radio evangelist who tried to convince people he was a doctor by selling fake medicines on his radio show. He also set up health spas around the country but never paid taxes on them. When he acquired a plot of land in the Mojave Desert, he named the area Zzyzx Mineral Springs resort, so it would be “the last word in health.” Eventually, the Feds caught up with his financial schemes and threw Springer in jail—for 49 days.
🤔 Read a book with a criminal OR
Curtis Howe Springer was a radio evangelist who tried to convince people he was a doctor by selling fake medicines on his radio show. He also set up health spas around the country but never paid taxes on them. When he acquired a plot of land in the Mojave Desert, he named the area Zzyzx Mineral Springs resort, so it would be “the last word in health.” Eventually, the Feds caught up with his financial schemes and threw Springer in jail—for 49 days.
🤔 Read a book with a criminal OR
where someone spends time in jail OR
with a character who is a
federal officer (FBI, CIA, NCIS).
6. No Name, Colorado
This is one of many funny town names that aren’t really names at all. Credit for the town’s unusual name goes to the developers constructing Interstate 70, who left several exits unmarked. When a Colorado Department of Transportation official went out to improve the signs, he wrote “No Name” on Exit 119. The town has had No Name ever since. State officials once tried to rename the area, but locals wouldn’t allow it.
🤔 Read a book with a highway on the cover (show cover) OR
This is one of many funny town names that aren’t really names at all. Credit for the town’s unusual name goes to the developers constructing Interstate 70, who left several exits unmarked. When a Colorado Department of Transportation official went out to improve the signs, he wrote “No Name” on Exit 119. The town has had No Name ever since. State officials once tried to rename the area, but locals wouldn’t allow it.
🤔 Read a book with a highway on the cover (show cover) OR
with more than 119 pages (share count) OR
with a character in construction.
7. Happyland, Connecticut
Happyland is actually a tiny community in the larger town of Preston, Connecticut. A theory says it was named for an amusement park that used to be there but that was destroyed by a hurricane in the 1930s, a decidedly unhappy story! Unfortunately, travel blogger Johnna Kaplan says that there’s no “welcome” sign, which we’re also not happy about. I mean, who wouldn’t want a picture with a “Welcome to Happyland” sign?
🤔 Read a book where a hurricane happens OR
Happyland is actually a tiny community in the larger town of Preston, Connecticut. A theory says it was named for an amusement park that used to be there but that was destroyed by a hurricane in the 1930s, a decidedly unhappy story! Unfortunately, travel blogger Johnna Kaplan says that there’s no “welcome” sign, which we’re also not happy about. I mean, who wouldn’t want a picture with a “Welcome to Happyland” sign?
🤔 Read a book where a hurricane happens OR
set in the 1930s OR
with nine letters in the title (in any
form).
Devil's Cub - Georgette Heyer (Sourcebooks Casablanca - Nov 2009) - Sept 9
8. Little Heaven, Delaware
Little Heaven was the name that an 1870s farmer, Jehu Reed, gave to a group of cabins he built in the area for the Irish workers he employed in his orchards.
🤔 Read a book where a person stays in a cabin OR
Little Heaven was the name that an 1870s farmer, Jehu Reed, gave to a group of cabins he built in the area for the Irish workers he employed in his orchards.
🤔 Read a book where a person stays in a cabin OR
with an Irish character OR
set on a farm or orchard.
9. Burnt Store, Florida
According to local legend, the town gets its name from a trading house on the Peace River that was burned down in 1849. At the time, manager George Payne had had meetings with Seminole Indians, and he died in a Seminole attack shortly before the store burned.
🤔 Read a book set on a river OR
According to local legend, the town gets its name from a trading house on the Peace River that was burned down in 1849. At the time, manager George Payne had had meetings with Seminole Indians, and he died in a Seminole attack shortly before the store burned.
🤔 Read a book set on a river OR
with a character who is a store manager OR
where someone dies in an
attack.
10. Experiment, Georgia
Experiment, Georgia gets its name from the Agricultural Experiment Station at the nearby Georgia University. An agricultural experiment station is a scientific research center that investigates difficulties and potential improvements to food production and agribusiness. Experiment station scientists work with farmers, ranchers, suppliers, processors, and others involved in food production and agriculture.
🤔 Read a book where a person works for a university OR
Experiment, Georgia gets its name from the Agricultural Experiment Station at the nearby Georgia University. An agricultural experiment station is a scientific research center that investigates difficulties and potential improvements to food production and agribusiness. Experiment station scientists work with farmers, ranchers, suppliers, processors, and others involved in food production and agriculture.
🤔 Read a book where a person works for a university OR
with a character that is involved in food
production and/or agriculture OR
with the letters AES (in any order) in the
author's name.
Wyoming Bodyguard - Danielle M. Haas (HI #2338 - Aug 2025) - Sept 9
11. Haiku, Hawaii
Despite what you might think when you first read its name, this Hawaiian community is not named for a three-line Japanese nature poem. HaÊ»ikÅ« was an ancient Hawaiian name for the natural valley in which the community is situated. Some say it is a Hawaiian word meaning "speak abruptly" or “sharp break”; others say it is another name for the Kahili flower.
🤔 Read a book where a person speaks abruptly OR
Despite what you might think when you first read its name, this Hawaiian community is not named for a three-line Japanese nature poem. HaÊ»ikÅ« was an ancient Hawaiian name for the natural valley in which the community is situated. Some say it is a Hawaiian word meaning "speak abruptly" or “sharp break”; others say it is another name for the Kahili flower.
🤔 Read a book where a person speaks abruptly OR
with a red title (show cover) OR
set in Hawaii.
12. Good Grief, Idaho
No, this isn’t Charlie Brown’s hometown! It got its name when a woman exclaimed 'good grief!' after her husband bought a store there without telling her in the 1950s. In fact, if you can believe the old-timey TV show Hee Haw, no one really lives there at all. According to an episode of the show from the 1970s, the entire population of Good Grief consists of “two dogs and one old grouch.”
🤔 Read a book where a spouse buys a large item without their spouse's knowledge OR
No, this isn’t Charlie Brown’s hometown! It got its name when a woman exclaimed 'good grief!' after her husband bought a store there without telling her in the 1950s. In fact, if you can believe the old-timey TV show Hee Haw, no one really lives there at all. According to an episode of the show from the 1970s, the entire population of Good Grief consists of “two dogs and one old grouch.”
🤔 Read a book where a spouse buys a large item without their spouse's knowledge OR
by an author whose
initials are the same letter OR
where there are two dogs or an old grouch in the
story.
13. Boody, Illinois
This Illinois community was named for Colonel William H. Boody, a head of the railroad industry. There’s a Boody Water Company and a Boody Water Tower, and there was even a Boody High School at one point. We wish it was still there, because we think it’d be pretty funny to only go for a year or two and then be a Boody School Dropout.
🤔 Read a book where a town is named after a family still residing there OR
This Illinois community was named for Colonel William H. Boody, a head of the railroad industry. There’s a Boody Water Company and a Boody Water Tower, and there was even a Boody High School at one point. We wish it was still there, because we think it’d be pretty funny to only go for a year or two and then be a Boody School Dropout.
🤔 Read a book where a town is named after a family still residing there OR
tagged Humor OR
by an
author that uses a middle initial.
14. Santa Claus, Indiana
Originally called Santa Fe, the town’s name changed in 1856 when town officials learned that there was already a Santa Fe, Indiana. However, the town has certainly made the most of the second-choice name: Santa Claus, IN fully embraces its Christmas-y moniker. Touted as a place “where it’s Christmas all year round,” Santa Claus features attractions like Holiday World, Lake Rudolph Campground, and Frosty’s Fun Center.
🤔 Read a book set at Christmas OR
Originally called Santa Fe, the town’s name changed in 1856 when town officials learned that there was already a Santa Fe, Indiana. However, the town has certainly made the most of the second-choice name: Santa Claus, IN fully embraces its Christmas-y moniker. Touted as a place “where it’s Christmas all year round,” Santa Claus features attractions like Holiday World, Lake Rudolph Campground, and Frosty’s Fun Center.
🤔 Read a book set at Christmas OR
with a Santa character OR
whose location begins with a letter in
CHRISTMAS (share location).
15. What Cheer, Iowa
In 1864, store owner Joseph Andrews organized a post office for his town of Petersburg. He wanted to name the post office “What Cheer” after an old English greeting he liked and decided that should be the town’s name as well. Peter Britton, who named the town Petersburg, objected. There was a town meeting, but the citizens couldn’t make a decision. Andrews won out in the end. Iowa Highway 21 runs north–south through What Cheer.
🤔 Read a book with a character named Peter or Joseph OR
In 1864, store owner Joseph Andrews organized a post office for his town of Petersburg. He wanted to name the post office “What Cheer” after an old English greeting he liked and decided that should be the town’s name as well. Peter Britton, who named the town Petersburg, objected. There was a town meeting, but the citizens couldn’t make a decision. Andrews won out in the end. Iowa Highway 21 runs north–south through What Cheer.
🤔 Read a book with a character named Peter or Joseph OR
where there is a town meeting in the story
OR
whose publishing year contains a 2 and 1 (share year).
16. Kickapoo, Kansas
Though it’s fun to say, this town name has a pretty simple origin: it’s the name of a Native American and Indigenous Mexican tribe living in the area. Today, it is home to a 150,000-acre Indian reservation. According to legend, the name means “wanderer".
🤔 Read a book with a character that is a wanderer OR
Though it’s fun to say, this town name has a pretty simple origin: it’s the name of a Native American and Indigenous Mexican tribe living in the area. Today, it is home to a 150,000-acre Indian reservation. According to legend, the name means “wanderer".
🤔 Read a book with a character that is a wanderer OR
whose title begins with K OR
with a Native
American reservation in the story.
17. Hippo, Kentucky
No, there are no actual hippos in Hippo, Kentucky. The name of this town comes from one of its twentieth-century residents, Bee Madison “Hippo” Craft. His nickname has nothing to do with hippopotamuses, either. At the time "hippo," short for hypochondriac, was Southern slang for an irritable and complaining person, something Craft was apparently known for in town.
🤔 Read a book with a character who is an irritable and complaining person OR
No, there are no actual hippos in Hippo, Kentucky. The name of this town comes from one of its twentieth-century residents, Bee Madison “Hippo” Craft. His nickname has nothing to do with hippopotamuses, either. At the time "hippo," short for hypochondriac, was Southern slang for an irritable and complaining person, something Craft was apparently known for in town.
🤔 Read a book with a character who is an irritable and complaining person OR
where a character has a
nickname OR
set in Kentucky.
18. Waterproof, Louisiana
The first residents of Waterproof moved there because it was the one place in their region that managed to avoid devastating floodwaters from the Mississippi River. Unfortunately, being waterproof isn’t always a good thing. The town lost many of its valuable corn crops due to a drought in 2008.
🤔 Read a book where a drought occurs OR
The first residents of Waterproof moved there because it was the one place in their region that managed to avoid devastating floodwaters from the Mississippi River. Unfortunately, being waterproof isn’t always a good thing. The town lost many of its valuable corn crops due to a drought in 2008.
🤔 Read a book where a drought occurs OR
with a farmer character OR
set in Louisiana.
19. Bald Head, Maine
Bald Head, Maine is named for the cliff of the same name. Does Bald Head Cliff look like a bald head? Unfortunately, not really. It is home to the majestic Cliff House Maine overlooking Bald Head Cliff in Cape Neddick.
🤔 Read a book where a character has a bald head OR
Bald Head, Maine is named for the cliff of the same name. Does Bald Head Cliff look like a bald head? Unfortunately, not really. It is home to the majestic Cliff House Maine overlooking Bald Head Cliff in Cape Neddick.
🤔 Read a book where a character has a bald head OR
with a hotel as the main location OR
with a cliff
on the cover (show cover).
20. Accident, Maryland
The most popular story about this odd name dates back to the late 1700s. Legend has it that two surveyors, Brooke Beall and William Deakins, Jr., both became interested in the same piece of land in the then-colony of Maryland. “By accident,” they both claimed the same land, each not knowing that the other had claimed it. The story ends happily, though: Deakins let Beall have the land, because the two were friends and because Beall had claimed it first.
🤔 Read a book with two main characters OR
The most popular story about this odd name dates back to the late 1700s. Legend has it that two surveyors, Brooke Beall and William Deakins, Jr., both became interested in the same piece of land in the then-colony of Maryland. “By accident,” they both claimed the same land, each not knowing that the other had claimed it. The story ends happily, though: Deakins let Beall have the land, because the two were friends and because Beall had claimed it first.
🤔 Read a book with two main characters OR
with a 1, 7 or 0 in the page count (share count) OR
with a one-word
title.
21. Sandwich, Massachusetts
Incorporated in 1639, Sandwich is the oldest town on Cape Cod. It’s named for the seaport of Sandwich in Kent, England. The commodity the town is most known for? Glass.
🤔 Read a book set in Massachusetts OR
Incorporated in 1639, Sandwich is the oldest town on Cape Cod. It’s named for the seaport of Sandwich in Kent, England. The commodity the town is most known for? Glass.
🤔 Read a book set in Massachusetts OR
that has been on your TBR/WTR list forever OR
with some sort
of colored glass on the cover (show cover).
22. Hell, Michigan
Sometimes, “Go to Hell” isn’t an insult. It’s directions! The central Michigan community got its start when George Reeves opened a gristmill (where grain is ground into flour) and paid farmers who brought in grain with home-distilled whiskey. If someone asked a farmer’s wife where her husband was around the harvest, she’d reply, “He’s gone to Hell again.” Now, visitors can be mayor of Hell for a day, get married in Hell, and stop by the post office, where workers singe every piece of mail before sending it.
🤔 Read a book where a character is a mayor OR
Sometimes, “Go to Hell” isn’t an insult. It’s directions! The central Michigan community got its start when George Reeves opened a gristmill (where grain is ground into flour) and paid farmers who brought in grain with home-distilled whiskey. If someone asked a farmer’s wife where her husband was around the harvest, she’d reply, “He’s gone to Hell again.” Now, visitors can be mayor of Hell for a day, get married in Hell, and stop by the post office, where workers singe every piece of mail before sending it.
🤔 Read a book where a character is a mayor OR
where characters get married OR
someone stops by the
post office.
23. Embarrass, Minnesota
The township gets its name from the French word “embarras,” which means “an obstacle or difficult situation.” It was given this name by the French fur traders who were some of the first Europeans to visit the area, and who found the narrow, shallow river very difficult to navigate, and named the river "Embarras". The town is located in the Mesabi Iron Range is a mining district and mountain range in northeastern Minnesota following an elongate trend containing large deposits of iron ore.
🤔 Read a book whose title begins with E OR
The township gets its name from the French word “embarras,” which means “an obstacle or difficult situation.” It was given this name by the French fur traders who were some of the first Europeans to visit the area, and who found the narrow, shallow river very difficult to navigate, and named the river "Embarras". The town is located in the Mesabi Iron Range is a mining district and mountain range in northeastern Minnesota following an elongate trend containing large deposits of iron ore.
🤔 Read a book whose title begins with E OR
where you find the word IRON in the text (share page/Loc#) OR
set in Minnesota.
24. Hot Coffee, Mississippi
One inn owner, L.J. Davis, advertised that he made the best hot coffee around—and it very well could have been. Davis made the coffee with pure spring water and New Orleans beans, and he used molasses drippings as sweetener. People loved it so much that they named the town after it.
🤔 Read a book by an author who uses initials (not just a middle initial) instead of a first name OR
One inn owner, L.J. Davis, advertised that he made the best hot coffee around—and it very well could have been. Davis made the coffee with pure spring water and New Orleans beans, and he used molasses drippings as sweetener. People loved it so much that they named the town after it.
🤔 Read a book by an author who uses initials (not just a middle initial) instead of a first name OR
where someone makes coffee OR
where someone visits New Orleans.
25. Frankenstein, Missouri
In 1890, Gottfried Franken donated land for the community to build a church. And as far as we know, Franken was not a mad scientist. The donated tract became known as Franken Hill; and, since "Stein" can mean "rock," the town name may have been a fancy way of honoring Mr. Franken for his donated stein (hill).
🤔 Read a book where a church is important to the story OR
In 1890, Gottfried Franken donated land for the community to build a church. And as far as we know, Franken was not a mad scientist. The donated tract became known as Franken Hill; and, since "Stein" can mean "rock," the town name may have been a fancy way of honoring Mr. Franken for his donated stein (hill).
🤔 Read a book where a church is important to the story OR
with a main character whose first name
begins with G OR
with a 0, 1, 8, or 9 in the page count (share count).
To Steal a Lyon's Heart - Dayna Quince (Dragonblade - July 2025) (291 pgs) - Sept 7
26. Big Arm, Montana
This town is known for Big Arm Bay of the nearby Flathead Lake, which also gives its name to Big Arm/Flathead Lake State Park, a popular destination for fishing. The “big arm” in question is the name for one side of the lake.
🤔 Read a book with a big arm on the cover (share cover) OR
This town is known for Big Arm Bay of the nearby Flathead Lake, which also gives its name to Big Arm/Flathead Lake State Park, a popular destination for fishing. The “big arm” in question is the name for one side of the lake.
🤔 Read a book with a big arm on the cover (share cover) OR
set near a lake OR
with the letters ARM
(intact) in the title.
27. Worms, Nebraska
Worms was not named for the wildlife, which is probably a good thing. The name most likely comes from the city of Worms in Germany, which would be pronounced “vorms”. Worms' name is of Celtic origin: Borbetomagus meant "settlement in a watery area". The village consists of a bar, a Lutheran church and a cluster of homes. There is a sketch comedy TV show called Worms, NE, M.D.
🤔 Read a book where a village has a bar, church and homes OR
Worms was not named for the wildlife, which is probably a good thing. The name most likely comes from the city of Worms in Germany, which would be pronounced “vorms”. Worms' name is of Celtic origin: Borbetomagus meant "settlement in a watery area". The village consists of a bar, a Lutheran church and a cluster of homes. There is a sketch comedy TV show called Worms, NE, M.D.
🤔 Read a book where a village has a bar, church and homes OR
that has a connection to a TV show
(share show's name) OR
whose title begins with a letter in LUTHERAN.
28. Sugar Bunker, Nevada
Unfortunately, the story behind this name isn’t as sweet as you might think. Sugar Bunker was the name of a storage site for chemical explosives that operated in the mid-twentieth century. It was also known as Nevada Test Site Area 6. Luckily, no chemical tests are held there nowadays!
🤔 Read a book where the government does shady things OR
Unfortunately, the story behind this name isn’t as sweet as you might think. Sugar Bunker was the name of a storage site for chemical explosives that operated in the mid-twentieth century. It was also known as Nevada Test Site Area 6. Luckily, no chemical tests are held there nowadays!
🤔 Read a book where the government does shady things OR
a Series #6 OR
someone goes to a storage unit.
29. Potter Place, New Hampshire
Before Harry Potter, there was Richard Potter! That’s right—while this community is not named after the boy wizard, it’s still named after a magician, which we think is pretty cool. According to the welcome sign, Richard Potter was a “magician, ventriloquist, and showman". He was the first American-born magician to gain fame in his own country and is widely considered the first African-American celebrity. He inspired the character Samuel Peyton in the 1956 novel Peyton Place by Grace Metalious.
🤔 Read a book tagged Magic OR
Before Harry Potter, there was Richard Potter! That’s right—while this community is not named after the boy wizard, it’s still named after a magician, which we think is pretty cool. According to the welcome sign, Richard Potter was a “magician, ventriloquist, and showman". He was the first American-born magician to gain fame in his own country and is widely considered the first African-American celebrity. He inspired the character Samuel Peyton in the 1956 novel Peyton Place by Grace Metalious.
🤔 Read a book tagged Magic OR
by an African-American author OR
with a character who is a magician,
ventriloquist, or showman.
30. Cheesequake, New Jersey
Cheesequake is actually derivation of the Lenni-Lenape Indian word “Cheseh-oh-ke,” which means “upland.” It is now located within Cheesequake State Park, a 1,274-acre park where visitors can go hiking, camping, fishing, or boating.
🤔 Read a book where a character goes hiking, camping, fishing, or boating OR
Cheesequake is actually derivation of the Lenni-Lenape Indian word “Cheseh-oh-ke,” which means “upland.” It is now located within Cheesequake State Park, a 1,274-acre park where visitors can go hiking, camping, fishing, or boating.
🤔 Read a book where a character goes hiking, camping, fishing, or boating OR
set in a town with a
funny name OR
with a 1, 2, 4, or 7 in the page count (share page count).
31. Pie Town, New Mexico
Yes, Pie Town really is a town of pie. Named for a local bakery that made amazing apple pies, it is the site of an annual Pie Festival, complete with a pie-baking contest, a pie-eating contest, and horned toad races. Pie Town is located along U.S. 60.
🤔 Read a book where pie is a prominent thing OR
Yes, Pie Town really is a town of pie. Named for a local bakery that made amazing apple pies, it is the site of an annual Pie Festival, complete with a pie-baking contest, a pie-eating contest, and horned toad races. Pie Town is located along U.S. 60.
🤔 Read a book where pie is a prominent thing OR
with 0 or 6 in the publication year (share year) OR
with the word PIE in the title.
32. Butternuts, New York
Legend has it that Butternuts was named for three butternut (also known as white walnut) trees growing out of the same stump. Unfortunately, the trees were cut down a long time ago to build a log cabin, which seems pretty anticlimactic to us.
🤔 Read a book with a large tree on the cover (show cover) OR
Legend has it that Butternuts was named for three butternut (also known as white walnut) trees growing out of the same stump. Unfortunately, the trees were cut down a long time ago to build a log cabin, which seems pretty anticlimactic to us.
🤔 Read a book with a large tree on the cover (show cover) OR
where a tree is chopped down in the
story OR
set in New York.
33. Whynot, North Carolina
When German and English settlers were debating over what to name their new town, one man said, “Why not name the town Whynot and let’s go home?” Area residents first began making pottery in the 18th century. Whynot is located on NC 705, also known as the "North Carolina Pottery Highway".
🤔 Read a book where characters are settlers to a new area OR
When German and English settlers were debating over what to name their new town, one man said, “Why not name the town Whynot and let’s go home?” Area residents first began making pottery in the 18th century. Whynot is located on NC 705, also known as the "North Carolina Pottery Highway".
🤔 Read a book where characters are settlers to a new area OR
with a page count that contains a 0, 5
or 7 (share page count) OR
where a character makes or buys pottery.
34. Zap, North Dakota
Zap was founded in 1913 along a branch line of the Northern Pacific Railway that began in Mandan. The exact origin of the name is uncertain. Some say the town was named after Zapp, which was either a prominent Minnesota banking family or a coal-mining town in Scotland. Today, the town’s tourism catchphrase is “zip to zap”—how great is that?
🤔 Read a book whose author's name contains a Z OR
Zap was founded in 1913 along a branch line of the Northern Pacific Railway that began in Mandan. The exact origin of the name is uncertain. Some say the town was named after Zapp, which was either a prominent Minnesota banking family or a coal-mining town in Scotland. Today, the town’s tourism catchphrase is “zip to zap”—how great is that?
🤔 Read a book whose author's name contains a Z OR
where there is a mention of banking or Scotland
OR
with a catchy title.
35. Pee Pee, Ohio
Pee Pee is actually named for a man who carved his initials—P. P.—into a nearby tree. Sources vary on whether the culprit was town founder Major Paul Paine or a guy named Peter Patrick. Pee Pee Settlement was a free African-American community that existed around 1820, it was a place that was primarily an area for former slaves from Virginia.
🤔 Read a book with an African-American character OR
Pee Pee is actually named for a man who carved his initials—P. P.—into a nearby tree. Sources vary on whether the culprit was town founder Major Paul Paine or a guy named Peter Patrick. Pee Pee Settlement was a free African-American community that existed around 1820, it was a place that was primarily an area for former slaves from Virginia.
🤔 Read a book with an African-American character OR
by an author whose first or last name begins with
P OR
set in Ohio.
36. Slaughterville, Oklahoma
Despite its name, Slaughterville is not the site of grisly murders or uprisings. It was named after a grocery store run by James Slaughter in the early 1900s. Slaughterville was incorporated as a town on November 25, 1970. In 2004, PETA requested that the town be renamed because it felt the current name alluded to animal abuse. The town council voted down the motion.
🤔 Read a book with a small grocery store that is important to the town OR
Despite its name, Slaughterville is not the site of grisly murders or uprisings. It was named after a grocery store run by James Slaughter in the early 1900s. Slaughterville was incorporated as a town on November 25, 1970. In 2004, PETA requested that the town be renamed because it felt the current name alluded to animal abuse. The town council voted down the motion.
🤔 Read a book with a small grocery store that is important to the town OR
whose author is named
James (may be first or last name) OR
published in November of any year (share
year).
37. Boring, Oregon
It was named after one of its first residents, William Harrison Boring, a Union soldier and pioneer whose family built a farm in the area in 1856. It soon became a railroad town, since the timber in that area was used to build rails and fuel trains. Boring’s great-grandson Bob still lives in the area and says that despite the name, “There’s always something going on around here.” The town also has two international sister cities: Dull, Scotland, and Bland, Australia.
🤔 Read a book where a character is/was in the military OR
It was named after one of its first residents, William Harrison Boring, a Union soldier and pioneer whose family built a farm in the area in 1856. It soon became a railroad town, since the timber in that area was used to build rails and fuel trains. Boring’s great-grandson Bob still lives in the area and says that despite the name, “There’s always something going on around here.” The town also has two international sister cities: Dull, Scotland, and Bland, Australia.
🤔 Read a book where a character is/was in the military OR
where there is a forest around the town OR
where the MC's first name begins with W (share name).
38. Asylum, Pennsylvania
“Asylum” often brings creepy or scary images to mind, but this township draws its name from the other definition of the word. During the French Revolution, refugees who escaped the violence took shelter in Pennsylvania and founded the village of Azilum. Many residents returned to France around 1800, but the name stuck around.
🤔 Read a book where a character must leave their country because of war OR
“Asylum” often brings creepy or scary images to mind, but this township draws its name from the other definition of the word. During the French Revolution, refugees who escaped the violence took shelter in Pennsylvania and founded the village of Azilum. Many residents returned to France around 1800, but the name stuck around.
🤔 Read a book where a character must leave their country because of war OR
set in Pennsylvania OR
set
in the late 1700s.
39. Woonsocket, Rhode Island
“Woonsocket” sounds like it should be a town name in a Dr. Seuss book, not the USA! Like “Kickapoo,” it’s a variation on a Native American word, most likely from the Nipmuc tribe. There are several theories about what it means: “thunder mist/waterfall,” “fox country,” “at the fork of the river,” to name a few. Its correct pronunciation is “one-SOCK-it.”
🤔 Read a book whose location begins with a letter in NIPMUC (share location) OR
“Woonsocket” sounds like it should be a town name in a Dr. Seuss book, not the USA! Like “Kickapoo,” it’s a variation on a Native American word, most likely from the Nipmuc tribe. There are several theories about what it means: “thunder mist/waterfall,” “fox country,” “at the fork of the river,” to name a few. Its correct pronunciation is “one-SOCK-it.”
🤔 Read a book whose location begins with a letter in NIPMUC (share location) OR
where there is a
waterfall in the story OR
set in Rhode Island.
40. Coward, South Carolina
There is some debate about how the town acquired its name. Through extensive research by very knowledgeable curator(s) at the Florence County Museum the most likely account is that in 1831, Capt. Solomon Coward was granted 126 acres spanning a section of the Lynches River in southern Florence County, which at the time was within Williamsburg District. It wasn’t until the early 20th century, however, that the area adopted the name Coward. Funnily, though, the town is best known for an intense treetop walk that is definitely not for cowards! The “Canopy Walk” has bridges that are up to 50 feet above the forest floor and that sway terrifyingly. The town's slogan is "A Quiet and Peaceful Place".
🤔 Read a book set in a "quiet and peaceful place" OR
There is some debate about how the town acquired its name. Through extensive research by very knowledgeable curator(s) at the Florence County Museum the most likely account is that in 1831, Capt. Solomon Coward was granted 126 acres spanning a section of the Lynches River in southern Florence County, which at the time was within Williamsburg District. It wasn’t until the early 20th century, however, that the area adopted the name Coward. Funnily, though, the town is best known for an intense treetop walk that is definitely not for cowards! The “Canopy Walk” has bridges that are up to 50 feet above the forest floor and that sway terrifyingly. The town's slogan is "A Quiet and Peaceful Place".
🤔 Read a book set in a "quiet and peaceful place" OR
where a character goes over a bridge OR
whose page count contains a 1, 2 or 6 (share page count).
41. Red Shirt, South Dakota
The town is on the Pine Ridge Reservation, just outside Badlands National Park. It was named for chief Red Shirt of the Oglala Sioux tribe, who is famous for being a U.S. Army Native Scout.
🤔 Read a book with a red cover (show cover) OR
The town is on the Pine Ridge Reservation, just outside Badlands National Park. It was named for chief Red Shirt of the Oglala Sioux tribe, who is famous for being a U.S. Army Native Scout.
🤔 Read a book with a red cover (show cover) OR
where a character wears a red shirt OR
that is
tagged/genre Western.
42. Sweet Lips, Tennessee
Fewer than 100 people live in this small town that got its name from a nearby creek. Residents have claimed that the name comes from settlers (or wandering hobos or thirsty Civil War soldiers, depending on whom you ask) thought the water from this creek tasted sweet to the lips. Some scenes from the 1973 movie Walking Tall were filmed in Sweet Lips.
🤔 Read a book with less than 100 pages (share page count) OR
Fewer than 100 people live in this small town that got its name from a nearby creek. Residents have claimed that the name comes from settlers (or wandering hobos or thirsty Civil War soldiers, depending on whom you ask) thought the water from this creek tasted sweet to the lips. Some scenes from the 1973 movie Walking Tall were filmed in Sweet Lips.
🤔 Read a book with less than 100 pages (share page count) OR
with the word CREEK in the text (share
page/Loc#) OR
with a movie tie-in of some kind.
43. Looneyville, Texas
Established during the Civil War, this community is named for John Looney, who opened a store there in the early 1870s. It took a hard hit after World War I; only 40 people lived there. In 1960, its only school closed, and the last store was consumed by a fire in the 1990s.
🤔 Read a book with a word in the title that contains double o (oo) OR
Established during the Civil War, this community is named for John Looney, who opened a store there in the early 1870s. It took a hard hit after World War I; only 40 people lived there. In 1960, its only school closed, and the last store was consumed by a fire in the 1990s.
🤔 Read a book with a word in the title that contains double o (oo) OR
with a character that is a
storekeeper OR
set in Texas.
44. Eggnog, Utah
Located in Garfield County just southeast of Capital Reef, Eggnog was established in 1979. The desolate town was likely named for their residents’ tendency to serve eggnog to ranchers. With its hefty texture and fattening qualities, the drink is a quick way to restore some energy for laborers.
🤔 Read a book where eggnog is served OR
Located in Garfield County just southeast of Capital Reef, Eggnog was established in 1979. The desolate town was likely named for their residents’ tendency to serve eggnog to ranchers. With its hefty texture and fattening qualities, the drink is a quick way to restore some energy for laborers.
🤔 Read a book where eggnog is served OR
with a page count that contains a 1, 7 or 9 (share page
count) OR
where a character needs some energy.
45. Mosquitoville, Vermont
Mosquitoville is actually a tiny community within the town of Barnet, Vermont. Barnet has a population of around 1,700 people. David Warden, who co-founded the historical society in the 1960s, couldn’t definitively pinpoint the origin of Mosquitoville’s name. (“It’s rare that anyone asks,” he said.) His money’s on the swamp, but he had another guess: Such a phrase “infers a very small place,” he said, “and that little village there” meets the definition.
🤔 Read a book with a swamp in the story OR
Mosquitoville is actually a tiny community within the town of Barnet, Vermont. Barnet has a population of around 1,700 people. David Warden, who co-founded the historical society in the 1960s, couldn’t definitively pinpoint the origin of Mosquitoville’s name. (“It’s rare that anyone asks,” he said.) His money’s on the swamp, but he had another guess: Such a phrase “infers a very small place,” he said, “and that little village there” meets the definition.
🤔 Read a book with a swamp in the story OR
set in Vermont OR
where the author's first and last name
totals 12 letters in any form.
46. Dragonville, Virginia
Dragonville is an unincorporated community in King and Queen County, Virginia, United States, named after the English hamlet of Dragonville, County Durham.
🤔 Read a book with a dragon in the story OR
Dragonville is an unincorporated community in King and Queen County, Virginia, United States, named after the English hamlet of Dragonville, County Durham.
🤔 Read a book with a dragon in the story OR
whose title begins with D OR
set in Virginia.
47. Humptulips, Washington
It’s actually got nothing to do with tulips. Most sources say that it comes from a Native American word meaning "hard to pole", indicating the difficulty the Indians had poling their canoes up the river in the area. The Humptulips River was hard to pole canoes up and down stream, caused by downed timber that lined the banks of this beautiful river. While few people today use poles to push themselves up and down the river, it remains rugged, hearty and beautiful. The town also has phenomenal salmon fishing.
🤔 Read a book set by a river OR
It’s actually got nothing to do with tulips. Most sources say that it comes from a Native American word meaning "hard to pole", indicating the difficulty the Indians had poling their canoes up the river in the area. The Humptulips River was hard to pole canoes up and down stream, caused by downed timber that lined the banks of this beautiful river. While few people today use poles to push themselves up and down the river, it remains rugged, hearty and beautiful. The town also has phenomenal salmon fishing.
🤔 Read a book set by a river OR
where a canoe is used OR
where someone eats salmon.
48. Booger Hole, West Virginia
In the early 1900s, the town was full of outlaws and plagued by violence. Several people were murdered, and more just disappeared altogether. Today, the town’s a major destination for ghost hunters. Legend has it that Booger Hole derived its peculiar name from the hauntingly eerie howls and moans that echoed through the dense woods. The creek that flows through the area was said to be the favorite hiding spot of a mythical creature known as a booger, which is akin to a mischievous gnome or goblin. According to local legend, these creatures would emerge from their hiding places at night, causing mischief and scaring unsuspecting passersby.
🤔 Read a book with a ghost hunter OR
In the early 1900s, the town was full of outlaws and plagued by violence. Several people were murdered, and more just disappeared altogether. Today, the town’s a major destination for ghost hunters. Legend has it that Booger Hole derived its peculiar name from the hauntingly eerie howls and moans that echoed through the dense woods. The creek that flows through the area was said to be the favorite hiding spot of a mythical creature known as a booger, which is akin to a mischievous gnome or goblin. According to local legend, these creatures would emerge from their hiding places at night, causing mischief and scaring unsuspecting passersby.
🤔 Read a book with a ghost hunter OR
where someone is murdered or someone disappears OR
with a
mythical creature in the story.
49. Imalone, Wisconsin
Maybe the only thing more interesting about the community than funny town names is its founder’s: Snowball Anderson. One day, Anderson left his gas station in the care of a man named Bill Granger. When a salesman stopped by and needed the name of the place for an invoice, Granger said, “I’m alone,” meaning he couldn’t ask anyone what the name was. So that’s what the salesman wrote down. One current resident says Anderson actually named the community himself, simply “because he was.”
🤔 Read a book where a person is alone a lot OR
Maybe the only thing more interesting about the community than funny town names is its founder’s: Snowball Anderson. One day, Anderson left his gas station in the care of a man named Bill Granger. When a salesman stopped by and needed the name of the place for an invoice, Granger said, “I’m alone,” meaning he couldn’t ask anyone what the name was. So that’s what the salesman wrote down. One current resident says Anderson actually named the community himself, simply “because he was.”
🤔 Read a book where a person is alone a lot OR
with the word ALONE in the title OR
where someone
stops at a gas station.
50. Chugwater, Wyoming
The popular story behind this name claims that a young Native American, leading a bison hunt or “buffalo jump,” would often chase the bison right over cliffs, where they would fall and land with a loud “chugging” sound. Because there was a small stream by the cliffs, Native Americans began to call the area “water at the plate where the buffalo chug,” which was shorted to Chugwater.
🤔 Read a book where a legend is told OR
The popular story behind this name claims that a young Native American, leading a bison hunt or “buffalo jump,” would often chase the bison right over cliffs, where they would fall and land with a loud “chugging” sound. Because there was a small stream by the cliffs, Native Americans began to call the area “water at the plate where the buffalo chug,” which was shorted to Chugwater.
🤔 Read a book where a legend is told OR
with a buffalo/bison in the story OR
with a character who
hunts.
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