There are some towns in Southern California that have some pretty odd names. Have you ever driven through a location and wondered how it got its name? Here are 8 of those places you may have wondered about, along with some fun facts on how they were named. When it comes to SoCal history, you’re going to be one step ahead of everyone else once you know these fun facts.
Nothing like a place with the word "death" in it that makes you want to visit. Death Valley received its name in 1849 during the Gold Rush when 13 pioneers died, most likely due to the heat, while traveling through the valley to find gold.
The town of Badwater, located in Death Valley, has a name that makes you think twice about drinking the water while you're here. It received its name after the Badwater Basin, which is a spring-fed pool that isn't safe to drink due to the high amount of salt that has accumulated in the area.
Here's another oddly named town located in Inyo Valley. Although the origin of the town's name is unknown, visitors to the area take it quite literally by hanging actual tea kettles on the sign to signify its given name.
Named in 1944 by Curtis Howe Springer, a land owner who had claim to 12,000 acres, who made up the name with the last three letters of the alphabet in order to claim it was the last word in the English language. So how on earth do you pronounce Zzyzx? Just how it sounds, of course.
As the name implies, Furnace Creek is hot, hot, hot. Located within Death Valley, this town holds the record for the hottest temperature ever recorded in the world, registering at 134 degrees on July 10, 1913. No wonder this place is called Furnace Creek!
Located in the San Fernando Valley, Tarzana is the site of a former ranch that was owned by author Edgar Rice Burroughs, who penned the well-known jungle book Tarzan of the Apes.
Ever wonder where the town of Earp got its name? You'd be right if you guessed Wyatt Earp, who had a brief connection to San Bernardino County in 1864.
Another odd town name in Death Valley is called Skidoo. Ever heard of it? It's a ghost town now, but it was once a famous destination during the gold rush. Named after the expression "23 skidoo," which refers to "getting out" or leaving quickly, which is exactly what happened here after the gold rush.
So now you know the history of these 8 strangely named towns in Southern California. You can amaze your friends and family with all of these fun facts. Are there any other towns in SoCal that you’ve come across with odd names? If I’ve missed any, please let me know in the comments.
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