Here Are 22 Bizarrely Named Pennsylvania Towns That Will Leave You Scratching Your Head

These days, we just have to take our amusement anywhere we can find it, including in the bizarre and sometimes inexplicable history of our surroundings. Here are 22 of our very favorite weird town names in Pennsylvania. Some of them come with explanations, while others are mysteriously devoid of an understood origin. We hope you find them as amusing as we do.

1. Apollo

This town was originally named Warren.

2. Armagh

Bless you! Armagh is the oldest town in Indiana County.

3. Athens

In 2011, Tropical Storm Lee left much of Athens underwater, resulting in millions of dollars worth of damage. It did not fare as well over time as its Greek counterpart.

4. Big Beaver

As you might guess, Big Beaver is located in Beaver County. We can’t help but wonder just how big the beaver who inspired this name was.

5. Big Run

Big Run is named after a waterway. Why, though?

6. Blue Ball

Possibly the most legendarily silly-named town in Pennsylvania, Blue Ball takes its name from a local hotel, not from whatever you were thinking.

7. California

8. Confluence

Confluence is a bizarre, yet weirdly beautiful name for a town.

9. Daisytown

The population of Daisytown is only 326!

10. Dallas

This town is named after Alexander Dallas, the 6th Secretary of the Treasury. It has nothing to do with Texas.

11. Driftwood

When it was founded, Driftwood was the center of the lumber industry in Pennsylvania. Now, it’s just a funny name.

12. Economy

A Harmonist society founded Economy, Pennsylvania, and named it to represent their principles of living.

13. Throop

Now this one is just fun to say.

14. Houston

First Dallas, now Houston. Apparently, Pennsylvania secretly wishes it were Texas. Is there a Pennsylvania, Texas? Asking for a friend.

15. Intercourse

Intercourse has such a strange and suggestive name that it’s become a popular tourist destination simply for that reason. Meanwhile, our inner fourth-graders can’t stop giggling about it.

16. Moosic

Even though this may sound like a funny variation on the word "music," the name actually is the Lenape word for "elk place." See, that’s a thing you know now.

17. Jersey Shore

Jersey Shore was not named to confuse you, although it may seem that way. Rather, some of its original inhabitants were from New Jersey.

18. Mars

The history of how Mars received its name is unknown. They probably – probably – weren’t Martians, though.

19. Paint

Paint, Pennsylvania, is located near Johnstown.

20. Red Lion

Red Lion is named after a local tavern. Imagine being such a legendary bar that the entire town is named after you.

21. Scalp Level

This is probably the weirdest and creepiest town name on this list. It is located within a stone’s throw of Paint.

22. Pringle

We wonder if the people of Pringle love Pringles. We also wonder how sick they are of that question. Probably a lot.

How many of these weird town names in Pennsylvania have you ever visited? Which one is your favorite? Tell us in the comments!

Craving a little more Pennsylvania weirdness? Check this article out - you might have broken one of those weird laws and never known it!