1

"Yes, Hell is a Place on Earth"

Image: Peter Leong

People driving from Lansing to Ann Arbor can take a slight detour and "go through Hell." And Hell lives up to its name, playfully. Founded in Michigan in the 1830s (legend has it that one of the settlers said, "Call it Hell, for all I care!"), this tourist hotspot leans into the joke.

You can "get married in Hell," mail postcards from the Hell Post Office , or grab a souvenir from the Hell Hole Diner. The town even freezes over in winter—because, of course, Hell can freeze over.

2

"Because!"

Image: Danika Perkinson

Why’s name comes from a nearby Y-shaped intersection , but its motto takes full advantage of the pun.

Originally called "Y," this Arizona town had to add an "H" to comply with the state’s three-letter minimum for place names. Today, Why (population: around 160) is a desert oddity whose motto says it all: Because. That’s the only explanation it’s willing to give.

3

"The Town Too Tough to Die"

Image: Andreas Rasmussen

That’s the nickname of Tombstone, Arizona. This Wild West legend earned its motto after surviving fires, shootouts, and near abandonment. Founded in 1879 as a silver boomtown, Tombstone soon became infamous for the gunfight at the O.K. Corral.

When the mines dried up, the town rebranded itself as a living museum of cowboy lore . Today, actors reenact gunfights daily, and the Bird Cage Theatre—once called "the wickedest nightspot between Basin Street and the Barbary Coast"—still stands.

4

"The Town That Was"

Image: Colin Lloyd

Few mottos are as haunting as that of Centralia, Pennsylvania. In 1962, a coal mine fire ignited beneath the town and has burned ever since, turning streets into smoke-filled cracks and forcing nearly everyone to leave.

Today, fewer than ten residents remain in this near-ghost town , where graffiti-covered Route 61—the "Graffiti Highway"—attracts urban explorers. It’s said that the underground fire could continue burning for another 250 years.

5

"The Most Exciting Place to Live"

Image: ALEKSEY KUPRIKOV

Don’t be fooled by the name of Boring, Oregon—its motto is a cheeky nod to its reputation, but the town was actually named after 19th-century settler William Boring .

Every year, the town hosts the "Boring Fest" and sells "Boring, OR" merch. Ironically, the surroundings of Boring are anything but dull: you’ll find stunning trails and ski resorts to explore near Mt. Hood!

6

"No Fear Here"

Image: Jon Tyson

Coward, South Carolina, would like everyone to know they’re no scaredy-cats. Named after a railroad official , the town has embraced its ironic potential with a motto that flips the script.

Located along the "Old Stage Coach Road," Coward is now a quiet pit stop with a sense of humor. No cowards here—just a town that knows how to laugh at itself.

7

"A Nice Place to Live"

Image: Sterling Lanier

In the heart of Amish Country, Intercourse , Pennsylvania, gets its eyebrow-raising name from an old term for " crossroads ." The town leans into the jokes (yes, they sell T-shirts) but keeps it wholesome with a motto that highlights its quiet charm.

Visitors come for the buggy rides, homemade jam, and, of course, the chance to say they’ve been to Intercourse.

8

"Not What You Expected"

Image: Jason Leung

A fitting motto for Surprise, Nebraska. Founded in the 1880s, the town’s origin story has been lost to time , and with a population of around 40, it’s a surprise it’s still on the map at all. That’s exactly what the motto jokes about.

9

"The Town Without a Frown"

Image: Yuyang Liu

Happy, Texas, boasts one of the most wholesome town names—and a matching motto. This Panhandle town of 600 lives up to its name with a smiley-face water tower and an annual "Happy, Texas Day" celebration.

Founded in the 1890s, Happy got its name from cowboys who found water here after a drought.

10

"The Last Word in Hospitality"

Image: vamshi vanaparthi

How do you pronounce Zzyzx, a town in California? It’s "Zye-zix." This Mojave Desert spot was once a health spa run by a self-proclaimed "doctor" who invented the name to be the last word in the dictionary.

Today, it’s a research center—and yes, it remains the last alphabetical town in the US, just as intended.

11

"High and Dry Since 1854"

Image: Aleksandra Sapozhnikova

That’s funny! But irony alert: Waterproof, Louisiana, is ironically prone to flooding. Named after a local plantation owner’s boast that his land was "waterproof," the town’s motto leans into the joke. After multiple floods, the residents have learned to take it in stride.

12

"A Beautiful Mistake"

Image: Sarah Kilian

Finally, we have the quaint town of Accident, located in Maryland. Founded in 1774 after a land surveyor "accidentally" marked the wrong spot , Accident embraces its quirky origin story.

Today, it’s a charming Appalachian town, best known for its humorous name.

1

Origin of the name

Image: Brady Bellini

Contrary to what you might think, the name "Hollywood" has nothing to do with the film industry. The origin of the name of the city that would later become the Mecca of cinema is surrounded by many myths. One comes from the personal diary of a real estate developer named H. J. Whitley. Whitley recounts encountering an Asian man carrying logs on a dolly. When asked about it, the man reportedly replied, "hauling wood," which, to Whitley, sounded something like "holly-wood."

As colorful as this story may be, it is unlikely to be true. The legend that likely comes closest to reality involves Harvey Henderson Wilcox and his wife, Daeida, who purchased 120 acres of land west of Los Angeles. According to different theories, Daeida may have overheard the word on a train or picked it up from the estate name of an acquaintance from Illinois. Whatever the case, since the name was first written on Wilcox's 1887 land deed, it seems plausible that Daeida was the one responsible for naming the area.

2

Movie theaters were prohibited

Image: Arthur Rothstein, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

H. J. Whitley may not have christened the area, but he did a lot to promote its development. He invested heavily in installing electricity, built the Hollywood Hotel to attract land buyers, and developed the residential neighborhood of Whitley Heights. The area began to flourish, and by the early 20th century, the new municipality boasted a post office, a local newspaper, and two markets.

The inhabitants of Hollywood, by majority vote, decided to forbid the sale of liquor within the city, including in restaurants and hotels. Movie theaters were also banned . However, when Hollywood was incorporated into Los Angeles in 1910, which had no such restriction, history changed forever.

3

The motion picture industry conquers Hollywood

Image: Bain News Service, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

​​In the early 1900s, most film production companies were based in New York and New Jersey. However, the so-called "patent wars" encouraged them to move to the West Coast. At the time, the industry was virtually monopolized by Thomas Alva Edison, who owned the majority of the camera equipment patents.

Many companies rebelled against the abusive rates and decided to relocate to Los Angeles, where they could more easily evade these restrictions. In addition, the weather there was better and the days were longer, which allowed them to work more hours and spend less on electricity. If we add the low land prices to the mix, it’s no surprise that Hollywood became the ideal location to establish the capital of the motion picture industry.

4

The first film

Image: See page for author, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

The prolific film director D. W. Griffith, who had already made around 50 short films in New York, was one of the many who migrated to Hollywood to get rid of patent restrictions. In fact, he directed the first film shot entirely in Hollywood. In Old California is a 17-minute western set during California’s Mexican era.

Later, in 1915, Griffith would release The Birth of a Nation , one of the most important and controversial films in the history of the seventh art. This film, also shot in Hollywood, solidified Griffith’s reputation as one of the pioneers of narrative filmmaking .

5

The first studio

Image: masbet christianto

The first permanent motion picture studio established in Hollywood was the Nestor Motion Picture Company, a subsidiary of the Centaur Film Company from New Jersey. In 1911, brothers David and William Horsley built a rudimentary stage behind the Blondeau Tavern, at the intersection of Sunset Boulevard and Gower Street. Production started immediately, with films such as Her Indian Hero and The Law of the Range .

Despite their pioneering efforts, the Nestor Company faced the same fate as many other small studios of the era: its lifespan was short . In 1912 it was absorbed by the emerging Universal Studios, although it kept its name until 1917. In the 1930s, the original building was demolished to build the Columbia Square facility.

6

The truth about the Hollywood sign

Image: waterandpower.org, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

The Hollywood Sign is a cultural icon not only of Los Angeles but of the entire United States. Do you know how it ended up on top of Mount Lee? In 1923, a publicist erected the famous 50-foot-tall white uppercase letters to promote a local real estate development called "Hollywoodland." The sign was originally intended to last only a year and a half, but the booming movie industry ensured its longevity.

With the great economic crisis of the 1930s, the company went bankrupt and the famous sign was neglected—even losing the "H," leaving it to read "Ollywoodland" for several years. In the late 1940s, the city decided to restore it, but the Chamber of Commerce ordered the last 4 letters to be removed so that it would no longer be associated with the company but with the town.

7

First Oscars ceremony

Image: Engin_Akyurt

Everyone knows that the Oscars are the world's most prestigious film awards. But did you know that the ceremony has been held annually for almost 100 years? On May 16, 1929, as talkies were just beginning to rise in popularity, 270 film industry personalities gathered at the Roosevelt Hotel. That evening, 15 statuettes were awarded to give the booming film industry an air of prestige and glamour.

The inaugural night was filled with interesting curiosities. For instance, the recipients of the awards were announced publicly three months before the ceremony . Additionally, the event was not broadcast in any form of media. Another fun fact: In the early years, the Academy Awards included a banquet. However, in 1942, due to increased attendance and the impact of World War II, the banquets were replaced with more modest theater ceremonies.

8

Walk of fame

Image: Neelix at en.wikipedia, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Every high-profile artist has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame—even the Muppets have one! Along 15 blocks in Hollywood Boulevard, approximately 2,800 five-pointed terrazzo-and-brass stars honor some of the world’s most beloved celebrities, including actors, directors, musicians, athletes, and even fictional characters.

In 1953, the head of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce came up with the idea of creating a publicity stunt to promote those whose names stand for glamour and prestige. Finally, in 1960, the first star prototypes were installed, honoring icons such as Joanne Woodward and Burt Lancaster. Today, this popular landmark is visited by millions of tourists every year.

9

Time capsule

Image: StockSnap

Few people know that beneath the mythical stars lies a very special treasure. To commemorate the Hollywood Walk of Fame's half-century of existence, the Chamber of Commerce buried a time capsule beneath the spot where it originated, at the corner of Hollywood Blvd. and Highland.

The 16 x 16 x 18-inch capsule holds an array of artifacts that celebrate Hollywood’s enduring mystique. Among its contents are the screenplay of Casablanca , recordings of Oscar ceremonies from 1960 to 2010, programs from the musicals Wicked and The Lion King , and messages from various Academy members. These priceless mementos are set to resurface during the Walk of Fame's 100th anniversary celebration in 2060.

10

The Hollywood Forever Cemetery

Image: Judyfan1922 at English Wikipedia, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

With its legendary sign, iconic Walk of Fame, and countless beloved films and celebrities, Hollywood truly has it all. For this reason, it is only fitting that the city also boasts a peaceful and beautiful resting place for stars after their deaths. Founded in 1899, the Hollywood Forever Cemetery is the final resting place of many stars, including Judy Garland, Cecil B. DeMille, Don Adams, and Peter Lorre.

Located in the heart of Hollywood and adjacent to Paramount Studios, today this cemetery is a tourist attraction visited by many. In fact, on weekends during the summer the cemetery screens outdoor films for everyone to enjoy!

1

Nathan's Famous Hot Dogs, New York

Image: Umanoide

While its world fame derives from a hot dog eating contest where the flavor of each individual dog is hardly appreciated by the participants, Nathan’s Famous does make excellent frankfurters with a vast array of flavors to choose from.

Set up in 1916 by Polish immigrant Nathan Handwerker, it's now one of the most popular and famous places on the New York City food map for its mind-blowing hot dogs.

2

Puka Dog, Hawaii

Image: LikeMeat

Pork is a central part of the Hawaiian culture and it should be no surprise that pork hot dogs are a popular treat in that lovely part of the country. Puka Dog’s Hawaiian-style hot dogs are named after the unique bun that's baked with a hole running through the middle .

The available hot dogs can be either Polish or veggie, and the local garlic lemon sauce can be mild, spicy, hot, or lava (yes, that is on the menu). Relish and condiments are seemingly infinite.

3

Portillo's, Illinois

Image: Samuel Ramos

A city well known for its all-beef hot dogs served in poppy seed buns Chicago has plenty of hot dog vendors. But, among them, Portillo’s is the place to go to get the real deal.

Its classic Jumbo Hot Dog with mustard, relish, chopped onions, sliced ripe tomato, sport peppers, and pickles in a delicious steamed bun is a city landmark in itself. Chicago natives are known to call this combo of toppings 'dragging the dog through the garden'.

4

Dat Dog, Louisiana

Image: Mateusz Feliksik

If you ever felt the craving for an alligator or crawfish hot dog , and you happen to be in Louisiana, this is the place for you. Dat Dog has nine house-special dogs on the menu, including everything from classic Chicago-style dogs to the aforementioned alligator and crawfish dogs.

The vegan and vegetarian options are also very popular, like the Vegan Banger, complete with a vegan-friendly bratwurst, sauerkraut, dill relish, onions, tomatoes and mustard.

5

Short Leash Hotdogs & Rollover Doughnuts, Arizona

Image: Andy Wang

Hot can be gourmet food and Short Leash Hotdogs & Rollover Doughnuts certainly knows that. There’s a long menu, from a ll-beef and bratwurst to veggie and spicy link, unconventionally served in naan bread with a range of toppings .

One of the house’s strongest contenders, the Oliver hot dog, is a mix of sauerkraut, Swiss cheese and Thousand Island dressing. The Poutine Dog is smothered with French fries, cheese curds, and gravy.

6

Buldogis Gourmet Hot Dogs, Nevada

Image: Chris Curry

The odd name of Buldogis Gourmet Hot Dogs makes sense once you understand that it is a word play on the traditional Korean beef dish, bulgogi , with lots of the menu items inspired by Korean and Vietnamese flavors.

The Banh Mi, a local favorite, is bacon, banh mi slaw, a herb blend, and sriracha aioli. The Angry Kimchi comes with spicy pork bulgogi, Asian slaw, jalapeños and fiery aioli.

7

Red Top, Kentucky

Image: Meg Jenson

These hot dogs might be served from a food truck but the food is gourmet style for sure. Its wild game and all-beef sausages including wild boar, wagyu, and bison include extravagant toppings to match.

Visitors can try the Nirvana – a combo of roasted garlic cream cheese, jalapeños, fried onions, and jalapeño jam – or the Black & Blue, with blue cheese spread, grilled onions, smoked bacon, and local blackberry jam.

8

International House of Hot Dogs, Alaska

Image: Freunde des Snacks e.V.

The first of two Alaskan entries, the International House of Hot Dogs is loved by Anchorage locals thanks to its easily customizable options and wide range of dogs and toppings. However, the undisputed specialty is the reindeer Polish sausage, dressed with sautéed onions and the joint's secret chipotle sauce .

If reindeer is not of your liking, you can also choose between beef, buffalo, chicken, or veggie dogs.

9

Talkeetna Roadhouse, Alaska

Image: Andersen Jensen

As exotic as these treats might seem elsewhere, reindeer dogs are a normal thing in Anchorage, Alaska, as seen in the previous post, and this one, where the Polish-style dogs are the house’s specialty.

The menu even features names like Rudy-in-a-Parka and Chili-Rudy, as a nod to Santa Claus’ ride. But visitors can rest assured that the meats used don’t belong to the famous reindeer.

10

The Hot Dog Box, Chicago

Image: Zeki Okur

The Windy City makes a second entry at the last stop of our list with The Hot Dog Box, a father-daughter-managed joint venture. While classic Chicago-style hot dogs are on the menu, what makes this place a Chicago original is the craftier original creations that prove there's still room for creativity in the hot dog department.

The Bronzeville Bourbon Hot Dog is a menu star, comprised of a decadent steak dog covered with bourbon barbecue sauce, a fresh cabbage and carrot medley, and hickory-smoked bacon , all served in a pretzel bun.