Pennsylvania is legendary for its quirky, confusing, and downright bizarre town names. Here are ten that will make you question whether your GPS is malfunctioning—or if you’ve entered a parallel universe.
1. Intercourse
Perhaps the most infamous of all, Intercourse is a real town in Lancaster County. Its name draws giggles and double-takes from travelers, but it’s a hub of Amish culture and a popular tourist stop.
2. Blue Ball
Just down the road from Intercourse, Blue Ball’s name comes from a historic inn, not what you might think. Still, it’s a name that will make any GPS sound like it’s playing a prank.
3. Bird-in-Hand
Another Lancaster County gem, Bird-in-Hand is named after an old saying. The town’s name is so odd it’s become a beloved local brand.
4. Mars
No, you haven’t left Earth. Mars, Pennsylvania, is a small town near Pittsburgh that fully embraces its out-of-this-world name, complete with a flying saucer in the town center.
5. Jersey Shore
Confusingly, this town is nowhere near New Jersey or the ocean. It’s a landlocked borough in central Pennsylvania, sure to baffle anyone relying on their GPS for a beach day.
6. Panic
Located in Jefferson County, Panic’s name supposedly comes from a moment of indecision when the town needed a new name. The result? A name that perfectly describes your GPS’s reaction.
7. Slippery Rock
This Butler County town is named after the slick rocks in a nearby creek. It’s also home to a university, but the name alone is enough to make you question your route.
8. Rough and Ready
Found in Schuylkill County, this town’s name sounds more like a Wild West outpost than a Pennsylvania community. Your GPS will say it with a straight face, but you might not.
9. Normalville
Ironically, there’s nothing “normal” about a town called Normalville. Located in Fayette County, it’s a name that will make you do a double-take.
10. Paradise
Just when you think you’ve reached the end of the road, your GPS announces you’ve arrived in Paradise. This Lancaster County town is as real as it is idyllically named.
Honorable Mentions: Climax, Big Beaver, Hop Bottom, and Forty Fort—all real places that will keep your GPS (and your sense of reality) on its toes.
Pennsylvania’s town names are a journey in themselves—sometimes confusing, always entertaining, and guaranteed to make you question your navigation app’s sanity.
Sources:
- https://keystonenewsroom.com/community/racy-pennsylvania-town-names-climax-intercourse/
- https://www.yajagoff.com/pennsylvanias-funniest-place-names/
- https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/trip-ideas/pennsylvania/pa-weird-town-names