18 American Towns So Obscure You’ll Have To Double-Check The Map
America is filled with big cities that everyone knows about, but scattered across the country are tiny towns with names so strange and populations so small that they barely show up on maps.
Some have just a handful of residents, while others boast quirky names that make you wonder how they came to be.
Get ready to explore some of the most obscure, unusual, and downright fascinating places you’ve probably never heard of!
1. Whittier, Alaska
Imagine living in a place where almost everyone shares the same address.
Most of Whittier’s residents call the Begich Towers home, a single building that houses apartments, schools, and even a post office under one roof.
Getting here requires driving through the longest highway tunnel in North America, which only opens at certain times. Snow, mountains, and isolation make this one of Alaska’s most unique communities.
2. Buford, Wyoming
What happens when a town’s population drops to just one person? Buford once held the title of America’s smallest town, with a single resident running a gas station and convenience store all by himself.
Located along Interstate 80 at over 8,000 feet elevation, this lonely outpost eventually got sold at auction. Now it serves travelers passing through Wyoming’s wide-open spaces.
3. Monowi, Nebraska
When you’re the only person living somewhere, you get to wear many hats. Elsie Eiler serves as Monowi’s mayor, bartender, librarian, and entire population all rolled into one remarkable woman.
She runs the local tavern and maintains a library filled with her late husband’s book collection. Every year, she officially grants herself a liquor license to keep the business running legally!
4. Hyder, Alaska
Reaching this tiny Alaskan town requires driving through Canada first, making it one of the most isolated spots in America.
Only about 60 people brave the harsh conditions year-round, living closer to Canadian neighbors than fellow Americans.
Visitors come to witness massive grizzly bears catching salmon and to get “Hyderized” at the local bar, a quirky initiation ritual for newcomers!
5. Hell, Michigan
Yes, you really can say you’ve been to Hell and back! This Michigan town embraces its fiery name with devil-themed merchandise, spooky decorations, and a post office that lets you mail letters with a Hell postmark.
Founded in the 1830s, locals debate whether the name came from German settlers or a grumpy resident’s response. Either way, it’s become a popular tourist stop for photo opportunities!
6. Truth or Consequences, New Mexico
Originally called Hot Springs, this town changed its name in 1950 after a popular radio game show promised to broadcast from any city willing to rename itself. The residents voted yes, and the quirky new name stuck permanently.
Natural hot springs still attract visitors seeking relaxation and healing waters. Locals simply call it “T or C” for short!
7. Sandwich, New Hampshire
Before you ask, no, this town wasn’t named after your lunch! Founded in 1763, Sandwich takes its name from the English town of Sandwich in Kent, following the colonial tradition of honoring British locations.
Nestled in the White Mountains, this picturesque New England village offers stunning scenery and classic charm. Visitors love exploring its historic center and surrounding natural beauty year-round.
8. Oatman, Arizona
Wild burros roam freely through the streets of this former gold mining town, stopping traffic and begging for carrots from amused tourists.
These descendants of miners’ pack animals have become Oatman’s most famous residents and beloved mascots.
The town preserves its Old West atmosphere with daily gunfight reenactments and historic buildings. Route 66 enthusiasts make pilgrimages here regularly!
9. Metropolis, Illinois
Comic book fans rejoice when they discover this small Illinois town legally declared itself the “Hometown of Superman” in 1972.
A massive 15-foot statue of the Man of Steel stands downtown, greeting visitors and photo-seekers year-round.
Despite sharing a name with Superman’s fictional city, Metropolis is home to only about 6,000 people. An annual Superman celebration brings fans from across the country!
10. Boring, Oregon
Don’t let the name fool you – residents of this Oregon town have a great sense of humor about their community’s unfortunate moniker.
They’ve even partnered with Dull, Scotland, and Bland, Australia, to form a “Trinity of Tedium” for tourism purposes.
Named after an early settler named William Boring, the town embraces its identity with quirky signs and merchandise that make visitors smile!
11. Accident, Maryland
According to local legend, two surveyors accidentally chose the same plot of land in 1774, leading to this town’s peculiar name.
Whether that story is completely true remains debatable, but it certainly makes for good conversation!
Today, Accident is a quiet rural community where residents have learned to laugh about their town’s name. Visitors often stop just to snap photos with the town sign!
12. Nameless, Tennessee
When residents couldn’t agree on what to call their community, postal authorities got frustrated and labeled it “Nameless” on official documents.
The name stuck, creating one of Tennessee’s most ironically named places that actually has a name after all!
This tiny unincorporated community consists of just a few buildings and homes. Most people drive right past without realizing they’ve been somewhere with such a contradictory title.
13. Nothing, Arizona
True to its name, there’s almost nothing left here anymore. Nothing was once a small gas station and garage along Highway 93, but it’s been abandoned for years, leaving only desert ruins and memories.
A famous sign once declared the town’s motto: “Nothing: Founded 1977, Elevation 3269ft, Population 4, You are now at Nothing, Arizona.” Travelers still stop to photograph the remnants of this vanished community!
14. Uncertain, Texas
Nobody knows exactly how this East Texas town got its unusual name, though theories abound.
Some say surveyors were uncertain about the Texas-Louisiana border, while others claim residents couldn’t decide on a proper name, so they chose Uncertain instead!
Sitting on the shores of beautiful Caddo Lake, the town attracts fishermen and nature lovers. The mysterious cypress swamps create an appropriately uncertain, foggy atmosphere!
15. Volcano, Hawaii
Living next to one of the world’s most active volcanoes takes courage, and Volcano’s residents embrace their dramatic location. This tiny community sits just outside Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, where Kilauea continues its spectacular eruptions and lava flows.
Artists and nature enthusiasts are drawn to the area’s raw beauty and creative energy. The cool, misty rainforest climate contrasts sharply with Hawaii’s typical beach towns!
16. Funk, Nebraska
Despite its groovy name, this Nebraska farming community has nothing to do with music.
Founded by Phineas Funk in 1882, the town carries his family name rather than any connection to funky beats or disco balls.
With fewer than 200 residents, Funk remains a quiet agricultural community surrounded by cornfields. The water tower proudly displays the town’s name for passing travelers to spot and chuckle at!
17. No Name, Colorado
Highway signs along Interstate 70 direct travelers to “No Name” exit, causing confusion and double-takes from drivers who think they’re reading it wrong. This unincorporated community near Glenwood Springs really is called No Name, though the origin story remains unclear.
A rest area and small creek bear the same designation. Locals and tourists alike enjoy the absurdity of giving directions to a place with no name!
18. Zebulon, Georgia
Named after explorer Zebulon Pike, this tiny Georgia town maintains its historical charm despite having a population of only about 1,100 people. The biblical-sounding name often surprises visitors who stumble upon it while traveling through rural Pike County.
Zebulon’s quiet streets and traditional Southern architecture preserve a slower pace of life. Most people have never heard of it, making it perfectly obscure for this list!
