The term “Keystone State” was given to Pennsylvania, the second state to join the union on December 12, 1787, due to its significant historical significance.
Therefore, it seems logical that these odd town names are similar to the cornerstones of an arch—unexpected but crucial to the state’s allure and personality.
While Mars looks like it belongs in a science fiction story, names like Intercourse and Bird-in-Hand pay homage to the area’s rich Amish past.
Everyone can have fun at Moosic, Punxsutawney celebrates its Groundhog Day reputation, and Slippery Rock showcases the region’s natural landscape.
Discover the origins of these five oddly named Pennsylvania towns, as well as the historical sites and legends that contribute to their unique character.
Mars
About 20 miles south of Pittsburgh, Mars (not that Mars) is a very walkable, close-knit neighborhood.
The exact origin of the name is unknown. It might have been called for the fourth planet from the sun, but it could also be an abbreviated form of the last name of a well-known judge named Marshell.
The town is content to embrace its space-themed character with an unusual attraction called the Mars Flying Saucer in the middle of town, so it doesn’t matter.
The historic 1897 Mars Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Station and a 1926 caboose are among the restored structures available for visitors who are interested in trains and history.
Slippery Rock
The community is primarily known as the home of Slippery Rock University (SRU), which holds many of its cultural and athletic events on its 660-acre campus. It is named after Slippery Rock Creek, whose rocky riverbed is infamously slick.
The town boasts an artsy, youthful air with entertaining boutiques, cafés like Rooster’s Coffee Bar, and the 1805 North Country Brewing Company because of the more than 8,000 students that attend SRU.
McConnells Mill State Park, a National Natural Landmark with 2,546 acres in the breathtaking 930-acre Slippery Rock Creek Gorge, is a short drive away for guests who want to engage in outdoor activities.
The valley is home to a number of waterfalls, including Alpha Falls and Breakneck Falls, rocky outcrops, old-growth woods, and picturesque viewpoints, such as the Cleland Rock Vista, which offers an excellent aerial perspective of the gorge.
Bird-in-Hand
After two travelers argued over whether to remain at the town’s sole inn or continue on the route to Philadelphia, the town’s name is said to have originated from the adage, “A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.”
The village soon adopted the inn’s name, Bird-in-Hand, after the innkeeper, who loved the phrase so much.
The village is now a well-liked vacation spot for tourists wishing to learn more about Pennsylvania Dutch customs and culture.
Foodies will love the Smokehouse BBQ & Brews, Bird-in-Hand Bakery & Café, Bird-in-Hand Family Restaurant & Smorgasbord, and the local Bird-in-Hand Farmers Market, which offers baked goods, crafts, and local food.
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Because Bird-in-Hand is a particularly family-friendly town, you may bring the kids to play mini putt at the Water’s Edge Mini Golf or see a live musical with an Amish theme at the Bird-in-Hand stage.
Intercourse
The name of the little town of Intercourse, located in Lancaster County’s Amish Country, has been the subject of several theories.
Some speculate that it alludes to a nearby crossroads of two major highways, while others claim it is the result of the village’s close vicinity to the entry of a neighboring racecourse, colloquially known as the “Entercourse.”
Some claim that it derives from the 18th-century definition of “intercourse” as a society or fellowship, which accurately characterizes the town where people live more slowly, such as in buggy.
Aaron and Jessica’s Buggy Rides to the Kitchen Kettle Village allow visitors to Intercourse to experience the countryside in a more traditional manner.
There, guests may find distinctive cafes, eateries, and stores including Cloverfield Bags, Pappy’s Korn Shop, and Dutchland Galleries.
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Punxsutawney
In 1887, Punxsutawney, a well-known town noted for celebrating Groundhog Day in downtown Barclay Square, started utilizing a groundhog to forecast the weather.
Although the name is derived from a Native American phrase that means “town of the sandflies,” its peculiar customs are what make it most famous.
Every year, more than 20,000 tourists visit Punxsutawney. On February 2nd, Phil sees his shadow and forecasts another six weeks of snow.
Phil and his wife, Phyllis, reside in Phil’s Burrow in Barclay Square, a recognized historic site, for the remaining 364 days of the year.
The little town prides itself on being the “Weather Capital of the World” because of Phil’s ability to predict the weather, and the Punxsutawney meteorological Discovery Center allows aspiring meteorologists to explore interactive displays about meteorological phenomena.
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