6 Bizarrely Named Towns In Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania, the second state to join the United States on December 12, 1787, earned its "Keystone State" nickname because of its key role in history. So, it makes sense that these quirky town names are like the keystones in an arch—unexpected but essential to the charm and character of the state. Names like Intercourse and Bird-in-Hand nod to the region’s rich Amish heritage, while Mars seems plucked from a sci-fi tale. Slippery Rock highlights the area’s natural geography, Punxsutawney celebrates its Groundhog Day fame, and Moosic offers fun for everyone. Visitors will love exploring these six bizarrely named towns in Pennsylvania, discovering how they got their odd monikers and the stories and landmarks that make them unforgettable.

Mars

Mars (not that Mars) is a very walkable, tightly-knit community about 20 miles south of Pittsburgh. No one is exactly sure where the name came from. It may be a shortened version of the last name of a prominent judge named Marshell, but it may have been named for the fourth planet from the sun. It doesn’t matter, though, as the town is happy to embrace its space-themed identity with an offbeat attraction known as the Mars Flying Saucer in the center of town. For train enthusiasts and history buffs, there’s a collection of restored buildings to visit, including the landmark 1897 Mars Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Station and a 1926 caboose. The Mars Area History and Landmarks Society also operates the Mars Shortline Railroad, where a miniature-scale train takes visitors on a short ride around town through tunnels painted with murals depicting the history of Mars.

Bird-in-Hand

Legend has it that the town’s name comes from the proverb, “A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush,” after two travelers debated whether to stay at the town’s only inn or continue on the road to Philadelphia. The innkeeper liked the expression so much that he named the inn “Bird-in-Hand,” and the village followed soon after. Today, the town is a popular destination for visitors looking to explore the culture and traditions of the Pennsylvania Dutch. Food lovers will find plenty to enjoy here at the Bird-in-Hand Family Restaurant & Smorgasbord, Bird-in-Hand Bakery & Café, the Smokehouse BBQ & Brews, or stop by the local Bird-in-Hand Farmers Market for local produce, baked goods, and crafts. Bird-in-Hand is a very family-friendly town, so bring the kids and enjoy a round of mini putt at the Water’s Edge Mini Golf, or take in an Amish-culture-inspired live musical at the Bird-in-Hand stage.

Intercourse

There are a few theories about the origin of the name given to the small town, Intercourse, in the heart of Amish Country in Lancaster County. Some say it is the result of the village’s proximity to the entrance of a local race course informally known as the “Entercourse,” others suggest that it refers to a nearby intersection of two main highways. Others say it comes from the 18th-century meaning of "intercourse" as a fellowship or community, which is an appropriate description of the town where life moves at a slower pace, like by buggy. Visitors to Intercourse can explore the countryside the old-fashioned way with Aaron and Jessica’s Buggy Rides to the Kitchen Kettle Village, where they’ll discover unique cafes, restaurants, and shops like Cloverfield Bags, Pappy’s Korn Shop, and Dutchland Galleries. For car enthusiasts, Barry’s Car Barn is a must-see for taking a tour of American muscle cars from the 1950s to the 1970s.

Slippery Rock

Named after Slippery Rock Creek, whose rocky riverbed is notoriously slick, the town is best known as the hometown of Slippery Rock University (SRU), which hosts many of its cultural and sporting events across its 660-acre campus. Thanks to the over 8,000 students who attend SRU, the town has an artsy, youthful vibe with fun shops, cafes like Rooster’s Coffee Bar, and the 1805 North Country Brewing Company. For outdoor activity, visitors to Slippery Rock can take a short drive to McConnells Mill State Park, a National Natural Landmark encompassing 2,546 acres in the stunning 930-acre Slippery Rock Creek Gorge. The gorge contains rocky outcrops, old-growth forests, several waterfalls like Breakneck Falls and Alpha Falls, and scenic overlooks like the Cleland Rock Vista, which is a great place to view the gorge from above. The Hell's Hollow Trail is a popular hike through the park, which takes adventurers past unique geological features like old coal mine entrances, natural limestone bridges, and small streams.

Punxsutawney

A well-known town famous for celebrating Groundhog Day in downtown Barclay Square, Punxsutawney began using a groundhog to predict the weather in 1887. The name comes from a Native American term meaning "town of the sandflies," but it’s best known for its quirky tradition. Over 20,000 visitors annually come to see if Punxsutawney Phil sees his shadow and predicts six more weeks of winter on February 2nd. The other 364 days a year, Phil lives in Phil’s Burrow with his wife, Phyllis, in Gobbler’s Knob, a designated historic site. Thanks to Phil’s prognostication skills, the small town bills itself as the “Weather Capital of the World,” and the Punxsutawney Weather Discovery Center lets wanna-be meteorologists explore interactive exhibits about weather phenomena. Visitors with kids can wander through town on the lookout for 41 fiberglass Phantastic Phils statues, designed by local and national artists, or take an energetic hike along the 15-mile Mahoning Shadow Trail, which passes through Phil’s hometown.

Moosic

Moosic’s name is thought to derive from the Native American Lenape word for “elk place” or “moose place.” While it doesn’t host elk or moose today, the name remains bizarre enough. Minutes from Scranton (or “Electric City” as the locals call it), Moosic’s attractions offer something for everyone, like the PNC Field, where baseball fans can watch the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Railriders, a New York Yankees farm team, batter up. Snowboarders and skiers can hit the slopes at Montage Mountain Ski Resort, an easy, family-friendly hill with over 140 skiable acres and 26 trails. For shoppers looking to indulge in a bit of retail therapy with stunning views of the Poconos Mountains in the east, look no further than the Shoppes at Montage Mountain, whose A-Z directory of shops includes everything from Akita Hibachi Sushi to White House Black Market.

Pennsylvania’s bizarre town names, like Intercourse, Mars, and Punxsutawney, are as charming as they are unusual. From Intercourse’s Amish heritage and Mars’s space-themed attractions to Bird-in-Hand’s Pennsylvania Dutch culture and Slippery Rock’s university town vibe, each offers a unique experience. Punxsutawney draws crowds for its Groundhog Day festivities, while Moosic serves up fun with baseball, skiing, and shopping. These six bizarrely named towns blend history, humor, and character, making them memorable to explore.