6 Bizarrely Named Towns In Texas

Texas is full of big skies, wide-open roads, and towns with names that make you do a double-take. While the Lone Star State is known for its barbecue, rodeos, and deep history, it also has a knack for unusual town names. Whether rooted in local legends, historical quirks, or a bit of Texas humor, these places stand out just as much as those who call them home. From Texarkana, a city straddling two states with a name as debated as its origins, to White Settlement, a town whose name harks back to frontier days, each has a story worth telling. Take a trip through six of Texas’s most bizarrely named towns, and you just might find yourself in the middle of an unforgettable journey.

White Settlement

Nestled just west of Fort Worth, White Settlement carries a name that harks back to its early days on the Texas frontier. Life was anything but easy for the settlers who arrived in the 1840s as they established homesteads in an area surrounded by indigenous villages. Over time, the settlement became a key trading post, a hub for migrating pioneers seeking opportunity in the Republic of Texas. Though the name may raise eyebrows today, its background is straightforward: It was simply the lone community of white settlers amid a larger Native American presence.

Despite its unusual name, White Settlement has grown into a lively city with outdoor spaces, local history, and family-friendly attractions. The White Settlement Museum offers a window into the past, showcasing artifacts from the town’s early days and exhibits on the region’s pioneer heritage. Veterans Park, a sprawling 65-acre green space, provides plenty of room to unwind, whether it’s fishing from the pier, attending an outdoor performance at the amphitheater, or letting kids climb and play in the two designated playground areas. The park’s softball complex and walking trails encourage an active lifestyle, just as the shady picnic spots make spending an afternoon soaking in the fresh air easy. Additionally, Splash Dayz delivers a refreshing escape to beat the Texas heat. This water park packs in plenty of excitement with twisting slides, a lazy river, and a wave pool designed for a full day of fun. Little ones can splash in the kiddie play areas, whereas the on-site café offers snacks and cold drinks to keep visitors fueled.

Monahans

Monahans has a name that sticks with you, just like the fine sand that sweeps across its landscape. The town traces its roots to the late 19th century when surveyor John Thomas Monahan, working for the Texas and Pacific Railway, identified a rare water source in the region. Though the spelling of the name eventually changed, Monahans remained a vital stop for desert travelers. Just outside the city, Monahans Sandhills State Park stretches across nearly 4,000 acres of rolling dunes, creating a remarkable oasis of adventure. Unlike the rocky landscapes found elsewhere in West Texas, this sea of sand invites visitors to surf down its slopes, hike along its wind-sculpted ridges, and watch wildlife emerge. Picnic areas dot the park, providing a place to pause and take in the view before the dunes shift again beneath the ever-present breeze.

In town, the Million Barrel Museum holds a piece of Texas oil history as odd as Monahans itself. Built in 1928, this massive concrete reservoir was meant to store Permian Basin crude, but the experiment was short-lived. By 1958, the site had been briefly repurposed as a water park for a single, wild day before being abandoned again. Now, it stands as a quirky monument and a glimpse into the past alongside its historic buildings and artifacts collection.

If a slower pace sounds appealing, the Perch Pond Fishing Area provides a surprising retreat. Stocked with trout, catfish, and bass, the pond welcomes anglers looking to cast a line or enjoy a peaceful afternoon along the bank. It’s a rare sight in a town best known for its desert surroundings, proving that Monahans always has a way of defying expectations.

The Colony

The Colony carries a name that sparks curiosity, a nod to its roots in the original Peters Colony. This 19th-century land grant brought settlers to North Texas, with its headquarters once planted in what is now The Colony, near the historic community of Stewartsville. The town's past includes the Hedgcoxe War, a conflict over land rights, but today, this lakeside city is known for a mix of distinctive attractions and family-friendly entertainment.

Adventure-seekers can splash at Hawaiian Waters, where winding slides, a lazy river, and a wave pool provide a refreshing escape from the Texas heat. Just beyond the water park’s excitement, Stewart Creek Park offers a quieter retreat along the shores of Lewisville Lake. Scenic hiking trails, shaded picnic areas, and fishing docks invite visitors to slow down and soak in the surroundings.

But The Colony isn’t just about outdoor fun; it embraces the wonderfully bizarre. Nowhere is that more evident than at Barney Smith’s Toilet Seat Art Museum, where a retired plumber spent decades transforming everyday toilet lids into over 1,400 works of art. His offbeat collection continues to captivate those with an appreciation for the unconventional. Moreover, for a glimpse into the future, Immersive Gamebox at Grandscape transports visitors into a high-tech world of motion tracking, projection mapping, and surround sound, making for an experience unlike anything else in town.

Texarkana

Straddling the border between Texas and Arkansas, Texarkana carries a name as curious as its location. Though most agree it's a blend of Texas, Arkansas, and Louisiana, stories of its origin vary. Some say a railroad surveyor scrawled it on a sign and nailed it to a tree, marking the spot whereupon a town would rise. Others claim a steamboat or even a concoction called "Texarkana Bitters" inspired the name. Regardless of its roots, the city grew into a place that serves as the meeting point of two states in more ways than one.

Anchoring Texarkana’s unique geography, the Texarkana Post Office and Federal Building sits directly on the state line, making it one of the most photographed post offices in the country. Half of the building stands in Texas, the other in Arkansas, giving visitors the chance to stand in two states simultaneously. Those looking for something more low-key can wander inside the Texarkana Regional Arts and Humanities Council galleries, home to rotating exhibits showcasing works by local and nationally recognized artists. As the day winds down, Redbone Magic Brewing serves up craft beer with a side of live music, proving that Texarkana is more than just a border town; it’s a place where history, art, and a good brew come together in unexpected ways.

Nacogdoches

Named after the Caddo word "Nacogdoche," this East Texas town carries centuries of stories in its roots. Recognized as the oldest town in Texas, Nacogdoches has stood through shifting empires, frontier skirmishes, and the steady march of time. Spanish explorers, French traders, and revolutionaries all left their mark. Still, the land itself holds the deepest history, from the winding bayous to the towering pines that have watched over it all.

West of town, Lake Nacogdoches spreads across Loco Bayou, a quiet expanse wherein anglers seek largemouth bass, crappie, and sunfish beneath waters lined with Hydrilla and American lotus. The lake remains a haven for those who trade the clamor of the city for the stillness of a fishing line cutting across the glassy water. Back in town, the Stone Fort Museum is a reconstructed memory of the Spanish outpost once built by Antonio Gil Y’Barbo, its walls telling tales of early settlements, trade, and the struggles of a young Texas. For a deeper walk into the past, Millard’s Crossing Historic Village gathers relics of another time, its restored buildings standing like ghosts of the 19th century. Wooden porches creak under visitors’ steps, and artifacts whisper stories of the hands that once held them.

Waxahachie

Waxahachie wears its name like a riddle, tangled in origins that drift between languages and time. Some say it means “cow” or “buffalo,” while others trace it to the Alabama-Coushatta people, who may have called it “calf’s tail.” Whatever the truth, the name stuck, and the town grew into a place where history and spectacle collide in striking ways.

Every April and May, the Scarborough Renaissance Festival sets up southwest of town, bringing the sights and sounds of the 16th century to life. When October rolls around, the same grounds take a darker turn as Screams Halloween Theme Park fills the night with haunted attractions. Meanwhile, the annual Gingerbread Trail Festival invites visitors to tour Waxahachie’s storied Victorian homes, known for their intricate woodwork and timeless charm.

For those drawn to water, Lake Waxahachie stretches beyond the city’s edges, a quiet retreat from the lively downtown. Art lovers find a different kind of escape inside Webb Gallery, where folk art and offbeat exhibits keep things interesting. History buffs can explore the Ellis County Museum, uncovering stories of pioneers and progress.

Wrapping Up

Texas is no stranger to bizarre town names; each one comes with a story as distinctive as the land itself. Beyond the unusual signs and curious origins, these places showcase the state's rich history, rugged landscapes, and deep-rooted traditions. Unlike the ghost towns that have faded into memory, these communities continue to thrive, offering a glimpse into Texas's past as they embrace the present. From Waxahachie to Nacogdoches, exploring these oddly named towns is a journey through the Lone Star State’s most unexpected corners.