7 Bizarrely Named Towns In Ohio
The bizarre and brazen: everyone knows the name of at least one location that is stuck in the back of their mind solely based on the oddness of its nomenclature—it is the sore thumbs that stick out the most, and while every state has towns of outlandish names, the Buckeye State has plenty. And while a town is always more than just what it is on paper, some of these deserve to be remembered for what they have to offer, and not merely because of their strange namesakes. For that reason, here are seven bizarrely named towns in Ohio that seem to have a little more than just their names.
Put-In-Bay
To this day, no one knows why this island town in the middle of Lake Erie has the name it does—though there are popular theories. One has to do with the sailors seeking refuge at its bay; another says that South Bass Island looks like a pudding bag from a distance. The mystery may never be solved, but what remains unmysterious is the attractions, entertainment, and quality of life on this tiny island, especially in regard to historical spots.
Firstly, there is Perry's Cave Family Fun Center, a limestone wonder 52 feet below the surface of the island. Though its true discovery belongs to the natives, its more recent historical significance is that it was a clean water source for Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry during the War of 1812. Though its days of housing soldiers are over, the cave sees many and is noted for its odd stone creations and its rare underground lake that is connected with Lake Erie.
An above-ground experience in the same historical vein is the Stonehenge Historic Estate, a 19th-century site that has managed to not age a day since the 1800s. It is complete with acres of woodlands and prime scenes of the lake, along with tours of the property, a farmhouse, a cottage, a workshop, and more.
Pepper Pike
Supposedly named after a family by the name of Pepper, who worked on a transportation corridor (where a "turnpike" might come into play), the exact origin of the name is unknown, and while other theories have come about, the name has stuck, and Pepper Pike has come into its own.
The town itself proclaims to be a "place with a little of everything," but truthfully, its dedication to sports and recreation is its strongest suit. For instance, they have their own cutely named Pepper Pike Park, which by all means is no massive state park or nature preserve but is perfectly tiny, green, and lovely. There also are many clubs like Landerwood Swim and Tennis, and the especially affluent may rejoice as the Pepper Pike Club, a well-known golfing club that is shrouded in a bit of mystery, can be seen in all its glory in the distance. It is an exclusive club that is invite-only—but that doesn't stop those from appreciating it from afar. Nor does it stop those willing to explore the smaller surrounding towns near Pepper Pike as well, like Mayfield, who have managed to strike gold regarding popular sites like Squire's Castle.
Piqua
Odd because of a tongue unknown to most, Piqua gets its fascinating name from the Shawnee phrase Othath-He-Waugh-Pe-Qua, which can be interpreted as one who rises from the ashes. And like the town's history of trials, schisms, and bloodshed, the land is still inhabited and continues to grow despite setbacks, much like a reviving phoenix.
The best example of the town's greatness is the renowned Johnston Farm & Indian Agency—200 acres of land that once belonged to an Indian agent that has now been converted into a massive museum and farm that covers approximately 2,000 years of history from pre-colonial times to the modern day. When their doors open, it is a public and town event that can be enjoyed by locals and visitors alike.
An equally worthy site is the titanic Piqua Public Library. It is unlike most public libraries out there; its architecture looks like it comes from an imperial palace inside and out, and the history of its continuing expansion has ensured that its halls have amassed more than 25,000 books. Not only that, it doubles as an art gallery, the Horace Rollin Gallery. Starting on the second floor, the gallery has nearly 150 works scattered throughout the building of this realist painter.
Blue Ash
Blue Ash's mysterious and opaque name has standard origins. The town was named after the first settlers who used blue ash tree logs to build what would eventually become a small but impactful town.
Being a town that sprang from woodlands, the locale still holds true to its genesis, and that is to say, what it excels in is its nature. There are two nature preserves that fall just outside the town lines (the Griffin Family Nature Preserve and the Johnson Nature Preserve), and part of what is known as the Sharon Woods branches into Blue Ash, and how could it not as its colossal 723-acre woodland filled with trails and ponds not extend and cross-town lines? Nevertheless, the Sharon Woods are a prime spot for recreational activities like fishing and hiking and, all in all, are a staple of the entirety of Hamilton County.
The small strip of Blue Ash is no slouch either, as one of its claims to fame is Summit Park, a park with plenty of trails, ziplining, ponds, and vast open spaces perfect for passing the time.
Pickerington
A strange name that does not roll off the tongue, Pickerington is named after the town's founder, Abraham Pickering, who moved mountains to ensure the town's success and establishment.
Today, Pickerington is as special as its namesake. Firstly, it is home to the legendary AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame. The museum's objective is to preserve and collect the stories and history of motorcycles as well as those who defined them, but the real attraction is its impressive collection of motorcycle paraphernalia. From rare bikes to proto-motorcycles and quirky parts and inventions that never quite took off, the 26,000-square-foot facility uses every bit of space for something bound to excite the enthusiast or layman.
Putting aside the art of the motorcycle, there is a plentitude of small parks and creeks within the town that are there to keep the mind clear and get in those morning or afternoon steps. Sycamore Creek Park is one such example, and taking the stairs down to the banks of the creek will make one forget that they are in an urban area.
Bucyrus
Pronounced like the name Cyrus with Bew in front of it, Bycyrus' curious naming origins are a mystery, but there are compelling theories. For one, the name is thought to share a direct link to the Persian Empire's first founder, Cyrus the Great. Another theory says the town is supposed to take after an ancient city that was once in Lower Egypt, named by the Greeks as "Busiris." Still, the town's name has taken its reasoning to the grave, and it may be a secret forever.
Contrary to its obscure name, Bucyrus is a pretty peaceful and interesting place to live and visit. The historic Pickwick Place in the mornings, for instance, is a bustling collection of barns, stalls, markets, and all a person would ever need to eat healthy and fresh while also finding a most respectable way to pass the time. Pickwick Place also has a cafe and is no stranger to seasonal events, such as the Flower Festival in August, where anyone can walk to the nearby sunflower field, pick, and have their flowers arranged along with photos as they please.
May is a fine month to see the flowers of south Bucyrus flourish at the Sears Woods State Nature Preserve. Once upon a time, this forest belonged to a much more expansive woodland; now, this is all that is left of this wondrous beech-maple collection. Though birding and hiking are always popular activities, flower-picking and viewing in the spring is what the Sears Woods is known for—forever a staple of Bucyrus and the surrounding area.
Euclid
Named after Euclid of Alexandria, the mathematician who built the foundations of geometry and is perhaps the most widely recognized and influential mathematician of all time, toppling the crowns of Euler, Archimedes, Cantor, and Peano—but as a name of a town, and one in the United States no less? Euclid is an odd but interesting choice.
Naming preferences aside, Euclid is a small town on the banks of Lake Erie and also has its fair share of key locations that solidify its quaintness. For example, the Euclid Historical Society Museum is not on a massive property shared with dozens of exhibits but is confined to an old but cozy schoolhouse with few rooms and the simple objective of wanting to share the town's area and history.
And being a neighbor to Cleveland, preserves and parks away from the clamor of the city are not only welcome but needed. Euclid satisfies that feeling with its Euclid Creek Reservation, which has a famous history of its own. At one time a ghost town, at another a popular beach destination, and then the site of Euclid Beach Amusement Park, which closed right before the 1970s. Despite its very long history, the site is popular today not as a place with dazzling lights and carnival music but as a large and humble park that is used for picnics along with evening and morning hikes.
Oddness and Enjoyment in Ohio
It should be no surprise now that a town's value is worth more than the oddity of its name. That is a basic sentiment that is harder to put into practice, as a quick glance at Pepper Pike or Bucyrus may only stick out for their names and not for what else the town has to offer. It is folly to judge a book by its cover, as many of these towns are odd in name only—yet still offer a wide range of potential experiences, along with beautiful spots, cafes, or comfortable and knowledgeable trips to the local museum. It is not the oddness of their name that causes enjoyment; it may be what makes them memorable on paper, but the enjoyment from traveling and visiting these places is forever more valuable and memorable than what a town and its people just so happen to call it.
