Vermont is full of small towns with names so quirky, confusing, or downright odd that even the most advanced GPS might pause for reflection. Here are ten Vermont town names that stand out for their peculiarity, pronunciation challenges, or just plain weirdness:
1. Bread Loaf
A village near Middlebury, named after Bread Loaf Mountain, but it sounds more like something from a grocery list than a map. It’s also famous for the Bread Loaf Writers’ Conference, which adds to its literary mystique.
2. Podunk
This name has become synonymous with “the middle of nowhere,” and in Vermont, it lives up to that reputation. The town is as out-of-the-way as its name suggests, making it a favorite for those seeking rustic charm.
3. Dummerston
Named after William Dummer, a colonial governor, this town’s name is often the butt of jokes. Despite attempts to change it, locals insisted on keeping the original, and the name stuck—confusing outsiders ever since.
4. Tinmouth
Pronounced much like its English inspirations (Tynemouth or Teignmouth), Tinmouth is a quaint town whose name conjures images of metal rather than mountains.
5. Blissville
Despite its cheerful name, the town was reportedly named as a joke due to its harsh winters and rough terrain. The irony is palpable, and the name is memorable.
6. Winooski
Derived from the Abenaki word for “land of the wild onion,” Winooski’s name is a mouthful and its spelling stumps many. It’s a lively small city with a rich history and a name that sticks in your head.
7. Adamant
This town’s name sounds more like a cartoon superhero than a rural Vermont community. Formerly known as Sodom, it was changed in 1905, but the new name is still strikingly unusual.
8. Calais
Despite its French spelling, locals pronounce it “Ca-liss,” which confuses both GPS devices and visitors expecting the French pronunciation.
9. Mosquitoville
This swampy area near Harvey’s Lake in Barnet is named for its abundance of mosquitoes. The name is both descriptive and a warning for would-be visitors.
10. Satans Kingdom
Yes, this is a real place name in Vermont. It’s as foreboding as it sounds and is sure to make any navigation system do a double take.
These names are just a sampling of Vermont’s penchant for the peculiar. Whether it’s the pronunciation, the imagery, or the sheer oddity, these towns ensure that a road trip through Vermont is never boring—for you or your GPS.
Sources:
- https://www.vermonter.com/weird-vermont-town-names/
- https://www.worldatlas.com/cities/7-bizarrely-named-towns-in-vermont.html
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l3TrauyMMb4
- https://www.reddit.com/r/vermont/comments/8pfnpm/vermont_town_nicknames/
- https://949whom.com/most-bizarre-new-england-town-names/
- https://happyvermont.com/2024/10/31/lost-vermont-town-names-podcast/