Quirkiest and Most Mysterious Towns in the Heartland
Ohio might be known for its buckeyes and rock ‘n’ roll, but it’s also got its own share of odd town names.
So the next time you’re road-tripping through Ohio and your GPS starts spouting names that sound like they were invented by a drunk novelist, don’t worry – you’re not hallucinating.
Here are some of our favorites.
Helltown
Helltown isn’t the gateway to the underworld, but this abandoned town in Summit County does have an eerie history.
It was forcibly evacuated in the 1970s when the government decided to create the Cuyahoga Valley National Park.
Now, it’s a ghost town with urban legends, from the supposedly haunted school bus (which was just temporary housing for a family during renovations) to the “satanic” church (those upside-down crosses?).
Knockemstiff
Legend has it that a preacher, upon hearing about a philandering husband, advised the wife to “knock him stiff”.
Can’t argue with that.
Later on, this tiny hamlet became semi-famous thanks to author Donald Ray Pollock, who grew up here. Pollock as the gritty backdrop for his debut short story collection titled “Knockemstiff”.
Blue Ball
Alright, get your mind out of the gutter. This Butler County town got its name from a tavern sign featuring a large blue metal ball.
The ball served as a visual cue for illiterate stagecoach drivers, making it an important landmark along the Cincinnatii-Dayton Road.
While the original blue ball is long gone, the town’s quirky name lives on, even after being annexed by Middletown in 1994. You can still spot the latest incarnation of the famous blue ball when you visit the town today.
Coolville
Sorry to dash your expectations, but Coolville was actually named after its founder (Simeon W. Cooley) rather than its level of awesomeness.
But if you want someplace to chill out, Coolville’s right near the beautiful Hocking River and Desonier State Nature Preserve.
Defiance
This city got its rebellious moniker from Fort Defiance, built in 1794 by General “Mad” Anthony Wayne during the Northwest Indian War.
Wayne famously declared, “I defy the English, Indians, and all the devils of hell to take it.”
Jelloway
The origins of Jelloway’s name remain a bit of a mystery, but we like to think it was founded by people who really, really loved gelatin.
There are no reports of wiggly streets or quivering buildings in this tiny village.
Located at Knox County, it’s part of the Kokosing Scenic River Watershed with fantastic fishing, canoeing, and hiking.
Put-In-Bay
Put-In-Bay is a lively village located on South Bass Island in Lake Erie. Its unusual name is quite literal: sailors who would “put in” to the bay for safety during stormy weather.
Celeryville
Celeryville is a small town in Huron County named after its main crop.
In the 1890s, Dutch immigrants from Kalamazoo, Michigan saw potential in the area’s wet, muddy soil for growing the best side for buffalo wings.
Today, only three farms remain – Buurma, Wiers, and Holthouse – all still run by the descendants of those original settlers.
