Wait… You live on WHAT street? C’mon!
Most street names across the country are pretty predictable… a notable historic figure here, a local landmark there, and always the rows and rows of numbered avenues. But sometimes, even city planners can get bored. How the local governments in these cities and towns ever got these street names approved, we’ll never know. Here are just a few of the most bizarre street names in locations around the country, and the stories behind them.
Psycho Path – Traverse City, MI
This one made headlines back in 2006, when it won a contest for the wackiest street name in the U.S. The funny thing is that it’s not actually a street at all. It’s the private driveway of a man named James Bender, who put it up as a joke. As far as we know, he’s not a psychopath at all. In fact, his neighbors say he’s a perfectly pleasant person to live next door to.
Bucket of Blood Street – Holbrook, AZ
Back in the days of gunslingers and steam trains, Holbrook, Arizona was a rough and tumble place. There was no sheriff to speak of, and the streets were lawless and dangerous. One night at the local saloon, a gunfight broke about between some local cowboys and a group of cattle rustlers known as the Hashknife Outfit. Apparently, it was a bloodbath, and the saloon and the street it was located on both became known by the name “Bucket of Blood.”
Divorce Court – Heather Highlands, PA
We’re not sure how this street got its name, but it sounds like a city planner was hitting a romantic rough patch of sorts. No word on divorce rates here, but it doesn’t sound like an auspicious place for newlyweds to buy a starter home.
Shades of Death Road – Warren County, NJ
There are several theories about how this rural road in New Jersey got its spooky name. Some say bandits used to ambush local travelers, springing out from the shade cast by the tall trees. Others have put forth the theory that the name came from a series of murders that happened here back in the 1920s. On thing’s for sure: it’s pretty creepy. Oh, and it’s also rumored to be haunted.
Tater Peeler Road – Lebanon, TN
The winding and pleasant road in Lebanon, Tennessee named Tater Peeler Rd. makes us crack a little smile every time. We’re not sure who named the street or why, but they must have been big fans of French fries.
Zzyzx Rd – Zzyzx, CA
We’re not sure which is weirder: the fact that there’s a street named Zzyzx, or that there’s a whole community by that name. The name was chosen by an enterprising and eccentric quack known as Curtis Howe Springer, who wanted it to be known as the ”last word” in health. Rather than purchasing land in the area, he simply set up a health spa and went into business. When it was later found that he had no legitimate claim to the land, he was thrown in jail.
Butt Hole Road– Conisbrough, England
No, we’re not joking. There really is a street named Butt Hole Road… or at least there was. The street, located in the small town of Conisbrough, was originally named after a communal rain barrel or “water butt” as they’re sometimes called in the U.K. Over the years, the name took on an entirely different meaning. The locals got tired of being refused delivery service and being the “butt” of rude jokes, so they petitioned to have the name changed in 2009.
Grope___ Lane
We’re not going to print the full street name here; we’re worried we might get our mouths washed out with soap. We’ll give you a hint: it’s slang for lady parts and rhymes with “stunt.” Yup, that’s the one. Apparently, this was a very popular street name in medieval England. Streets bearing this name were generally hotspots for practitioners of the world’s oldest profession.
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