[net.bizarre] * Bizarre place names

dtuttle@uw-june (David C. Tuttle) (09/03/85)

> From: sutin@astrovax.UUCP (Brian M. Sutin)
> Subject: Bizarre place names
> 	Long ago there was a TV show called 'Truth or Consequences,'
> and some poor guy got the consequence of haning to go all over the
> country and find a town that would change its name to Truth or
> Consequences.  He found some boring little town on the Rio Grande, in
> New Mexico (the name escapes me, something like Silver Water, Spring
> Water, Salty Spring, whatever) and they changed the name.  It is now
> usually called TorC.

Yes, Hot Springs, NM, did change its name to Truth or Consequences,
but it was because the show itself dared any town to change its name
for a not-so-small cash prize.  This was back in the 50s, I think
(Good God!  Did the show finally die??? I thought it was _still_ on),
and a vote to change the name barely passed.  It's still called TorC
today, but it may not last long, owing to repeated efforts to change 
the name back, each effort garnerinng more support than the last...

And, speaking of Whats-Its-Name Corners in Oregon and its claim to 
mythicality (Ouch!), what about Blackwell's Corner in California???
It's (or was) at State Hwys 46 & 33, but the town (both buildings)
burned to the ground in the mid-70s.  It's still on (detailed) maps!
============================================================================
David C. Tuttle
Computer Science Dept.
University of Washington
{ihnp4,decvax,ucbvax}!uw-beaver!uw-june!dtuttle

chabot@miles.DEC (All God's chillun got guns) (09/13/85)

"Desert View Highlands" is a town which can be found on some maps of California
issued by gas stations and tourist bureaus. However, it isn't a town and it
never has been a town, nor a city, nor is it ever likely to be anything like
that.  It's the name of a ~twenty-year-old housing development, most of which
falls within the boundaries of the incorporated city of Palmdale which you can
never find on maps that show the mythical "Desert View Highlands". 

More in the continuing saga of the Antelope Valley (1/2 mile) at some future
bit tsar date...(yes, I know *you*'re all bored)

SLo batCh   ...decwrl!dec-rhea!dec-amber!chabot