Weird And Wacky South Dakota Town Names That Will Make You Say “Huh?!”
🤣 Get ready to giggle your way across South Dakota with these hilariously-named towns! Each one has a story that’ll make you smile. 😊 #SouthDakota #WeirdTownNames #RoadTripUSA
Gayville, South Dakota – It’s the land of stunning badlands, majestic mountains, and… some seriously head-scratching town names! From Blunt to Bonesteel, these peculiar places in South Dakota will have you doing a double-take. But don’t let the funny names fool you – each town has its own unique charm and fascinating history. So buckle up, grab a map, and let’s take a wild ride through the quirky corners of the Mount Rushmore State! 🌄🗺️
1. Akaska, South Dakota
Picture this: a tiny town nestled in the heart of South Dakota, where the population barely hits 42. That’s Akaska for you! The name might look like a typo of Alaska (blame the tricky keyboard layout!), but it actually means “uncertain” in the Sioux language. And get this – the railway service bid farewell to Akaska way back in 1940. Talk about a hidden gem! 💎
2. Athol, South Dakota
Brace yourself for a tale of identity crisis! Athol wasn’t always Athol – it started life as Myrtle City, named after the first little settler born there. But when the railroad rolled into town, they decided to shake things up and borrow the name from a city in Massachusetts. Now, this charming community of 66 proudly bears the name Athol, and anyone who dares to poke fun at it is a true… well, you know! 🚂😜
3. Blunt, South Dakota
No, this isn’t Colorado – get your mind out of the gutter, folks! Blunt is a friendly little suburb of Pierre, home to 350 lovely people. The town’s name isn’t some scary legend or inside joke – it’s a nod to John E. Blunt, a bigwig at the Chicago and North Western Railway. And let me be blunt with you (sorry, couldn’t resist!), naming towns after railroad officials was all the rage back in the late 1800s when the Dakota Territory was being settled. 🚂🏘️
4. Bonesteel, South Dakota
Don’t let the tough-sounding name fool you – Bonesteel is as pleasant as they come! This town wasn’t named after some spooky legend or rough-and-tumble character. Nope, it’s simply a tribute to a hardworking freight forwarder who toiled away in the county. Who says you need a flashy backstory to have a cool name? 📦😊
5. Box Elder, South Dakota
Ah, the age-old question: which came first, the town or the tree? In Box Elder’s case, it’s a bit of both! The town takes its name from the nearby Boxelder Creek, which – you guessed it – was named after the box elder trees that line its banks. And don’t worry, there’s no relation to those pesky boxelder bugs. Phew! 🌳🐜
6. Gayville, South Dakota
Gayville: where happiness is the name of the game! 🌈 This delightful little town in Yankton County was first settled by Scandinavian farmers who knew a thing or two about living the good life. And get this – Gayville is known as the “Hay Capital of the World!” 🌾👑 But wait, there’s more! When you visit, you’ll find a smorgasbord of restaurants, stores, and other hidden treasures. It’s a real slice of heaven in the heartland! 😇
7. Highmore, South Dakota
If Blunt left you feeling a bit low, Highmore is here to lift your spirits! This town’s name has nothing to do with, ahem, certain substances – it’s all about the elevation, baby! Perched at a lofty 1,886 feet, Highmore’s motto says it all: “A Great Place To Live, Work, And Play.” And with a name like that, how could it not be? ⛰️😄
8. Hooker, South Dakota
Alright, alright, simmer down – we all know why this name might raise a few eyebrows! 😅 But the truth is, Hooker is an almost-ghost town in Turner County, named after its upstanding founder, pioneer settler John Hooker. The post office closed way back in ’54, and now the town is quieter than a church mouse. So if you’re looking for a place to get away from it all (and maybe have a chuckle at the town sign), Hooker’s your spot! 🌾👻
9. Johnson Siding, South Dakota
Rev up your engines, because Johnson Siding is a biker’s paradise! 🏍️💨 This little roadside stop is a popular resting spot for riders during the wild and crazy Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. And while it might sound like a home improvement store (we can practically hear the radio jingle now 🎵), Johnson Siding actually got its name from a railroad siding near Rapid Creek. Who knew train tracks could be so inspiring? 🛤️😎
10. Kadoka, South Dakota
Welcome to Kadoka, the gateway to the badlands! 🌄 As you roll into town, you’ll be greeted by a sign proudly proclaiming Kadoka’s status as the key to one of South Dakota’s most jaw-dropping natural wonders. But the name “Kadoka” has an even cooler meaning in Lakota: “hole in the wall.” Is it just us, or does that sound like the perfect hideout for a Wild West outlaw? 🤠💰
11. Mud Butte, South Dakota
Go ahead, try to say “Mud Butte” without cracking a smile. We’ll wait. 😄 This unincorporated community in Meade County got its name from a nearby barren butte, which is basically a fancy way of saying “a big ol’ hill with steep sides and a flat top.” But here’s the real kicker: In 1981, the sixth Tyrannosaurus Rex skeleton EVER was discovered right here in Mud Butte! Who says small towns can’t have big stories? 🦖💀
12. Peever, South Dakota
Peever might sound like a silly name, but this little town in the tippy-top right corner of South Dakota has some serious history! Founded way back in 1898, Peever was named after one of its earliest residents, a stand-up guy by the name of F. H. Peever. See? Not all town names have to be a mystery wrapped in an enigma! 🧐🗺️
13. Pukwana, South Dakota
“Puk U”? More like “Puk-WOW!” 😲 This tiny town of 285 residents boasts a bar with a name that’ll make you do a spit-take, but the story behind “Pukwana” is even more interesting. Originally called Carlton (boring!), Pukwana’s name can mean either “the smoke of a peace pipe” or “a signal or beacon” in the local Indigenous language. Now that’s a name with some serious depth! 🌿✌️
14. Volin, South Dakota
Nope, Volin wasn’t named after a musical instrument (and if it was, someone seriously goofed on the spelling! 😂). This town got its name from Henry P. Volin, a land-owning legend in these parts, way back in 1887. Just goes to show, sometimes the simplest stories are the best ones! 🌄📜
15. Waubay, South Dakota
Last but not least, we’ve got Waubay – a name that’s just plain fun to say! 😄 But did you know it’s got a pretty sweet meaning, too? In the Lakota Sioux language, Waubay translates to “a place where numbers of birds make their nest.” And boy, does this town live up to its name! The nearby national wildlife refuge is home to over 100 species of feathered friends, mostly of the water-loving variety. It’s like a bird-watcher’s paradise! 🦆🦅
Conclusion
So there you have it, folks – 15 weird and wacky South Dakota town names that are sure to put a smile on your face and a spring in your step! From the badlands to the bird havens, these little slices of Americana prove that sometimes, the oddest names have the best stories behind them. 🇺🇸😊 Happy Heartland travels!
🗣 Did any of these town names make you LOL? Did we miss any? We’d LOVE to hear from you in the comments section below. ⬇️
