10 American towns with surprisingly tasty names
General
10 American towns with surprisingly tasty names
What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the names Chicken or Sandwich? You might picture a restaurant menu, but these are actual place names in the United States. From tiny communities to cities, the country is full of places with food-inspired names. But how did they get them? The answers might surprise you. Let’s explore 10 American towns with names that are good enough to eat.
Sandwich, Massachusetts
Sandwich, Massachusetts, is a real town on Cape Cod, founded in 1637. But is it really named after the food? Turns out, Sandwich was named after the historic town of the same name in Kent, England, which existed long before the modern sandwich became a popular dish. Interestingly, the food was named after John Montagu, the 4th Earl of Sandwich, in the 18th century.
The town name itself comes from an Old English term, sondwic, meaning roughly "sandy place."
Cocoa Beach, Florida
Although it sounds like a chocolate lover’s paradise, Cocoa Beach is actually a Florida coastal city known for its surf culture and sandy beaches near the Kennedy Space Center. The community was incorporated in 1925 and gained popularity during the Space Race when people flocked to the area to watch NASA launches.
So, why Cocoa, then? Its name comes from the nearby mainland city of Cocoa, Florida, whose own name has a disputed origin, though one account suggests it may ultimately be related to the cocoa plant.
Chicken, Alaska
Why name an Alaskan town after a bird? There are two leading theories. Chicken has a rich gold-mining history—its community grew during the gold rushes of the late 19th century. So, one story says it got its name because the gold found there was the size of a chicken, but there are no confirmed records to support this theory.
Another story says its early residents wanted to name the town after the ptarmigan, a game bird common in Alaska, but were worried about the spelling, so they settled on "Chicken."
Cranberry Township, Pennsylvania
Just outside Pittsburgh, Cranberry Township, Pennsylvania, was incorporated in 1804. But was this place really named after the fruit? You bet. Wild cranberries once grew along Brush Creek, giving the area its name. These berries attracted deer, which in turn brought Indigenous hunters to the area.
Unfortunately, the wild cranberries that gave the township its name didn’t stick around forever. By the 1880s, most had disappeared due to drought and farming.
Coconut Creek, Florida
Coconut Creek sits near Fort Lauderdale in Broward County. The community was first known as Edgefield before taking on Coconut Creek when it was incorporated in 1967. Just as the name suggests, this city takes its title from the coconut palms planted along a creek near the community.
But despite the tropical-sounding name, Coconut Creek isn’t particularly famous for coconut production. Instead, the city calls itself the "Butterfly Capital of the World" because of a butterfly attraction that opened there in 1988.
Appleton, Wisconsin
You’ll find the city of Appleton in northeastern Wisconsin, along the Fox River. But does the city’s name have something to do with apples? Not exactly. Appleton, famous for its connection to Lawrence University, was actually named after Samuel Appleton, a Massachusetts philanthropist who donated $10,000 to support the university's library in the 1840s.
Appleton became an incorporated city in 1857, and its history is closely linked to education, industry, and hydropower.
Popcorn, Indiana
A place called Popcorn in one of the country’s leading popcorn-producing states seems fitting, right? But the origin of its name isn’t quite so straightforward. This tiny unincorporated community in Lawrence County, Indiana, was named after Popcorn Creek, a local stream.
According to local lore, the creek was called Popcorn because visitors would joke about the small size of the area’s corn and compare it to popcorn.
Hot Coffee, Mississippi
While it may sound made up, you can actually find a small unincorporated community in Covington County, Mississippi, named Hot Coffee. But how did it end up with such an unusual name? The story most often repeated is that a late 19th-century storekeeper, L. J. Davis, reportedly advertised "the best hot coffee around" to passing travelers. The name stuck and was eventually adopted by the community.
Bean Station, Tennessee
Bean Station sounds like a bean-shaped service station, but it’s actually a real town in Tennessee. So, where does the name come from? The name is associated with William Bean, who’s said to have been the first permanent white settler to establish a home there in the 1760s.
Interestingly, the town sat at the crossing of the Wilderness Road and the Great Indian Warpath, an important stopping point for travelers crossing the Appalachian region.
Cookietown, Oklahoma
Cookietown sounds like a paradise for kids. And did you know this unincorporated community in Oklahoma may have been named by a child? Turns out, a general store stood at a rural crossroads around 1928, and its owner was known for handing out cookies to kids. This is the main reason the town is believed to have gotten its name, though another local story tells of a child who, after getting a cookie, told his parents he never wanted to leave "Cookietown."
Why did the radio refuse to play Bob Dylan's "Like a Rolling Stone"?
Culture
What are the 10 best songs for a long road trip?
Hitting the open highway for a long journey can be one of the best feelings in the world. But a truly great road trip isn’t complete without a great playlist. You’ll need songs that reflect both the changing scenery and the range of emotions you’ll experience throughout the drive. To help you build the ultimate driving soundtrack, here are 10 songs that were born for the road.
"On the Road Again" (Willie Nelson)
There’s no better way to start a journey than playing this absolute classic. "On the Road Again", released in August 1980, puts you in the right headspace before leaving home behind to see new places with good company.
Willie Nelson wrote this carefree acoustic tune after a movie executive asked him to compose a track for the film Honeysuckle Rose, in which he starred as an aging country singer. The song became a major hit and earned Nelson a Grammy Award.
"Like a Rolling Stone" (Bob Dylan)
When you want a song that feels epic, Bob Dylan’s masterpiece is a must. "Like a Rolling Stone" allows you to settle into the driver’s seat and just lose yourself in the music.
Released in July 1965, radio stations initially refused to play it because its six-minute runtime was too long for a standard pop single. However, its rebellious lyrics and electric rock sound broke the rules of popular music and changed rock history forever.
"Take Me Home, Country Roads" (John Denver)
If your road trip takes you past rolling green hills, quiet rivers, or mountain passes, put this track on your playlist. Songwriters Bill Danoff and Taffy Nivert originally started writing it in late 1970, initially thinking about giving it to Johnny Cash.
When John Denver heard a rough version after a concert in April 1971, he begged to help finish it and recorded it for his album Poems, Prayers & Promises. "Take Me Home, Country Roads" became a worldwide hit and eventually an official state anthem for West Virginia; no matter who’s traveling with you, everyone in the car will be chanting the chorus.
"America" (Simon and Garfunkel)
For those long stretches of highway where the miles just seem to never end, you need a song that slows the pace down. Paul Simon wrote this poetic folk song after taking an actual cross-country bus and hitchhiking trip with his girlfriend Kathy Chitty in the summer of 1964. "America" was recorded four years later for Simon and Garfunkel’s 1968 album Bookends.
"Fast Car" (Tracy Chapman)
There's a powerful sense of longing in Tracy Chapman’s voice that resonates when you’re staring out a car window. Released as her debut single in April 1988, this heartbreaking acoustic gem was written entirely by then-unknown Chapman.
Her career exploded overnight after she performed it at Nelson Mandela’s 70th birthday tribute concert in London on June 11, 1988, putting the song into the global top ten. Its gentle rhythm builds slowly, making "Fast Car" the perfect tune to listen to when travelling across the country.
"Go Your Own Way" (Fleetwood Mac)
Sometimes you need a burst of energy to keep you awake and alert when driving during the later hours. Released in December 1976 as the lead single from their blockbuster Rumours album, this song was written by guitarist Lindsey Buckingham.
At the time of recording, Fleetwood Mac was experiencing some interpersonal turmoil, and Buckingham wrote the lyrics about the painful breakup of his relationship with bandmate Stevie Nicks. Despite its soaring rock guitars, "Go Your Own Way" is a melancholic tune that will transport you to past loves.
"Sweet Home Alabama" (Lynyrd Skynyrd)
When you want pure classic rock energy, Lynyrd Skynyrd's southern anthem is the way to go. The instantly recognizable guitar riff automatically makes you roll down the car windows and turn up the volume.
Released in June 1974, the song was written as a fun musical response to two songs by folk artist Neil Young ("Southern Man" and "Alabama"), which Skynyrd felt unfairly generalized the entire American South. Despite the banter, Young and the band remained mutual fans and lifelong friends.
"Hotel California" (The Eagles)
As the sun starts setting over the horizon, the vibe in the car may start to shift. That’s the exact moment to put on "Hotel California", released in December 1976 as the title track of the Eagles’ smash album.
Written by Don Felder, Don Henley, and Glenn Frey, the mysterious lyrics have sparked endless fan theories over the decades, though the band has explained it as a metaphorical commentary on the dark side of the American dream and the excesses of the Los Angeles music scene.
"Drive" (The Cars)
If you find yourself driving into a city after dark, surrounded by glowing neon signs and highway streetlights, play "Drive". Written by The Cars’ frontman Ric Ocasek, produced by mega producer Robert John "Mutt" Lange and released in July 1984, the song was included on the band’s fifth studio album, Heartbeat City. In an atypical move, backing band member Benjamin Orr—rather than Ocasek—took over the lead vocals, contributing a haunting yet tender futuristic mood.
"The Long and Winding Road" (The Beatles)
Every great adventure eventually must come to an end. Paul McCartney composed this piano ballad at his Scottish farm in 1968, imagining it being sung by an artist like Ray Charles. It was recorded in January 1969 during the tense sessions for what would become the Let It Be album.
Legendary producer Phil Spector later added orchestral strings and a choir without McCartney’s permission. Despite its controversial history, "The Long and Winding Road" is still a comforting song for the final miles of your trip.
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