It’s a funny coincidence that many towns in Illinois have names you might find hard to believe are real. You might think these names came from a quirky joke, but each has a story worth uncovering. From Bug Tussle’s insect-inspired origin to Smackout’s nod to a radio show, these places reveal more than just odd names. Stick around—you’ll want to hear how these unusual names came to be.
Bug Tussle
Bug Tussle got its quirky name from a 19th-century revival meeting where a swarm of june bugs overwhelmed the attendees, making the event unforgettable. Folklore says the insects outnumbered people, turning the gathering into a hilarious yet chaotic scene. This name captures the community’s light-hearted spirit and their ability to find humor in challenging situations. While no official records confirm other naming stories, this explanation captures the event’s wild spirit perfectly. You won’t find Bug Tussle on many maps as an incorporated town—it began as a rural settlement in Franklin County, Illinois, but never grew into an official municipality. Place names like Bug Tussle reflect the community beliefs and culture of their origins. Without schools, post offices, or economic opportunities, it gradually faded away. Today, Bug Tussle is a ghost town, remembered mainly through regional archives and oral traditions, its name still sparking curiosity and smiles among those who hear it.
Smackout
While some Illinois names recall lively gatherings lost to time, others come from unexpected places—like the radio waves. Take Smackout, named after a popular 1930s Chicago radio show that aired over 1,000 episodes. You’d find yourself in Uncle Luke Gray’s fictional general store, where his catchphrase “We’re smack out of that” became the show’s title. The sitcom, created by Don Quinn, starred Jim and Marian Jordan and featured humorous tales spun to dodge customer requests. It aired six days a week, reaching national audiences by 1933, and eventually evolved into the legendary Fibber McGee and Molly. The Jordans voiced over 150 characters during the series, showcasing their remarkable versatility. Smackout’s influence shaped early radio comedy and paved the way for sitcoms you know today. Interestingly, some places in Illinois, like Indian Creek Village, hold a much darker history as sites of tragic events such as the Indian Creek Massacre. So, when you hear "Smackout," think of more than a town—it’s a piece of entertainment history.
Slapout
If you’ve ever heard someone say a store is “slap out” of an item, you’re already halfway to understanding how the unusual name Slapout came to be. The name originated from a store owner’s frequent use of “slap out” when items ran out, a phrase his sister reportedly echoed. In Oklahoma, Slapout began as a 1930s depression-era store in a converted chicken coop, eventually adding a gas station and rock exhibit. Nearby, a naming dispute between “Nye” and “Slapout” ended when a tornado destroyed the Nye sign, leaving only Slapout. While Alabama’s Slapout remained a small community with a general store and volunteer fire department, Oklahoma’s Slapout became a quirky road trip stop, inspiring local artists and photographers alike. Communities like Philadelphia, Illinois, established in the 1830s and named after Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, reflect the rich history behind town names in the region, often linked to early settlers and local landmarks established towns. For those interested in tracing the history and heritage of places like Slapout, resources such as genealogical and historical data provided by organizations focusing on Hamilton County, Illinois, can offer valuable insights.
Sneak Out
How did the name "Sneak Out" come to be associated with Illinois towns? Surprisingly, no official Illinois town carries that name. You might have heard it connected to secretive activities like those in Cairo, Illinois, where tunnels once helped freedom seekers escape via the Underground Railroad. However, "Sneak Out" likely stems from a misunderstanding or folklore rather than an actual town name. Illinois town names usually come from Indigenous words, settlers’ origins, or local geography—not covert acts. For example, Cairo was named after Egypt’s capital due to river similarities, while Old Shawnee Town reflects relocation after flooding. The Mississippian Culture in Illinois built large fortified villages, highlighting how many town names reflect early settlement history. Cairo’s history is marked by its role in the Underground Railroad and civil war era significance. If you’re curious about "Sneak Out," consider exploring regional archives or Civil War-era maps. You might uncover forgotten settlements, but as of now, no documented Illinois town bears this unusual name.
Oblong
You won't find a town named "Sneak Out" on Illinois maps, but Oblong offers a fascinating example of how geography shapes place names. Named after the naturally oblong-shaped prairie where it was founded, Oblong was officially platted in 1872. You’ll find it unique as one of the few U.S. towns named after a geometric figure. Before incorporation in 1883, Henry Peck ran the first general store, earning the town its early nickname, “Henpeck.” The Oblong Post Office established in 1854 with D. W. Odell as the first Postmaster played a key role in the town's development. Today, Oblong spans just one square mile with about 1,400 residents, nestled in fertile farmland of Crawford County. The town also has a complex history, as it was known in the past as a sundown town, with strong oral traditions recounting the existence of exclusionary ordinances. Its community spirit thrives through annual agricultural events and a school district dating back to 1837’s one-room log cabin. When you visit, you’ll experience a small town deeply rooted in its distinct prairie origins.
Paw Paw
Paw Paw takes its name from the native pawpaw trees that once thrived in the area's groves. When you visit, you'll find a village shaped by early settlers like David A. Town, who arrived in 1834, quickly joined by others to form the Ross Grove settlement. By 1837, Paw Paw had its own post office. The post office served as a vital connection to the wider world for residents, bringing news, letters, and a gathering place for the community. Education was important here, with three rival seminaries competing by 1835, though only one lasted until a teacher training institute emerged later. You can still see historic sites like Alexander Howard’s Greek Revival house and the first church built in 1861. Paw Paw also played a role in Mormon history, hosting Joseph Smith in 1843. Incorporated in 1882, it remains a small town with a rich past and around 830 residents today.
Pearl
When you hear the name Pearl, you might not realize it connects to the pearl button industry that once thrived here. The Illinois River mussels were essential to crafting those buttons, shaping local economies. The Pearl Button Company and William T. Watters were significant contributors to this industry, highlighting the town’s economic development. The village of Pearl City, originally named Yellow Creek, was renamed in 1892, a change believed to be inspired by Daniel Ditzler's pearl finds in the late 1880s. Let’s explore how this unique resource influenced the town’s history and identity.
Pearl Button Industry
The mother-of-pearl industry shaped Pearl, Illinois, giving the town its name and economic identity. Situated along the Illinois River, Pearl thrived by harvesting mussel shells to produce glossy, durable button blanks. You’d see factories employing 15 to 20 workers cutting, drilling, and shipping these blanks, often using water vats and hollow saws to soften and shape shells safely. Locals invested in infrastructure like repurposing the City Hotel to attract button manufacturers. Pearl’s buttons traveled to Iowa, where they were polished and finished, linking Midwest economies. The button blank business was successful until October 1914 when the factory was destroyed by fire, a setback that impacted local industry factory destruction. Though plastic buttons replaced mother-of-pearl by the 1940s, shell piles near old factories still mark Pearl’s past. The town’s name honors this unique chapter of industrial history that once fueled the local livelihood.
Illinois River Mussels
Along the Illinois River near Pearl, you'll find a rich diversity of freshwater mussels that have thrived for centuries in nutrient-rich waters and stable riverbeds. Over 24 species inhabit the Fox River basin, including the delicate fragile papershell and the distinctive deertoe, known for its V-shaped markings. The lilliput mussel, small and unique with host-attracting caruncles, favors backwaters here. However, since the 1990s, invasive zebra mussels have disrupted these native communities, threatening their survival. Mussels play a crucial ecological role by filtering water, cycling nutrients, and indicating river health. Sadly, habitat loss, pollution, and dams fragment populations near Pearl, endangering many species. As you explore this area, you witness both the richness and fragility of these remarkable Illinois River mussels.
Ransom
Names like Ransom carry stories that shape Illinois towns. When you explore Ransom, you’re stepping into history tied to influential figures like Ransom Gardner, a surveyor who plotted Minooka (originally "Summit") in 1852 and played a key role in railroad expansion. Dr. Giles Ransom also left his mark by building Roscoe’s iconic limestone mansion in 1869, blending residential and commercial uses. These Ransoms influenced local development and architecture, with Minooka’s elevated layout and railroad trench reflecting 1920s engineering feats. While the exact namesake of the town remains a bit of a mystery, the Ransom family’s impact is clear. Visiting these places, you witness how individual legacies and railroad growth shaped communities, giving you a deeper appreciation for Illinois’ unique town names.
You might expect small towns to have simple stories, but Illinois proves otherwise. In places like Bug Tussle and Smackout, quirky names hide lively histories, while Oblong and Pearl reveal unexpected origins. These unusual names stand side by side with everyday towns, reminding you that even the smallest spots hold big surprises. So next time you pass through Illinois, remember—there’s more than meets the eye behind every town’s name.
