Town marketing 101
“Go to Hell” and 9 more of the strangest town slogans in America
While most cities and towns opt for safe mottos and nicknames like "A Great Place to Live" or similar phrases, others lean into humor, irony, or even absurdity. These ten slogans range from cheeky and playful to downright bizarre, but all of them manage to be memorable. Did you know any of them?
Image: Chris Phan
1
Boring, Oregon – "The Most Exciting Place to Live"
With a name like Boring, Oregon, you’d expect residents to have a sense of humor. Their slogan flips that expectation, proudly calling Boring the most exciting place to live.
The town has even partnered with Dull, Scotland, to form an "International League of Dull Places."
Image: everett mcintire
2
Hell, Michigan – "Go to Hell"
Hell, Michigan, has turned its unusual name into a marketing goldmine . The slogan "Go to Hell" is proudly displayed on signs, T-shirts, and souvenirs, attracting thousands of curious visitors each year.
Locals have fun with it, running events like Halloween festivals and themed shops.
Image: Brad Switzer
3
Normal, Illinois – "Everything is just as it seems!"
The city of Normal, Illinois, proudly uses the slogan "Everything is just as it seems!" as its official motto, playfully referencing the town’s unusual name .
The name Normal has historical roots: it comes from the French phrase école normale , which described a type of school for training teachers.
Image: Zander Betterton
4
Peculiar, Missouri – "Where the ‘odds’ are with you"
A town with a name that is the exact opposite of the previous entry, Peculiar, Missouri, has also decided to embrace its unusual identity with the slogan "Where the ‘odds’ are with you," adding a playful touch to it
The oddball branding draws curious travelers, and the town celebrates its peculiarity with local events and merchandise.
Image: Brittney Butler
5
Nothing, Arizona – "All for Nothing"
Nothing, Arizona, an unincorporated community with an ironic name, became known for the phrase "All for Nothing." While not an official slogan, it reflects the determination of residents who built lives in a place with almost no amenities.
The phrase captures both humor and grit, giving the tiny settlement an identity that can be hard to forget.
Image: Christoph von Gellhorn
6
Superior, Wisconsin – "Living up to our name"
Superior, Wisconsin, sits on the western tip of Lake Superior, and its slogan, "Living up to our name," highlights both geography and civic pride .
It’s a confident statement that sticks in visitors’ minds. The town blends natural beauty with historical significance, and the slogan reinforces that it considers itself a cut above the rest.
Image: Tom Barrett
7
Happy, Texas – "The town without a frown"
Happy, Texas, took its cheerful name and ran with it . Its slogan, "The Town Without a Frown," spreads positivity and conveys a sense of friendliness throughout the community.
The motto has become a source of local pride, turning a small Panhandle town into a feel-good stop that lives up to its sunny reputation.
Image: Daniel Lloyd Blunk-Fernández
8
Gas, Kansas – "Don’t pass gas, stop and enjoy it"
Gas, Kansas, leans fully into its unusual name with a slogan that makes travelers laugh every time . Located in Allen County, this small town has become a roadside favorite thanks to its cheeky pun.
Rather than shy away from the obvious joke, Gas celebrates it, featuring the motto on signs and even postcards.
Image: Farhodjon Chinberdiev
9
Lake City, Iowa: "Everything but a lake"
Lake City, Iowa, proudly uses the slogan "Everything but a Lake." The phrase humorously acknowledges the irony behind the town’s name, since there’s no actual lake within its limits . Despite this, the motto highlights that Lake City has plenty to offer in other ways.
The town’s name was inspired by another town in Illinois, yet Lake City has successfully carved out its own character.
Image: Shawn Schroeder
10
Show Low, Arizona - "Named by the turn of a card"
Show Low owes its unusual name to a high-stakes poker game played between two ranchers who couldn’t agree on who would claim the land. The decision came down to a single rule: whoever drew the lowest card would win, and from that moment, the town became known as Show Low.
Even today, Show Low highlights its origin story in tourism and branding, proudly using the phrase "Named by the turn of a card."
Image: Gerard Albanell
