Alan’s TTIM Stories #71

A country full of town nicknames – some to accent local history and/or local industry and some so peculiar to stand out over all others. Some nicknames are heartily promoted, some are only known to locals, and some are not complimentary and not mentioned in any public acknowledgement (example: The Mistake on the Lake). Here’s a few I found most interesting:

Reynoldsburg, Ohio – The Birthplace of the Tomato
Livingston did it. Alexander W. Livingston developed the first tomato “bred for commercial use.” For more information on this historic event, visit the Livingston House and Museum.

Albertville, Alabama – The Fire Hydrant Capital of the World
A nickel-plated fire hydrant monument stands near the Albertville Chamber of Commerce to commemorate the millionth fire hydrant produced by the Mueller Company. A favorite landmark for the community and local dogs.

Claxton, Georgia – Fruitcake Capital of the World
The holiday treat you either love or hate. Founded in 1910, the Claxton Bakery turns out fruitcakes to send around the world “filled with nature’s finest fruits and nuts.”

Chillicothe, Missouri – Home of Sliced Bread
Chillicothe Baking Company added a machine invented by Otto Rohwedder of Iowa – the Rohwedder Bread Slicer – first used in 1928.

Beaver, Oklahoma – Cow Chip Capital of the World
The town hosts the annual World Cow Chip Throwing Championship, beginning in 1969. The event, 3^rd Saturday in April, includes a parade, carnival, tractor pull, talent show, golf tournament, concerts, and a crafts show. With the lack of trees in the Oklahoma panhandle, settlers used buffalo chips to burn for heat (you knew there was a good reason).

Columbia, Tennessee – The Mule Capital of the World
This community celebrates its agricultural heritage acknowledging the animal pulling the plow with annual Mule Day every April, expecting 100,000 visitors. Celebrations include the Mule Pulling Championship, the crowning of the Mule Day Queen and her court, and a clinic on proper saddle fitting.

Sumner, Washington – Rhubarb Pie Capital
The “vegetable that eats like a fruit.” A popular food in the Northwest, Sumner celebrates Rhubarb Days in late June with live music, beer garden, kids’ zone, crafts, and pies. For more on this tasty treat, look up the pamphlet, “28 Delicious Ways to Serve Summer Rhubarb.”

Douglas, Wyoming – Jackalope Capital of the World
Based on a mythical creature in North America – the jackalope is a jackrabbit with antelope horns. The tradition began as a taxidermy hoax with a wall mount in the La Bonte Hotel in Douglas. The town embraced the strange occurrence with statues and selling fake hunting licenses.

A personal favorite
Catonsville – Music City Maryland
With an abnormal number of music related stores in a small town, the Greater Catonsville Chamber of Commerce initiated and received an official declaration from the Maryland General Assembly in 2002. Since that time, the number of live musical performances have skyrocketed, a special Arts District was established, and an entire industry was created – the Music City Maryland Association.

Nicknames provide a positive, strange, or ridiculous image as an economic magnet and source of community pride. What makes your town unique?

Sources:
Wikipedia
reynoldsburg.gov
visitcolumbiatn.com
sumnerwa.gov
beaverokchamber.com
cityofclaxton.net
claxtonfruitcake.com
visitchillicothe.com
modernfarmer.com
roadsideamerica.com

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Follow announcements of Alan’s TTIM Stories at Facebook.com/alan.vandervoort or Instagram & Threads vandervoort_author, with all available posts at www.alanvandervoort.com. Novels by the author include: Sandhills – A Novel and Key Largo Summer, found at Booklocker.com and other online booksellers.