Double the Fun: Exploring the Double Meanings of 15 Michigan City Names
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Across 83 counties, Michigan cities and villages have many unique names that draw from many inspirations including famous people and Native American words to landmarks and European cities. From Detroit to Dexter, Ypsilanti to Yale, Charlevoix to Coldwater, and Grand Rapids to Gaylord, Michiganders can find many unique Michigan town names.
Among that list of unique names is a select few that could mean something else at first glance. What do you think of when you see names like Climax, Paradise, Hell, Colon, and Beaver Island? They’re all unique and their interesting names are just another reason to visit them all.
Climax
The name of this southwest Michigan village just west of Kalamazoo suggests excitement or surprise — which supposedly helped the village get its name. In the early 1800s the son of a local family in search of farmland is said to have exclaimed “This caps the climax of everything we saw,” upon finding the perfect spot.
We find it hard to disagree with delights like Cold Brook County Park and Scotts Mill County Park in the area (which includes the neighboring village of Scotts) providing a wealth of outdoor recreation opportunities. There’s also a chance to enjoy malts and old-fashioned sodas at Scooter’s Malt Shop and immerse yourself in the world of homesteading at Tiller’s International.
Hell
If you’re a Michigander and someone tells you to go to “Go to Hell,” hop in your car and get there straight away. Why? Because Hell has a storied past and is a heckuva fun tourist destination.
Visitors can become mayor of the town for a day, purchase a square inch of land in town, graduate from Damnation University, tie the knot in Hell, or even visit the Creamatory at Screams Ice Cream. So the next time someone tells you you’re going to Hell, you can enthusiastically reply, “I’m on my way.”
Paradise
On the flip side of Hell, Paradise in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula is the ultimate destination for travelers searching for tranquility. It lives up to its name with stunning views of the night sky and easy access to Tahquamenon Falls where the sight and sound of rushing water puts travelers of all ages at peace.
RELATED: Did you know you can go from Hell to Paradise in one day?
Having a name like Paradise is a heavy burden to carry in the Great Lakes State — what with all the stunning beauty — but we agree that Paradise’s peaceful moniker fits it quite well!
Christmas
First Hell, then Paradise, now Christmas? Are you getting a sense that Michigan has some unique town and village names yet? We know the furthest reaches of the UP may feel like the North Pole in wintertime, but this small town (don’t blink or you’ll miss it) keeps the holiday spirit alive all year.
It’s found between Munising and Au Train and is recognizable by its roadside Santa Claus statue. It was once the site of a Christmas decorations factory and offers plenty to do nearby including a lighthouse and trails to explore.
Frankenmuth
Michigan’s Little Bavaria is a beloved mid-Michigan destination with world-famous chicken dinners and one of the world’s biggest Christmas stores.
Its name is of German origin and means “courage of the Franconians,” but those unfamiliar may think the name means something else, say maybe short for “Frankenstein’s mouth.” Trust us, you won’t find any giant monsters walking through this delightful town, but you can find hidden gems, delicious food, and Old-World charm.
Colon
We know what you’re thinking; yes, there is a village in Michigan called Colon, and yes, it’s pronounced COE-lin. But, far from being the ahem, butt of a joke, Colon is a unique village with a unique claim to fame as the “Magic Capital of the World.”
At the American Museum of Magic in Colon, guests can see thousands of artifacts related to magic including props used by famous magicians like Harry Houdini. Elsewhere in town, visitors can stock up on magic tricks at Abbot’s Magic Shop or watch performances at the Grand Magic Theater.
Paw Paw
Grandsons and granddaughters may call their grandfather “Paw Paw” and they also enjoy this delightful village with their Paw Paw in the heart of Michigan Grape Country.
As one of many delightful small towns in Southwest Michigan, Paw Paw is the perfect destination for wine enthusiasts (you can even hold a wine goblet in your Paw Paw, get it?) with several local vineyards. It also has a quaint downtown and access to nearby lakes, giving visitors a chance to sunbathe and swim.
Bad Axe
While its name may conjure images of a rusty or broken axe or someone who’s tough (think badass), we think Bad Axe is actually a delightful town in Michigan’s Thumbcoast.
In the wintertime, visitors can bring their own bad axes to Hill Top Nursery to find the perfect Christmas tree to take home or visit the “kindergarten hill” across from St. Huberts Sacred Heart Church for a fun sledding experience.
Iron Mountain
A mountain of iron in Michigan? Sounds pretty imposing. It’s not quite that, but Iron Mountain — apart from being one of three “iron towns” in the UP — is a scenic community that’s always worth a stop.
Named for a nearby iron ore bluff, which was part of Michigan’s 19th-century mining boom, Iron Mountain offers scenic views and year-round fun as a winter skiing destination and summertime hotspot with lakefront access, scenic golf courses, closeness to Fumee Falls, and more.
RELATED: Don’t miss a chance to visit the Millie Mine near Iron Mountain — an honest-to-goodness bat cave!
Beaver Island
At first glance, a name like Beaver Island may evoke an image of an island overrun with beavers and dams. It’s not quite like that, but Beaver Island — the largest island in Lake Michigan — is unlike any other place in Michigan.
Known as “America’s Emerald Isle,” Beaver Island is a peaceful getaway and a year-round destination — though you can only get there by ferry or plane. Once there, visitors can explore lighthouses, take a historic walking tour, and enjoy historical attractions.
Flushing
Once you’ve run out of jokes about Colon, turn your attention to Flushing — in fact, Colon and Flushing are only about two hours away, so you can visit both places in one day. Far from having anything to do with a toilet, Flushing is actually named for a village in New York.
Jokes aside, Flushing is a great place for a romantic getaway in the Flint area. It’s got a walkable, scenic downtown that’s perfect for walking hand in hand with your sweetie. Flushing is also home to several apple orchards, making it the perfect family destination in the fall.
Good Hart
Michigan is home to Hart and Good Hart and we’re pretty sure many good-hearted (or should we say Harted) people live in both places — plus many other pleasant Michigan cities. Good Hart is named for a former Ojibwe leader and is in a prime location on Lake Michigan — close to the Tunnel of Trees and Nubs Knob Ski Resort.
New Haven
A haven implies a place of safety and if that’s true then Michigan is home to many havens, including Grand Haven, South Haven, and New Haven.
Located north of Detroit, New Haven has a rich history and plenty of space to explore the great outdoors. Visitors can kayak or canoe along Macomb County’s part of the Clinton River, and visit the Wetzel State Recreation Area for wildlife watching, hunting, cross-country skiing, and even radio-controlled flying.
Plainwell
With a name like Plainwell, you may assume that Plainwell may be boring and dull. That’s hardly the case for this Southwest Michigan city, which is frequently hopping with activity.
Plainwell is a popular spot on Veterans Day, where the Greater Plainwell Veterans Memorial gives visitors a spot to reflect by the Kalamazoo River. It also offers some of the best ice cream in Michigan at Plainwell Ice Cream, which has been a hotspot for more than 30 years.
Plainwell also offers a fun round of golf at Lake Doster Golf Club which has beautiful scenery like a Northern Michigan course and a challenging layout to test golfers of all abilities.
Custer
Named for famed General George Armstrong Custer, the village of Custer may evoke a proud sense of history. Then again, it sounds an awful lot like custard, so it may leave you feeling hungry too.
Custer may be small, but it’s close to the Lake Michigan cities of Ludington and Manistee, offering easy access to scenic Lake Michigan beaches. It’s also within driving distance of Silver Lake State Park, where residents and visitors alike can explore the wonders of the Silver Lake dunes.
Visit One of the Many Towns in Michigan With Unique Names
As you can see, Climax, Paradise, Hell, Colon, and Beaver Island are a lot more than just funny names on paper; they are interesting places in Michigan that you need to visit for yourself. So while you may laugh and snicker at names like Hell, Flushing, and Colon, these are all places that Michiganders are proud to call home and they showcase even more of what makes Michigan unique.