New Book - Hometown Celebrations

LIBERAL, KANSAS??

Liberal, KS - The town was founded in 1888.  Water was very scarce in the 1880’s but S.S. Rogers had dug a well on his homestead and offered free water to the visitors and their livestock who passed through the area.  This was unusual because water was not free.  The surprised visitors would comment to Rogers that “this was mighty liberal of you”.  The name caught on and was known to travelers as Liberal.  Kansas has always been considered a conservative state.

The Road to Success!

Like thousands of other towns in the United States, this community reminds us of the spirit and perseverance of our ancestors.  Their main goal was to be successful in their lives and provide a great environment for future generations.  Many towns adopted names from adjectives or nouns describing their new hometown.  Mystic, Luck, Competition, Defiance, and Surprise are examples of this method for naming their new communities.  Speaking of the road to success, sometimes it was bumpy and full of dangerous curves for the early pioneers.  Sometimes when they finally arrived, there expectations were different than what they actually experienced.  Many communities did not survive.  However, we know of no communities by the name of failure!  You can always find “Success” in the states of Arkansas and New Hampshire.

Intercourse is just not the same today!

Intercourse, PA - The town was originally founded in 1754. It was known as Cross Keys after a tavern in the area. There are several unsubstantiated versions of the origin of the name “Intercourse”. Some say the name described the long entrance to an old race track east of town. This stretch of road was first known as the “Entercourse”. By 1814, the name evolved into Intercourse. Another explanation suggests that the name comes from two well known traveled roads that crossed in the middle of the town. Today, the town is a well-known Amish settlement. Again, it is amazing how meanings of some names have changed and how we view them today.




Photo - Courtesy of Library of Congress

Troll Capital of the World

Mount Horeb, WI


Troll Capital of the World

In the late 1800’s, more than 70% of the citizens living here were of Norwegian descent. Norwegian folklore has always told stories about trolls. Trolls are these ugly looking elf-like beings having only four fingers and a long crooked nose. It was thought they guarded treasures of diamonds and gold. The troll phenomenon in this community started back in the mid 1970’s. A local Scandinavian gift shop began displaying statues of trolls on their lawn to attract business. The trolls became so popular with the citizens that they went troll crazy. There are many troll businesses located on Mount Horeb’s Trollway.  PS. The Grumpy Troll Brew & Pub is a great place to eat and drink!

Baraboo, Wisconsin

What a great name and what a great town!  The town was named after the Baribeau brothers who once operated a mill in this area.  The folklore says one day the brothers got into an argument.  After this fierce debate, one brother packed up and headed toward Canada.  The other brother stayed and changed his name to Baraboo!

The town was home to the Ringling Brothers in the late 19th century.  The Ringling Circus stayed here for the winter until 1918.  Today, you will find a treasure when you visit this wonder town.  The town hosts the Circus World Museum and entertains you with live circus performances along with the great history of the Ringling Brothers.  A real treat!!

Bowlegs, Oklahoma

Bolek, also known as Billy Bowlegs, was a fierce Seminole Chief from Florida. After signing a treaty in 1832, Bowlegs and his 200 warriors were peaceful until his fellow Seminole Chief Osceola was wrongfully imprisoned. Chief Bowlegs and his warriors led many successful raids against the U.S. Military. Finally in 1858, the government convinced Chief Bowlegs to relocate to the new Indian Territory in Oklahoma. He was given $10,000 dollars and each of his followers received $1,000. Here he became a prominent chief to his people and was once again peaceful. During the Civil War, he became a captain in the Union Army and was instrumental to the success in this region against the Confederacy. In 1864, the famous chief died of smallpox.

Photo Courtesy of Library of Congress