By Cheri Sicard
If a journey through the wonderfully weird side of the USA sounds appealing, then buckle up.
In the video below, the team from Weird History has compiled a list of the weirdest small towns in the United States that you can schedule into your future travel.
#1 Centralia, Pennsylvania – The town that’s always burning: Imagine a town where the ground is hot to the touch and smoke plumes rise from cracks in the road. That’s Centralia, Pennsylvania. Back in 1981, around 1,000 people called Centralia home. By 2010, that number had dwindled to less than a dozen. So, what happened?
In 1962, a coal mine fire ignited beneath the town. And it’s still burning today. Experts estimate that this underground inferno could continue for another 250 years. The result? Sinkholes, toxic fumes, and an eerie, unsettling atmosphere. The highway itself is hot.
In 1992, Pennsylvania condemned Centralia and seized all the property. Residents were allowed to stay, but as they leave, the town will cease to exist. While living there is not an option, one can visit. However, proceed with caution.
#2 Whittier, Alaska – Population all under one roof: If personal space is important, one may want to stay far away from Whittier, Alaska, about 58 miles southeast of Anchorage. Almost all of Whittier’s 214 residents live in one building: the Begich Towers.
Originally an army barracks, this 14-story building now houses almost everything a town needs: a police station, post office, store, church, playground, a bed and breakfast, a health center and, yes, even a video store.
The video store is quite an interesting thing to think about, especially in 2026. If you forget to rewind, everyone will know. As for why people live in such a remote location, Whittier is surrounded by stunning Alaskan scenery, offering easy access to outdoor adventures like hiking, fishing, and glacier viewing.
#3 Monowi, Nebraska – Population: one: How about a town with a population of just one? Elsie Eiler is the sole resident of Monowi, Nebraska. She’s the mayor, bartender, and librarian. She likely also handles the town’s taxes and accounting. Elsie even pays taxes to herself. Monowi’s population was once double. Elsie was married to her husband, Rudy, until he passed away in 2004. What keeps Elsie in Monowi? It’s her home, her history, and her connection to a place where she has deep roots.
#4 Colma, California – The City of Souls: Colma, California, covers only two square miles, but it holds 17 cemeteries. While the town has about 1,200 living residents, it’s estimated that two million deceased people call Colma their final resting place. This has earned Colma the nickname “City of Souls.”
This ratio started when bodies were moved to Colma from San Francisco to make room in the city. Among the many buried in Colma are famous figures like Wyatt Earp and William Randolph Hearst. In the event of a zombie apocalypse, it’s best to keep driving through Colma.
#5 Miracle Village, Florida – A community of second chances: With a name like Miracle Village, one might expect a town full of doctors or magicians. However, Miracle Village in Florida is home to more than 100 registered sex offenders.
Founded by Minister Richard Witherow, who worked in prisons for 30 years, Miracle Village provides housing for recently released offenders as they reintegrate into society. Witherow’s ministry, Matthew 25, oversees the village and approves all residents. The village has rules and regulations that the residents must follow.
#6 Slab City, California – The last free place: Ever see Into the Wild? Remember that strange, lawless town where Emile Hirsch meets Kristen Stewart? That’s Slab City, California. Residents call it “the last free place in America.”
Slab City is a decommissioned Marine Corps training facility. It’s an off-grid community with about 150 residents, including eccentrics, veterans, hippies, and squatters. People come to Slab City to unplug and live outside of mainstream society. Slab City is also home to Salvation Mountain, a colorful art installation created by Leonard Knight.
#7 Tangier, Virginia – An island with a unique voice: Tangier, Virginia, is located on Tangier Island in Chesapeake Bay. It’s one of the oldest towns in the U.S., and one of the strangest-sounding. It’s not the name, but the way the residents speak.
Linguists say the residents of Tangier have an accent unlike any other in the United States. The local dialect is a mix of standard American and old British. Some historians believe this is how the Founding Fathers sounded. Tangier Island faces many challenges, including rising sea levels and coastal erosion.
#8 Hell, Michigan – A town that lives up to its name: Hell exists. And in the winter, it freezes over. Hell, Michigan, is near Ann Arbor, home of the University of Michigan. But Hell has its own college: Damnation University, or DamU.
Hell embraces its name. The town offers satanic churches for weddings, ice cream shops called The Crematory, and pastries at the Hell Hole Diner. The town also hosts a variety of events and festivals throughout the year.
#9 Gibsonton, Florida – Where carnies roam: Gibsonton, Florida, has more than 14,000 residents, and many are carnival workers. When carnivals are not running, many head to Gibsonton to relax.
The town was featured in an X-Files episode titled “Humbug.” At one time, the town’s fire chief was an eight-foot-tall giant, and the post office had a counter for people with dwarfism. Gibsonton has a long and rich history tied to the carnival industry.
#10 Scottsboro, Alabama – The lost luggage capital: Ever lose luggage? Don’t rage tweet. Instead, head to Scottsboro, Alabama. Statistically, your luggage is there.
Scottsboro is home to the Unclaimed Baggage Center (UBC). Founded in 1970 by Doyle Owens, the center now occupies 40,000 square feet of downtown Scottsboro. Each year, it receives one million unclaimed bags and suitcases.
The UBC finds clothing and electronics. It also has a museum of unusual items, including:
- A $20,000 painting
- The guidance system for an F-16 fighter jet
- A NASA space shuttle camera
Learn more about the Unclaimed Baggage Center here.
#11 The Villages, Florida – Retirement gone wild: The Villages, Florida, is a retirement community. In 2015, it recorded a record number of STDs.
The 70,000 residents of Florida’s friendliest retirement home were constantly enjoying the community jello. One couple was even caught in a compromising moment on a golf cart. As resident Rosalyn Shelley told the New York Post, “Whatever you know about 20-year-olds, it’s the same with seniors.” Beyond the wild behavior, the community offers many activities and amenities, including golf courses, swimming pools, and social clubs.
#12 PhinDeli Town Buford, Wyoming – A town with a coffee-fueled rebrand: Don Sammons, his wife and son were the three residents of Buford, Wyoming. But in 1995, Sammons’ wife passed away. In 2007, his son moved away. So, Sammons sold the town in 2012 to coffee magnate Pham Dinh Nguyen for $900,000. Nguyen renamed it PhinDeli Town Buford after his coffee brand. If one visits the town’s gas station, they will only find PhinDeli coffee. The coffee brand is now integrated into the town’s identity.
#13 Casey, Illinois – Ironic home of the big things: Ever want to feel like you’re in Honey, I Shrunk the Kids? Head to Casey, Illinois. It’s full of huge objects.
Casey was founded in 1834. It’s about two square miles in size, with a population of around 3,000. Casey is known for big things, a term describing objects that are far out of proportion. There are at least eight items in Casey that have been certified by Guinness as the world’s largest. These include a 32-foot pencil and a 56-foot rocking chair.
Read more about Casey, Illinois’ huge objects here.
From burning towns to carnie havens, the United States is full of unique and quirky small towns. Each offers a glimpse into a different side of American life. Now that you’ve explored some of the weirdest, the question is, which town would you want to visit? Or have you stumbled upon an even stranger place? If so, please share it in the comments.
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RVDT2891
Maybe it’s me, but I found it in incredibly bad taste to mention visiting a town set up for registered sex offenders. Why would you even suggest it? Last time I read any reccomendations by you.