Have you ever passed by a street sign that was so bizarre you had to turn around to look again? If you answered yes, you probably live in Idaho. From the same state that brought you gems like this park, we are also home to at least 16 crazy street names that are unique, to say the least - if not attention-grabbing!
1. Coffin Road, Boise
At least it's not a dead end street. (See what I did there?)
2. Decay Lane, Soda Springs
The term "decay" doesn't evoke the most pleasant imagery, that's for sure. So here's a run-down barn instead.
3. Frozen Dog Road, Emmett
No animals were harmed in the naming of this rural Idaho street.
4. Dingle Bottoms Road, Paris
Surprisingly, this strangely-named road isn't one of those town secrets. It's a major road right by the rural airport.
5. Jackass Gulch Road, Emmett
No comment.
6. Lazy Lane, Idaho Falls
I like to imagine this is how everybody who lives on Lazy Lane spends their day, but that could be just wishful thinking.
7. But for the literary romantic, Meridian, Idaho might just take the cake for cultured, whimsical names:
Hovering around Renaissance Park, entire subdivisions and their street offshoots are named for Billy Shakespeare himself and his most famous characters and settings: you can pick sides to live on Romeo or Juliet Drive, or choose between Capulet Way and Montague Way. Or, take it to another region and find yourself feeling artsy on Mona Lisa Drive, or awe-inspired on Basilica Way.
8. Nearing Place, Moscow
Nearing what? Where? Are we there yet? Is there a Destination Lane somewhere?
9. Dusty Bison Circle, Idaho Falls
Sadly, a drive down this street will be sorely lacking in buffalo and/or bison.
10. Mohawk Street, Pocatello
To each their own.
11. Cut Em Off Pass, Garden Valley
This pass near the Payette River and Terrace Lakes Golf Resort isn't for the faint of heart.
12. Gnomes Road, Gooding
Can you find it?
14. 4 Wheel Drive, Caldwell
Hint: It looks nothing like this rough mountain road.
15. Lost Cow Lane, Caldwell
Only one of these cows is lost. The other just refuses to ask for directions.
16. Chicken Dinner Road, Caldwell
While many of Idaho's strangest names have little meaning or known history, Chicken Dinner Rd. has quite the backstory. Various versions have cropped up over the years, but the official one was confirmed by the daughter of the original "chicken dinner hostess" herself.
The story starts with Morris B. and Laura Lamb, who lived along the road in the 1930s and invited former Idaho Governor C. Ben Ross to dinner one night. On the menu? Lamb's famous fried chicken, apple pie, and hot rolls. Mrs. Lamb mentioned the poor condition of their road and Ross made a deal: if Lamb could convince the county to get it graded and graveled, the governor would ensure it was sealed. Both parties kept their ends of the bargain, but there's a twist: Vandals may have actually helped the story (and naming process) along.
According to Lamb's daughter, the next morning someone had painted the words, "Lamb's Chicken Dinner Avenue" in bright yellow letters on the freshly-oiled road. Children riding the school bus took up the chant "Chicken Dinner, Chicken Dinner!" as they passed the house. And the name stuck
You have to wonder about the stories behind some of these! Do you have any hilarious, weird, or kooky Idaho street names to add to our list?
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