Buzz
Data from the United States Census Bureau reveals that 29 cities and towns across the U.S. have names that evoke the festive spirit of Christmas. For instance, nestled in the Adirondack Mountains is North Pole, New York, a small town where Christmas is celebrated year-round. It's home to Santa’s Workshop, one of the earliest American theme parks, with attractions like rides, a carousel, and even real reindeer, all dedicated to preserving the Christmas cheer throughout the year.
This list highlights cities and towns with festive names, but their history is far removed from Christmas. Whether named after the first Caucasian male born in the village, a Mormon settlement named after two church members, a tourist-attracting pecan farm, or even due to a simple mistake, these towns—despite their holiday-inspired names—have little or no connection to the December festivities or the winter season.
10. Rudolph, Wisconsin
Founded in 1960, Rudolph, Wisconsin, is the second town of Wood County, located around 7 miles (11 km) north of Wisconsin Rapids. With a population of just 432, it is known for its rich dairy industry. Dairy State Cheese, a production facility and retail store, has been operating here for over 70 years, offering more than 200 varieties of Wisconsin cheese. Additionally, Rudolph is renowned as the “Home of the Famous Grotto Shrine and Wonder Cave.”
In 1912, Father Phillip Wagner, who was studying for the priesthood in Europe, found his health deteriorating. In search of healing, he traveled to Our Lady’s Shrine in Lourdes, France, known for its miraculous cures. There, he made a vow to the Virgin Mary: if his health was restored, enabling his ordination, he would build a shrine in her honor.
Father Wagner's health gradually improved, and by 1915, he was able to be ordained. To fulfill his vow, he began constructing the Rudolph Grotto in the 1920s. Today, this spiritual sanctuary covers over 5 acres (2 hectares) and features beautiful flower beds, multiple shrines, a museum, and a gift shop, drawing around 30,000 visitors each year.
As the village's name suggests, Rudolph holds a special place for Santa's iconic reindeer. Street signs in the area showcase the red-nosed reindeer, the post office offers a reindeer-themed stamp for outgoing mail, and the annual Rudolph County Christmas brings a host of festive activities. These include a live nativity, Belgian horse and wagon rides, cookie decorating, storytelling, a craft sale, train rides, and a lighted Christmas parade with Santa and his sleigh, among other events.
Despite the village’s strong connection to Christmas and reindeer-themed attractions, the village was not named after Santa’s reindeer. Instead, it was named after Rudolph Hecox, the first Caucasian male born in the area in the 1850s.
9. Snowflake, Arizona
Though Arizona is often associated with deserts, heat, and cacti, it is also home to a town called Snowflake. Interestingly, despite its frosty-sounding name, Snowflake doesn't see much snow at all—only about 13 inches (33cm) annually. While its name doesn't have a Christmas or winter connection, Snowflake’s history and its naming are rich with unique religious significance.
Snowflake, Arizona, with a population of around 7,000, is nestled in the White Mountains between Holbrook and Show Low. The town's story dates back to 1878, when a land agent named William J. Flake, along with five other families, was sent by Brigham Young of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to establish Mormon colonies in the Southwest. At the time, Arizona was still a U.S. territory, not yet a state.
After selling his land in Beaver, Utah, Flake and his companions followed Young’s instructions and, upon reaching the Little Colorado Valley, founded settlements including Ballinger’s Camp, Sunset, Old Taylor, and Allen’s Camp. However, the harsh conditions and the struggle to meet the standards of the 'United Order,' a church initiative promoting communal living, prompted Flake to search for a new location. He found the ideal spot near Silver Creek, a 45-mile-long (72-km) stream in the White Mountains.
Unfortunately, the 300-acre (12-hectare) property was owned by rancher James Stinson. Stinson agreed to sell the land for $12,000, but after negotiations, Flake secured it for $11,000 in cash. To raise the necessary funds, Flake convinced church leaders to sell cattle from their Utah ranches. On July 21, 1878, Flake and his fellow pioneers moved onto the ranch.
On September 24, 1878, Flake met with Mormon Apostle Erastus Snow, who was dedicating the new Mormon colonies. Some settlers wanted to name the town after Snow, while others favored Flake's name. Ultimately, the settlement was named Snowflake, combining the two men's surnames.
8. Garland, Texas
Garland, Texas, shares its name with the festive decoration often draped over mantels, staircases, and doorways to spread holiday cheer. However, this city's name has no connection to greenery or Christmas decorations. Instead, Garland’s origins trace back to a rivalry between two neighboring communities. Known for its rich history, diverse population, and flourishing economy, Garland offers much more than just a festive name.
Located within the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, Garland's roots are tied to a competition between Duck Creek, positioned along the Dallas and Greenville Railroad, and Embree, situated a mile to the east along the Santa Fe Railroad. In 1887, a devastating fire swept through Duck Creek's business district, prompting the relocation of the post office to Embree. However, as Embree sought town incorporation, it faced allegations of fraud for inflating its population with figures from Duck Creek, escalating the conflict to the courts.
In the latter part of 1887, Congressman Joseph Abbott resolved the dispute by founding the neutral town of Garland between the two communities and establishing a new post office there. The town was named after Augustus H. Garland, the U.S. Attorney General under President Grover Cleveland.
7. Noel, Missouri
Founded in 1891, Noel, Missouri, got its name from two early settlers, brothers Clark Wallace Noel and William Jasper Noel, who were livestock farmers and owners of a sawmill. Though Noel is a word often associated with Christmas, this town's name actually has no connection to the holiday carols. Interestingly, it's pronounced 'Nole,' but that hasn’t stopped the town from becoming well-known in its own right.
During the Great Depression, Postmaster Edward T. Roussett, a Frenchman, shared the meaning of 'Noel' in French and suggested creating a unique Christmas postmark from the only town in the U.S. named Noel. The idea gained even more popularity after renowned singer Kate Smith mentioned it on her radio show.
This tradition has been continuing since 1932, and now, over ninety years later, the Post Office in Noel receives mail from every state and several countries, including Japan and China. Volunteers there stamp holiday mail with one of four Christmas-themed stamps: a green tree, a red wreath with the message 'Christmas Greetings Noel, Mo. The Christmas City in Ozark Vacation Land,' one red Noel, or one blue Noel. Each December, the town also changes the pronunciation of its name from 'Nole' to 'Noel.'
While the Christmas postmarks haven't necessarily turned Noel into a winter tourism hub, the tradition has earned this two-square-mile (3.2 sq km) town in McDonald County a delightful nickname—the Christmas City.
6. Santa Claus, Georgia
Santa Claus, Georgia, is a quaint village nestled between Macon and Savannah with a population of fewer than 300 people. Though there's no guarantee of spotting the jolly man himself, this small town embraces a Christmas theme all year long, truly transforming into a magical winter wonderland during the holiday season.
Santa Claus is home to a variety of festive streets with names that evoke the Christmas spirit, such as Candy Cane Lane, Dancer Street, Prancer Street, Rudolph Way, and Noel Street. The town's City Hall is located at 25 December Drive, and Christmas decorations remain in place year-round. Though there are no hotels or restaurants in Santa Claus, visitors can find a welcome center at 2317 Noel Street, which features a historical museum and a gift shop filled with Santa Claus-themed souvenirs. The town truly shines on Christmas Eve, when the holiday spirit is at its peak!
On Christmas Eve, the residents of Santa Claus line the streets with luminaries, lighting up Sleigh Street and Candy Cane Lane to create a glowing path for Santa's sleigh. While Christmas cheer fills the town, the name 'Santa Claus' actually has no connection to the town's festive traditions. Instead, the name was carefully chosen as part of a clever marketing tactic.
Santa Claus, Georgia, was founded in the 1930s by C.G. 'Farmer' Greene, a local pecan farmer who sold his products, along with fresh fruit and souvenirs, to travelers. Greene recognized the importance of picking a memorable name to attract customers to his pecan stand. So, he chose the name Santa Claus, which succeeded in drawing attention and bringing people off U.S. Highway 1 to his business.
5. Shepherd, Montana
Shepherd, Montana, emerged in the early 1900s when the U.S. government encouraged immigrants to settle in the region. Following the construction of the 65-mile (104 km) Billings Bench Water Association canal in 1905, Dutch, German, and Scandinavian farmers moved to the area, transitioning it from cattle ranching to farmland. However, a combination of drought, thistles, coyotes, prairie dogs, and the devastation of the 1936 grasshopper infestation caused many farmers to leave. The land was eventually returned to ranching use.
Today, Shepherd is a modest farming community and a suburban extension of Billings, located along the Yellowstone River. Despite its population of just 815, this peaceful town offers a calm rural atmosphere while also providing numerous opportunities for recreation and entertainment.
Although the name 'Shepherd' may evoke images of the shepherds from Christmas nativity scenes, who were the first to witness Jesus' birth, the town's name actually has no connection to them or to ranching. Instead, the town was named after R.E. Shepherd, one of the first European settlers, who is credited with founding the Billings Land and Irrigation Company, along with Merchant’s National Bank.
4. Snowball, Arkansas
With over 25,000 cities, towns, and villages across the United States, only two share the name Snowball—one in Minnesota and one in Arkansas. While the name conjures up images of winter fun, like snowball fights and building snowmen, it seems like a perfect fit for a Minnesota town. Ironically, the name 'Snowball' was never intended for the Arkansas town at all.
Settlers began arriving in the Calf Creek Valley during the 1830s, with the community steadily growing over the years. A grist mill and a cotton gin were constructed, contributing to the settlement's development. In 1885, the Calf Creek Masonic Lodge No. 426 was founded, followed by the construction of a two-story lodge in 1886. This building, which also served as a church and school, was named Snow Hall to honor Benjamin Franklin Hall, the sheriff of Searcy County at the time.
As the settlement continued to grow, a petition was submitted in 1888 to establish a post office. However, whether due to a prank or an error in paperwork, the request for a Snow Hall post office was mistakenly approved as the Snowball Post Office. The town has been known as Snowball ever since.
The town flourished until a fire destroyed much of its business district on October 19, 1945. By the 1970s, Snowball’s population had shrunk from about 500 people to only four families. Though the back-to-the-land movement brought some young people back to the area, by the early 2000s, the town was left with only a handful of residents and no active businesses. Despite this, the Masonic Lodge and Snowball Baptist Church remain operational.
3. Egg Nog, Utah
Eggnog, Utah, was founded in 1979 in Garfield County, just southeast of Capitol Reef. While the town wasn’t named after the popular holiday drink, it is believed that the name stems from the tradition of local residents offering eggnog to ranchers during the winter months.
With its hefty texture and fattening qualities—made from beaten eggs, sugar, cream or milk, and often a small quantity of alcohol—the drink was a quick way to restore energy for the laborers.
2. Blitzen, Oregon
Catlow Valley is a 1,300-square-mile (2,092-km), seemingly floor-leveled basin in the high-desert area of Harney County, Oregon. From 1905 to 1920, a dry-farming homestead drew many would-be farmers to the northern Great Basin, including Catlow Valley. Hundreds of optimistic people settled in on the sagebrush flats, dug wells, and attempted to grow grain, with the largest town being Blitzen.
The town, however, wasn’t named in reference to any of Santa’s reindeer, but instead, it was named after the Donner and Blitzen River that flows nearby. And no, the river also has no ties to Christmas or Santa’s sleigh-pulling reindeer. The river was named in 1864 by Army commander Captain George Currey, who, when forced to cross the river during a thunderstorm, called the river Donner ünd Blitzen, which is German for “thunder and lightning.”
Unfortunately, despite acquiring its first post office in 1915 and the development of a general store, a school, a saloon, and several residences, the town’s population gradually declined to zero, and the post office was later closed in 1943. Sadly, Blitzen is now nothing more than a ghost town with no trace of ever being inhabited.
1. Christmas Valley, Oregon
In Christmas Valley, a community in southern Oregon, you won’t find the typical holiday sights like dazzling light displays or stores filled with festive decorations. Despite being home to names like Snowman Road and Christmas Tree Lane, this town doesn't evoke much of a Christmas spirit. Even when its sagebrush and alfalfa fields are blanketed in snow, it’s hard to find anything remotely festive about the place.
Like much of Oregon’s high desert, Christmas Valley is a dry, sparsely populated area, extremely hot in the summer and brutally cold in the winter. So, how did this town come to have a Christmas-themed name, and what does it have to do with the holiday season?
The answer is: nothing at all! Christmas Valley got its name from the nearby Christmas Lake, a dry lake bed. The lake itself was named after Peter Christman, a pioneer who grazed livestock in the area. Over time, his name was mistakenly altered to ‘Christmas.’
While the town may lack Christmas cheer, Christmas Valley is a haven for nature lovers, offering stunning geological landmarks such as Fort Rock and the Christmas Valley Sand Dunes. Just an hour’s drive away is Crack-in-the-Ground, a two-mile-long volcanic fissure with a 70-foot below-ground hiking trail.
