# Shelbyvilles, i.e. places that look like they have a generic place name in them but don't **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [February 14, 2026, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shelbyvilles-i-e-places-that-look-like-they-have-a-generic-place-name-in-them-but-dont/1027667 "2026-02-14T17:27:57Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2026, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shelbyvilles-i-e-places-that-look-like-they-have-a-generic-place-name-in-them-but-dont/1027667/61 "2026-02-16T22:15:32Z")
Around here they abbreviate it “La.” At least on _that_ street sign. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2026, 3:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shelbyvilles-i-e-places-that-look-like-they-have-a-generic-place-name-in-them-but-dont/1027667/62 "2026-02-17T03:33:38Z")
In a semi-related note, I used to hear weather forecasts on the radio from something apparently called the Freeze-Notice Weather Service. Actually it was the Freese-Notis Weather Service, run by [two guys named Freese and Notis](https://www.weather.net/about). ---
**Author:** ![Wallaby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/dc4da7/32.png) [@Wallaby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wallaby)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2026, 4:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shelbyvilles-i-e-places-that-look-like-they-have-a-generic-place-name-in-them-but-dont/1027667/63 "2026-02-17T04:52:05Z")
In the Melbourne City centre there is a group of 4 parallel streets named (in order from west to east) - King, William, Queen, Elizabeth. Easy to remember. King St was named after Governor King. William St was named after King William. Queen St was named after King William’s wife (her actual name was Adelaide), and Elizabeth St was named after the wife of Lieutenant-Governor Bourke. ---
**Author:** ![Ulf\_the\_Unwashed](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Ulf\_the\_Unwashed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ulf_the_Unwashed)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2026, 10:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shelbyvilles-i-e-places-that-look-like-they-have-a-generic-place-name-in-them-but-dont/1027667/64 "2026-02-17T10:10:57Z")
Like Carol Stream, IL: The town of Albert Lea in southern Minnesota is not named for a nearby meadow (“Lea”) but is the full name of a person: Albert Lea, a surveyor who came through the area in the 1830s. Never been to Albert Lea myself, but there is a historical marker in nearby Austin. Close to the Spam museum (worth a journey). ---
**Author:** ![Ulf\_the\_Unwashed](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Ulf\_the\_Unwashed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ulf_the_Unwashed)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2026, 10:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shelbyvilles-i-e-places-that-look-like-they-have-a-generic-place-name-in-them-but-dont/1027667/65 "2026-02-17T10:13:52Z")
There’s a Lois Lane near me too. I suspect shenanigans. ---
**Author:** ![Moriarty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/moriarty/32/49_2.png) [@Moriarty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moriarty)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2026, 11:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shelbyvilles-i-e-places-that-look-like-they-have-a-generic-place-name-in-them-but-dont/1027667/66 "2026-02-17T11:52:38Z")
Golden, Colorado is nestled in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, but it’s not named for the gold prospectors who came out west looking to strike it rich. Rather, it was named for Thomas Golden, a prospector who came out west looking to strike it rich. > **[Golden Isn't Named For Gold (And Other Stories About Colorado Place Names) |...](https://www.cpr.org/show-segment/golden-isnt-named-for-gold-and-other-stories-about-colorado-place-names/)** > > From Antonito to Zirkel, author Jim Flynn has put together 'A Compendium Of Curious Colorado Place Names.' ---
**Author:** ![WildaBeast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wildabeast/32/6_2.png) [@WildaBeast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WildaBeast)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2026, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shelbyvilles-i-e-places-that-look-like-they-have-a-generic-place-name-in-them-but-dont/1027667/67 "2026-02-17T17:02:56Z")
> [@Ulf\_the\_Unwashed](#): > > There’s a Lois Lane near me too. I suspect shenanigans. There’s also a town named [George](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George,_Washington) in Washington. Yes, it was named after George Washington. ---
**Author:** ![Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/son_of_a_rich/32/5439_2.png) [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Son_of_a_Rich)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2026, 10:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shelbyvilles-i-e-places-that-look-like-they-have-a-generic-place-name-in-them-but-dont/1027667/68 "2026-02-17T22:54:43Z")
Angel Falls aren’t called that because of their heavenly beauty. They’re named after a pilot named Jimmy Angel who discovered them. ---
**Author:** ![Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/q.q.switcheroo/32/5713_2.png) [@Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.Q.Switcheroo)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2026, 11:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shelbyvilles-i-e-places-that-look-like-they-have-a-generic-place-name-in-them-but-dont/1027667/69 "2026-02-17T23:37:02Z")
Likewise Angels Camp, California, named for founder Henry Pinkney Angell. ---
**Author:** ![penultima\_thule](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/penultima_thule/32/3833_2.png) [@penultima\_thule](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/penultima_thule)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2026, 1:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shelbyvilles-i-e-places-that-look-like-they-have-a-generic-place-name-in-them-but-dont/1027667/70 "2026-02-18T01:21:54Z")
When I was driving around the US I was passing through Texas and in a small community saw a sign saying “Early Childhood Centre”. The town is called Early, in Brown County and relates to Walter U. Early who donated the land for the schools. ---
**Author:** ![markn\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@markn\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/markn_1)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2026, 3:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shelbyvilles-i-e-places-that-look-like-they-have-a-generic-place-name-in-them-but-dont/1027667/71 "2026-02-18T03:33:24Z")
There is a park in the San Francisco Bay Area called Fremont Older Open Space Preserve. It’s not called that because it’s older than other open space preserves; it’s named for a fellow by the name of Fremont Older who previously owned the land. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2026, 3:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shelbyvilles-i-e-places-that-look-like-they-have-a-generic-place-name-in-them-but-dont/1027667/72 "2026-02-18T03:38:33Z")
George Lucas’ film studio, Lucasfilms, was located on Lucas Valley Road. Lucas Valley was named after John Lucas, a 19th century rancher who was not related to George Lucas in any way. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2026, 3:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shelbyvilles-i-e-places-that-look-like-they-have-a-generic-place-name-in-them-but-dont/1027667/73 "2026-02-18T03:48:01Z")
> [@WildaBeast](#): > > There’s also a town named [George](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George,_Washington) in Washington. Yes, it was named after George Washington. And the only reason anyone knows about it is because it’s home to a concert venue called [the Gorge.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Gorge_Amphitheatre) ---
**Author:** ![RivkahChaya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rivkahchaya/32/8919_2.png) [@RivkahChaya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RivkahChaya)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2026, 10:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shelbyvilles-i-e-places-that-look-like-they-have-a-generic-place-name-in-them-but-dont/1027667/74 "2026-02-18T10:56:15Z")
My cousins went to an elementary school called Childs’ Elementary School. Sounds like they were really stuck for a name, right? Nope-- (and the incorrect plural gives it away if you think for a moment) named for Laura G. Childs, a science teacher for 30 years, who was known for being especially dedicated to her students. She was a rare teacher who was popular with students, parents, and rest of the faculty and the admin. She died in 1955, just when plans were being drawn up for an as-yet-unnamed school near a burgeoning suburban area. It always sounded funny to me when my cousins told people they went to “Childs’ School.” But when I was visiting them, and people in Indiana asked me where I went, and I said “165,” then to the blank look “_PS_ 165.” Often still a blank look. ---
**Author:** ![Peter\_Morris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peter_morris/32/359_2.png) [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2026, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shelbyvilles-i-e-places-that-look-like-they-have-a-generic-place-name-in-them-but-dont/1027667/75 "2026-02-18T18:12:27Z")
My home town is [Molesey](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Molesey), Surrey, England. It lies at the point where the river Mole runs into the Thames. Hampton Court Palace, where King Henry VIII lived stands right next to it. Guess where it’s name comes from? named after a man named Mul. The name means Mule in Old English, probably because he had mixed Saxon/Celtic parentage. ---
**Author:** ![MrAtoz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@MrAtoz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrAtoz)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2026, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shelbyvilles-i-e-places-that-look-like-they-have-a-generic-place-name-in-them-but-dont/1027667/76 "2026-02-18T18:44:55Z")
> [@Ulf\_the\_Unwashed](#): > > There’s a Lois Lane near me too. I suspect shenanigans. No Lois, but my city has a Linda Layne (spelled that way). I don’t know it for a fact, but surely it has to be called that after a woman with that name. ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2026, 11:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shelbyvilles-i-e-places-that-look-like-they-have-a-generic-place-name-in-them-but-dont/1027667/77 "2026-02-18T23:09:22Z")
Bandelier National Monument is named after Swiss-American archaeologist Adolph Bandelier, not for anyone there who wore a bandolier nor any resemblance in its geography to such an item. Before I found this out, I didn’t think about it too much so I wouldn’t have been surprised had it been named either way. Unlike a lot of the examples in this thread that do lead to such an assumption. I especially like Outerbridge Crossing. I guess the reason I even put it in this thread is because the cliff dwelling is in the American Southwest, which is stereotypically associated with bandoliers. And it’s not like the southwest doesn’t have other places that sound stereotypical, like Tonto National Forest. ---
**Author:** ![garygnu](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garygnu/32/2924_2.png) [@garygnu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/garygnu)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2026, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shelbyvilles-i-e-places-that-look-like-they-have-a-generic-place-name-in-them-but-dont/1027667/78 "2026-02-19T17:40:52Z")
The venue name always confused me since moving to Washington. It’s on the Columbia River, but nowhere near the “Gorge” part. (Context: I’m from just outside Portland. The Gorge is the stretch of the river in familiar with.) ---
**Author:** ![WildaBeast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wildabeast/32/6_2.png) [@WildaBeast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WildaBeast)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2026, 5:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shelbyvilles-i-e-places-that-look-like-they-have-a-generic-place-name-in-them-but-dont/1027667/79 "2026-03-02T05:17:37Z")
There’s a neighborhood in Sacramento called Land Park. It’s not named after the land, it’s named after a man named William Land. (Or if you want to be really pedantic, it gets its name from a park which was named after William Land). ---
**Author:** ![Half\_Man\_Half\_Wit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/half_man_half_wit/32/21766_2.png) [@Half\_Man\_Half\_Wit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Half_Man_Half_Wit)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2026, 6:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shelbyvilles-i-e-places-that-look-like-they-have-a-generic-place-name-in-them-but-dont/1027667/80 "2026-03-02T06:44:51Z")
Main Street, San Francisco, was named after Charles Main, a wealthy ship chandler and harnessmaker, whose other claim to fame is that he had a mausoleum built in his name that prompted Ambrose Bierce to [write a satirical poem](https://mountainviewpeople.blogspot.com/2007/09/charles-main-1817-1906.html) about his efforts to perpetuate his legacy (which, ironically enough, may well prove to be the more lasting monument). [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shelbyvilles-i-e-places-that-look-like-they-have-a-generic-place-name-in-them-but-dont/1027667.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shelbyvilles-i-e-places-that-look-like-they-have-a-generic-place-name-in-them-but-dont/1027667.md?page=5)