Everyone has their own idea of what constitutes a 'strange' or 'weird' town. For some, it's that one town a few miles away that has more spooky ghost stories than any you can find on the Travel Channel. For others, it's the town with a population of exactly ten people, where going to the post office counts as a wild night out and the nearest restaurant is 20 miles away. And still, for some, it's the one town where the laws seem to differ and don't compute to the idea of a normal U.S. town, as if by having different guidelines it has become an entirely different world once one crosses the town line.
With so many differing opinions, it can be a challenge to nail down exactly what makes a town 'weird' as opposed to just 'different.' However, with a bit of research and taking into consideration the general consensus of those who have been to these places, there are some towns that are definitely off-beat. From their unusual traditions to the strange reputations they have, these towns are some of the weirdest in the country.
Hell, Michigan
The small town of Hell, Michigan is, not surprisingly, very proud of its slightly outrageous (and devilish) name. While the town itself boasts nothing to be scared of aside from heathen, underworld-themed everything, it's a fun place to poke around, especially during the spookiest time of the year. As opposed to other towns across the country that typically bring on the spooks during October, Hell is pretty dang creepily weird all year-round.
Marfa, Texas
Believe it or not, Marfa isn't famous for selling Prada, it's famous for having a singular, small Prada store that's literally in the middle of nowhere. The site of a store that was once (maybe?) filled with customers wanting the latest in high fashion is now a strange, desolate, somewhat sad picture of a store in the middle of a deserted desert.
Riverside, Iowa
For fans of Star Trek, the town of Riverside, Iowa is very, very important. Supposedly, Captain Kirk (not you, William Shatner) will be born there during the year 2228, and for fans of the show, this fact is non-negotiable. It's a strange little factoid and something that not everyone believes, but it certainly is a fun joke to pass around the Trekie groups.
Oak Ridge, Tennessee
Also known by the charming name of the 'atomic city,' Oak Ridge was once the site of nuclear testing by the U.S. government. For those who are familiar with the Manhattan Project, this town is pretty well-known as it's also the place where the unusual project took place. Within the limits of Oak Ridge, though, is a city that not many people who aren't from the area know about.
Thurmond, West Virginia
Thurmond is an unbelievably small town in West Virginia and while much of it is abandoned, the town somehow managed to reach a population of seven, and the running joke is that at least six of them have run for town office, according to Housely. This town has a definite creep factor all on its own though with so many abandoned and run-down locations, with no help from the seven residents who were known to live there.
Terlingua, Texas
Speaking of abandoned towns, Terlingua is one of Texas's weirdest. The town itself is completely abandoned and devoid of all human life but that hasn't stopped people from continuing to gather at least once a year. When they gather, they host BBQs and celebrate as though it's a grand event and, even though it's entirely unclear what the festivities are for, it has become an annual tradition.
Slab City, California
Slab City is pretty well-known for its lack of running water but that hasn't stopped those with RVs from visiting the town. A majority of the people who call the town home live off the grid and make do with a minimalist lifestyle, devoid of all the normal rules or laws that would make the average society, well... a society. Despite the lack of running water (and other essentials), this hasn't stopped visitors from passing through or people from planting roots in the town. Even the nightclubs are open-air, and supposedly, the town even has its own president, adding intrigue to an already very unusual place.
Gibsonton, Florida
Gibsonton has gained the nickname of 'home of the freaks' and gained its reputation from the circus freakshow performers that were known to settle in this town when they retired. While the town itself has had upwards of 8,000 residents, it's still well-known for the reputation it gained from being a hub for circus acts and, for all a person knows, they could be moving in next to a well-known former circus performer.