Twenty-Five Uniquely-Named Illinois Towns-- Part 1: Goofy Ridge, Normal, Birds, Oblong and Beardstown

From the Feb. 3, 2021, Neighbor "The 24 most unique town names in Illinois."

(where in the state it is located)

1.  GOOFY RIDGE   (Central)  Originally just called the Ridge, but a real good story about how the word "Goofy" was added.  Something about a walnut and a .22.

2.  NORMAL   (Central)  Originally named North Bloomington.  Named after the state normal school for training teachers located there, Illinois State University now).

3.  BIRDS  (Southern)     Something about the Reggie Redbird mascot of Illinois State University.

4.  OBLONG  (Southern)  Named after a rectangular prairie outside the village.

5.  BEARDSTOWN    (Central)   First settled by Thomas Beard in 1819.  On the Illinois River.  Site of one of the Lincoln-Douglas Debates.

--RoadDog