The Curious Side of Texas Quiz - Towns with peculiar names | States

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. I'd definitely trick my friends and family by sending them a postcard from this place in Lamar County. What is the major European capital that shares its name with this city?

Answer: Paris

Texas' Paris is located in the northeastern part of the state, close to the western side of the Piney Woods. It is the county seat of Lamar County, and while not as big or glamorous as its French namesake, it has its own version of the Eiffel Tower!

A 1984 film by Wim Wenders, which won the Palme d'Or at the 1984 Cannes Film Festival, is also named after this city, although none of the scenes are set there.

There are some other Euro-themed towns and cities located in Texas, such as New Berlin, Odessa, Ravenna and Italy.

2. Did the founders of this town jump out of their bath and ran around naked when they discovered the land where it now stands? What foreign sounding name does this place have?

Answer: Eureka

There are actually THREE places named Eureka in Texas, with the most important being a city in Navarro County (the other two being an unincorporated community in Franklin County, and a ghost town in Crockett County).

I couldn't find detailed information on how the name was chosen, other than it being a decision by residents over a Grange meeting.

The picture is an idealized portrait of Archimedes, the famous Greek mathematician, who famously shouted the word "Eureka" upon making one of his most important discoveries while taking a bath, and ran around naked, enthusiastic about his discovery.

3. This sounds like a place to go when you're feeling down. What is the name of this town, often included in lists of unusual named places?

Answer: Happy

In the northern part of Texas, Happy is located in two counties: Swisher and Randall (primarily within the former).

Its name comes from Happy Draw, a stream named that way by some 19th century cowboys, celebrating the discovering of water in the area. The town's motto adds up to the joyful feeling: "The town without a frown".

4. It's surprising to learn that there's a city called Humble, which at some point in history was actually quite the opposite. What valuable commodity was discovered in the area in the early 20th century, making Humble more of a wealthy place?

Answer: Oil

Located in Harris County, in the Houston metropolitan area, Humble took its name from one of the main settlers, Pleasant Smith Humble.

In 1904, oil was first discovered nearby, and by 1905, Humble had the largest producing oilfield in all Texas, which is still active to this day. In 1911, Humble Oil & Refining Company was founded, a company that was later acquired by Exxon.

5. Being a state that's so closely related to cowboys and cattle, I wonder if I could see some bullfighting around here. The name of this town makes it sound like an appropriate place for that. What is its name?

Answer: Matador

Matador is the county seat of Motley County. Its population at the 2020 census was of only 569 people.

Its name is not related to bullfighting. The town was named after the Matador Ranch, established in 1882 and liquidated in 1951. The town was incorporated in 1912.

On June 21, 2023, a strong tornado caused heavy damage to the west part of the town, causing four deaths and destroying several homes and businesses.

6. With a name that takes me back to the major South American grasslands, this city is the county seat of Gray County. What is its name?

Answer: Pampa

The county seat of Gray County, Pampa is actually named after the major grasslands of Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay and southern Brazil. It was an important agricultural center, but during 1916, gas and oil were discovered near the town, making it greatly prosper, and causing the town seat to be moved there in 1928.

Every July, the Top o' Texas Rodeo is held in Pampa, attracting many people from nearby states to compete.

7. Do people in this town wait loyally for their beloved ones to come home? What female name is also the name of this place?

Answer: Penelope

The clue in the question refers to Penelope, wife of Odysseus, who is said to have waited faithfully for his return during his long absence. The picture clue is a sculpture of her, made by Leonidas Drosis.

She didn't, however, inspire the name of the town. It was actually named after Penelope Trice, daughter of the president of the International-Great Northern Railroad, as the railroad's arrival to the area, in 1902, was instrumental in the founding of the town.

8. Another northern small town, this one was incorporated as a municipality in 2017. Name it, with the help of the graphic clue.

Answer: Road Runner

Originally a private community called Pioneer Valley, and managed by an association of the same name (Pioneer Valley Association, or PVA), it became a municipality after its residents were unsatisfied with PVA's maintenance and management.

At the 2020 census, the town had a population of 766.

The picture shows a specimen of Geococcyx Californianus, commonly known as Roadrunner.

9. Both words in this village's name don't sound like features that can be related to Texas, but it is actually located in the state. What is it called?

Answer: Tiki Island

Tiki Island is mostly man-made, using the fill from the building of nearby canals. It is located in Galveston County, at the West Bay area. It was incorporated in 1982, and had a population of 1,106 in the 2020 census.

Its streets names are all Polynesian-themed, being named after islands or usual flora of the area (i.e., Mango, Coconut, Palmetto).

The graphic clue depicts a typical Tiki statue.

10. I wonder if residents of this town are expert handymen, or fans of progressive metal. What 'useful' name does this town have?

Answer: Tool

Tool is a small city in Henderson County. Its proximity to Cedar Creek Reservoir makes it a popular second home destination. At the 2020 census, population was 2,175.

The origin of the name is a bit uncertain, but it is said that owes its name to George Tool, who opened the first store there in 1905. It is not mentioned whether it was a hardware store or not!

The "progressive metal" hint in the clue is a reference to the band Tool.

Source: Author Gispepfu

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor agony before going online.
Any errors found in FunTrivia content are routinely corrected through our feedback system.

The Curious Side of Texas Trivia Quiz

Towns with peculiar names

One of the largest states in the US, Texas is home to a number of cities and towns with names that caught my attention. Let's visit some of them in this quiz.

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