1. Curry County, Oregon
Curry County, Oregon, might be one of the most unusual counties on the West Coast, especially because of its strange obsession with stray cats. In the town of Brookings, the annual “Stray Cat Strut” festival celebrates the local feline population, which is so extensive that it’s become a cultural phenomenon. The town even maintains a “cat sanctuary” to care for the strays, making the cats an essential part of the community’s identity.
But the oddities of Curry County go beyond its feline fixation. The county is home to the “Samuel H. Boardman Scenic Corridor,” a remote and misty coastline often shrouded in fog. This hauntingly beautiful landscape adds to the strange atmosphere of the region, and visitors are frequently left with a sense of eeriness as they explore the coastline. With its feline festival and foggy shores, Curry County embodies an offbeat charm that feels both charming and a little bit mysterious.
2. Monroe County, New York
Monroe County, New York, might seem like an ordinary county at first glance, but it has its share of strange happenings, especially in the city of Rochester. The area is known for its longstanding connection to UFO sightings, with many locals claiming to have witnessed unidentified flying objects in the sky. These reports date back to the 1960s, when sightings became so frequent that the area earned a reputation as a “UFO hotspot.”
In addition to the UFO sightings, Monroe County is home to several haunted sites, including the legendary “House of Ghouls,” a Victorian mansion rumored to be cursed. Residents and visitors often report strange occurrences, from objects moving on their own to unexplained sounds echoing throughout the building. Monroe County’s combination of UFO sightings and paranormal activity makes it a strange place that continues to intrigue those fascinated by the supernatural. Whether it’s the mystery of the skies or the haunted history of its buildings, Monroe County is a place where the strange never seems far behind.
3. San Juan County, Utah
San Juan County, Utah, is located in the heart of the American Southwest, a land marked by expansive desert landscapes, towering mesas, and natural wonders. It’s also home to Monument Valley, made famous by countless Western films. The county itself is quite large, but sparsely populated, offering some of the most remote and rugged terrain in the country. However, what truly makes San Juan County strange is its complex relationship with Native American sovereignty. The county is home to significant portions of the Navajo Nation, which has often resulted in contentious political disputes and legal battles over land rights and jurisdiction.
Beyond the legal drama, San Juan County boasts a rich history of ghost towns, with the eerie remains of places like Bluff scattered across the area. These once-thriving settlements, now abandoned, add to the county’s mystique and give it an almost otherworldly aura. The solitude of the land and the lingering presence of history leave many visitors feeling like they’ve stepped into a forgotten world. It’s a place where the past, present, and future collide in a truly strange way, making it an ideal destination for history buffs, adventurers, and fans of the supernatural alike.
4. Custer County, Colorado
Custer County, Colorado, might be best known for its natural beauty, with the stunning Royal Gorge and the Sangre de Cristo Mountains providing the perfect backdrop for outdoor activities. But it’s the strange combination of history and modern quirks that really sets this county apart. Custer County is home to Silver Cliff, a once-thriving silver mining town that has long since been abandoned, but still holds an eerie charm. The remnants of this ghost town can still be explored, making it a favorite destination for those interested in the Old West.
What truly adds to the oddness of Custer County is its association with the “Snake Pit,” a notorious biker bar that gained national fame after being featured on a reality TV show. This spot, once just a small local hangout, became synonymous with the biker culture in the area and became the subject of much discussion due to its rebellious and offbeat nature. The contrast between the county’s historical roots and its modern, rough-and-tumble reputation makes it an area that feels suspended in time. Visitors will encounter everything from remnants of the Wild West to the strange allure of contemporary oddities.
5. Carteret County, North Carolina
Carteret County, located along North Carolina’s picturesque coast, is perhaps best known for its connection to the paranormal. The county is home to Harkers Island, a small and mysterious place with a long history of strange sightings and unexplained events. Over the years, numerous reports of UFO sightings and inexplicable lights in the sky have come from locals and visitors alike. These strange occurrences have earned Harkers Island a reputation as a hotbed for the paranormal, attracting UFO enthusiasts and ghost hunters in search of answers.
But the county’s oddities don’t end there. Carteret is also known for its frequent and intense hurricanes, which seem to arrive with little warning. Locals often joke that the weather in the area can change on a dime, creating a volatile and unpredictable atmosphere. This mix of supernatural activity and extreme weather patterns gives Carteret County an unsettling yet fascinating vibe. Visitors can experience the mysterious allure of Harkers Island while keeping an eye on the skies for the next potential anomaly, making Carteret a place where the strange feels ever-present.
6. Morrow County, Ohio
Morrow County, Ohio, might seem like an unassuming agricultural region, but it’s the host of one of the country’s most bizarre events: the annual Morrow County Ketchup Festival. This quirky celebration of all things ketchup involves a variety of contests, including the infamous “Ketchup Queen” pageant, where participants are judged on their love of the tangy condiment. For a whole weekend, the small town is flooded with ketchup-themed activities, food, and even ketchup-flavored treats. The festival is a testament to how something as mundane as ketchup can become a cultural phenomenon in the right context.
Morrow County also holds a reputation for having some of the strangest local laws in the country. One particularly odd regulation states that hunting whales in the county is strictly prohibited — despite the fact that Morrow County is far from the ocean. This legal quirk, along with other unusual rules, has made the county a subject of intrigue and laughter. It’s a place where the mundane becomes amusingly bizarre, and where locals embrace the oddities that make their county stand out.
7. King County, Texas
King County, Texas, might be the epitome of rural remoteness. With fewer than 300 residents, it is one of the least populated counties in the U.S. Its vast stretches of open land, dotted with cattle ranches and windmills, give it an almost desolate quality. However, what makes King County truly strange is its complete lack of governmental or law enforcement presence. There’s no sheriff’s office, and law enforcement is handled by state-level authorities. This means that the county functions in a way that feels like a lawless, self-regulated land where people can live off the grid and without much oversight.
Adding to the oddity of King County is its ghost town of Clearlake, once a small settlement now reduced to ruins. The town’s abandonment and the isolation of the area make King County feel like a forgotten corner of the world. With its desolate landscapes, the absence of government control, and the presence of an eerie ghost town, King County feels like a place untouched by time, and for many, it offers a truly strange experience.
8. Pike County, Kentucky
Pike County, Kentucky, might be known for its beautiful Appalachian scenery, but it also has a dark and strange history. The “Pike County Feud,” a violent conflict between two local families during the 19th century, is one of the most infamous feuds in U.S. history. The violence and distrust that marked this feud have left a lasting legacy on the county, and it’s still referenced in local folklore today. Visitors can tour historical sites that are said to be haunted by the spirits of those who perished in the feud.
Adding to Pike County’s mystique is the “Demon’s Run” trail, a popular hiking spot that is rumored to be haunted by supernatural forces. Locals tell stories of strange noises and eerie lights along the trail, making it a spot where both hikers and paranormal enthusiasts are equally likely to get spooked. The combination of its violent history and its supernatural lore makes Pike County a place that feels trapped between the past and the supernatural, offering an experience that is as eerie as it is fascinating.
9. Franklin County, Alabama
Franklin County, Alabama, might seem like an ordinary rural county, but it’s home to one of the most curious and mysterious phenomena in the state: the “Alabama Sand Mountain Mystery.” Residents have reported strange occurrences over the years, from inexplicable lights in the sky to eerie sounds coming from the woods. Some believe that the area is home to unidentified creatures, while others attribute the oddities to supernatural forces.
Additionally, Franklin County is home to the largest cornfield maze in the United States, which might seem like a fun family attraction, but the maze also has a strange legend surrounding it. People have claimed to get lost within its walls, experiencing disorienting feelings and uncanny sensations. With its mix of unexplained occurrences and a mysterious cornfield maze, Franklin County offers an offbeat combination of strange and unusual, making it a place that attracts the curious and the brave.
10. Douglas County, Oregon
Douglas County, Oregon, is a place where strange and supernatural phenomena are as common as its beautiful natural landscapes. One of the most bizarre attractions in the county is the “Oregon Vortex,” located near the town of Gold Hill. The Vortex is a mysterious area where visitors report feeling disoriented and experiencing objects that appear to defy gravity. People claim that balls will roll uphill, and visitors feel shorter or taller than normal when standing in specific areas.
The strange experiences at the Oregon Vortex have turned Douglas County into a hotspot for paranormal enthusiasts and curious tourists alike. But what makes this county especially strange is its juxtaposition of natural beauty and unexplained phenomena. Surrounded by dense forests, rushing rivers, and towering trees, it’s easy to forget that this serene environment is home to some of the most inexplicable occurrences in the U.S. It’s a place where science and the supernatural seem to clash, leaving visitors wondering what forces are at play.
11. Maricopa County, Arizona
Maricopa County, Arizona, is home to Phoenix, one of the largest cities in the U.S., but it’s the strange events and peculiarities surrounding the county that earn it a spot on this list. Beyond the sprawling urban landscape, the county boasts a quirky mix of Old West charm and modern-day oddities. One of the most bizarre places in Maricopa is the “Dude Ranch” located just outside of Phoenix, where visitors can experience ranch life without ever leaving the city limits. It’s a place where the cowboy culture persists amidst the buzz of urban life, offering a strange blend of history and modernity.
However, it’s not just the dude ranches that make Maricopa strange. The county has been the subject of controversial legal battles, particularly in the realm of immigration laws. Maricopa gained national attention when Sheriff Joe Arpaio became notorious for his controversial approach to immigration enforcement. This legal drama, combined with the county’s strange mix of old and new, creates an atmosphere that feels both familiar and unsettling. Maricopa County is a place where the Wild West meets modern legal issues, resulting in a unique and strange destination.
12. New Madrid County, Missouri
New Madrid County, Missouri, stands out due to its unusual geological history. Located near the New Madrid Seismic Zone, this region is one of the most seismically active areas in the United States. The county was the site of the infamous 1811-1812 New Madrid earthquakes, some of the strongest to ever hit the continental U.S. In fact, the tremors were so powerful that they were felt as far away as New York City. In the years following the quakes, some areas of the land sank below water, forever altering the landscape.
Today, New Madrid County is still associated with seismic activity, and residents live with the knowledge that another earthquake could strike at any time. To mark this peculiar legacy, the county hosts the annual New Madrid Earthquake Festival, where visitors can experience simulated earthquakes, educational exhibits, and various activities that pay homage to the region’s seismic past. With such a profound connection to natural disaster history, New Madrid County has a sense of both vulnerability and resilience that is unlike any other place in the country. The idea of living on land that could suddenly shift at any moment adds a layer of tension and intrigue that makes this county truly unique.
13. Yavapai County, Arizona
Yavapai County, Arizona, is known for its stunning Native American heritage, but it’s also home to one of the strangest and most mysterious sites in the Southwest: the “Whispering Ranch.” Located just outside Prescott, this remote ranch has long been the subject of bizarre stories, with many visitors claiming to hear strange whispers in the wind, even when no one else is around. It’s said that the voices belong to spirits or unknown entities that have taken residence at the ranch.
Adding to the county’s mystique are the many ghost stories surrounding the region. Visitors often report seeing shadows and hearing unexplained noises as they wander through the desert landscape. Yavapai County is a place where history and the supernatural intersect, creating a strange allure for those looking to explore the unknown. From Native American lore to modern paranormal sightings, this county offers a perfect blend of cultural history and eerie intrigue.
14. Esmeralda County, Nevada
Esmeralda County, Nevada, is one of the most sparsely populated areas in the United States, and its haunting emptiness is what makes it so unusual. Located in the western part of the state, Esmeralda is home to vast stretches of desert and rugged mountains, with fewer than 1,000 residents scattered across the county. Despite its small population, Esmeralda is steeped in mystery and folklore, particularly when it comes to its ghost towns and abandoned structures. The Goldfield Hotel, located in the county, is widely considered one of the most haunted places in the U.S. Many visitors and paranormal investigators have reported strange occurrences, including eerie sounds, flickering lights, and ghostly apparitions.
The county’s desolation only adds to its otherworldly feel. For those who venture into the heart of Esmeralda, the ghostly remains of towns like Goldfield seem frozen in time, offering an eerie glimpse into the past. Visitors often speak of an uncanny sense of being watched, as though the spirits of those who once lived here never truly left. The combination of Esmeralda’s isolation, its ghostly history, and its paranormal reputation make it a truly strange and captivating destination for the brave at heart.
