Unusual destinations on highway signs

[mjb2002]

Thanks Ian for the pic, I hope you don't mind if I use it to point something out:



New Hampshire uses state initials when there is unlikely to be an ambiguity about which Portsmouth they're talking about. Given that sign's existence, I always found it weird that "Salem NH" isn't a control city on I-93. There's a Salem, MA not too far away so it seems more likely that confusion would exist.

Does any other state use state initials when signing a city within their state? I've only seen NH do it (in this case).

Virginia uses the state initials for Great Falls because there's another Great Falls right across the river in Maryland (theoretically the same Great Falls since the national park extends across the river around the actual falls).

Virginia also uses the state initials on distance signs listing the small town of Washington, Virginia, so as to distinguish it from the better-known US capital. The town is west of Warrenton and is often referred to as "Little Washington," a name popularized by the very famous Inn at Little Washington, a five-star restaurant and country inn located there.

I know most states that has a Washington will use state initials on the signs depicting the city. They do that for Washington, Ga., which is in Wilkes County, in some instances.

[bzakharin]

I think most states do a pretty good job of avoiding identical town names in the same state

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Washington_Township
Closer to home (for me), here are two identically named towns in the same state that *border each other* (in different counties) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palmyra_Township,_Pennsylvania
In addition, NJ has a Union Township and a Union City, an Egg Harbor Township and an Egg Harbor City, an Ocean Township and an Ocean City, a Princeton Borough inside Princeton Township, and a Burlington City inside Burlington Township

[Zeffy]

a Princeton Borough inside Princeton Township

I thought those two were consolidated to just form one Princeton?

[bzakharin]

You are right, I forgot about that one

a Princeton Borough inside Princeton Township

I thought those two were consolidated to just form one Princeton?

[jeffandnicole]

I think most states do a pretty good job of avoiding identical town names in the same state

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Washington_Township
Closer to home (for me), here are two identically named towns in the same state that *border each other* (in different counties) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palmyra_Township,_Pennsylvania
In addition, NJ has a Union Township and a Union City, an Egg Harbor Township and an Egg Harbor City, an Ocean Township and an Ocean City, a Princeton Borough inside Princeton Township, and a Burlington City inside Burlington Township

There are two Sewells in NJ that border each other in the same county! It's really a post office issue: ZIP codes were created not really to identify a town, but for the USPSs purposes of delivering mail. The two Sewells have nothing to do with each other, and are mostly large sections within their townships.

[Roadrunner75]

There are two Sewells in NJ that border each other in the same county! It's really a post office issue: ZIP codes were created not really to identify a town, but for the USPSs purposes of delivering mail. The two Sewells have nothing to do with each other, and are mostly large sections within their townships.

I always associated Sewell as part of Deptford, but looking it up now I was surprised to find that Sewell is associated with Mantua and Washington Twps.

[jeffandnicole]

There are two Sewells in NJ that border each other in the same county! It's really a post office issue: ZIP codes were created not really to identify a town, but for the USPSs purposes of delivering mail. The two Sewells have nothing to do with each other, and are mostly large sections within their townships.

I always associated Sewell as part of Deptford, but looking it up now I was surprised to find that Sewell is associated with Mantua and Washington Twps.

The very southern tip of Deptford is served by Sewell's post office, which includes Gloucester County College (now Rowan College at Gloucester County) and the defunct golf course known over the years as Maple Ridge, Eagles Nest & Tall Pines, but for the most part those places remained known as Deptford.  The only time they were labeled as Sewell was by the Philly media, who probably looked up their mailing address when needing to do a story and saw it said "Sewell".  (The golf course spread across two towns, and holes 7 thru 12 were actually in Sewell, Mantua Township, while the rest of the golf course including Pro Shop & Restaurant were in Deptford.)

[Kacie Jane]

In addition, NJ has a Union Township and a Union City, an Egg Harbor Township and an Egg Harbor City, an Ocean Township and an Ocean City, a Princeton Borough inside Princeton Township, and a Burlington City inside Burlington Township

There's also two Freeholds, and I want to say there a couple more doubles like that in Monmouth County, but I can't recall exactly which ones at the moment.  But yeah, it's pretty common in New Jersey.

[signalman]

In addition, NJ has a Union Township and a Union City, an Egg Harbor Township and an Egg Harbor City, an Ocean Township and an Ocean City, a Princeton Borough inside Princeton Township, and a Burlington City inside Burlington Township

There's also two Freeholds, and I want to say there a couple more doubles like that in Monmouth County, but I can't recall exactly which ones at the moment.  But yeah, it's pretty common in New Jersey.

Indeed it is very common in NJ.  There are several in my home county of Morris alone.  Two Rockaways, two Chesters, two Mendhams, two Chathams.  In all cited cases, the two municipalities are borough and township.  Of the above noted towns, the only one appearing on a highway sign is Rockaway.  It is exit 37 off of I-80, and it serves both the township and borough.

[mjb2002]

I would disambiguate Jersey Shore too. Washingtons get a pass because the one in DC is far enough away to not be signed on any freeway. Those Washingtons that are closer to DC do have their state called out on the overheads. Plus I feel like most people know that there are like three Washingtons in every state.

Actually, about that last part, what if there are multiple towns of the same name in the same state? There is an exit for "Red Bank" on I-295. The (semi?)famous shore resort of the same name is 85 miles away.

I think most states do a pretty good job of avoiding identical town names in the same state, although occasionally a neighborhood of one city might share a name with a wholly unrelated city (I'm looking at you, Westwood, CA and Westwood (L.A.), CA).  The most egregious offender I can think of off the top of my head would be Virginia, where county names and city names could lead to confusion - Richmond City is nowhere near Richmond County, and you have such gems as James City County.

There are two Madisons in South Carolina: one (the most well-known) in Oconee County, the other in Aiken County. I only found out about the Aiken County Madison when I watched at WJBF's Hometown Weather beginning in late 1997 — the station has since discontinued that segment for some unknown reason.

[Pete from Boston]

Devens, on Mass. Route 2:



There is no town called Devens, but rather a loose collection of neighborhoods, commercial buildings, National Guard facilities, and fenced-off regions I can only assume are superfund sites and/or areas of unexploded ordnance, all comprising the former area of Fort Devens, which closed 25 years ago.  In fact, this name first appeared on signs in this area when the word "Fort" was removed at that time.

A referendum to create a new town called Devens out of parts of the three towns the base was located in failed several years ago, and it remains sort of a no man's land trying to find an identity for itself.

[PHLBOS]

While it is a borough in Lancaster County, PA; a roadgeek or anyone that knows about the other I-76 over in Colorado can appreciate this BGS.

[The Nature Boy]

Thanks Ian for the pic, I hope you don't mind if I use it to point something out:



New Hampshire uses state initials when there is unlikely to be an ambiguity about which Portsmouth they're talking about. Given that sign's existence, I always found it weird that "Salem NH" isn't a control city on I-93. There's a Salem, MA not too far away so it seems more likely that confusion would exist.

Does any other state use state initials when signing a city within their state? I've only seen NH do it (in this case).

Virginia uses the state initials for Great Falls because there's another Great Falls right across the river in Maryland (theoretically the same Great Falls since the national park extends across the river around the actual falls).

Virginia also uses the state initials on distance signs listing the small town of Washington, Virginia, so as to distinguish it from the better-known US capital. The town is west of Warrenton and is often referred to as "Little Washington," a name popularized by the very famous Inn at Little Washington, a five-star restaurant and country inn located there.

I know most states that has a Washington will use state initials on the signs depicting the city. They do that for Washington, Ga., which is in Wilkes County, in some instances.

I do know that I've seen Washington, North Carolina signed on US 264 sans state initials. I can imagine where that might be confusing.

There's also this along I-95:



Sloppy control city usage. A westbound highway in North Carolina towards "Nashville" has to cause confusion for some who think that it might be a means to head towards the Nashville in TN.

US 64 DOES connect to I-40 so you possibly COULD use it to get to Nashville, TN but I highly doubt that NCDOT is intending to direct people to a city hundreds of miles away.

[1995hoo]

Heh. My wife and I had exactly that discussion when we passed that interchange on our last trip south!

[hbelkins]

Sloppy control city usage. A westbound highway in North Carolina towards "Nashville" has to cause confusion for some who think that it might be a means to head towards the Nashville in TN.

Anybody who would confuse that Nashville for Nashville, Tenn., is too stupid to be driving.

Same with that stupidity of signing "Nashville, Ill." for a certain exit on I-64 in Illinois.

Should the signs between Lewisburg, WV and Lexington, Va. on and adjacent to I-64 have the state indicated so as to eliminate confusion with the city in Kentucky? I don't think so.

[hotdogPi]

Sloppy control city usage. A westbound highway in North Carolina towards "Nashville" has to cause confusion for some who think that it might be a means to head towards the Nashville in TN.

Anybody who would confuse that Nashville for Nashville, Tenn., is too stupid to be driving.

Same with that stupidity of signing "Nashville, Ill." for a certain exit on I-64 in Illinois.

Should the signs between Lewisburg, WV and Lexington, Va. on and adjacent to I-64 have the state indicated so as to eliminate confusion with the city in Kentucky? I don't think so.

That one is different. It is actually the correct way to get to Nashville, Tennessee from that spot. Most other examples won't get you anywhere near the town that is possibly causing confusion.

[Scott5114]

Does any other state use state initials when signing a city within their state? I've only seen NH do it (in this case).

Near Memphis, whenever Jackson, MS is mentioned, it appears as "Jackson Miss" to distinguish it from nearby Jackson, TN. I don't remember whether the latter appears as "Jackson Tenn" but if so that would be an example.

In Kansas City, KS, there are signs for "Kansas City Ks Community College", but that is the name of the actual college, so it may not count.

[admtrap]

Should the signs between Lewisburg, WV and Lexington, Va. on and adjacent to I-64 have the state indicated so as to eliminate confusion with the city in Kentucky? I don't think so.

Maybe they should.  I lived in Lexington VA for a while, and afterwards, still within Virginia, when I said I had previously lived in Lexington, I was almost always asked "Kentucky, or New Hampshire?"

Then again, NoVA and the rest of Virginia may as well be different countries.

[NE2]

I lived in Lexington VA for a while, and afterwards, still within Virginia, when I said I had previously lived in Lexington, I was almost always asked "Kentucky, or New Hampshire?"

Who were you talking with, Michelle Bachmann?

[jakeroot]

Sloppy control city usage. A westbound highway in North Carolina towards "Nashville" has to cause confusion for some who think that it might be a means to head towards the Nashville in TN.

Anybody who would confuse that Nashville for Nashville, Tenn., is too stupid to be driving.

Same with that stupidity of signing "Nashville, Ill." for a certain exit on I-64 in Illinois.

If I was on the road in North Carolina, and saw a sign for Nashville, I would assume they mean Tennessee. Why is this an unfair assumption? IMO, Nashville is one of those unique names, like Seattle, or Los Angeles, that doesn't seem likely to be repeated across the country. Apparently, from what you've posted, this is incorrect, but to Tourist Joe travelling the highways of North Carolina, there's only one important Nashville, and that Nashville is in Tennessee.

[The Nature Boy]

Sloppy control city usage. A westbound highway in North Carolina towards "Nashville" has to cause confusion for some who think that it might be a means to head towards the Nashville in TN.

Anybody who would confuse that Nashville for Nashville, Tenn., is too stupid to be driving.

Same with that stupidity of signing "Nashville, Ill." for a certain exit on I-64 in Illinois.

If I was on the road in North Carolina, and saw a sign for Nashville, I would assume they mean Tennessee. Why is this an unfair assumption? IMO, Nashville is one of those unique names, like Seattle, or Los Angeles, that doesn't seem likely to be repeated across the country. Apparently, from what you've posted, this is incorrect, but to Tourist Joe travelling the highways of North Carolina, there's only one important Nashville, and that Nashville is in Tennessee.

This is a fair point. Your average tourist has no idea about distances outside of where they're from and where they travel frequently. I've met people who think that Niagara Falls, NY and NYC are close together. I can see someone seeing "Nashville" on that sign and thinking that they are reasonably close to Nashville, Tennessee. You could technically sign "Nashville TN" there as a control city and it'd be correct but it wouldn't be helpful. Most people (at least in the east) see control cities and think that the city is reasonable close to the exit. If they assume Tennessee for Nashville there, they'd be terribly wrong.

[jakeroot]

Sloppy control city usage. A westbound highway in North Carolina towards "Nashville" has to cause confusion for some who think that it might be a means to head towards the Nashville in TN.

Anybody who would confuse that Nashville for Nashville, Tenn., is too stupid to be driving.

Same with that stupidity of signing "Nashville, Ill." for a certain exit on I-64 in Illinois.

If I was on the road in North Carolina, and saw a sign for Nashville, I would assume they mean Tennessee. Why is this an unfair assumption? IMO, Nashville is one of those unique names, like Seattle, or Los Angeles, that doesn't seem likely to be repeated across the country. Apparently, from what you've posted, this is incorrect, but to Tourist Joe travelling the highways of North Carolina, there's only one important Nashville, and that Nashville is in Tennessee.

This is a fair point. Your average tourist has no idea about distances outside of where they're from and where they travel frequently. I've met people who think that Niagara Falls, NY and NYC are close together. I can see someone seeing "Nashville" on that sign and thinking that they are reasonably close to Nashville, Tennessee. You could technically sign "Nashville TN" there as a control city and it'd be correct but it wouldn't be helpful. Most people (at least in the east) see control cities and think that the city is reasonable close to the exit. If they assume Tennessee for Nashville there, they'd be terribly wrong.

To me, there's a strong difference between two cities with the same name, and two major cities with the same name. If you were driving around Seattle, and saw a sign with "Portland" on it, you'd be pretty stupid to assume the sign meant Maine and not Oregon, since Portland, OR is very much a major city with an identity all its own, and unless you completely forgot you were in the state neighboring Oregon, confusing the two would be infantile. But Nashville, NC is not a major city. I, for one, have never heard of any Nashville other than Tennessee.

[corco]

Sloppy control city usage. A westbound highway in North Carolina towards "Nashville" has to cause confusion for some who think that it might be a means to head towards the Nashville in TN.

Anybody who would confuse that Nashville for Nashville, Tenn., is too stupid to be driving.

Same with that stupidity of signing "Nashville, Ill." for a certain exit on I-64 in Illinois.

If I was on the road in North Carolina, and saw a sign for Nashville, I would assume they mean Tennessee. Why is this an unfair assumption? IMO, Nashville is one of those unique names, like Seattle, or Los Angeles, that doesn't seem likely to be repeated across the country. Apparently, from what you've posted, this is incorrect, but to Tourist Joe travelling the highways of North Carolina, there's only one important Nashville, and that Nashville is in Tennessee.

This is a fair point. Your average tourist has no idea about distances outside of where they're from and where they travel frequently. I've met people who think that Niagara Falls, NY and NYC are close together. I can see someone seeing "Nashville" on that sign and thinking that they are reasonably close to Nashville, Tennessee. You could technically sign "Nashville TN" there as a control city and it'd be correct but it wouldn't be helpful. Most people (at least in the east) see control cities and think that the city is reasonable close to the exit. If they assume Tennessee for Nashville there, they'd be terribly wrong.

How do you feel about

[The Nature Boy]

Las Vegas as a control city on I-25? Ewwwwww

[corco]

Las Vegas as a control city on I-25? Ewwwwww

'

It's New Mexico's 17th largest city and the largest city on I-25 north of Santa Fe