MISSOURI — From towns named after historical figures to local landmarks, the World Atlas spotlighted seven ‘quirky’ communities for their unique names.

According to the World Atlas, some of these Missouri towns may prove the first settlers could have had a “slightly mischievous sense of humor.”

Tightwad

With only 79 residents, Tightwad, in Henry County, about four hours west of St. Louis, was named after a legend about a frustrated local postmaster who was allegedly charged an extra 50 cents for a watermelon and called the shopkeeper a “tightwad” for being stingy.

The name stuck, and now local landmarks like the Tightwad Bank take on the name as a roadside attraction for road trip photo-ops, according to the World Atlas.

Peculiar

About 40 minutes south of Kansas City, Peculiar was allegedly named back in 1868 after a list of potential names was rejected by authorities as they’d been already used locally. The World Atlas says a local postmaster said he didn’t care what they called it as long as it was something “peculiar.”

Knob Noster

Inspired by the surrounding “knobs” or hills, Knob Noster, located over three hours west of St. Louis, allegedly gets its name from the Latin meaning of “our” or “noster,” suggesting locals referred to the area as “our hills.”

Humansville

“While it might sound like a tongue-in-cheek statement about the folks who live there,” World Atlas said. “Humansville was actually named in honor of an early settler named James Human in the mid-19th century.”

Humansville, Missouri, is located a little less than four hours southwest of St. Louis and is best known for the Humansville Fall Festival held in late October.

Climax Springs

Climax Springs, Missouri, about a 20-minute drive from Lake of the Ozarks, was established near a natural spring that was believed to have “restorative properties,” according to World Atlas.

Allegedly its name came about from the excitement of its discoverers after looking for the water’s source.

Cooter

The World Atlas said the origin story of Cooter is often debated. Cooter, Missouri, is located at the very southern tip of the state’s boot. Some attribute the town’s name to the “cooter” turtle found in local waterways or, more likely, to the misspelling of the family name of early settlers from French Canada, “Coutre.”

Licking

Located over two hours southwest from St. Louis, Licking owes its quirky name to a natural salt lick in the area where wildlife gathered at one point. World Atlas said the town was established in the early 1800s and began as a trading post for fur trappers and pioneers and is now a tourist spot for Montauk State Park visitors.