I’ve been looking for a long time for a town in the United States named Joan and I finally found one! Joan Arkansas. What a great name for a town.
On my recent trip to Arkansas I visited Joan. The town is a bit small. But I did see one car and two churches. Not sure why those few residents need two churches. Where would anyone even get in trouble in a town that small? There wasn’t even anyplace to buy beer! Well, no town is perfect! At least the lack of traffic made taking a picture while standing in the road very safe.
Doing research on the town I discovered that it was originally named Bethlehem. Then in 1958 a paved road was put in connecting the town with Arkadelphia. After the road was completed and for some unknown reason, the Arkansas Department of Transportation erected signs in the community informing visitors they were entering the town of Joan. In with Joan, out with Bethlehem! No one in the town had any idea why the name was changed but I’m quite certain there was no opposition or criticism.
In case you missed what I just said, let me repeat that–signs were erected at both ends of town that changed the name of the town from Bethlehem to Joan without approval from anyone! That renegade employee (probably named Joan) deserved a huge raise and a statue!!
This has given me a brilliant idea. Next summer when they repave the main street in Crosby, I need to find a Department of Transportation employee (preferably one named Joan) who will sneakily replace the Crosby signs with new and improved signs named Joan! Joan Minnesota. It has a wonderful ring to it! People would flock to town to see the new signs.
I’m certain hardly anyone will object to the name change other than the mayor, city council, all 2,400 residents and anyone who has ever lived here. So, I guess what I’m saying is I think renaming Crosby Minnesota to Joan Minnesota has a chance!
Joan Hasskamp 