1

Thomas Jefferson’s mockingbird

Image: Library of Congress

Did you know that one of the first animals to live at the White House was a bird? Dick was Thomas Jefferson's mockingbird and the president loved him so much that he let him roam freely in his office. Dick would sing in the Oval, perch on Jefferson's shoulder, sit on his desk, and even take food directly from the president’s lips.

But Dick wasn’t the only curious animal to inhabit the White House in the early 19th century. In fact, Thomas Jefferson had more than thirty pets, including two grizzly bear cubs. These cubs were a gift from the Lewis and Clark expedition, delivered by explorer Zebulon Pike. However, the bears didn’t stay at the White House for long, as Jefferson decided it was best to send them to a museum in Philadelphia.

2

John Quincy Adams’ alligator

Image: Library of Congress

Jefferson wasn't the only president to own fairly unusual pets during his presidency. According to lore, John Quincy Adams kept a pet alligator in the East Room of the White House. Although there’s no way to prove it, the story goes that the alligator would slither around and even chase visitors.

While the tale of the alligator may be a myth, one thing is certain: President Adams' wife, Louisa, kept silkworms. The worms lived in mulberry trees on the White House grounds, and Louisa used to harvest their silk to feed her sewing hobby.

3

Abraham Lincoln’s goats

Image: Mathew Benjamin Brady, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

The Lincolns had a variety of animals, including a couple of dogs, a rabbit, a horse, and a turkey. However, perhaps the most curious pets that lived in the White House during Abraham Lincoln’s presidency (1861–1865) were two goats named Nanny and Nanko .

Lincoln let their sons, Willie and Tad, keep their pet goats in their rooms, granting the animals total freedom to roam the Executive Mansion . The Lincoln family was so fond of Nanny and Nanko that the president would even send updates on the goats’ wellbeing when his wife and children were away. In one letter, he wrote: "Tell Tad the goats and father are very well—especially the goats."

4

Rutherford B. Hayes’ Siamese cat

Image: Mathew Benjamin Brady, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Like the Jefferson family, the Hayes family also received some First Pets as gifts from well-wishers, friends, and foreign officials. It was publicly known that First Lady Lucy Hayes loved animals, so the U.S. Ambassador to Siam (now Thailand) gifted her a kitten. This cat became the pet of First Daughter Fanny Hayes and holds the distinction of being the first Siamese cat to live in the United States.

Another Siamese cat, named Miss Pussy, later joined the family, becoming part of a diverse collection of animals. This included two hunting dogs, Juno and Shep; Otis, the miniature schnauzer; Dot, the cocker spaniel; a goat; a mockingbird; pedigreed Jersey cows; four canaries; and several carriage horses.

5

Teddy Roosevelt’s hyena

Image: National Portrait Gallery, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

Teddy Roosevelt's brood brought a proper zoo to the White House at the dawn of the 20th century. His large, young family and their pets often captured substantial public attention, frequently appearing in periodicals and newspapers of the time.

The Roosevelts cared for an eclectic collection of animals, including badgers, mice, raccoons, pigs, parrots, dogs, cats, baby bears, snakes, a one-legged rooster, a kangaroo rat, a macaw, and a Shetland pony named Algonquin—who once had the pleasure of riding the White House elevator. But the top prize goes to a spotted hyena named Bill. A gift from the emperor of Ethiopia, Bill was taught tricks by Roosevelt and was even allowed to beg for scraps at the dinner table.

6

Woodrow Wilson’s sheep

Image: National Portrait Gallery, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

Some animals that spent time at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue had a greater purpose than just being pets. For example, some presidents kept pets for a cause or to set an example. During World War I, President Woodrow Wilson allowed a flock of 48 sheep to live on the White House grounds. The sheep not only kept the lawn trimmed, reducing maintenance costs but their wool was also sold to benefit the Red Cross .

In addition to the sheep, Wilson had a cat named Puffins, chickens, a bull terrier named Bruce, a songbird, and a ram named Old Ike, who was known for his unusual habit of chewing tobacco.

7

Calvin Coolidge’s raccoon

Image: National Photo Company Collection, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

President Calvin Coolidge, who served from 1923 to 1929, kept several non-traditional pets at the White House . The Coolidges had a variety of animals, including dogs, canaries, Ebenezer the donkey, and Smoky the bobcat. Even more exotic animals were gifted to them by foreign dignitaries, such as Billy the pygmy hippo, two lion cubs named Tax Reduction and Budget Bureau, a wallaby, a small antelope, and a black bear.

However, First Lady Grace's most renowned pet was a raccoon. The raccoon was initially given to the Coolidges as a contribution to their Thanksgiving meal, but Grace managed to save it. She named it Rebecca and had a special tree house built for her.

8

Franklin D. Roosevelt’s Scottish terrier

Image: Franklin D. Roosevelt Library, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Perhaps one of the most famous pets to live in the White House was President Franklin D. Roosevelt's Scottish terrier, Fala. Roosevelt's presidency came during a very difficult time in history—World War II. For this reason, Fala became a faithful companion not only to the president but also to all the American people.

Fala’s original name was Big Boy, but Roosevelt renamed him "Murray the Outlaw of Falahill" after a Scottish ancestor. In the early 1940s, Fala participated in a campaign by donating his toys to promote scrap rubber collections for the war effort. He also starred in an MGM short-subject film about the war.

9

Warren G. Harding’s Airedale terrier

Image: National Photo Company Collection, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Pets have played a significant role in humanizing presidents and shaping public perceptions, as seen with Franklin Roosevelt and his loyal Fala. The same holds true for Warren G. Harding’s presidency. Harding and his wife, Florence, were avid animal lovers, and during their time in the White House, they kept several canaries, dogs, and even a squirrel named Pete.

But the spotlight went to Laddie Boy, a photogenic Airedale terrier that was perceived by the public as an extension of Harding's campaign slogan, "Return to Normalcy." Laddie Boy had his own cabinet chair, attended meetings, greeted official delegations, and even participated in press conferences and news briefings. He also "hosted" the 1923 Easter Egg Roll while the Hardings were away, further endearing himself to the public.

10

George H. W. Bush’s English springer spaniel

Image: National Archives and Records Administration, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

As we have seen, some presidential pets were as famous as the leaders they accompanied during their time at the Executive Mansion. When George H. W. Bush was elected president in 1988, a springer spaniel named Millie became the new First Pet. The following year, Millie had six puppies and quickly won the hearts of Americans across the country.

Millie's popularity was so great that First Lady Barbara Bush appeared on the cover of Life magazine with the dog and her puppies. Barbara later published Millie's Book , a bestseller that narrates a day in the White House from Millie’s perspective. The book was a huge success, selling thousands of copies.

1

Great Basin National Park, Nevada

Image: Yura Lytkin

Tucked away in eastern Nevada, Great Basin is the park that time forgot—in the best way possible. You can hike to a glacier, explore underground caverns, and camp under skies so dark you’ll see stars you didn’t even know existed , all without waiting in line or fighting for a decent photo spot.

2

Congaree National Park, South Carolina

Image: Selma Rizvić

This park protects one of the largest remaining expanses of old-growth bottomland hardwood forest in the United States, which is a fancy way of saying it's got trees so tall and old they make you feel like an ant at a giant's picnic. The real magic happens at night, when the fireflies put on a light show that'll make you forget all about mosquito bites. Plus, you can rent a canoe and paddle through what feels like the set of a Southern Gothic novel—Spanish moss and all.

3

North Cascades National Park, Washington

Image: Pete Alexopoulos

With jagged mountain peaks and more than 300 glaciers, this park offers scenery that’ll make your camera work overtime . The hiking ranges from "pleasant afternoon stroll" to "why did I think this was a good idea?" so there's something for everyone, assuming everyone likes being surrounded by absurdly gorgeous wilderness.

The best part? While everyone's fighting over hotel rooms near Mount Rainier, North Cascades sits there looking spectacular with hardly anyone around. The park sees fewer visitors in an entire year than Yellowstone does on a busy weekend.

4

Dry Tortugas National Park, Florida

Image: Nick Rickert

Located 70 miles off the coast of Key West, Dry Tortugas takes "off the beaten path" to a whole new level: you literally need a boat or seaplane to get there. The turquoise waters are so clear you could see fish judging your swimming technique from 30 feet away . Plus, there's Fort Jefferson, a massive 19th-century fort that feels like someone plopped a Civil War–era fortress in the middle of paradise and said, "Sure, that works."

Just remember: there’s no fresh water (hence the "Dry" part), no food service, and no shade except what you bring yourself. It’s like camping, but surrounded by the kind of blue water that makes you understand why people write songs about the ocean.

5

Guadalupe Mountains National Park, Texas

Image: Ryuta F.

Home to the highest peak in Texas (Guadalupe Peak at 8,749 feet), this park offers hiking that'll remind your knees they're not as young as they used to be, but in a rewarding way. The fall foliage in McKittrick Canyon is legitimately stunning , which surprises people who assume Texas is all tumbleweeds and barbecue joints.

The park sits on an ancient fossil reef from when this whole area was underwater, mind-blowing, if you think about it for more than two seconds. There’s no cell service, limited facilities, and the nearest town is about an hour away, which may sound like a complaint, but it actually forces you to unplug and take in the amazing place around you.

6

Voyageurs National Park, Minnesota

Image: Vyacheslav Makushin

Voyageurs is a water-based park that’s basically a summer camp for adults who can legally drink beer. With over 200,000 acres—about 40% of it water—houseboating is the way to experience it.

The fishing here is legendary, the northern lights make regular appearances, and in winter, the frozen lakes become highways for snowmobiles and cross-country skiers . It's remote enough that you feel like an explorer, but accessible enough that you won't actually die if you forget your matches.

7

Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, Colorado

Image: Dustin Weist

Colorado has so many stunning places that Black Canyon somehow gets overlooked. This canyon is deep, narrow, and so dramatically steep that parts of it only get 33 minutes of sunlight a day . The Gunnison River carved through 2 billion years of rock to create towering walls that make you feel appropriately insignificant, which is good for the soul occasionally.

8

Isle Royale National Park, Michigan

Image: Ivan Vashchenko

If you want to really get away from it all, Isle Royale is your jam: an island in Lake Superior that requires either a ferry ride or a seaplane to reach. Once you’re there, you’re committed; same-day visits aren’t really a thing. The park is car-free, crowd-free, and home to a fascinating wolf-and-moose study that’s been running since 1958.

The hiking trails crisscross the island through forests and along rocky shorelines where the lake looks more like an ocean . Backcountry camping is the main event here, and the solitude is so profound you'll hear sounds you forgot existed—like actual silence.

9

Pinnacles National Park, California

Image: Cyrus Crossan

California's newest national park is a playground of volcanic spires, talus caves, and rock formations that look like a giant was playing with clay and just walked away mid-project . The rock climbing here is world-class, and the cave exploration doesn't require any special gear—just a flashlight and a willingness to squeeze through some tight spaces.

The spring wildflower displays are spectacular, and the park is one of the best places to see the endangered California condor, which has a wingspan that makes eagles look modest. It gets hot in summer—and by hot, I mean "surface of the sun" hot—so plan accordingly.

10

Lassen Volcanic National Park, California

Image: Robson Hatsukami Morgan

This park sits on top of one of the world’s largest plug-dome volcanoes—and yes, it could erupt again—Lassen Peak last blew in 1915, which in geological time is basically yesterday. But don't let that stop you from enjoying the bubbling mud pots, steaming fumaroles, and hot springs that make you feel like you're walking on another planet .

The hiking is fantastic, with everything from easy boardwalk strolls through geothermal features to challenging climbs up Lassen Peak itself. Add in alpine lakes, wildflower-filled meadows, and a fraction of Yosemite’s crowds (despite being just a few hours south), and you’ve got a spectacular California secret.

1

Accident, Maryland

Image: Chiara Guercio

We’ll begin this article by quoting the great Bob Ross: "We don’t make mistakes; we make happy accidents". In that sense, a certain small town located in Garrett County, Maryland, is a living testament to the wonderful nature of accidents: Certainly, the town of Accident could use this Bob Ross quote as a town motto.

Nobody really knows where this unusual name comes from, but a popular theory states that when two men were conducting separate surveys in the area, one of them claimed land owned by the other "by accident". While we might never be sure if this story is true or not, people from Accident (or, as they like to be called, "Accidentals") definitively take pride in their weirdly named town.

2

Boring, Oregon

Image: charlesdeluvio

At first glance, the town of Boring, Oregon, seems to encapsulate the slow living of many American towns. While many disgruntled teenagers might call this peaceful lifestyle boring, we choose to consider it "peaceful". In any case, the name of this unincorporated community comes from a rather flashy geographical feature: a lava field.

If this unusual name makes you feel sorry about this town, don’t be: It has found a rather extraordinary group of sister cities. Boring, Oregon, is a proud member of a group known as "Trinity of Tedium", which includes the village of Dull, Scotland, as well as Bland, Australia.

3

Cucumber, West Virginia

Image: Harshal S. Hirve

The cucumber is definitively the star of many delicious salads. This versatile vegetable provides a fresh and unique taste to any dish. You would think that all the 74 residents of Cucumber, West Virginia, are big fans of this green delicacy, but in fact, the naming of this town seems to be in reference to entirely different reasons.

This mining-centered community was named after either Cucumber Creek, which is in the town’s proximity, or after the abundant cucumber trees in the area (which sadly don’t produce the green vegetables we know and love).

4

Mexican Hat, Utah

Image: Melanie Rosillo Galvan

With a population of only 31, the town of Mexican Hat in Utah is named after a peculiarly shaped landmark. A strange rock overlooks the northeast side of town, shaped just like an upside-down sombrero . This rock has 2 different climbing routes that ascend it, in case you want to take a trip and see this hat-shaped landmark in all its magnificence.

Mexican Hat was founded in 1908 by E.L. Goodridge, a man seeking oil in the area. While his efforts were unsuccessful, this settlement would eventually result in one of the most oddly named towns in America.

5

Chicken, Alaska

Image: Stephen Mierendorf

There’s no denying that America loves chicken: After all, we are the country that consumes the most chicken in the world. In that sense, it stands to reason that one of our many towns chose to celebrate our favorite domesticated bird. However, the history behind the naming of Chicken, Alaska, actually tells a different story.

This town was settled in the 19th century by gold miners rushing to Alaska during this state’s gold rush. When, in 1902, the site established a post office, it required a community name, and the settlers decided to name the newly-formed town after a type of game bird called ptarmigan. However, since no one was able to spell "ptarmigan" correctly, they ultimately settled on the much more spellable "Chicken".

6

Hot Coffee, Mississippi

Image: Alex Padurariu

Don’t you agree that thanking coffee for everything it does for us should be enough reason for this homage? The small community of Hot Coffee, Mississippi, pays a warm tribute to that miraculous drink that helps millions start their day right.

The community was established in the 19th century, located at the crossroads between two major travel routes. Logically, an inn was built to house weary travelers. A local man called L.J. Davis built a store and hung a sign designed to attract out-of-town customers that simply read: "the best hot coffee around". Davis’ store became a local landmark, and his excellent coffee soon became such a staple that it would eventually become the town’s name.

7

Truth or Consequences, New Mexico

Image: Photography Maghradze PH

On a certain day in March 1950, the city of Hot Springs, New Mexico, heard a weird yet exciting pitch on the radio: Ralph Edwards, the host of the popular NBC show "Truth or Consequences" , announced that he would broadcast a 10-year anniversary show from the first American town that chose to rename itself after the show.

By the end of that month, Hot Springs had collectively chosen to change its name, renaming itself "Truth or Consequence". Edwards not only held his end of the bargain, broadcasting the special show from the town, but also remained a lifelong friend of this city. He visited the town during the first weekend of May for the next 50 years, in an event that turned into a local Fiesta still celebrated today.

8

Nothing, Arizona

Image: Marta Nogueira

We get it: Naming a town must be difficult. Having said that, we think the founders of this now-abandoned town probably just winged it. Nothing, Arizona, was founded in the late 70s as an extremely small settlement: At its height, it had a population of 4.

While small and only comprising a small convenience store and a gas station, Nothing quickly became a popular tourist attraction. The town sign famously included the following phrase: "Thru-the-years-these dedicated people had faith in Nothing, hoped for Nothing, worked at Nothing, for Nothing."

9

No Name, Colorado

Image: Valentin Antonucci

Apparently, the name "placeholder" was already taken when it came time to name this small Colorado town. Located in Garfield County, No Name has a population of 117. Contrary to popular belief, this town’s name is not a result of a lack of creativity but rather a reference to the No Name Creek and the No Name Canyon, which are nearby. And in fact, both the town and these landmarks pay homage to an event in Colorado’s history.

In 1869, John Wesley Powell set out on an expedition to map out the Colorado River. Powell’s expedition included several boats, which featured names like "Emma Dean" and "Maid of the Canyon". Among them was the "No-Name", a boat that proved that even the most inconspicuous names can leave a huge mark.

10

Friendship, Maine

Image: Duy Pham

What’s life without friends? If there’s someone that can attest to that it’s the residents of Friendship, Maine . After all, they decided to name their town after one of the most important things in life.

You might be familiar with Friendship from the many examples of popular culture that feature this town. For instance, the 1995 film "Casper" takes place entirely in Friendship (which seems only fitting, since Casper is known as "the friendly ghost"). Also, many American authors have written about the town in their stories. Most notably, the short story "The Run of Yourself" by Richard Ford is set in Friendship.