1

Abraham Lincoln

Image: Library of Congress

Probably one of the most remembered presidential beards is that of the 16th US President and author of the unforgettable Gettysburg Address, Abraham Lincoln. But, while his image is forever linked to his top hat and distinctive, mustache-free beard, he actually didn't always have it.

Before he was elected president, an 11-year-old girl wrote him a letter suggesting he grow a beard. Fortunately, Lincoln took her advice! Thus, he became the first president to grow a beard while in office.

2

Theodore Roosevelt

Image: Library of Congress

Another iconic style was that of Teddy Roosevelt. His handlebar mustache is not only seen in photos and portraits from his time in office but is also forever etched on the imposing Mount Rushmore. Many men of his era imitated his dramatic, thick, and bushy mustache, which perfectly matched the vigor and toughness that defined the 26th US president.

3

Ulysses S. Grant

Image: Sergei Starostin

Beard? Yes! Sideburns? Of course. Mustache? That too! That is the case with Ulysses S. Grant, a president with a full look, fitting for a Civil War hero.

Grant's beard and mustache were thick -though not long- covering his jawline and also much of his cheeks. Thus, the 18th US president set a fashion trend that would be followed by several other presidents of the 19th century.

4

Grover Cleveland

Image: Dave Sherrill

Another president with a well-remembered mustache was Grover Cleveland, the first US president to serve two non-consecutive terms.

Cleveland's mustache was fluffy and extended just past the edges of his mouth. Although this might have been a problem when dining with guests, his mustache always looked neatly trimmed.

5

William Howard Taft

Image: Ronaldo Guiraldelli

Now, it's time to talk about the only person in the history of the US to have served as both President and Chief Justice of the Supreme Court: William Howard Taft.

Taft sported a bushy mustache, like Teddy Roosevelt, who served right before him. But, unlike his predecessor, the tips of Taft's mustache didn't point downward; instead, they bent upward, making it much more theatrical.

6

John Quincy Adams

Image: Library of Congress

John Quincy Adams didn't need a mustache to stand out with his style. His hallmark was something quite original: sideburns.

Remembered for being bushy and always well and neatly groomed, the 6th president's memorable sideburns extended down the sides of his face, even connecting beneath his chin!

7

Rutherford B. Hayes

Image: Nikolaos Dimou

Rutherford B. Hayes was another 19th-century president known for sporting a full beard. In addition to being thick, his beard and mustache were quite long and even joined together, fully covering his lips, as seen in portraits from the time. While the 19th President looked really distinguished, we can't help but wonder how he handled summer with that style!

8

James A. Garfield

Image: Sean Foster

James A. Garfield had a look strikingly similar to that of his predecessor, Rutherford B. Hayes.

Also sporting a thick, long, full beard, Garfield's mustache was slightly shorter than Hayes', and his beard extended further onto his cheeks. It seems that you had to put some serious effort into perfecting your facial hair to be trendy in the late 19th century!

9

Martin Van Buren

Image: Jack Bulmer

"Mutton chops" is the term for the thick, bushy sideburns worn by Martin Van Buren, the 8th president of the United States, a style known more for its volume than its tidiness.

As seen in portraits from different moments of his life, Van Buren had sideburns from a young age, but they definitely stood out during his presidency. In fact, political cartoons of his time often emphasized that very feature, making his sideburns exaggeratedly large.

10

Zachary Taylor

Image: Josh Sorenson

Before Lincoln, the dominant fashion was a clean-shaven look. But Zachary Taylor -just like John Quincy Adams and Martin Van Buren- came to revolutionize things with his sideburns.

We have to admit Taylor's sideburns were far more modest than those of his predecessors, but he remains one of the few presidents to have worn any facial hair before Honest Abe made it a trend!

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.

1

Books

Many of us stash books in closets or basements to save space , but these areas often trap moisture. Over time, humidity can warp covers, yellow pages, and encourage mold growth, especially in older homes.

A better option is open shelving in a living area where air can circulate freely. Keeping books visible not only helps protect them but also encourages reading and makes it easier to enjoy them regularly.

2

Medicine

Bathrooms are the most common place Americans store medication, yet heat and steam can reduce a drug’s effectiveness over time . Moisture can also cause pills to break down faster or labels to peel off.

A cool, dry place like a bedroom drawer or hallway cabinet is generally safer. Keeping medication out of the bathroom helps preserve its potency and makes expiration dates easier to track.

3

Important documents

Birth certificates, insurance policies, and property deeds are frequently scattered across drawers or stacked in filing piles . This makes them hard to find during emergencies and leaves them vulnerable to damage.

Experts suggest using a dedicated fire-resistant file or document box kept in a consistent location. Centralizing paperwork saves time and reduces stress when documents are suddenly needed.

4

Photo albums and loose photographs

Many families store photos in garages or basements, where temperature swings and moisture can cause fading and curling . Once damaged, photographs are often difficult or impossible to restore.

Photos last longest when stored in acid-free boxes kept in interior closets. Proper storage preserves memories and ensures future generations can enjoy family history without deteriorating.

5

Olive oil

Many Americans keep olive oil next to the stove for convenience. Unfortunately, exposure to heat, light, and air causes oil to turn rancid faster , affecting flavor and nutritional value.

A cool, dark cabinet away from appliances is ideal. Storing olive oil in a tightly sealed, opaque container further slows degradation. Proper storage helps olive oil retain its taste longer and prevents waste caused by premature spoilage.

6

Coffee

Coffee is often kept in its original bag on the counter or in the pantry. Exposure to air, light, heat, and moisture gradually degrades its aromatic compounds, dulling its flavor , even if the beans are freshly roasted.

An airtight container stored in a cool, dark place is generally best for preserving aroma and taste. This simple change keeps coffee fresher and makes each cup more enjoyable.

7

Bread

Many people refrigerate bread to keep it fresh, but cold temperatures actually dry it out faster . The result is a dry, stale texture and often unnecessary food waste.

Freezing bread preserves freshness far more effectively. When wrapped tightly to prevent freezer burn, sliced loaves can be toasted straight from the freezer, extending shelf life without sacrificing quality.

8

Spices

Spice racks near the stove are common, but heat and steam weaken flavors over time . Spices may still look fine while losing much of their potency and taste.

A drawer or cool cabinet away from heat helps spices last longer. Keeping containers tightly sealed further protects against moisture and oxidation. Better storage keeps meals flavorful and reduces how often spices need replacing.

9

Toothbrushes

Left uncovered near sinks or toilets, toothbrushes are exposed to moisture and airborne bacteria . This can lead to hygiene issues and faster wear.

Storing brushes upright in a well-ventilated holder that allows them to air-dry completely is generally recommended. Cleaner storage improves longevity and supports better personal hygiene.

10

Batteries

Loose batteries tossed into junk drawers can rub against metal objects such as coins or paper clips, potentially causing short circuits, leaks, or loss of charge . Damaged batteries may ruin devices later.

Keeping batteries stored by type in a labeled container prevents contact issues. Organized storage extends battery life and makes replacements easy to find.