By Rosie Long Decter, readersdigest.ca (with files from Marissa Miller)
Snafu, Yukon
This community was christened after everyone’s favourite military acronym—Situation Normal: All Fouled Up—by the U.S. military while they were building the Alaska highway. We’re not sure exactly what situation the military was referring to at the time, but Snafu served as one of two forest fire crew camps in the Yukon in the ’50s. It’s now a campground surrounded by lakes and a popular destination for canoe trips.
Youbou, British Columbia
This town owes its name to the founders of its mill, Mr. Yount and Mr. Bounton, who combined the first halves of their respective surnames to make Youbou in 1914. Today, it’s the second largest community on Vancouver Island’s scenic Cowichan Lake.
Stoner, British Columbia
Which came first: Stoner or Stone Creek? Locals reportedly use the latter, with “Stoner” presumably a modern-day derivative. Either way, if you’re driving north on Highway 97 to Prince George, keep your eye out for this quiet community and its infamous town sign.
Salmon Arm, British Columbia
The imagery is like something out of a strange dream, but Salmon Arm actually refers to the huge concentration of salmon that used to found in the southwest arm of B.C.’s Shuswap Lake. The salmon may not swarm there anymore, but these days the city has another claim to fame: boasting the world’s largest treble clef (it stands more than 13 metres tall)!
Old Entrance, Alberta
This railway community was initially going to be called Heda, but once the train station was built, early residents ended up calling it Entrance—likely because it sat at the entrance to the Jasper Forest Reserve. When a second railway station nearby was renamed Entrance, the original station became known as Old Entrance. Today, the station has been transformed into a bed and breakfast: trains may not be passing through any more, but it’s still a perfect stopover for tourists en route to the Rocky Mountains.
Dead Man’s Flats, Alberta
There are at least two potential origins for this striking name. Some trace it back to a murder at a Bow River dairy farm in 1904. Others believe the name comes from a Nakoda man who was hunting beaver in the area and pretended to be dead to avoid getting caught. Today, the community is a popular destination for trout fishing and a short drive from Banff National Park.
Legal, Alberta
Founded in 1914, Legal owes its name to Emile Legal, the bishop of St. Albert, Alberta. The bilingual 1,500-person town was settled mostly by homesteaders from Quebec and is now renowned for its public murals. With more than 30 murals on display across town, Legal earned the distinction of being named “French Mural Capital of the World” in 2011.
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