Fertile Country

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:2007_09_18_-_Blue_Ball_-_US_322_at_SR_23_a.JPG
Image: Wikimedia Commons

Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, contains a group of towns whose names seem to tell a story:

Blue Ball, Bird-in-Hand, Bareville, Mount Joy, Intercourse, Paradise

In 1962, Eros magazine approached the postmasters of Blue Ball and Intercourse, saying “we have decided that it may be advantageous for our direct mail to bear the postmark of your city.” They were turned down — so they used Middlesex, N.J., instead.