In 1950, radio producer Ralph Edwards (pictured here) celebrated the 10th anniversary of then popular game show Truth or Consequences by promising to host the show in the first town that named itself after the program. Hot Springs, N.M., volunteered and has been known as Truth or Consequences ever since. Edwards kept his word and broadcast a live version of Truth or Consequences from the small town, and then returned once a year for the next half-century to celebrate the name change. And if you think the city has simply been too lazy to change its name back, think again: in 1967, residents voted to make the lengthy name permanent.
A Brief History of Quirky Geographical Name Changes
From Google, Kans. which Topeka is temporarily changing its name to in an attempt to win a competition run by the Internet giant to Truth or Consequences, N.M., the stories behind oddball place names are often more interesting than the names themselves