Real Place Names Bring a Touch of Wizarding Magic to the Muggle World
It’s no secret that fans of the Wizarding World films can visit many of the filming locations for themselves, but what about real locations that have been named after references to the franchise?
Take, for instance, a circle drive outside of Bishop Heelan Catholic High School in Sioux City, Iowa. As of this school year, that road has been renamed Platform 9 3/4 Drive. This came as the result of a school fundraiser auction, and the winning bid came from an individual who wanted to be identified only as “H,” according to the Sioux City Journal. (Maybe Harry Potter himself had something to do with it?)
In Missoula, Montana, there is a residential subdivision where all the streets are named after Harry Potter references. Although Yahoo! News notes that the subdivision’s official name is Windsor Park, its residents reportedly call it “Potterville.” (Interestingly enough, the developers of the subdivision “came up with the Harry Potter theme on a whim.”)
Other places that have drawn inspiration from the Harry Potter series include the town of Lawrence, Wisconsin, where the Green Bay Press-Gazette reports that a subdivision is home to a Potter Drive, a Quidditch Court, and a Wizard Way, among others. Efforts were made to name an alley in Fayetteville, Arkansas, after Diagon Alley, although it does not appear that this was a success.
Do you know of any more real places that have been named in honor of the Wizarding World franchise? We’d love to hear from you in the comments below.
