Outdoor Activities ...
As we travel, we like to pursue some of our interests (such as astronomy and bird watching).
When in Independence, we use the following websites to find information relevant to Independence and the surrounding area.
- Weather ...
- Before heading outdoors, you should check the weather:
- The National Weather Service forecast for Independence
- Astronomy & Satellites ...
- Whether using binoculars, a small telescope or the naked-eye, the Heavens-Above website can help you to find your way around the night-time sky. In addition to detailed sky charts, their website will help you find planets, asteriods, comets, satellites and their tracks across the sky.
- To give accurate results, Heavens-Above requires the latitude and longitude of your location. As a starting point, when we link to Heavens-Above, we pass this GPS location for Independence:
- 39.393147, -79.871734
- Once you're on the Heavens-Above website, you can improve its accuracy by giving a more precise longitude and latitude as your actual position.
- The Heavens-Above Website, centered on Independence
- Bird Watching ...
- We enjoy finding new spots for bird watching and we use the eBird website for local sighting reports and to help identify hotspots.
- The eBird website is organized on a county-by-county basis. We have selected Preston County as the starting point when you click on the link below:
- eBird sighting report for Preston County
- Since Independence is near Taylor County and also Monongalia County, we have provided a link to their eBird sighting reports:
- eBird sighting report for Taylor County
- eBird sighting report for Monongalia County
- Waymarking ...
- Looking for somewhere out of the ordinary? Find a unique place and want to share it with others? Then it's time to visit Waymarking.com:
- Waymark.com
Communities Also Named Independence ...
We found 50 communities that share the name Independence.
There are three communities within West Virginia that are also named Independence.
Beyond West Virginia, we know of another 47 communities that are located throughout in the United States.
- Communities Located In West Virginia ...
- Barbour County
- This Independence is located in Barbour County and lies 20 miles [32.2 km]<1> to the south southwest of the Independence that is located in Preston County.
- For more information, please visit our profile page for the Barbour County community of Independence.
- Clay County
- This Independence is located in Clay County and lies 102 miles [164.2 km]<1> to the southwest of the Independence that is located in Preston County.
- For more information, please visit our profile page for the Clay County community of Independence.
- Jackson County
- This Independence is located in Jackson County and lies 102 miles [164.2 km]<1> to the west southwest of the Independence that is located in Preston County.
- For more information, please visit our profile page for the Jackson County community of Independence.
- Barbour County
- Communities Elsewhere In North America ...
- Alabama
- Autauga County
- This Independence is located in Autauga County and lies 608 miles [978.5 km]<1> to the southwest of the Independence that is located in Preston County.
- For more information, please visit our profile page for the Autauga County community of Independence.
- Arkansas
- Baxter County
- This community is historic<2> and we have very little information. For the information that we do have, please visit our profile page for the Arkansas community of Independence [Baxter County].
- California
- Calaveras County
- This Independence is located in Calaveras County and lies 2,167 miles [3,487.4 km]<1> to the west northwest of the Independence that is located in Preston County.
- For more information, please visit our profile page for the Calaveras County community of Independence.
- Inyo County
- This Independence is located in Inyo County and lies 2,074 miles [3,337.8 km] to the west of the Independence that is located in Preston County.
- For more information, please visit our profile page for the Inyo County community of Independence.
- Colorado
- Arapahoe County
- We found mention of this community, but have little information.<3> For the information that we do have, please visit our profile page for the Colorado community of Independence [Arapahoe County].
- Pitkin County
- This community is historic<2> and we have very little information. For the information that we do have, please visit our profile page for the Colorado community of Independence [Pitkin County].
- Teller County
- This community is historic and we have very little information. For the information that we do have, please visit our profile page for the Colorado community of Independence [Teller County].
- Idaho
- Madison County
- This community is historic<2> and we have very little information. For the information that we do have, please visit our profile page for the Idaho community of Independence [Madison County].
- Illinois
- Pike County
- This Independence is located in Pike County and lies 581 miles [935 km]<1> to the west of the Independence that is located in Preston County.
- For more information, please visit our profile page for the Pike County community of Independence.
- Indiana
- Fountain County
- We found mention of this community, but have little information.<3> For the information that we do have, please visit our profile page for the Indiana community of Independence [Fountain County].
- Warren County
- This Independence is located in Warren County and lies 392 miles [630.9 km]<1> to the west northwest of the Independence that is located in Preston County.
- For more information, please visit our profile page for the Warren County community of Independence.
- Iowa
- Buchanan County
- This Independence is located in Buchanan County and lies 661 miles [1,063.8 km]<1> to the west northwest of the Independence that is located in Preston County.
- For more information, please visit our profile page for the Buchanan County community of Independence.
- Kansas
- Montgomery County
- This Independence is located in Montgomery County and lies 870 miles [1,400.1 km]<1> to the west of the Independence that is located in Preston County.
- For more information, please visit our profile page for the Montgomery County community of Independence.
- Osborne County
- We found mention of this community, but have little information.<3> For the information that we do have, please visit our profile page for the Kansas community of Independence [Osborne County].
- Kentucky
- Kenton County
- This Independence is located in Kenton County and lies 252 miles [405.6 km]<1> to the west of the Independence that is located in Preston County.
- For more information, please visit our profile page for the Kenton County community of Independence.
- Louisiana
- Tangipahoa Parish
- This Independence is located in Tangipahoa Parish and lies 851 miles [1,369.6 km]<1> to the southwest of the Independence that is located in Preston County.
- For more information, please visit our profile page for the Tangipahoa Parish community of Independence.
- Michigan
- Oakland County
- We found mention of this community, but have little information.<3> For the information that we do have, please visit our profile page for the Michigan community of Independence [Oakland County].
- Minnesota
- Hennepin County
- This Independence is located in Hennepin County and lies 805 miles [1,295.5 km]<1> to the northwest of the Independence that is located in Preston County.
- For more information, please visit our profile page for the Hennepin County community of Independence.
- Saint Louis County
- This Independence is located in Saint Louis County and lies 819 miles [1,318.1 km] to the northwest of the Independence that is located in Preston County.
- For more information, please visit our profile page for the Saint Louis County community of Independence.
- Mississippi
- Scott County
- This Independence is located in Scott County and lies 734 miles [1,181.3 km]<1> to the southwest of the Independence that is located in Preston County.
- For more information, please visit our profile page for the Scott County community of Independence.
- Tate County
- This Independence is located in Tate County and lies 635 miles [1,021.9 km] to the west southwest of the Independence that is located in Preston County.
- For more information, please visit our profile page for the Tate County community of Independence.
- Missouri
- Jackson County
- This Independence is located in Jackson County and lies 777 miles [1,250.5 km]<1> to the west of the Independence that is located in Preston County.
- For more information, please visit our profile page for the Jackson County community of Independence.
- Montana
- Park County
- This community is historic<2> and we have very little information. For the information that we do have, please visit our profile page for the Montana community of Independence [Park County].
- Nevada
- Elko County
- This community is historic<2> and although located in Elko County, we don't know where within the county.
- For more information, please visit our profile page for the Elko County community of Independence.
- New Jersey
- Warren County
- We found mention of this community, but have little information.<3> For the information that we do have, please visit our profile page for the New Jersey community of Independence [Warren County].
- New York
- Allegany County
- This Independence is located in Allegany County and lies 215 miles [346 km]<1> to the north northeast of the Independence that is located in Preston County.
- For more information, please visit our profile page for the Allegany County community of Independence.
- North Dakota
- Dunn County
- This community is historic<2> and we have very little information. For the information that we do have, please visit our profile page for the North Dakota community of Independence [Dunn County].
- LaMoure County
- This Independence is located in LaMoure County and lies 1,040 miles [1,673.7 km]<1> to the northwest of the Independence that is located in Preston County.
- For more information, please visit our profile page for the LaMoure County community of Independence.
- Ohio
- Cuyahoga County
- This Independence is located in Cuyahoga County and lies 165 miles [265.5 km]<1> to the north northwest of the Independence that is located in Preston County.
- For more information, please visit our profile page for the Cuyahoga County community of Independence.
- Defiance County
- This Independence is located in Defiance County and lies 267 miles [429.7 km] to the west northwest of the Independence that is located in Preston County.
- For more information, please visit our profile page for the Defiance County community of Independence.
- Oklahoma
- Custer County
- This Independence is located in Custer County and lies 1,071 miles [1,723.6 km]<1> to the west of the Independence that is located in Preston County.
- For more information, please visit our profile page for the Custer County community of Independence.
- Le Flore County
- This Independence is located in Le Flore County and lies 871 miles [1,401.7 km] to the west southwest of the Independence that is located in Preston County.
- For more information, please visit our profile page for the Le Flore County community of Independence.
- Oregon
- Polk County
- This Independence is located in Polk County and lies 2,223 miles [3,577.6 km]<1> to the west northwest of the Independence that is located in Preston County.
- For more information, please visit our profile page for the Polk County community of Independence.
- Pennsylvania
- Beaver County
- This Independence is located in Beaver County and lies 84 miles [135.2 km]<1> to the north northwest of the Independence that is located in Preston County.
- For more information, please visit our profile page for the Beaver County community of Independence.
- Snyder County
- This Independence is located in Snyder County and lies 180 miles [289.7 km] to the east northeast of the Independence that is located in Preston County.
- For more information, please visit our profile page for the Snyder County community of Independence.
- Washington County
- This Independence is located in Washington County and lies 68 miles [109.4 km] to the north northwest of the Independence that is located in Preston County.
- For more information, please visit our profile page for the Washington County community of Independence.
- Tennessee
- Hancock County
- This Independence is located in Hancock County and lies 257 miles [413.6 km]<1> to the southwest of the Independence that is located in Preston County.
- For more information, please visit our profile page for the Hancock County community of Independence.
- Henderson County
- This Independence is located in Henderson County and lies 539 miles [867.4 km] to the west southwest of the Independence that is located in Preston County.
- For more information, please visit our profile page for the Henderson County community of Independence.
- Overton County
- This Independence is located in Overton County and lies 356 miles [572.9 km] to the west southwest of the Independence that is located in Preston County.
- For more information, please visit our profile page for the Overton County community of Independence.
- Texas
- Cherokee County
- This community is historic<2> and although located in Cherokee County, we don't know where within the county.
- For more information, please visit our profile page for the Cherokee County community of Independence.
- Washington County
- This Independence is located in Washington County and lies 1,121 miles [1,804.1 km]<1> to the west southwest of the Independence that is located in Preston County.
- For more information, please visit our profile page for the Washington County community of Independence.
- Utah
- Uintah County
- This Independence is located in Uintah County and lies 1,587 miles [2,554 km]<1> to the west northwest of the Independence that is located in Preston County.
- For more information, please visit our profile page for the Uintah County community of Independence.
- Wasatch County
- This Independence is located in Wasatch County and lies 1,656 miles [2,665.1 km] to the west northwest of the Independence that is located in Preston County.
- For more information, please visit our profile page for the Wasatch County community of Independence.
- Virginia
- Grayson County
- This Independence is located in Grayson County and lies 203 miles [326.7 km]<1> to the south southwest of the Independence that is located in Preston County.
- For more information, please visit our profile page for the Grayson County community of Independence.
- Washington
- Lewis County
- We found mention of this community, but have little information.<3> For the information that we do have, please visit our profile page for the Washington community of Independence [Lewis County].
- Thurston County
- This Independence is located in Thurston County and lies 2,211 miles [3,558.3 km]<1> to the west northwest of the Independence that is located in Preston County.
- For more information, please visit our profile page for the Thurston County community of Independence.
- Wisconsin
- Trempealeau County
- This Independence is located in Trempealeau County and lies 684 miles [1,100.8 km]<1> to the northwest of the Independence that is located in Preston County.
- For more information, please visit our profile page for the Trempealeau County community of Independence.
- Alabama
Curious and Interesting Names Near Independence ...
As we travel, we always see a community with a name that gives pause. While there are names which are interesting or familiar, some catch our attention or strike our fancy. We always wonder about such a name. If time permits and the community is not too far, we'll usually try to make a side-trip.
- Blueville
(7 miles [11.3 km] to the southwest) - Camp Ground
(7 miles [11.3 km] to the east)- Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Camp Ground have been provided by the GNIS.<4> The coordinates still need to be verified.
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Camp Ground
- Camp Ground is located in Preston County
- Chestnut Ridge
(3 miles [4.8 km] to the east)- Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Chestnut Ridge have been provided by the GNIS.<4> The coordinates still need to be verified.
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Chestnut Ridge
- Chestnut Ridge is located in Monongalia County
- Dent
(6 miles [9.7 km] to the south) - Fellowsville
(4 miles [6.4 km] to the southeast)- Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Fellowsville have been provided by the GNIS.<4> The coordinates still need to be verified.
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Fellowsville
- Fellowsville is located in Preston County
- Hardman
(Less than 2 miles to the west) - Israel
(6 miles [9.7 km] to the southeast) - Kanetown
(6 miles [9.7 km] to the east) - Knottsville
(7 miles [11.3 km] to the southwest)- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Knottsville
- Knottsville is located in Taylor County
- Maple Run
(4 miles [6.4 km] to the southwest) - Mountain View
(6 miles [9.7 km] to the northeast)- Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Mountain View have been provided by the GNIS.<4> The coordinates still need to be verified.
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Mountain View
- Mountain View is located in Preston County
- Oriole ‑ Historic
(4 miles [6.4 km] to the northeast) - Scotch Hill
(Less than 2 miles to the south)- Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Scotch Hill have been provided by the GNIS.<4> The coordinates still need to be verified.
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Scotch Hill
- Scotch Hill is located in Preston County
- Threefork Bridge
(3 miles [4.8 km] to the north)- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Threefork Bridge
- Threefork Bridge is located in Preston County
How Far From Independence to ...
We spend a lot of time looking through Gazetteers & Almanacs that were published in the late 1800's and early 1900's. Many of the Gazetteers include the distance from a community such as Independence to various places of note, such as the White House.
With a nod to our favorite Gazetteers, the straight-line distance beginning in Independence and extending to:
- Kingwood, which is the Seat of Preston County, lies 11 miles [17.7 km]<1> to the east northeast. If you could walk a straight line from Independence to Kingwood, with an average speed<5> of 2.2 miles [3.5 km] per hour, it would take five to six hours to make the trip. A horse and buggy averaging 3.2 miles [5.1 km] per hour would take nearly four hours.
- Charleston, which is the State Capital of West Virginia, lies 118 miles [189.9 km] to the southwest (SW). Driving, with an average speed of 63 miles [101.4 km] per hour, would take about two hours, a buggy would take 5 days and walking would take 7 days.
- The White House (Washington, DC) is 155 miles [249.4 km] to the east southeast (ESE). Driving would take less than three hours, a buggy would take 6 days and walking would take 9 days.
- The shortest distance<6> to Jerusalem (specifically the Temple Mount and the Dome of the Rock) is 5,994 miles [9,646.4 km] and it lies to the northeast (NE).<7>
- The distance to the Great Mosque of Mecca (specifically the Ka'bah - or Kaaba ) is 6,708 miles [10,795.5 km] and it lies to the northeast (NE).<8>
- The distance to Saint Peter's Basilica (The Vatican) is 4,584 miles [7,377.2 km] and it lies to the northeast (NE).<9>
Off-the-Road Links ...
Unfortunately, we don't know of a website for Independence. If you can help, please contact us through our Feedback Page.
The official website for State of West Virginia: https://www.wv.gov/
Footnotes ...
| <1> | Our distances are not driving distances, but are calculated as a 'point-to-point' distance. A straight line distance ignores obstructions like rivers, canyons, lakes, et cetera - it's truly a line from Point A (ie- Independence) to Point B.Our distance measurements begin at a specific point in Independence. The point we use is located at these GPS coordinates - Latitude: 39.3931, Longitude: -79.8717 In this case, the coordinates for Independence have been provided by the Geographic Names Information System (GNIS). |
| <2> | We use the term 'Historic' broadly and it generally means that the community no longer exists. However, it can also mean that the community might still exist, but was significantly larger or had a more 'official' existence in the past than it does now. Unfortunately our sources of data have proven to be unreliable. If you can provide us with more specific information about Independence, please let us know so that we can improve our accuracy. |
| <3> | If we encounter the name of what might be a community, our methodology is to add that name to our Gazetteer as a placeholder. As we find more information about that community, it will be added to our Gazetteer. Just as a reminder: Our definition of a community is rather broad and includes those places (or areas) where several families lived and had a name which identified that place. For example, you might hear somebody say that they are going over to Bird Creek to see Pete ... Bird Creek is just a gas station and a couple of homes at the crossroads. While it might not be on the map, everybody in the area knows it by that name. Places of interest include buildings at a crossroad, several families clustered in a hollow or maybe the location of a way station. It also includes places like mines, lumber camps, ferry crossings, etc. The community might still exist, is now gone or only existed for just a short period of time. Also keep in mind that Independence could have been on the original document by mistake, misspelled, the original/alternate name of a community that we've listed elsewhere or was placed in the wrong county. Sometimes a post office or train station would have a different name than the community where it's located, so two names might be referring to the same community - we're working to straighten it all out. |
| <4> | The location has been supplied by the Geographic Names Information System - which is maintained by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). While these values should be definitive, we found that accuracy can vary and you should double-check the location if accuracy is required. |
| <5> | While we have tried to pick reasonable speeds, the rate of travel is very theoretical - obstacles like fences, hills, lakes, river crossings and rest stops have been ignored. When we say 'Days' of travel, we're assuming 8 hours of travel per day. |
| <6> | The shortest line can be visualized by stretching a string on a Globe from Point A to Point B - this is known as a Great Circle Route. Where you might expect the shortest route from Independence to the Middle East to be East and South, the Great Circle Route actually lies to the North and East. |
| <7> | The calculated bearing (or angle) to Jerusalem is 309.56 degrees. |
| <8> | The calculated bearing (or angle) to Mecca is 305.414 degrees. |
| <9> | The calculated bearing (or angle) to the Vatican is 305.746 degrees. |