RoadsideThoughts
A Gazetteer for the United States and Canada
Home >> State of Alabama >> Shelby County >> Acton >> Tidbits & TriviaIndex...

Outdoor Activities ...

As we travel, we like to pursue some of our interests (such as astronomy and bird watching).

When in Acton, we use the following websites to find information relevant to Acton and the surrounding area.

  • 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 Acton:
    • 33.356222, -86.806933
    • 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 Acton
  • 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 Acton ...

We found 24 communities that share the name Acton.

There is one other community in Alabama which is also named Acton.

Beyond Alabama, we know of another twenty communities that are located throughout in the United States and Canada. Of these twenty communities, nineteen are located in the United States and two are in Canada.

In addition to the above occurrences of Acton, we know of three communities located outside of the United States and Canada.

  • Communities Located In Alabama ...
    • Jefferson County
      • This Acton is located in Jefferson County and lies 6 miles [9.7 km]<1> to the northeast of the Acton that is located in Shelby County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Jefferson County community of Acton.
  • Communities Elsewhere In North America ...
    • California
      • Los Angeles County
      • This Acton is located in Los Angeles County and lies 1,793 miles [2,885.6 km]<1> to the west northwest of the Acton that is located in Shelby County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Los Angeles County community of Acton.
    • Florida
      • Polk 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 Florida community of Acton [Polk County].
    • Georgia
      • Harris 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 Georgia community of Acton [Harris County].
    • Indiana
      • Marion County
      • This Acton is located in Marion County and lies 437 miles [703.3 km]<1> to the north of the Acton that is located in Shelby County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Marion County community of Acton.
    • Kentucky
      • Taylor County
      • This Acton is located in Taylor County and lies 289 miles [465.1 km]<1> to the north northeast of the Acton that is located in Shelby County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Taylor County community of Acton.
    • Maine
      • York County
      • This Acton is located in York County and lies 1,107 miles [1,781.5 km]<1> to the northeast of the Acton that is located in Shelby County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the York County community of Acton.
    • Massachusetts
      • Middlesex County
      • This Acton is located in Middlesex County and lies 1,045 miles [1,681.8 km]<1> to the northeast of the Acton that is located in Shelby County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Middlesex County community of Acton.
    • Minnesota
      • Meeker County
      • This Acton is located in Meeker County and lies 911 miles [1,466.1 km]<1> to the north northwest of the Acton that is located in Shelby County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Meeker County community of Acton.
    • Montana
      • Yellowstone County
      • This Acton is located in Yellowstone County and lies 1,443 miles [2,322.3 km]<1> to the northwest of the Acton that is located in Shelby County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Yellowstone County community of Acton.
    • Nevada
      • Clark County
      • This community is historic<2> and although located in Clark County, we don't know where within the county.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Clark County community of Acton.
    • New Brunswick
      • This Acton lies 1,352 miles [2,175.8 km]<1> to the northeast of the Acton that is located in Shelby County.
    • New Jersey
      • Salem County
      • This Acton is located in Salem County and lies 763 miles [1,227.9 km]<1> to the northeast of the Acton that is located in Shelby County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Salem County community of Acton.
    • North Carolina
      • Buncombe County
      • This Acton is located in Buncombe County and lies 281 miles [452.2 km]<1> to the east northeast of the Acton that is located in Shelby County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Buncombe County community of Acton.
    • North Dakota
      • Walsh 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 North Dakota community of Acton [Walsh County].
    • Ohio
      • Marion 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 Ohio community of Acton [Marion County].
    • Ontario
      • This Acton lies 797 miles [1,282.6 km]<1> to the north northeast of the Acton that is located in Shelby County.
    • South Carolina
      • Richland 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 South Carolina community of Acton [Richland County].
    • Tennessee
      • McNairy County
      • This Acton is located in McNairy County and lies 148 miles [238.2 km]<1> to the northwest of the Acton that is located in Shelby County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the McNairy County community of Acton.
    • Texas
      • Hood County
      • This Acton is located in Hood County and lies 633 miles [1,018.7 km]<1> to the west of the Acton that is located in Shelby County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Hood County community of Acton.
    • Washington
      • Benton 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 Acton [Benton County].
  • Communities Beyond North America ...
    • Northern Ireland
      • Distance: 4,015 miles [6,461.5 km]<1> to the northeast
    • England
      • - Shropshire
      • Distance: 4,184 miles [6,733.5 km]<1> to the northeast
      • - London
      • Distance: 4,315 miles [6,944.3 km] to the northeast

Curious and Interesting Names Near Acton ...

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.

  • Cedar Crest
    (3 miles [4.8 km] to the northeast)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Cedar Crest have been provided by the GNIS.<4> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Cedar Crest
    • Cedar Crest is located in Jefferson County
  • Chapel Hill
    (2 miles [3.2 km] to the north)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Chapel Hill have been provided by the GNIS.<4> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Chapel Hill
    • Chapel Hill is located in Jefferson County
  • Chestnut Ridge
    (3 miles [4.8 km] to the northeast)
    • 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 Jefferson County
  • Fungo Hollow
    (3 miles [4.8 km] to the south)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Fungo Hollow have been provided by the GNIS.<4> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Fungo Hollow
    • Fungo Hollow is located in Shelby County
  • Hoover
    (3 miles [4.8 km] to the north)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Hoover
    • Hoover is located in Jefferson County
    • Population from the 2020 Census: 85,959 people
    • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Hoover <5>
  • Indian Hills
    (Less than 2 miles to the southeast)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Indian Hills have been provided by the GNIS.<4> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Indian Hills
    • Indian Hills is located in Shelby County
  • Indian Springs Ranch
    (2 miles [3.2 km] to the east)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Indian Springs Ranch have been provided by the GNIS.<4> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Indian Springs Ranch
    • Indian Springs Ranch is located in Shelby County
  • Indian Springs Village
    (3 miles [4.8 km] to the east)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Indian Springs Village have been provided by the GNIS.<4> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Indian Springs Village
    • Indian Springs Village is located in Shelby County
    • Population from the 2020 Census: 2,628 people
  • Indian Valley
    (3 miles [4.8 km] to the northeast)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Indian Valley have been provided by the GNIS.<4> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Indian Valley
    • Indian Valley is located in Shelby County
  • Ivy Chase
    (2 miles [3.2 km] to the northwest)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Ivy Chase have been provided by the GNIS.<4> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Ivy Chase
    • Ivy Chase is located in Jefferson County
  • Mars Hill
    (2 miles [3.2 km] to the west)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Mars Hill have been provided by the GNIS.<4> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Mars Hill
    • Mars Hill is located in Jefferson County
  • Paramount
    (3 miles [4.8 km] to the southwest)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Paramount have been provided by the GNIS.<4> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Paramount
    • Paramount is located in Shelby County
  • Continue List   (8 more) ...
    • Polo Trace
      (2 miles [3.2 km] to the north)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Polo Trace have been provided by the GNIS.<4> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Polo Trace
      • Polo Trace is located in Jefferson County
    • Quail Run
      (2 miles [3.2 km] to the southeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Quail Run have been provided by the GNIS.<4> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Quail Run
      • Quail Run is located in Shelby County
    • Rolling Ridge
      (3 miles [4.8 km] to the west)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Rolling Ridge have been provided by the GNIS.<4> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Rolling Ridge
      • Rolling Ridge is located in Jefferson County
    • Roy Ford
      (3 miles [4.8 km] to the southwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Roy Ford have been provided by the GNIS.<4> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Roy Ford
      • Roy Ford is located in Shelby County
    • Royal Oaks
      (2 miles [3.2 km] to the southwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Royal Oaks have been provided by the GNIS.<4> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Royal Oaks
      • Royal Oaks is located in Shelby County
    • Sky Ranch
      (2 miles [3.2 km] to the northeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Sky Ranch have been provided by the GNIS.<4> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Sky Ranch
      • Sky Ranch is located in Jefferson County
    • Valley Station
      (2 miles [3.2 km] to the southeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Valley Station have been provided by the GNIS.<4> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Valley Station
      • Valley Station is located in Shelby County
    • Wine Ridge
      (3 miles [4.8 km] to the northeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Wine Ridge have been provided by the GNIS.<4> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Wine Ridge
      • Wine Ridge is located in Jefferson County

How Far From Acton to ...

We spend a lot of time looking through Gazetteers that were published in the late 1800's and early 1900's. Many of the Gazetteers include the distance from a community such as Acton to various places of note, such as the White House.

With a nod to our favorite Gazetteers, the straight-line distance beginning in Acton and extending to:

  • Columbiana, which is the Seat of Shelby County, lies 16 miles [25.7 km]<1> to the southeast. If you could walk a straight line from Acton to Columbiana, with an average speed<6> of 2.2 miles [3.5 km] per hour, it would take most of a day to make the trip. A horse and buggy averaging 3.2 miles [5.1 km] per hour would take five to six hours.
  • Montgomery, which is the State Capital of Alabama, lies 73 miles [117.5 km] to the south southeast (SSE). Driving, with an average speed of 63 miles [101.4 km] per hour, would take less than two hours, a buggy would take most of three days and walking would take 5 days.
  • The White House (Washington, DC) is 665 miles [1,070.2 km] to the northeast (NE). Driving would take just about two full days, a buggy would take 26 days and walking would take 38 days.
  • The shortest distance<7> to Jerusalem (specifically the Temple Mount and the Dome of the Rock) is 6,559 miles [10,555.7 km] and it lies to the northeast (NE).<8>
  • The distance to the Great Mosque of Mecca (specifically the Ka'bah - or Kaaba ) is 7,267 miles [11,695.1 km] and it lies to the northeast (NE).<9>
  • The distance to Saint Peter's Basilica (The Vatican) is 5,144 miles [8,278.5 km] and it lies to the northeast (NE).<10>

Footnotes ...

<1>Our distances are not driving distances, but are calculated as a 'straight-line' distance. A straight line distance ignores obstructions like rivers, canyons, lakes, et cetera - it's truly a line from Point A (ie- Acton) to Point B.Our distance measurements begin at a specific point in Acton. The point we use is located at these GPS coordinates - Latitude: 33.3562, Longitude: -86.8069       In this case, the coordinates for Acton 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 Acton, 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 Acton 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're fans and frequent users of TripAdvisor, you should know that we're also members of the TripAdvisor affiliate program.
<6>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.
<7>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 Acton to the Middle East to be East and South, the Great Circle Route actually lies to the North and East.
<8>The calculated bearing (or angle) to Jerusalem is 313.669 degrees.
<9>The calculated bearing (or angle) to Mecca is 309.257 degrees.
<10>The calculated bearing (or angle) to the Vatican is 310.333 degrees.