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

Outdoor Activities ...

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

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

  • Weather ...
  • 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 Homestead:
    • 33.205948, -86.468313
    • 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.
    • Open the Heavens-Above website centered on Homestead
  • 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 Shelby County as the starting point when you click on the link below:
    • Open the eBird sighting report for Shelby County
    • Since Homestead is near Talladega County and also Coosa County, we have provided a link to their eBird sighting reports:
    • Open the eBird sighting report for Talladega County
    • Open the eBird sighting report for Coosa 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:
    • Open the Waymark.com report for Homestead

Communities Also Named Homestead ...

We found 38 communities that are also named Homestead.

Within Alabama, the name Homestead is unique.

Beyond Alabama, we know of 38 communities that are located in the United States and Canada. Of these 38 communities, 38 are located in the United States and one is in Canada.

  • Communities Elsewhere In North America ...
    • Arizona
      • Maricopa County
      • This Homestead is located in Maricopa County and lies 1,455 miles [2,341.6 km]<1> to the west of the Homestead that is located in Shelby County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Maricopa County community of Homestead.
    • California
      • Kern County
      • We found mention of this community, but have little information.<2> For the information that we do have, please visit our profile page for the California community of Homestead [Kern County].
      • Modoc County
      • This Homestead is located in Modoc County and lies 1,989 miles [3,201 km]<1> to the west northwest of the Homestead that is located in Shelby County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Modoc County community of Homestead.
      • Riverside County
      • We found mention of this community, but have little information. For the information that we do have, please visit our profile page for the California community of Homestead [Riverside County].
      • Sacramento County
      • We found mention of this community, but have little information. For the information that we do have, please visit our profile page for the California community of Homestead [Sacramento County].
      • San Joaquin County
      • We found mention of this community, but have little information. For the information that we do have, please visit our profile page for the California community of Homestead [San Joaquin County].
    • Colorado
      • Jefferson County
      • This Homestead is located in Jefferson County and lies 1,128 miles [1,815.3 km]<1> to the west northwest of the Homestead that is located in Shelby County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Jefferson County community of Homestead.
    • Florida
      • Hillsborough County
      • This Homestead is located in Hillsborough County and lies 432 miles [695.2 km]<1> to the southeast of the Homestead that is located in Shelby County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Hillsborough County community of Homestead.
      • Miami-Dade County
      • This Homestead is located in Miami-Dade County and lies 644 miles [1,036.4 km] to the southeast of the Homestead that is located in Shelby County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Miami-Dade County community of Homestead.
    • Georgia
      • Clayton County
      • This Homestead is located in Clayton County and lies 129 miles [207.6 km]<1> to the east northeast of the Homestead that is located in Shelby County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Clayton County community of Homestead.
      • Pierce County
      • This Homestead is located in Pierce County and lies 278 miles [447.4 km] to the east southeast of the Homestead that is located in Shelby County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Pierce County community of Homestead.
    • Hawaii
      • We found mention of this community, but have little information.<2> For the information that we do have, please visit our profile page for the Hawaii community of Homestead.
    • Illinois
      • Saint Clair County
      • We found mention of this community, but have little information.<2> For the information that we do have, please visit our profile page for the Illinois community of Homestead [Saint Clair County].
    • Indiana
      • Dearborn County
      • This Homestead is located in Dearborn County and lies 418 miles [672.7 km]<1> to the north of the Homestead that is located in Shelby County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Dearborn County community of Homestead.
    • Iowa
      • Iowa County
      • This Homestead is located in Iowa County and lies 660 miles [1,062.2 km]<1> to the north northwest of the Homestead that is located in Shelby County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Iowa County community of Homestead.
    • Kansas
      • Chase County
      • We found mention of this community, but have little information.<2> For the information that we do have, please visit our profile page for the Kansas community of Homestead [Chase County].
    • Manitoba
      • We haven't found the location of this community yet.
    • Maryland
      • Baltimore City
      • This Homestead is located in Baltimore City and lies 692 miles [1,113.7 km]<1> to the northeast of the Homestead that is located in Shelby County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Baltimore City community of Homestead.
    • Michigan
      • Benzie County
      • We found mention of this community, but have little information.<2> For the information that we do have, please visit our profile page for the Michigan community of Homestead [Benzie County].
      • Chippewa County
      • This Homestead is located in Chippewa County and lies 915 miles [1,472.5 km]<1> to the north of the Homestead that is located in Shelby County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Chippewa County community of Homestead.
    • Mississippi
      • Scott County
      • We found mention of this community, but have little information.<2> For the information that we do have, please visit our profile page for the Mississippi community of Homestead [Scott County].
    • Missouri
      • Carter County
      • This community is historic<3> and we have very little information. For the information that we do have, please visit our profile page for the Missouri community of Homestead [Carter County].
      • Ray County
      • This Homestead is located in Ray County and lies 604 miles [972 km]<1> to the northwest of the Homestead that is located in Shelby County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Ray County community of Homestead.
    • Montana
      • Sheridan County
      • This Homestead is located in Sheridan County and lies 1,405 miles [2,261.1 km]<1> to the northwest of the Homestead that is located in Shelby County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Sheridan County community of Homestead.
    • Nebraska
      • Douglas County
      • This community is historic<3> and although located in Douglas County, we don't know where within the county.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Douglas County community of Homestead.
    • Nevada
      • Storey County
      • This community is historic<3> and although located in Storey County, we don't know where within the county.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Storey County community of Homestead.
    • New Jersey
      • Hudson County
      • We found mention of this community, but have little information.<2> For the information that we do have, please visit our profile page for the New Jersey community of Homestead [Hudson County].
    • North Carolina
      • Mecklenburg County
      • This Homestead is located in Mecklenburg County and lies 347 miles [558.4 km]<1> to the east northeast of the Homestead that is located in Shelby County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Mecklenburg County community of Homestead.
      • Rockingham County
      • This Homestead is located in Rockingham County and lies 438 miles [704.9 km] to the east northeast of the Homestead that is located in Shelby County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Rockingham County community of Homestead.
    • Ohio
      • Lucas County
      • This community is historic<3> and although located in Lucas County, we don't know where within the county.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Lucas County community of Homestead.
    • Oklahoma
      • Blaine County
      • This Homestead is located in Blaine County and lies 706 miles [1,136.2 km]<1> to the west northwest of the Homestead that is located in Shelby County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Blaine County community of Homestead.
    • Oregon
      • Baker County
      • This community is historic<3> and we have very little information. For the information that we do have, please visit our profile page for the Oregon community of Homestead [Baker County].
    • Pennsylvania
      • Allegheny County
      • This Homestead is located in Allegheny County and lies 614 miles [988.1 km]<1> to the north northeast of the Homestead that is located in Shelby County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Allegheny County community of Homestead.
    • Rhode Island
      • Newport County
      • This Homestead is located in Newport County and lies 1,012 miles [1,628.7 km]<1> to the northeast of the Homestead that is located in Shelby County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Newport County community of Homestead.
    • Tennessee
      • Cumberland County
      • This Homestead is located in Cumberland County and lies 204 miles [328.3 km]<1> to the north northeast of the Homestead that is located in Shelby County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Cumberland County community of Homestead.
      • Knox County
      • This Homestead is located in Knox County and lies 246 miles [395.9 km] to the northeast of the Homestead that is located in Shelby County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Knox County community of Homestead.
    • Virginia
      • Virginia Beach City
      • This Homestead is located in Virginia Beach City and lies 632 miles [1,017.1 km]<1> to the east northeast of the Homestead that is located in Shelby County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Virginia Beach City community of Homestead.
    • West Virginia
      • Cabell County
      • We found mention of this community, but have little information.<2> For the information that we do have, please visit our profile page for the West Virginia community of Homestead [Cabell County].

Curious and Interesting Names Near Homestead ...

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.

  • Chancellor Crossroads
    (7 miles [11.3 km] to the northeast)
  • Erratta
    (8 miles [12.9 km] to the northeast)
    • Erratta is located in Shelby County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Erratta
  • Fourmile
    (5 miles [8 km] to the northwest)
    • Fourmile is located in Shelby County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Fourmile
  • Grove Park
    (7 miles [11.3 km] to the northeast)
    • Grove Park is located in Talladega County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Grove Park
  • Indian Shoals
    (Less than 2 miles to the north)
    • Indian Shoals is located in Shelby County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Indian Shoals
  • Kingdom Crossroads
    (5 miles [8 km] to the southwest)
    • Kingdom Crossroads is located in Shelby County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Kingdom Crossroads
  • Minor Terrace
    (8 miles [12.9 km] to the northeast)
    • Minor Terrace is located in Talladega County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Minor Terrace
  • Mount Sharon
    (3 miles [4.8 km] to the east)
    • Mount Sharon is located in Talladega County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Mount Sharon
  • Nelson
    (6 miles [9.7 km] to the west)
    • Nelson is located in Shelby County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Nelson
  • Sulphur Spring
    (6 miles [9.7 km] to the south)
    • Sulphur Spring is located in Talladega County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Sulphur Spring
  • Valentine
    (Less than 2 miles to the north)
    • Valentine is located in Shelby County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Valentine

How Far From Homestead 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 Homestead to various places of note, such as the White House.

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

  • Columbiana, which is the Seat of Shelby County, lies just to the West Southwest.
  • Montgomery, which is the State Capital of Alabama, lies 58 miles [93.3 km]<1> to the south (S). If you could walk a straight line from Homestead to Montgomery, with an average speed<4> of 2.2 miles [3.5 km] per hour, it would take most of three days to make the trip. A horse and buggy averaging 3.2 miles [5.1 km] per hour would take over two days.
  • The White House (Washington, DC) is 656 miles [1,055.7 km] to the northeast (NE). Driving, with an average speed of 63 miles [101.4 km] per hour, would take just about two full days, a buggy would take 26 days and walking would take 38 days.
  • The shortest distance<5> to Jerusalem (specifically the Temple Mount and the Dome of the Rock) is 6,552 miles [10,544.4 km] and it lies to the northeast (NE).<6>
  • The distance to the Great Mosque of Mecca (specifically the Ka'bah - or Kaaba ) is 7,259 miles [11,682.2 km] and it lies to the northeast (NE).<7>
  • The distance to Saint Peter's Basilica (The Vatican) is 5,136 miles [8,265.6 km] and it lies to the northeast (NE).<8>'

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 drawn from Point A (ie- Homestead) to Point B. In other words: 'As the crow flies'.
<2>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 Mile's to see Pete ... Mile's 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 Homestead 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.
<3>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 Homestead, please let us know so that we can improve our accuracy.
<4>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.
<5>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 Homestead to the Middle East to be East and South, the Great Circle Route actually lies to the North and East.Our distance measurements begin at a specific point in Homestead. The point we use is located at these GPS coordinates - Latitude: 33.2059, Longitude: -86.4683       In this case, the coordinates for Homestead have been provided by the Geographic Names Information System (GNIS).
<6>The calculated bearing (or angle) to Jerusalem is 313.457 degrees.
<7>The calculated bearing (or angle) to Mecca is 308.991 degrees.
<8>The calculated bearing (or angle) to the Vatican is 310.23 degrees.