RoadsideThoughts
A Gazetteer for the United States and Canada
Home >> State of Alabama >> Tuscaloosa County >> Lake Forest >> Tidbits & TriviaIndex...

Outdoor Activities ...

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

When in Lake Forest, we use the following websites to find information relevant to Lake Forest 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 Lake Forest:
    • 33.193730, -87.531395
    • 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 Lake Forest
  • 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 Tuscaloosa County as the starting point when you click on the link below:
    • Open the eBird sighting report for Tuscaloosa County
    • Since Lake Forest is near Hale County and also Bibb County, we have provided a link to their eBird sighting reports:
    • Open the eBird sighting report for Hale County
    • Open the eBird sighting report for Bibb 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 Lake Forest

Communities Also Named Lake Forest ...

We found 27 communities that are also named Lake Forest.

There is one other community in Alabama that is also named Lake Forest.

Beyond Alabama, we know of 26 communities that are located in the United States and Canada. Of these 26 communities, 26 are located in the United States and one is in Canada.

  • Communities Located In Alabama ...
    • Baldwin County
      • We found mention of this community, but have little information.<1> For the information that we do have, please visit our profile page for the Alabama community of Lake Forest [Baldwin County].
  • Communities Elsewhere In North America ...
    • California
      • Orange County
      • This Lake Forest is located in Orange County and lies 1,731 miles [2,785.8 km]<2> to the west of the Lake Forest that is located in Tuscaloosa County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Orange County community of Lake Forest.
      • Placer County
      • This Lake Forest is located in Placer County and lies 1,851 miles [2,978.9 km] to the west northwest of the Lake Forest that is located in Tuscaloosa County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Placer County community of Lake Forest.
    • Florida
      • Broward County
      • This Lake Forest is located in Broward County and lies 665 miles [1,070.2 km]<2> to the southeast of the Lake Forest that is located in Tuscaloosa County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Broward County community of Lake Forest.
      • Duval County
      • This Lake Forest is located in Duval County and lies 394 miles [634.1 km] to the east southeast of the Lake Forest that is located in Tuscaloosa County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Duval County community of Lake Forest.
      • Hillsborough County
      • This Lake Forest is located in Hillsborough County and lies 465 miles [748.3 km] to the southeast of the Lake Forest that is located in Tuscaloosa County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Hillsborough County community of Lake Forest.
    • Georgia
      • Cherokee County
      • This Lake Forest is located in Cherokee County and lies 180 miles [289.7 km]<2> to the east northeast of the Lake Forest that is located in Tuscaloosa County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Cherokee County community of Lake Forest.
      • Gwinnett County
      • This Lake Forest is located in Gwinnett County and lies 211 miles [339.6 km] to the east northeast of the Lake Forest that is located in Tuscaloosa County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Gwinnett County community of Lake Forest.
      • Hall County
      • This Lake Forest is located in Hall County and lies 213 miles [342.8 km] to the east northeast of the Lake Forest that is located in Tuscaloosa County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Hall County community of Lake Forest.
      • Oconee County
      • This Lake Forest is located in Oconee County and lies 240 miles [386.2 km] to the east northeast of the Lake Forest that is located in Tuscaloosa County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Oconee County community of Lake Forest.
    • Illinois
      • Lake County
      • This Lake Forest is located in Lake County and lies 624 miles [1,004.2 km]<2> to the north of the Lake Forest that is located in Tuscaloosa County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Lake County community of Lake Forest.
    • Louisiana
      • Jefferson Parish
      • We found mention of this community, but have little information.<1> For the information that we do have, please visit our profile page for the Louisiana community of Lake Forest [Jefferson Parish].
      • Orleans Parish
      • This Lake Forest is located in Orleans Parish and lies 261 miles [420 km]<2> to the southwest of the Lake Forest that is located in Tuscaloosa County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Orleans Parish community of Lake Forest.
    • Manitoba
      • This Lake Forest lies 1,302 miles [2,095.4 km]<2> to the north northwest of the Lake Forest that is located in Tuscaloosa County.
    • Maryland
      • Anne Arundel County
      • This Lake Forest is located in Anne Arundel County and lies 731 miles [1,176.4 km]<2> to the northeast of the Lake Forest that is located in Tuscaloosa County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Anne Arundel County community of Lake Forest.
    • Michigan
      • Antrim County
      • We found mention of this community, but have little information.<1> For the information that we do have, please visit our profile page for the Michigan community of Lake Forest [Antrim County].
    • Mississippi
      • Warren County
      • This Lake Forest is located in Warren County and lies 197 miles [317 km]<2> to the west southwest of the Lake Forest that is located in Tuscaloosa County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Warren County community of Lake Forest.
    • New Jersey
      • Morris County
      • We found mention of this community, but have little information.<1> For the information that we do have, please visit our profile page for the New Jersey community of Lake Forest [Morris County].
    • North Carolina
      • Mecklenburg County
      • This Lake Forest is located in Mecklenburg County and lies 413 miles [664.7 km]<2> to the east northeast of the Lake Forest that is located in Tuscaloosa County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Mecklenburg County community of Lake Forest.
      • New Hanover County
      • This Lake Forest is located in New Hanover County and lies 555 miles [893.2 km] to the east of the Lake Forest that is located in Tuscaloosa County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the New Hanover County community of Lake Forest.
    • South Carolina
      • Greenville County
      • This Lake Forest is located in Greenville County and lies 318 miles [511.8 km]<2> to the east northeast of the Lake Forest that is located in Tuscaloosa County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Greenville County community of Lake Forest.
      • Spartanburg County
      • This Lake Forest is located in Spartanburg County and lies 346 miles [556.8 km] to the east northeast of the Lake Forest that is located in Tuscaloosa County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Spartanburg County community of Lake Forest.
    • Tennessee
      • Hamilton County
      • This Lake Forest is located in Hamilton County and lies 281 miles [452.2 km]<2> to the northeast of the Lake Forest that is located in Tuscaloosa County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Hamilton County community of Lake Forest.
    • Texas
      • Harris County
      • We found mention of this community, but have little information.<1> For the information that we do have, please visit our profile page for the Texas community of Lake Forest [Harris County].
      • Tarrant County
      • This Lake Forest is located in Tarrant County and lies 577 miles [928.6 km]<2> to the west of the Lake Forest that is located in Tuscaloosa County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Tarrant County community of Lake Forest.
    • Virginia
      • Suffolk City
      • This Lake Forest is located in Suffolk City and lies 669 miles [1,076.7 km]<2> to the east northeast of the Lake Forest that is located in Tuscaloosa County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Suffolk City community of Lake Forest.
    • Wisconsin
      • Waukesha County
      • This Lake Forest is located in Waukesha County and lies 671 miles [1,079.9 km]<2> to the north of the Lake Forest that is located in Tuscaloosa County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Waukesha County community of Lake Forest.

Curious and Interesting Names Near Lake Forest ...

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
    (Less than 2 miles to the north)
    • Cedar Crest is located in Tuscaloosa County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Cedar Crest
  • Cedar Knoll
    (Less than 2 miles to the southeast)
    • Cedar Knoll is located in Tuscaloosa County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Cedar Knoll
  • Cherokee Hills
    (Less than 2 miles to the southeast)
    • Cherokee Hills is located in Tuscaloosa County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Cherokee Hills
  • Cherry Dale
    (Less than 2 miles to the south)
    • Cherry Dale is located in Tuscaloosa County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Cherry Dale
  • Cloverdale
    (Less than 2 miles to the northwest)
    • Cloverdale is located in Tuscaloosa County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Cloverdale
  • Coventry
    (Less than 2 miles to the east)
    • Coventry is located in Tuscaloosa County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Coventry
  • Dearing Place
    (Less than 2 miles to the northwest)
    • Dearing Place is located in Tuscaloosa County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Dearing Place
  • Echo Hill
    (Less than 2 miles to the east)
    • Echo Hill is located in Tuscaloosa County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Echo Hill
  • Fairway Drive
    (Less than 2 miles to the southeast)
    • Fairway Drive is located in Tuscaloosa County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Fairway Drive
  • Forest Lake
    (Less than 2 miles to the northeast)
    • Forest Lake is located in Tuscaloosa County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Forest Lake
  • Hickory Forest
    (Less than 2 miles to the southwest)
    • Hickory Forest is located in Tuscaloosa County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Hickory Forest
  • Hillcrest
    (Less than 2 miles to the west)
    • Hillcrest is located in Tuscaloosa County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Hillcrest
  • Continue List   (13 more) ...
    • Lake Shore
      (Less than 2 miles to the east)
      • Lake Shore is located in Tuscaloosa County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Lake Shore
    • Meadow Lawn
      (Less than 2 miles to the west)
      • Meadow Lawn is located in Tuscaloosa County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Meadow Lawn
    • Meadowbrook
      (Less than 2 miles to the south)
      • Meadowbrook is located in Tuscaloosa County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Meadowbrook
    • Riverview
      (Less than 2 miles to the north)
      • Riverview is located in Tuscaloosa County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Riverview
    • Rosedale
      (Less than 2 miles to the west)
      • Rosedale is located in Tuscaloosa County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Rosedale
    • Rosedale Courts
      (Less than 2 miles to the west)
      • Rosedale Courts is located in Tuscaloosa County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Rosedale Courts
    • Rosewood
      (Less than 2 miles to the northeast)
      • Rosewood is located in Tuscaloosa County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Rosewood
    • South Park
      (Less than 2 miles to the southwest)
      • South Park is located in Tuscaloosa County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for South Park
    • Springbrook
      (Less than 2 miles to the south)
      • Springbrook is located in Tuscaloosa County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Springbrook
    • University
      (Less than 2 miles to the northeast)
      • University is located in Tuscaloosa County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for University
    • University Lane
      (Less than 2 miles to the southwest)
      • University Lane is located in Tuscaloosa County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for University Lane
    • University Place
      (Less than 2 miles to the west)
      • University Place is located in Tuscaloosa County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for University Place
    • Warrior Heights
      (Less than 2 miles to the north)
      • Warrior Heights is located in Tuscaloosa County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Warrior Heights

How Far From Lake Forest to ...

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

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

  • Tuscaloosa, which is the Seat of Tuscaloosa County, lies just to the West Northwest.
  • Montgomery, which is the State Capital of Alabama, lies 91 miles [146.5 km]<2> to the southeast (SE). If you could drive a straight line from Lake Forest to Montgomery, with an average speed<3>of 63 miles [101.4 km] per hour, it would take less than two hours to make the trip. A comfortable walk of 2.2 miles [3.5 km] per hour would take 6 days. A horse and buggy averaging 3.2 miles [5.1 km] per hour would take most of three days.
  • The White House (Washington, DC) is 705 miles [1,134.6 km] to the northeast (NE). Driving would take just about two full days, a buggy would take 28 days and walking would take 40 days.
  • The shortest distance<4> to Jerusalem (specifically the Temple Mount and the Dome of the Rock) is 6,597 miles [10,616.8 km] and it lies to the northeast (NE).<5>
  • The distance to the Great Mosque of Mecca (specifically the Ka'bah - or Kaaba ) is 7,307 miles [11,759.5 km] and it lies to the northeast (NE).<6>
  • The distance to Saint Peter's Basilica (The Vatican) is 5,183 miles [8,341.2 km] and it lies to the northeast (NE).<7>'

Footnotes ...

<1>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 Lake Forest 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.
<2>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- Lake Forest) to Point B. In other words: 'As the crow flies'.
<3>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.
<4>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 Lake Forest 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 Lake Forest. The point we use is located at these GPS coordinates - Latitude: 33.1937, Longitude: -87.5314       In this case, the coordinates for Lake Forest have been provided by the Geographic Names Information System (GNIS).
<5>The calculated bearing (or angle) to Jerusalem is 314.094 degrees.
<6>The calculated bearing (or angle) to Mecca is 309.726 degrees.
<7>The calculated bearing (or angle) to the Vatican is 310.657 degrees.