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

Outdoor Activities ...

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

When in Peterson, we use the following websites to find information relevant to Peterson 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 Peterson:
    • 33.232469, -87.424124
    • 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 Peterson
  • 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 Peterson ...

We found 21 communities that share the name Peterson.

Within Alabama, the name Peterson is unique.

Beyond Alabama, we know of another 21 communities that are located throughout in the United States and Canada. Of these 21 communities, eighteen are located in the United States and three are in Canada.

  • Communities Elsewhere In North America ...
    • Arizona
      • Maricopa County
      • This community is historic<1> and we have very little information. For the information that we do have, please visit our profile page for the Arizona community of Peterson [Maricopa County].
    • British Columbia
      • This Peterson lies 2,078 miles [3,344.2 km]<2> to the northwest of the Peterson that is located in Tuscaloosa County.
    • Florida
      • Lafayette County
      • This Peterson is located in Lafayette County and lies 328 miles [527.9 km]<2> to the southeast of the Peterson that is located in Tuscaloosa County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Lafayette County community of Peterson.
    • Georgia
      • Montgomery 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 Georgia community of Peterson [Montgomery County].
    • Idaho
      • Bingham County
      • This community is historic<1> and we have very little information. For the information that we do have, please visit our profile page for the Idaho community of Peterson [Bingham County].
    • Indiana
      • Adams County
      • This Peterson is located in Adams County and lies 539 miles [867.4 km]<2> to the north northeast of the Peterson that is located in Tuscaloosa County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Adams County community of Peterson.
    • Iowa
      • Clay County
      • This Peterson is located in Clay County and lies 794 miles [1,277.8 km]<2> to the north northwest of the Peterson that is located in Tuscaloosa County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Clay County community of Peterson.
    • Kansas
      • Finney County
      • This Peterson is located in Finney County and lies 833 miles [1,340.6 km]<2> to the west northwest of the Peterson that is located in Tuscaloosa County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Finney County community of Peterson.
    • Michigan
      • Alger 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 Peterson [Alger County].
    • Minnesota
      • Fillmore County
      • This Peterson is located in Fillmore County and lies 766 miles [1,232.8 km]<2> to the north northwest of the Peterson that is located in Tuscaloosa County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Fillmore County community of Peterson.
    • North Carolina
      • Mitchell County
      • This Peterson is located in Mitchell County and lies 348 miles [560.1 km]<2> to the northeast of the Peterson that is located in Tuscaloosa County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Mitchell County community of Peterson.
    • North Dakota
      • Cass 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 Peterson [Cass County].
    • Ontario
      • 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 Ontario community of Peterson.
    • Pennsylvania
      • Allegheny 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 Pennsylvania community of Peterson [Allegheny County].
    • Saskatchewan
      • This Peterson lies 1,594 miles [2,565.3 km]<2> to the north northwest of the Peterson that is located in Tuscaloosa County.
    • Texas
      • Jefferson 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 Texas community of Peterson [Jefferson County].
    • Utah
      • Morgan County
      • This Peterson is located in Morgan County and lies 1,439 miles [2,315.8 km]<2> to the west northwest of the Peterson that is located in Tuscaloosa County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Morgan County community of Peterson.
      • Weber County
      • This Peterson is located in Weber County and lies 1,453 miles [2,338.4 km] to the west northwest of the Peterson that is located in Tuscaloosa County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Weber County community of Peterson.
    • Virginia
      • Scott County
      • This Peterson is located in Scott County and lies 355 miles [571.3 km]<2> to the northeast of the Peterson that is located in Tuscaloosa County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Scott County community of Peterson.
    • Washington
      • Grays Harbor 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 Peterson [Grays Harbor County].
    • West Virginia
      • Lewis County
      • This Peterson is located in Lewis County and lies 547 miles [880.3 km]<2> to the northeast of the Peterson that is located in Tuscaloosa County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Lewis County community of Peterson.

Curious and Interesting Names Near Peterson ...

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.

  • Box Springs
    (4 miles [6.4 km] to the southwest)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Box Springs have been provided by the GNIS.<4> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Box Springs
    • Box Springs is located in Tuscaloosa County
  • Cherrywood
    (3 miles [4.8 km] to the west)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Cherrywood have been provided by the GNIS.<4> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Cherrywood
    • Cherrywood is located in Tuscaloosa County
  • Cottondale
    (3 miles [4.8 km] to the southwest)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Cottondale have been provided by the GNIS.<4> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Cottondale
    • Cottondale is located in Tuscaloosa County
    • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Cottondale <5>
  • Cottonwood Park
    (3 miles [4.8 km] to the southwest)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Cottonwood Park have been provided by the GNIS.<4> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Cottonwood Park
    • Cottonwood Park is located in Tuscaloosa County
  • Deep Wood
    (Less than 2 miles to the southwest)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Deep Wood have been provided by the GNIS.<4> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Deep Wood
    • Deep Wood is located in Tuscaloosa County
  • Eastern Hills
    (4 miles [6.4 km] to the south)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Eastern Hills have been provided by the GNIS.<4> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Eastern Hills
    • Eastern Hills is located in Tuscaloosa County
  • Elm Ridge
    (3 miles [4.8 km] to the west)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Elm Ridge have been provided by the GNIS.<4> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Elm Ridge
    • Elm Ridge is located in Tuscaloosa County
  • Fleetwood
    (Less than 2 miles to the northeast)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Fleetwood have been provided by the GNIS.<4> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Fleetwood
    • Fleetwood is located in Tuscaloosa County
  • Green Grove
    (4 miles [6.4 km] to the west)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Green Grove have been provided by the GNIS.<4> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Green Grove
    • Green Grove is located in Tuscaloosa County
  • High Point
    (3 miles [4.8 km] to the southwest)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for High Point have been provided by the GNIS.<4> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for High Point
    • High Point is located in Tuscaloosa County
  • Hillswood
    (4 miles [6.4 km] to the southwest)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Hillswood have been provided by the GNIS.<4> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Hillswood
    • Hillswood is located in Tuscaloosa County
  • Hillview
    (Less than 2 miles to the southwest)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Hillview have been provided by the GNIS.<4> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Hillview
    • Hillview is located in Tuscaloosa County
  • Continue List   (6 more) ...
    • Hurricane Hills
      (2 miles [3.2 km] to the southwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Hurricane Hills have been provided by the GNIS.<4> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Hurricane Hills
      • Hurricane Hills is located in Tuscaloosa County
    • Lynn Haven
      (3 miles [4.8 km] to the southwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Lynn Haven have been provided by the GNIS.<4> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Lynn Haven
      • Lynn Haven is located in Tuscaloosa County
    • Old Mill Trace
      (2 miles [3.2 km] to the southwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Old Mill Trace have been provided by the GNIS.<4> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Old Mill Trace
      • Old Mill Trace is located in Tuscaloosa County
    • Woodland Park
      (4 miles [6.4 km] to the southwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Woodland Park have been provided by the GNIS.<4> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Woodland Park
      • Woodland Park is located in Tuscaloosa County
    • Woodland Pines
      (4 miles [6.4 km] to the southwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Woodland Pines have been provided by the GNIS.<4> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Woodland Pines
      • Woodland Pines is located in Tuscaloosa County
    • Woodland Terrace
      (4 miles [6.4 km] to the southwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Woodland Terrace have been provided by the GNIS.<4> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Woodland Terrace
      • Woodland Terrace is located in Tuscaloosa County

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

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

  • Tuscaloosa, which is the Seat of Tuscaloosa County, lies just to the West Southwest.
  • Montgomery, which is the State Capital of Alabama, lies 88 miles [141.6 km]<2> to the southeast (SE). If you could drive a straight line from Peterson to Montgomery, with an average speed<6>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 5 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 698 miles [1,123.3 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<7> to Jerusalem (specifically the Temple Mount and the Dome of the Rock) is 6,591 miles [10,607.2 km] and it lies to the northeast (NE).<8>
  • The distance to the Great Mosque of Mecca (specifically the Ka'bah - or Kaaba ) is 7,300 miles [11,748.2 km] and it lies to the northeast (NE).<9>
  • The distance to Saint Peter's Basilica (The Vatican) is 5,177 miles [8,331.6 km] and it lies to the northeast (NE).<10>

Footnotes ...

<1>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 Peterson, please let us know so that we can improve our accuracy.
<2>Our distances are not driving distances, but are calculated as a 'straight-line' (or 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- Peterson) to Point B.Our distance measurements begin at a specific point in Peterson. The point we use is located at these GPS coordinates - Latitude: 33.2325, Longitude: -87.4241    
<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 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 Peterson 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 Peterson 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 314.032 degrees.
<9>The calculated bearing (or angle) to Mecca is 309.66 degrees.
<10>The calculated bearing (or angle) to the Vatican is 310.606 degrees.