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

Outdoor Activities ...

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

When in Royal Oaks, we use the following websites to find information relevant to Royal Oaks 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 Royal Oaks:
    • 33.329278, -86.821378
    • 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 Royal Oaks
  • 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 Royal Oaks is near Jefferson County and also Tuscaloosa County, we have provided a link to their eBird sighting reports:
    • Open the eBird sighting report for Jefferson County
    • Open the eBird sighting report for Tuscaloosa 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 Royal Oaks

Communities Also Named Royal Oaks ...

We found fourteen communities that are also named Royal Oaks.

Within Alabama, the name Royal Oaks is unique.

Beyond Alabama, we know of fourteen communities that are located in the United States.

  • Communities Elsewhere In North America ...
    • California
      • Los Angeles 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 California community of Royal Oaks [Los Angeles County].
    • Florida
      • Hillsborough County
      • This Royal Oaks is located in Hillsborough County and lies 460 miles [740.3 km]<2> to the southeast of the Royal Oaks that is located in Shelby County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Hillsborough County community of Royal Oaks.
    • Georgia
      • DeKalb County
      • This Royal Oaks is located in DeKalb County and lies 151 miles [243 km]<2> to the east of the Royal Oaks that is located in Shelby County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the DeKalb County community of Royal Oaks.
    • Indiana
      • Allen County
      • This Royal Oaks is located in Allen County and lies 546 miles [878.7 km]<2> to the north of the Royal Oaks that is located in Shelby County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Allen County community of Royal Oaks.
    • North Carolina
      • Cabarrus County
      • This Royal Oaks is located in Cabarrus County and lies 383 miles [616.4 km]<2> to the east northeast of the Royal Oaks that is located in Shelby County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Cabarrus County community of Royal Oaks.
      • Lee County
      • This Royal Oaks is located in Lee County and lies 458 miles [737.1 km] to the east northeast of the Royal Oaks that is located in Shelby County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Lee County community of Royal Oaks.
    • South Carolina
      • Darlington County
      • This Royal Oaks is located in Darlington County and lies 403 miles [648.6 km]<2> to the east of the Royal Oaks that is located in Shelby County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Darlington County community of Royal Oaks.
      • Greenville County
      • This Royal Oaks is located in Greenville County and lies 272 miles [437.7 km] to the east northeast of the Royal Oaks that is located in Shelby County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Greenville County community of Royal Oaks.
    • Tennessee
      • Coffee County
      • This Royal Oaks is located in Coffee County and lies 152 miles [244.6 km]<2> to the north northeast of the Royal Oaks that is located in Shelby County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Coffee County community of Royal Oaks.
      • Hamilton County
      • This Royal Oaks is located in Hamilton County and lies 150 miles [241.4 km] to the northeast of the Royal Oaks that is located in Shelby County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Hamilton County community of Royal Oaks.
      • Maury County
      • This Royal Oaks is located in Maury County and lies 159 miles [255.9 km] to the north of the Royal Oaks that is located in Shelby County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Maury County community of Royal Oaks.
      • Williamson County
      • This Royal Oaks is located in Williamson County and lies 179 miles [288.1 km] to the north of the Royal Oaks that is located in Shelby County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Williamson County community of Royal Oaks.
    • Texas
      • Harris County
      • This Royal Oaks is located in Harris County and lies 568 miles [914.1 km]<2> to the west southwest of the Royal Oaks that is located in Shelby County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Harris County community of Royal Oaks.
    • Utah
      • Davis County
      • This Royal Oaks is located in Davis County and lies 1,473 miles [2,370.6 km]<2> to the west northwest of the Royal Oaks that is located in Shelby County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Davis County community of Royal Oaks.

Curious and Interesting Names Near Royal Oaks ...

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.

  • Chapel Hill
    (4 miles [6.4 km] to the north)
    • Chapel Hill is located in Jefferson County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Chapel Hill
  • Dearing Downs
    (3 miles [4.8 km] to the south)
    • Dearing Downs is located in Shelby County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Dearing Downs
  • Eden Ridge
    (3 miles [4.8 km] to the west)
    • Eden Ridge is located in Jefferson County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Eden Ridge
  • Fox Haven
    (4 miles [6.4 km] to the south)
    • Fox Haven is located in Shelby County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Fox Haven
  • Fungo Hollow
    (2 miles [3.2 km] to the southeast)
    • Fungo Hollow is located in Shelby County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Fungo Hollow
  • Hardy
    (4 miles [6.4 km] to the south)
    • Hardy is located in Shelby County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Hardy
  • Helena
    (4 miles [6.4 km] to the southwest)
  • High Point
    (3 miles [4.8 km] to the west)
    • High Point is located in Jefferson County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for High Point
  • Hunters Glen ‑ Historic
    (3 miles [4.8 km] to the southeast)
    • Hunters Glen is located in Shelby County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Hunters Glen
  • Indian Hills
    (Less than 2 miles to the east)
    • Indian Hills is located in Shelby County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Indian Hills
  • Indian Springs Ranch
    (3 miles [4.8 km] to the east)
    • Indian Springs Ranch is located in Shelby County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Indian Springs Ranch
  • Indian Springs Village
    (4 miles [6.4 km] to the northeast)
    • Indian Springs Village is located in Shelby County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Indian Springs Village
    • Population from the 2020 Census: 2,628 people
  • Continue List   (17 more) ...
    • Ivy Chase
      (3 miles [4.8 km] to the north)
      • Ivy Chase is located in Jefferson County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Ivy Chase
    • Keystone
      (4 miles [6.4 km] to the south)
      • Keystone is located in Shelby County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Keystone
    • Kingwood
      (4 miles [6.4 km] to the south)
      • Kingwood is located in Shelby County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Kingwood
    • Mallard Point
      (3 miles [4.8 km] to the southeast)
      • Mallard Point is located in Shelby County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Mallard Point
    • Mars Hill
      (2 miles [3.2 km] to the northwest)
      • Mars Hill is located in Jefferson County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Mars Hill
    • Navajo Hills
      (4 miles [6.4 km] to the south)
      • Navajo Hills is located in Shelby County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Navajo Hills
    • Paramount
      (Less than 2 miles to the south)
      • Paramount is located in Shelby County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Paramount
    • Polo Trace
      (4 miles [6.4 km] to the north)
      • Polo Trace is located in Jefferson County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Polo Trace
    • Quail Run
      (2 miles [3.2 km] to the east)
      • Quail Run is located in Shelby County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Quail Run
    • Rolling Ridge
      (3 miles [4.8 km] to the northwest)
      • Rolling Ridge is located in Jefferson County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Rolling Ridge
    • Roy Ford
      (Less than 2 miles to the west)
      • Roy Ford is located in Shelby County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Roy Ford
    • Shades Run
      (3 miles [4.8 km] to the west)
      • Shades Run is located in Jefferson County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Shades Run
    • Shadywood
      (4 miles [6.4 km] to the west)
      • Shadywood is located in Jefferson County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Shadywood
    • Sky Ranch
      (4 miles [6.4 km] to the northeast)
      • Sky Ranch is located in Jefferson County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Sky Ranch
    • Valley Station
      (2 miles [3.2 km] to the east)
      • Valley Station is located in Shelby County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Valley Station
    • Weeping Oaks
      (4 miles [6.4 km] to the west)
      • Weeping Oaks is located in Shelby County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Weeping Oaks
    • Whispering Oaks
      (4 miles [6.4 km] to the west)
      • Whispering Oaks is located in Jefferson County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Whispering Oaks

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

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

  • Columbiana, which is the Seat of Shelby County, lies 16 miles [25.7 km]<2> to the southeast. If you could walk a straight line from Royal Oaks to Columbiana, with an average speed<4> 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 72 miles [115.9 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 4 days.
  • The White House (Washington, DC) is 667 miles [1,073.4 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<5> to Jerusalem (specifically the Temple Mount and the Dome of the Rock) is 6,561 miles [10,558.9 km] and it lies to the northeast (NE).<6>
  • The distance to the Great Mosque of Mecca (specifically the Ka'bah - or Kaaba ) is 7,269 miles [11,698.3 km] and it lies to the northeast (NE).<7>
  • The distance to Saint Peter's Basilica (The Vatican) is 5,146 miles [8,281.7 km] and it lies to the northeast (NE).<8>'

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 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 Royal Oaks 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 things like rivers, canyons, lakes, et cetera - it's truly a line from Point A (ie- Royal Oaks) to Point B. In other words: 'As the crow flies'.
<3>While we're fans and frequent users of TripAdvisor, you should know that we're also members of the TripAdvisor affiliate program.
<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 Royal Oaks 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 Royal Oaks. The point we use is located at these GPS coordinates - Latitude: 33.3293, Longitude: -86.8214       In this case, the coordinates for Royal Oaks have been provided by the Geographic Names Information System (GNIS).
<6>The calculated bearing (or angle) to Jerusalem is 313.676 degrees.
<7>The calculated bearing (or angle) to Mecca is 309.261 degrees.
<8>The calculated bearing (or angle) to the Vatican is 310.344 degrees.