RoadsideThoughts
A Gazetteer for the United States and Canada
Home >> State of Florida >> Hillsborough County >> Hastings >> Tidbits & TriviaIndex...

Outdoor Activities ...

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

When in Hastings, we use the following websites to find information relevant to Hastings 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 Hastings:
    • 28.064800, -82.206100
    • 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 Hastings
  • 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 Hillsborough County as the starting point when you click on the link below:
    • Open the eBird sighting report for Hillsborough County
    • Since Hastings is near Pasco County and also Polk County, we have provided a link to their eBird sighting reports:
    • Open the eBird sighting report for Pasco County
    • Open the eBird sighting report for Polk 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 Hastings

Communities Also Named Hastings ...

We found 32 communities that are also named Hastings.

There is one other community in Florida that is also named Hastings.

Beyond Florida, we know of 31 communities that are located in the United States and Canada. Of these 31 communities, 30 are located in the United States and three are in Canada.

  • Communities Located In Florida ...
    • Saint Johns County
      • This Hastings is located in Saint Johns County and lies 121 miles [194.7 km]<1> to the north northeast of the Hastings that is located in Hillsborough County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Saint Johns County community of Hastings.
  • Communities Elsewhere In North America ...
    • Colorado
      • Las Animas 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 Colorado community of Hastings [Las Animas County].
    • Georgia
      • Clayton County
      • This Hastings is located in Clayton County and lies 392 miles [630.9 km]<1> to the north northwest of the Hastings that is located in Hillsborough County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Clayton County community of Hastings.
    • Illinois
      • Cook County
      • This Hastings is located in Cook County and lies 994 miles [1,599.7 km]<1> to the north northwest of the Hastings that is located in Hillsborough County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Cook County community of Hastings.
      • Kane County
      • This Hastings is located in Kane County and lies 1,021 miles [1,643.1 km] to the north northwest of the Hastings that is located in Hillsborough County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Kane County community of Hastings.
      • Vermilion County
      • This Hastings is located in Vermilion County and lies 879 miles [1,414.6 km] to the north northwest of the Hastings that is located in Hillsborough County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Vermilion County community of Hastings.
    • Indiana
      • Kosciusko County
      • This Hastings is located in Kosciusko County and lies 943 miles [1,517.6 km]<1> to the north of the Hastings that is located in Hillsborough County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Kosciusko County community of Hastings.
    • Iowa
      • Mills County
      • This Hastings is located in Mills County and lies 1,168 miles [1,879.7 km]<1> to the northwest of the Hastings that is located in Hillsborough County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Mills County community of Hastings.
    • Kansas
      • Graham 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 Hastings [Graham County].
      • Thomas 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 Kansas community of Hastings [Thomas County].
    • Maine
      • Oxford County
      • This Hastings is located in Oxford County and lies 1,283 miles [2,064.8 km]<1> to the north northeast of the Hastings that is located in Hillsborough County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Oxford County community of Hastings.
    • Massachusetts
      • Middlesex County
      • This Hastings is located in Middlesex County and lies 1,162 miles [1,870.1 km]<1> to the north northeast of the Hastings that is located in Hillsborough County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Middlesex County community of Hastings.
    • Michigan
      • Barry County
      • This Hastings is located in Barry County and lies 1,021 miles [1,643.1 km]<1> to the north of the Hastings that is located in Hillsborough County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Barry County community of Hastings.
      • Oakland 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 Hastings [Oakland County].
    • Minnesota
      • Dakota County
      • This Hastings is located in Dakota County and lies 1,291 miles [2,077.7 km]<1> to the north northwest of the Hastings that is located in Hillsborough County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Dakota County community of Hastings.
    • Nebraska
      • Adams County
      • This Hastings is located in Adams County and lies 1,260 miles [2,027.8 km]<1> to the northwest of the Hastings that is located in Hillsborough County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Adams County community of Hastings.
    • New Hampshire
      • Merrimack County
      • This Hastings is located in Merrimack County and lies 1,200 miles [1,931.2 km]<1> to the north northeast of the Hastings that is located in Hillsborough County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Merrimack County community of Hastings.
    • New York
      • Oswego County
      • This Hastings is located in Oswego County and lies 1,109 miles [1,784.8 km]<1> to the north northeast of the Hastings that is located in Hillsborough County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Oswego County community of Hastings.
      • Westchester 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 York community of Hastings [Westchester County].
    • North Carolina
      • Ashe 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 North Carolina community of Hastings [Ashe County].
    • North Dakota
      • Barnes County
      • This Hastings is located in Barnes County and lies 1,546 miles [2,488 km]<1> to the north northwest of the Hastings that is located in Hillsborough County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Barnes County community of Hastings.
    • Nova Scotia
      • 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 Nova Scotia community of Hastings.
    • Ohio
      • Richland County
      • This Hastings is located in Richland County and lies 869 miles [1,398.5 km]<1> to the north of the Hastings that is located in Hillsborough County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Richland County community of Hastings.
    • Oklahoma
      • Jefferson County
      • This Hastings is located in Jefferson County and lies 1,030 miles [1,657.6 km]<1> to the west northwest of the Hastings that is located in Hillsborough County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Jefferson County community of Hastings.
    • Ontario
      • This Hastings lies 1,145 miles [1,842.7 km]<1> to the north of the Hastings that is located in Hillsborough County.
    • Pennsylvania
      • Allegheny 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 Pennsylvania community of Hastings [Allegheny County].
      • Cambria County
      • This Hastings is located in Cambria County and lies 892 miles [1,435.5 km]<1> to the north of the Hastings that is located in Hillsborough County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Cambria County community of Hastings.
      • Forest County
      • This Hastings is located in Forest County and lies 951 miles [1,530.5 km] to the north of the Hastings that is located in Hillsborough County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Forest County community of Hastings.
    • Tennessee
      • Henry 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 Tennessee community of Hastings [Henry County].
    • Texas
      • Brazoria County
      • This Hastings is located in Brazoria County and lies 795 miles [1,279.4 km]<1> to the west of the Hastings that is located in Hillsborough County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Brazoria County community of Hastings.
      • Kendall 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 Texas community of Hastings [Kendall County].
    • West Virginia
      • Wetzel County
      • This Hastings is located in Wetzel County and lies 797 miles [1,282.6 km]<1> to the north of the Hastings that is located in Hillsborough County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Wetzel County community of Hastings.

Curious and Interesting Names Near Hastings ...

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.

  • Ancient Oak
    (Less than 2 miles to the southeast)
    • Ancient Oak is located in Hillsborough County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Ancient Oak
  • Cedar Oaks
    (2 miles [3.2 km] to the northwest)
    • Cedar Oaks is located in Hillsborough County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Cedar Oaks
  • Cooks Cove
    (Less than 2 miles to the northeast)
    • Cooks Cove is located in Hillsborough County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Cooks Cove
  • Family Ranch
    (2 miles [3.2 km] to the north)
    • Family Ranch is located in Hillsborough County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Family Ranch
  • Flint Lake
    (2 miles [3.2 km] to the west)
    • Flint Lake is located in Hillsborough County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Flint Lake
  • Flowers
    (Less than 2 miles to the north)
    • Flowers is located in Hillsborough County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Flowers
  • Four Pine Estates
    (Less than 2 miles to the northwest)
    • Four Pine Estates is located in Hillsborough County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Four Pine Estates
  • Gator Trail
    (Less than 2 miles to the east)
    • Gator Trail is located in Hillsborough County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Gator Trail
  • Green Pastures
    (Less than 2 miles to the southwest)
    • Green Pastures is located in Hillsborough County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Green Pastures
  • Hawk Woods
    (2 miles [3.2 km] to the southeast)
    • Hawk Woods is located in Hillsborough County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Hawk Woods
  • Kenny
    (2 miles [3.2 km] to the southwest)
    • Kenny is located in Hillsborough County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Kenny
  • Lanes Corner
    (Less than 2 miles to the southwest)
    • Lanes Corner is located in Hillsborough County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Lanes Corner
  • Continue List   (15 more) ...
    • Lazy Oaks
      (Less than 2 miles to the southwest)
      • Lazy Oaks is located in Hillsborough County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Lazy Oaks
    • Long Fritzke
      (2 miles [3.2 km] to the south)
      • Long Fritzke is located in Hillsborough County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Long Fritzke
    • Marcia Oaks
      (2 miles [3.2 km] to the south)
      • Marcia Oaks is located in Hillsborough County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Marcia Oaks
    • Mark Hall Acres
      (2 miles [3.2 km] to the southeast)
      • Mark Hall Acres is located in Hillsborough County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Mark Hall Acres
    • Martin Ranch
      (Less than 2 miles to the north)
      • Martin Ranch is located in Hillsborough County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Martin Ranch
    • Marys Woods
      (2 miles [3.2 km] to the northwest)
      • Marys Woods is located in Hillsborough County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Marys Woods
    • Michaelangelo
      (2 miles [3.2 km] to the northwest)
      • Michaelangelo is located in Hillsborough County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Michaelangelo
    • Pondside Gardens
      (2 miles [3.2 km] to the northwest)
      • Pondside Gardens is located in Hillsborough County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Pondside Gardens
    • Resting Place
      (2 miles [3.2 km] to the south)
      • Resting Place is located in Hillsborough County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Resting Place
    • Riverleaf
      (Less than 2 miles to the southwest)
      • Riverleaf is located in Hillsborough County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Riverleaf
    • Serenity Oaks
      (2 miles [3.2 km] to the west)
      • Serenity Oaks is located in Hillsborough County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Serenity Oaks
    • Shaded Stand
      (2 miles [3.2 km] to the southeast)
      • Shaded Stand is located in Hillsborough County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Shaded Stand
    • Shepherd
      (2 miles [3.2 km] to the southeast)
      • Shepherd is located in Hillsborough County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Shepherd
    • Sunny Slopes
      (2 miles [3.2 km] to the southwest)
      • Sunny Slopes is located in Hillsborough County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Sunny Slopes
    • Windcall
      (Less than 2 miles to the northeast)
      • Windcall is located in Hillsborough County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Windcall

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

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

  • Tampa, which is the Seat of Hillsborough County, lies 16 miles [25.7 km]<1> to the west southwest. If you could walk a straight line from Hastings to Tampa, with an average speed<3> 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.
  • Tallahassee, which is the State Capital of Florida, lies 206 miles [331.5 km] to the northwest (NW). Driving, with an average speed of 63 miles [101.4 km] per hour, would take a little over three hours, a buggy would take 8 days and walking would take 12 days.
  • The White House (Washington, DC) is 804 miles [1,293.9 km] to the north northeast (NNE). Driving would take just about two full days, a buggy would take 32 days and walking would take 46 days.
  • The shortest distance<4> to Jerusalem (specifically the Temple Mount and the Dome of the Rock) is 6,602 miles [10,624.9 km] and it lies to the northeast (NE).<5>
  • The distance to the Great Mosque of Mecca (specifically the Ka'bah - or Kaaba ) is 7,270 miles [11,699.9 km] and it lies to the northeast (NE).<6>
  • The distance to Saint Peter's Basilica (The Vatican) is 5,170 miles [8,320.3 km] and it lies to the northeast (NE).<7>'

Footnotes ...

<1>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- Hastings) 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 Rock Creek to see Pete ... Rock 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 Hastings 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>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 Hastings 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 Hastings. The point we use is located at these GPS coordinates - Latitude: 28.0648, Longitude: -82.2061       In this case, the coordinates for Hastings have been provided by the Geographic Names Information System (GNIS).
<5>The calculated bearing (or angle) to Jerusalem is 310.704 degrees.
<6>The calculated bearing (or angle) to Mecca is 305.097 degrees.
<7>The calculated bearing (or angle) to the Vatican is 309.787 degrees.