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

Outdoor Activities ...

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

When in Lake Charles, we use the following websites to find information relevant to Lake Charles 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 Charles:
    • 28.116300, -82.481100
    • 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 Charles
  • 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 Lake Charles is near Pasco County and also Pinellas 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 Pinellas 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 Charles

Communities Also Named Lake Charles ...

We found three communities that are also named Lake Charles.

Within Florida, the name Lake Charles is unique.

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

  • Communities Elsewhere In North America ...
    • Louisiana
      • Calcasieu Parish
      • This Lake Charles is located in Calcasieu Parish and lies 662 miles [1,065.4 km]<1> to the west northwest of the Lake Charles that is located in Hillsborough County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Calcasieu Parish community of Lake Charles.
    • New York
      • Putnam 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 Lake Charles [Putnam County].
    • Ontario
      • This Lake Charles lies 1,152 miles [1,854 km]<1> to the north of the Lake Charles that is located in Hillsborough County.

Curious and Interesting Names Near Lake Charles ...

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.

  • Calm Harbour
    (2 miles [3.2 km] to the east)
    • Calm Harbour is located in Hillsborough County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Calm Harbour
  • Candlelight
    (2 miles [3.2 km] to the north)
    • Candlelight is located in Hillsborough County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Candlelight
  • Cedarwood
    (Less than 2 miles to the south)
    • Cedarwood is located in Hillsborough County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Cedarwood
  • Cherry Creek
    (2 miles [3.2 km] to the south)
    • Cherry Creek is located in Hillsborough County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Cherry Creek
  • Coopers Bayou
    (2 miles [3.2 km] to the northeast)
    • Coopers Bayou is located in Hillsborough County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Coopers Bayou
  • Coventry
    (Less than 2 miles to the north)
    • Coventry is located in Hillsborough County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Coventry
  • Crystal Cove
    (Less than 2 miles to the north)
    • Crystal Cove is located in Hillsborough County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Crystal Cove
  • Crystal Lakes
    (Less than 2 miles to the north)
    • Crystal Lakes is located in Hillsborough County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Crystal Lakes
  • Curry Cove
    (2 miles [3.2 km] to the east)
    • Curry Cove is located in Hillsborough County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Curry Cove
  • Cypress Cove
    (2 miles [3.2 km] to the northeast)
    • Cypress Cove is located in Hillsborough County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Cypress Cove
  • Cypress Head
    (Less than 2 miles to the southeast)
    • Cypress Head is located in Hillsborough County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Cypress Head
  • Cypress Meadows
    (Less than 2 miles to the west)
    • Cypress Meadows is located in Hillsborough County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Cypress Meadows
  • Continue List   (36 more) ...
    • Deer Creek
      (Less than 2 miles to the south)
      • Deer Creek is located in Hillsborough County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Deer Creek
    • Edgewater
      (2 miles [3.2 km] to the north)
      • Edgewater is located in Hillsborough County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Edgewater
    • Elysian Fields
      (Less than 2 miles to the northwest)
      • Elysian Fields is located in Hillsborough County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Elysian Fields
    • Emerald Cove
      (2 miles [3.2 km] to the east)
      • Emerald Cove is located in Hillsborough County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Emerald Cove
    • Evergreen North
      (Less than 2 miles to the east)
      • Evergreen North is located in Hillsborough County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Evergreen North
    • Floral Gardens
      (2 miles [3.2 km] to the southeast)
      • Floral Gardens is located in Hillsborough County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Floral Gardens
    • Garden Grove
      (Less than 2 miles to the north)
      • Garden Grove is located in Hillsborough County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Garden Grove
    • Green Meadow
      (2 miles [3.2 km] to the east)
      • Green Meadow is located in Hillsborough County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Green Meadow
    • Griffin
      (Less than 2 miles to the south)
      • Griffin is located in Hillsborough County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Griffin
    • Holly Lane
      (2 miles [3.2 km] to the north)
      • Holly Lane is located in Hillsborough County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Holly Lane
    • Hounds Hollow
      (2 miles [3.2 km] to the east)
      • Hounds Hollow is located in Hillsborough County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Hounds Hollow
    • Hunters Lake
      (2 miles [3.2 km] to the south)
      • Hunters Lake is located in Hillsborough County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Hunters Lake
    • Indian Head
      (Less than 2 miles to the south)
      • Indian Head is located in Hillsborough County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Indian Head
    • Indian Mound Village
      (Less than 2 miles to the south)
      • Indian Mound Village is located in Hillsborough County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Indian Mound Village
    • Lake Keen
      (2 miles [3.2 km] to the northeast)
      • Lake Keen is located in Hillsborough County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Lake Keen
    • Lakeshore
      (2 miles [3.2 km] to the west)
      • Lakeshore is located in Hillsborough County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Lakeshore
    • Live Oak
      (2 miles [3.2 km] to the east)
      • Live Oak is located in Hillsborough County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Live Oak
    • Manor Oaks
      (Less than 2 miles to the east)
      • Manor Oaks is located in Hillsborough County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Manor Oaks
    • Marilyn Shores
      (Less than 2 miles to the north)
      • Marilyn Shores is located in Hillsborough County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Marilyn Shores
    • Park Forest
      (2 miles [3.2 km] to the east)
      • Park Forest is located in Hillsborough County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Park Forest
    • Pond Eddy
      (2 miles [3.2 km] to the east)
      • Pond Eddy is located in Hillsborough County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Pond Eddy
    • Popes
      (2 miles [3.2 km] to the northeast)
      • Popes is located in Hillsborough County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Popes
    • Reflections
      (2 miles [3.2 km] to the northwest)
      • Reflections is located in Hillsborough County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Reflections
    • Sapphire Lake
      (Less than 2 miles to the north)
      • Sapphire Lake is located in Hillsborough County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Sapphire Lake
    • Settlers Pointe
      (2 miles [3.2 km] to the southeast)
      • Settlers Pointe is located in Hillsborough County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Settlers Pointe
    • Shady Pines
      (Less than 2 miles to the east)
      • Shady Pines is located in Hillsborough County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Shady Pines
    • Shagbark
      (Less than 2 miles to the southeast)
      • Shagbark is located in Hillsborough County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Shagbark
    • Sunny Pines
      (Less than 2 miles to the north)
      • Sunny Pines is located in Hillsborough County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Sunny Pines
    • Sunny Shores
      (2 miles [3.2 km] to the south)
      • Sunny Shores is located in Hillsborough County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Sunny Shores
    • Tropical Lakes
      (2 miles [3.2 km] to the north)
      • Tropical Lakes is located in Hillsborough County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Tropical Lakes
    • Turning Point
      (2 miles [3.2 km] to the northeast)
      • Turning Point is located in Hillsborough County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Turning Point
    • Vander Creek
      (2 miles [3.2 km] to the east)
      • Vander Creek is located in Hillsborough County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Vander Creek
    • Waterbridge
      (Less than 2 miles to the east)
      • Waterbridge is located in Hillsborough County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Waterbridge
    • Wildwood
      (2 miles [3.2 km] to the east)
      • Wildwood is located in Hillsborough County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Wildwood
    • Willow Creek
      (Less than 2 miles to the east)
      • Willow Creek is located in Hillsborough County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Willow Creek
    • Willow Pond
      (2 miles [3.2 km] to the east)
      • Willow Pond is located in Hillsborough County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Willow Pond

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

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

  • Tampa, which is the Seat of Hillsborough County, lies 10 miles [16.1 km]<1> to the south. If you could walk a straight line from Lake Charles to Tampa, with an average speed<3> of 2.2 miles [3.5 km] per hour, it would take four to five hours to make the trip. A horse and buggy averaging 3.2 miles [5.1 km] per hour would take a little over three hours.
  • Tallahassee, which is the State Capital of Florida, lies 193 miles [310.6 km] to the north northwest (NNW). 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 11 days.
  • The White House (Washington, DC) is 807 miles [1,298.7 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 6,612 miles [10,641 km] and it lies to the northeast (NE).<5>
  • The distance to the Great Mosque of Mecca (specifically the Ka'bah - or Kaaba ) is 7,282 miles [11,719.2 km] and it lies to the northeast (NE).<6>
  • The distance to Saint Peter's Basilica (The Vatican) is 5,181 miles [8,338 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- Lake Charles) 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 Lake Charles 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 Lake Charles 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 Charles. The point we use is located at these GPS coordinates - Latitude: 28.1163, Longitude: -82.4811       In this case, the coordinates for Lake Charles have been provided by the Geographic Names Information System (GNIS).
<5>The calculated bearing (or angle) to Jerusalem is 310.853 degrees.
<6>The calculated bearing (or angle) to Mecca is 305.277 degrees.
<7>The calculated bearing (or angle) to the Vatican is 309.864 degrees.