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

Outdoor Activities ...

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

When in Taft, we use the following websites to find information relevant to Taft and the surrounding area.

  • 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 Taft:
    • 27.998900, -82.225400
    • 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 Taft
  • 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 Taft 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 Taft

Communities Also Named Taft ...

We found 22 communities that are also named Taft.

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

Beyond Florida, we know of 21 communities that are located in the United States and Canada. Of these 21 communities, 21 are located in the United States and one is in Canada.

  • Communities Located In Florida ...
    • Orange County
      • This Taft is located in Orange County and lies 60 miles [96.6 km]<1> to the east northeast of the Taft that is located in Hillsborough County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Orange County community of Taft.
  • Communities Elsewhere In North America ...
    • Alabama
      • Cherokee County
      • This Taft is located in Cherokee County and lies 481 miles [774.1 km]<1> to the north northwest of the Taft that is located in Hillsborough County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Cherokee County community of Taft.
    • British Columbia
      • This Taft lies 2,464 miles [3,965.4 km]<1> to the northwest of the Taft that is located in Hillsborough County.
    • California
      • Kern County
      • This Taft is located in Kern County and lies 2,231 miles [3,590.4 km]<1> to the west northwest of the Taft that is located in Hillsborough County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Kern County community of Taft.
    • Illinois
      • Cook 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 Illinois community of Taft [Cook County].
    • Kansas
      • Scott 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 Taft [Scott County].
    • Kentucky
      • Owsley County
      • This Taft is located in Owsley County and lies 652 miles [1,049.3 km]<1> to the north of the Taft that is located in Hillsborough County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Owsley County community of Taft.
    • Louisiana
      • Saint Charles Parish
      • This Taft is located in Saint Charles Parish and lies 515 miles [828.8 km]<1> to the west northwest of the Taft that is located in Hillsborough County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Saint Charles Parish community of Taft.
    • Michigan
      • Iosco 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 Taft [Iosco County].
    • Minnesota
      • Saint Louis County
      • This Taft is located in Saint Louis County and lies 1,420 miles [2,285.3 km]<1> to the north northwest of the Taft that is located in Hillsborough County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Saint Louis County community of Taft.
    • Missouri
      • Butler County
      • This Taft is located in Butler County and lies 767 miles [1,234.4 km]<1> to the northwest of the Taft that is located in Hillsborough County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Butler County community of Taft.
    • Montana
      • Mineral County
      • This Taft is located in Mineral County and lies 2,235 miles [3,596.9 km]<1> to the northwest of the Taft that is located in Hillsborough County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Mineral County community of Taft.
    • Nevada
      • White Pine County
      • This community is historic<3> and we have very little information. For the information that we do have, please visit our profile page for the Nevada community of Taft [White Pine County].
    • New Mexico
      • DeBaca County
      • This community is historic<3> and although located in DeBaca County, we don't know where within the county.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the DeBaca County community of Taft.
    • North Dakota
      • Traill County
      • This Taft is located in Traill County and lies 1,563 miles [2,515.4 km]<1> to the north northwest of the Taft that is located in Hillsborough County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Traill County community of Taft.
    • Ohio
      • Hamilton 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 Ohio community of Taft [Hamilton County].
    • Oklahoma
      • Muskogee County
      • This Taft is located in Muskogee County and lies 945 miles [1,520.8 km]<1> to the northwest of the Taft that is located in Hillsborough County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Muskogee County community of Taft.
    • Oregon
      • Lincoln County
      • This Taft is located in Lincoln County and lies 2,561 miles [4,121.5 km]<1> to the northwest of the Taft that is located in Hillsborough County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Lincoln County community of Taft.
    • South Carolina
      • Williamsburg County
      • This Taft is located in Williamsburg County and lies 406 miles [653.4 km]<1> to the north northeast of the Taft that is located in Hillsborough County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Williamsburg County community of Taft.
    • Tennessee
      • Lincoln County
      • This Taft is located in Lincoln County and lies 552 miles [888.4 km]<1> to the north northwest of the Taft that is located in Hillsborough County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Lincoln County community of Taft.
    • Texas
      • San Patricio County
      • This Taft is located in San Patricio County and lies 924 miles [1,487 km]<1> to the west of the Taft that is located in Hillsborough County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the San Patricio County community of Taft.
    • Virginia
      • Lancaster County
      • This Taft is located in Lancaster County and lies 745 miles [1,199 km]<1> to the north northeast of the Taft that is located in Hillsborough County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Lancaster County community of Taft.

Curious and Interesting Names Near Taft ...

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.

  • All Green
    (Less than 2 miles to the north)
    • All Green is located in Hillsborough County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for All Green
  • Chancey
    (Less than 2 miles to the south)
    • Chancey is located in Hillsborough County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Chancey
  • Chestnut Forest
    (Less than 2 miles to the southwest)
    • Chestnut Forest is located in Hillsborough County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Chestnut Forest
  • Destinys Way
    (Less than 2 miles to the northeast)
    • Destinys Way is located in Hillsborough County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Destinys Way
  • Diamond Hill
    (2 miles [3.2 km] to the south)
    • Diamond Hill is located in Hillsborough County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Diamond Hill
  • Dickey
    (2 miles [3.2 km] to the northwest)
    • Dickey is located in Hillsborough County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Dickey
  • Dover
    (Less than 2 miles to the southeast)
  • Gallagher Lakes
    (Less than 2 miles to the south)
    • Gallagher Lakes is located in Hillsborough County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Gallagher Lakes
  • Gallagher Meadows
    (2 miles [3.2 km] to the south)
    • Gallagher Meadows is located in Hillsborough County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Gallagher Meadows
  • Green Valley
    (2 miles [3.2 km] to the east)
    • Green Valley is located in Hillsborough County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Green Valley
  • Heritage Crest
    (2 miles [3.2 km] to the southwest)
    • Heritage Crest is located in Hillsborough County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Heritage Crest
  • Hickory Hill
    (2 miles [3.2 km] to the west)
    • Hickory Hill is located in Hillsborough County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Hickory Hill
  • Continue List   (19 more) ...
    • Jess Walden Oaks
      (Less than 2 miles to the west)
      • Jess Walden Oaks is located in Hillsborough County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Jess Walden Oaks
    • Kenny
      (2 miles [3.2 km] to the north)
      • Kenny is located in Hillsborough County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Kenny
    • Lake View
      (2 miles [3.2 km] to the west)
      • Lake View is located in Hillsborough County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Lake View
    • Lake Weeks
      (2 miles [3.2 km] to the west)
      • Lake Weeks is located in Hillsborough County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Lake Weeks
    • Lone Pine
      (Less than 2 miles to the north)
      • Lone Pine is located in Hillsborough County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Lone Pine
    • Long Fritzke
      (2 miles [3.2 km] to the north)
      • Long Fritzke is located in Hillsborough County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Long Fritzke
    • Lynn Oaks
      (Less than 2 miles to the north)
      • Lynn Oaks is located in Hillsborough County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Lynn Oaks
    • Marcia Oaks
      (Less than 2 miles to the northeast)
      • Marcia Oaks is located in Hillsborough County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Marcia Oaks
    • Martin
      (2 miles [3.2 km] to the southwest)
      • Martin is located in Hillsborough County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Martin
    • Meadow Oaks
      (Less than 2 miles to the northeast)
      • Meadow Oaks is located in Hillsborough County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Meadow Oaks
    • Pineapple Hill
      (Less than 2 miles to the west)
      • Pineapple Hill is located in Hillsborough County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Pineapple Hill
    • Resting Place
      (2 miles [3.2 km] to the northeast)
      • Resting Place is located in Hillsborough County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Resting Place
    • Shady Stables
      (Less than 2 miles to the west)
      • Shady Stables is located in Hillsborough County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Shady Stables
    • Shangri La
      (2 miles [3.2 km] to the west)
      • Shangri La is located in Hillsborough County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Shangri La
    • Snows Corner
      (Less than 2 miles to the northeast)
      • Snows Corner is located in Hillsborough County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Snows Corner
    • Stoney Creek
      (2 miles [3.2 km] to the north)
      • Stoney Creek is located in Hillsborough County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Stoney Creek
    • Sunny Hill
      (Less than 2 miles to the east)
      • Sunny Hill is located in Hillsborough County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Sunny Hill
    • Turkey Creek
      (2 miles [3.2 km] to the southeast)
      • Turkey Creek is located in Hillsborough County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Turkey Creek
    • Whisper Lake
      (2 miles [3.2 km] to the southwest)
      • Whisper Lake is located in Hillsborough County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Whisper Lake

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

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

  • Tampa, which is the Seat of Hillsborough County, lies 14 miles [22.5 km]<1> to the west. If you could walk a straight line from Taft to Tampa, with an average speed<5> 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 four to five hours.
  • Tallahassee, which is the State Capital of Florida, lies 209 miles [336.4 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 9 days and walking would take 12 days.
  • The White House (Washington, DC) is 809 miles [1,302 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<6> to Jerusalem (specifically the Temple Mount and the Dome of the Rock) is 6,606 miles [10,631.3 km] and it lies to the northeast (NE).<7>
  • The distance to the Great Mosque of Mecca (specifically the Ka'bah - or Kaaba ) is 7,274 miles [11,706.4 km] and it lies to the northeast (NE).<8>
  • The distance to Saint Peter's Basilica (The Vatican) is 5,174 miles [8,326.7 km] and it lies to the northeast (NE).<9>'

Footnotes ...

<1>Our distances are not driving distances, but are calculated as a 'straight-line' distance. A straight line distance ignores things like rivers, canyons, lakes, et cetera - it's truly a line from Point A (ie- Taft) 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 Taft 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>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 Taft, please let us know so that we can improve our accuracy.
<4>While we're fans and frequent users of TripAdvisor, you should know that we're also members of the TripAdvisor affiliate program.
<5>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.
<6>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 Taft 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 Taft. The point we use is located at these GPS coordinates - Latitude: 27.9989, Longitude: -82.2254       In this case, the coordinates for Taft have been provided by the Geographic Names Information System (GNIS).
<7>The calculated bearing (or angle) to Jerusalem is 310.709 degrees.
<8>The calculated bearing (or angle) to Mecca is 305.094 degrees.
<9>The calculated bearing (or angle) to the Vatican is 309.807 degrees.