RoadsideThoughts
A Gazetteer for the United States and Canada
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Outdoor Activities ...

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

When in Watson, we use the following websites to find information relevant to Watson 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 Watson:
    • 43.075213, -91.330328
    • 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 Watson
  • 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 Watson ...

We found 57 communities that share the name Watson.

Within Iowa, the name Watson is unique.

Beyond Iowa, we know of another 57 communities that are located throughout in the United States and Canada. Of these 57 communities, 54 are located in the United States and three are in Canada.

  • Communities Elsewhere In North America ...
    • Alabama
      • Cherokee County
      • This Watson is located in Cherokee County and lies 678 miles [1,091.1 km]<1> to the south southeast of the Watson that is located in Clayton County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Cherokee County community of Watson.
      • Jefferson County
      • This Watson is located in Jefferson County and lies 694 miles [1,116.9 km] to the south southeast of the Watson that is located in Clayton County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Jefferson County community of Watson.
    • Arkansas
      • Calhoun County
      • This Watson is located in Calhoun County and lies 653 miles [1,050.9 km]<1> to the south of the Watson that is located in Clayton County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Calhoun County community of Watson.
      • Desha County
      • This Watson is located in Desha County and lies 633 miles [1,018.7 km] to the south of the Watson that is located in Clayton County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Desha County community of Watson.
      • Woodruff 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 Arkansas community of Watson [Woodruff County].
    • British Columbia
      • This Watson lies 1,710 miles [2,752 km]<1> to the northwest of the Watson that is located in Clayton County.
    • California
      • Los Angeles County
      • This Watson is located in Los Angeles County and lies 1,580 miles [2,542.8 km]<1> to the west southwest of the Watson that is located in Clayton County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Los Angeles County community of Watson.
      • Tehama County
      • This Watson is located in Tehama County and lies 1,623 miles [2,612 km] to the west of the Watson that is located in Clayton County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Tehama County community of Watson.
    • Colorado
      • Pitkin 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 Watson [Pitkin County].
    • Florida
      • Hamilton County
      • This Watson is located in Hamilton County and lies 983 miles [1,582 km]<1> to the south southeast of the Watson that is located in Clayton County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Hamilton County community of Watson.
      • Palm Beach County
      • This Watson is located in Palm Beach County and lies 1,275 miles [2,051.9 km] to the south southeast of the Watson that is located in Clayton County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Palm Beach County community of Watson.
    • Georgia
      • Cherokee 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 Georgia community of Watson [Cherokee 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 Georgia community of Watson [Thomas County].
    • Illinois
      • Effingham County
      • This Watson is located in Effingham County and lies 314 miles [505.3 km]<1> to the south southeast of the Watson that is located in Clayton County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Effingham County community of Watson.
    • Indiana
      • Clark County
      • This Watson is located in Clark County and lies 439 miles [706.5 km]<1> to the southeast of the Watson that is located in Clayton County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Clark County community of Watson.
      • Greene 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 Indiana community of Watson [Greene County].
    • Kansas
      • Kiowa 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 Watson [Kiowa County].
      • Lane 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 Watson [Lane County].
      • Shawnee County
      • This Watson is located in Shawnee County and lies 357 miles [574.5 km]<1> to the southwest of the Watson that is located in Clayton County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Shawnee County community of Watson.
    • Kentucky
      • Adair 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 Kentucky community of Watson [Adair County].
      • Estill County
      • This Watson is located in Estill County and lies 539 miles [867.4 km]<1> to the southeast of the Watson that is located in Clayton County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Estill County community of Watson.
    • Louisiana
      • Livingston Parish
      • This Watson is located in Livingston Parish and lies 863 miles [1,388.9 km]<1> to the south of the Watson that is located in Clayton County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Livingston Parish community of Watson.
    • Maine
      • Aroostook 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 Maine community of Watson [Aroostook County].
    • Massachusetts
      • Franklin County
      • This Watson is located in Franklin County and lies 934 miles [1,503.1 km]<1> to the east of the Watson that is located in Clayton County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Franklin County community of Watson.
    • Michigan
      • Allegan County
      • This Watson is located in Allegan County and lies 287 miles [461.9 km]<1> to the east of the Watson that is located in Clayton County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Allegan County community of Watson.
      • Marquette 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 Michigan community of Watson [Marquette County].
      • Montmorency 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 Watson [Montmorency County].
    • Minnesota
      • Chippewa County
      • This Watson is located in Chippewa County and lies 258 miles [415.2 km]<1> to the west northwest of the Watson that is located in Clayton County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Chippewa County community of Watson.
    • Mississippi
      • Marshall County
      • This Watson is located in Marshall County and lies 578 miles [930.2 km]<1> to the south of the Watson that is located in Clayton County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Marshall County community of Watson.
    • Missouri
      • Atchison County
      • This Watson is located in Atchison County and lies 284 miles [457.1 km]<1> to the southwest of the Watson that is located in Clayton County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Atchison County community of Watson.
      • Pike 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 Missouri community of Watson [Pike County].
    • Montana
      • Cascade 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 Montana community of Watson [Cascade County].
      • Meagher County
      • This Watson is located in Meagher County and lies 1,008 miles [1,622.2 km]<1> to the west northwest of the Watson that is located in Clayton County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Meagher County community of Watson.
    • Nebraska
      • Knox County
      • This community is historic<3> and although located in Knox County, we don't know where within the county.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Knox County community of Watson.
    • New Mexico
      • Dona Ana 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 Mexico community of Watson [Dona Ana County].
    • New York
      • Lewis County
      • This Watson is located in Lewis County and lies 797 miles [1,282.6 km]<1> to the east of the Watson that is located in Clayton County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Lewis County community of Watson.
    • North Carolina
      • Union County
      • This Watson is located in Union County and lies 802 miles [1,290.7 km]<1> to the southeast of the Watson that is located in Clayton County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Union County community of Watson.
    • North Dakota
      • Cass 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 Dakota community of Watson [Cass County].
    • Ohio
      • Seneca County
      • This Watson is located in Seneca County and lies 440 miles [708.1 km]<1> to the east southeast of the Watson that is located in Clayton County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Seneca County community of Watson.
    • Oklahoma
      • McCurtain County
      • This Watson is located in McCurtain County and lies 621 miles [999.4 km]<1> to the south southwest of the Watson that is located in Clayton County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the McCurtain County community of Watson.
    • Oregon
      • Malheur 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 Oregon community of Watson [Malheur County].
      • Multnomah County
      • This Watson is located in Multnomah County and lies 1,543 miles [2,483.2 km]<1> to the west northwest of the Watson that is located in Clayton County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Multnomah County community of Watson.
    • 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 Watson [Allegheny County].
      • Forest 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 Pennsylvania community of Watson [Forest County].
    • Saskatchewan
      • This Watson lies 874 miles [1,406.6 km]<1> to the northwest of the Watson that is located in Clayton County.
    • Tennessee
      • Cumberland County
      • This Watson is located in Cumberland County and lies 599 miles [964 km]<1> to the southeast of the Watson that is located in Clayton County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Cumberland County community of Watson.
      • Hickman County
      • This Watson is located in Hickman County and lies 548 miles [881.9 km] to the south southeast of the Watson that is located in Clayton County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Hickman County community of Watson.
      • Rutherford County
      • This Watson is located in Rutherford County and lies 562 miles [904.5 km] to the south southeast of the Watson that is located in Clayton County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Rutherford County community of Watson.
      • Williamson County
      • This Watson is located in Williamson County and lies 562 miles [904.5 km] to the south southeast of the Watson that is located in Clayton County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Williamson County community of Watson.
    • Texas
      • Burnet County
      • This Watson is located in Burnet County and lies 914 miles [1,470.9 km]<1> to the south southwest of the Watson that is located in Clayton County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Burnet County community of Watson.
      • Comanche County
      • This Watson is located in Comanche County and lies 872 miles [1,403.3 km] to the south southwest of the Watson that is located in Clayton County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Comanche County community of Watson.
      • Red River County
      • This community is historic<3> and although located in Red River County, we don't know where within the county.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Red River County community of Watson.
    • Utah
      • Salt Lake County
      • This Watson is located in Salt Lake County and lies 1,067 miles [1,717.2 km]<1> to the west of the Watson that is located in Clayton County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Salt Lake County community of Watson.
      • Uintah 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 Utah community of Watson [Uintah County].
    • Virginia
      • Loudoun County
      • This Watson is located in Loudoun County and lies 767 miles [1,234.4 km]<1> to the east southeast of the Watson that is located in Clayton County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Loudoun County community of Watson.
    • West Virginia
      • Marion County
      • This Watson is located in Marion County and lies 630 miles [1,013.9 km]<1> to the east southeast of the Watson that is located in Clayton County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Marion County community of Watson.
    • Yukon
      • This Watson lies 2,147 miles [3,455.3 km]<1> to the northwest of the Watson that is located in Clayton County.

Curious and Interesting Names Near Watson ...

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.

  • Eldergrove
    (12 miles [19.3 km] to the northeast)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Eldergrove have been provided by the GNIS.<4> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Eldergrove
    • Eldergrove is located in Allamakee County
  • Farmersburg
    (8 miles [12.9 km] to the south)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Farmersburg have been provided by the GNIS.<4> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Farmersburg
    • Farmersburg is located in Clayton County
    • Population from the 2020 Census: 264 people
  • Harpers Ferry
    (12 miles [19.3 km] to the northeast)
  • Ion
    (4 miles [6.4 km] to the northeast)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Ion have been provided by the GNIS.<4> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Ion
    • Ion is located in Allamakee County
  • Maud
    (10 miles [16.1 km] to the north)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Maud have been provided by the GNIS.<4> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Maud
    • Maud is located in Allamakee County
  • Postville
    (12 miles [19.3 km] to the west)
  • Sixteen
    (3 miles [4.8 km] to the north)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Sixteen have been provided by the GNIS.<4> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Sixteen
    • Sixteen is located in Allamakee County
  • Yellow River
    (7 miles [11.3 km] to the east)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Yellow River have been provided by the GNIS.<4> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Yellow River
    • Yellow River is located in Allamakee County

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

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

  • Elkader, which is the Seat of Clayton County, lies 15 miles [24.1 km]<1> to the south southwest. If you could walk a straight line from Watson to Elkader, with an average speed<6> 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.
  • Des Moines, which is the State Capital of Iowa, lies 155 miles [249.4 km] to the southwest (SW). Driving, with an average speed of 63 miles [101.4 km] per hour, would take less than three hours, a buggy would take 6 days and walking would take 9 days.
  • The White House (Washington, DC) is 797 miles [1,282.6 km] to the east southeast (ESE). Driving would take just about two full days, a buggy would take 32 days and walking would take 46 days.
  • The shortest distance<7> to Jerusalem (specifically the Temple Mount and the Dome of the Rock) is 6,255 miles [10,066.4 km] and it lies to the northeast (NE).<8>
  • The distance to the Great Mosque of Mecca (specifically the Ka'bah - or Kaaba ) is 7,003 miles [11,270.2 km] and it lies to the northeast (NE).<9>
  • The distance to Saint Peter's Basilica (The Vatican) is 4,898 miles [7,882.6 km] and it lies to the northeast (NE).<10>

Unfortunately, we don't know of a website for Watson. If you can help, please contact us through our Feedback Page.

The official website for Clayton County: www.claytoncountyiowa.net/

The official website for State of Iowa: https://www.iowa.gov/

Footnotes ...

<1>Our distances are not driving distances, but are calculated as a '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- Watson) to Point B.Our distance measurements begin at a specific point in Watson. The point we use is located at these GPS coordinates - Latitude: 43.0752, Longitude: -91.3303       In this case, the coordinates for Watson have been provided by the Geographic Names Information System (GNIS).
<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 Bird Creek to see Pete ... Bird 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 Watson 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 Watson, please let us know so that we can improve our accuracy.
<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 Watson 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 316.936 degrees.
<9>The calculated bearing (or angle) to Mecca is 314.352 degrees.
<10>The calculated bearing (or angle) to the Vatican is 310.112 degrees.









 

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This page was last modified/updated: 07 Apr 2024