RoadsideThoughts
A Gazetteer for the United States and Canada
Home >> State of Illinois >> Kendall County >> Bristol >> Tidbits & TriviaIndex...

Outdoor Activities ...

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

When in Bristol, we use the following websites to find information relevant to Bristol 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 Bristol:
    • 41.685713, -88.428043
    • 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 Bristol
  • 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 Kendall County as the starting point when you click on the link below:
    • Open the eBird sighting report for Kendall County
    • Since Bristol is near Kane County and also Will County, we have provided a link to their eBird sighting reports:
    • Open the eBird sighting report for Kane County
    • Open the eBird sighting report for Will 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 Bristol

Communities Also Named Bristol ...

We found 47 communities that are also named Bristol.

There is one other community in Illinois that is also named Bristol.

Beyond Illinois, we know of 43 communities that are located in the United States and Canada. Of these 43 communities, 39 are located in the United States and five are in Canada.

In addition to the above occurrences of Bristol, we know of three communities located outside of the United States and Canada.

  • Communities Located In Illinois ...
    • Effingham County
      • This community is historic<1> and we have very little information. For the information that we do have, please visit our profile page for the Illinois community of Bristol [Effingham County].
  • Communities Elsewhere In North America ...
    • Arkansas
      • Faulkner County
      • This community is historic<1> and we have very little information. For the information that we do have, please visit our profile page for the Arkansas community of Bristol [Faulkner County].
    • California
      • Orange 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 California community of Bristol [Orange County].
      • San Bernardino 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 California community of Bristol [San Bernardino County].
    • Colorado
      • Prowers County
      • This Bristol is located in Prowers County and lies 774 miles [1,245.6 km]<3> to the west southwest of the Bristol that is located in Kendall County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Prowers County community of Bristol.
    • Connecticut
      • Hartford County
      • This Bristol is located in Hartford County and lies 797 miles [1,282.6 km]<3> to the east of the Bristol that is located in Kendall County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Hartford County community of Bristol.
    • Florida
      • Liberty County
      • This Bristol is located in Liberty County and lies 800 miles [1,287.5 km]<3> to the south southeast of the Bristol that is located in Kendall County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Liberty County community of Bristol.
    • Georgia
      • Pierce County
      • This Bristol is located in Pierce County and lies 785 miles [1,263.3 km]<3> to the south southeast of the Bristol that is located in Kendall County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Pierce County community of Bristol.
    • Indiana
      • Elkhart County
      • This Bristol is located in Elkhart County and lies 134 miles [215.7 km]<3> to the east of the Bristol that is located in Kendall County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Elkhart County community of Bristol.
    • Iowa
      • Worth County
      • This Bristol is located in Worth County and lies 282 miles [453.8 km]<3> to the west northwest of the Bristol that is located in Kendall County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Worth County community of Bristol.
    • Kansas
      • Coffey 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 Bristol [Coffey County].
      • Jefferson 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 Bristol [Jefferson County].
    • Louisiana
      • East Baton Rouge Parish
      • This Bristol is located in East Baton Rouge Parish and lies 786 miles [1,264.9 km]<3> to the south southwest of the Bristol that is located in Kendall County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the East Baton Rouge Parish community of Bristol.
      • Saint Landry Parish
      • This Bristol is located in Saint Landry Parish and lies 808 miles [1,300.3 km] to the south southwest of the Bristol that is located in Kendall County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Saint Landry Parish community of Bristol.
    • Maine
      • Lincoln County
      • This Bristol is located in Lincoln County and lies 968 miles [1,557.8 km]<3> to the east northeast of the Bristol that is located in Kendall County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Lincoln County community of Bristol.
    • Manitoba
      • This Bristol lies 670 miles [1,078.3 km]<3> to the north northwest of the Bristol that is located in Kendall County.
    • Maryland
      • Anne Arundel County
      • This Bristol is located in Anne Arundel County and lies 650 miles [1,046.1 km]<3> to the east southeast of the Bristol that is located in Kendall County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Anne Arundel County community of Bristol.
      • Charles County
      • This community is historic<1> and we have very little information. For the information that we do have, please visit our profile page for the Maryland community of Bristol [Charles County].
    • 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 Bristol [Iosco County].
      • Kent 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 Michigan community of Bristol [Kent County].
      • Lake County
      • This Bristol is located in Lake County and lies 220 miles [354.1 km]<3> to the northeast of the Bristol that is located in Kendall County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Lake County community of Bristol.
    • Minnesota
      • Fillmore County
      • This Bristol is located in Fillmore County and lies 229 miles [368.5 km]<3> to the northwest of the Bristol that is located in Kendall County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Fillmore County community of Bristol.
    • Missouri
      • Jackson County
      • This Bristol is located in Jackson County and lies 363 miles [584.2 km]<3> to the west southwest of the Bristol that is located in Kendall County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Jackson County community of Bristol.
    • Nevada
      • Lincoln County
      • This community is historic<1> and we have very little information. For the information that we do have, please visit our profile page for the Nevada community of Bristol [Lincoln County].
      • Washoe County
      • This community is historic and although located in Washoe County, we don't know where within the county.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Washoe County community of Bristol.
    • New Brunswick
      • This Bristol lies 1,082 miles [1,741.3 km]<3> to the east northeast of the Bristol that is located in Kendall County.
    • New Hampshire
      • Grafton County
      • This Bristol is located in Grafton County and lies 856 miles [1,377.6 km]<3> to the east northeast of the Bristol that is located in Kendall County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Grafton County community of Bristol.
    • New York
      • Ontario County
      • This Bristol is located in Ontario County and lies 567 miles [912.5 km]<3> to the east of the Bristol that is located in Kendall County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Ontario County community of Bristol.
    • Nova Scotia
      • This Bristol lies 1,206 miles [1,940.9 km]<3> to the east northeast of the Bristol that is located in Kendall County.
    • Ohio
      • Morgan County
      • This Bristol is located in Morgan County and lies 376 miles [605.1 km]<3> to the east southeast of the Bristol that is located in Kendall County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Morgan County community of Bristol.
      • Perry County
      • This Bristol is located in Perry County and lies 353 miles [568.1 km] to the east southeast of the Bristol that is located in Kendall County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Perry County community of Bristol.
    • Pennsylvania
      • Bucks County
      • This Bristol is located in Bucks County and lies 716 miles [1,152.3 km]<3> to the east of the Bristol that is located in Kendall County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Bucks County community of Bristol.
    • Prince Edward Island
      • This Bristol lies 1,310 miles [2,108.2 km]<3> to the east northeast of the Bristol that is located in Kendall County.
    • Quebec
      • This Bristol lies 653 miles [1,050.9 km]<3> to the east northeast of the Bristol that is located in Kendall County.
    • Rhode Island
      • Bristol County
      • This Bristol is located in Bristol County and lies 883 miles [1,421.1 km]<3> to the east of the Bristol that is located in Kendall County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Bristol County community of Bristol.
    • South Dakota
      • Day County
      • This Bristol is located in Day County and lies 530 miles [853 km]<3> to the west northwest of the Bristol that is located in Kendall County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Day County community of Bristol.
    • Tennessee
      • Sullivan County
      • This Bristol is located in Sullivan County and lies 484 miles [778.9 km]<3> to the southeast of the Bristol that is located in Kendall County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Sullivan County community of Bristol.
    • Texas
      • Ellis County
      • This Bristol is located in Ellis County and lies 778 miles [1,252.1 km]<3> to the southwest of the Bristol that is located in Kendall County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Ellis County community of Bristol.
    • Vermont
      • Addison County
      • This Bristol is located in Addison County and lies 793 miles [1,276.2 km]<3> to the east northeast of the Bristol that is located in Kendall County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Addison County community of Bristol.
    • Virginia
      • Bristol City
      • This Bristol is located in Bristol City and lies 484 miles [778.9 km]<3> to the southeast of the Bristol that is located in Kendall County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Bristol City community of Bristol.
      • Washington 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 Virginia community of Bristol [Washington County].
    • Washington
      • Kittitas County
      • This Bristol is located in Kittitas County and lies 1,627 miles [2,618.4 km]<3> to the west northwest of the Bristol that is located in Kendall County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Kittitas County community of Bristol.
    • West Virginia
      • Harrison County
      • This Bristol is located in Harrison County and lies 446 miles [717.8 km]<3> to the east southeast of the Bristol that is located in Kendall County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Harrison County community of Bristol.
    • Wisconsin
      • Kenosha County
      • This Bristol is located in Kenosha County and lies 63 miles [101.4 km]<3> to the north northeast of the Bristol that is located in Kendall County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Kenosha County community of Bristol.
  • Communities Beyond North America ...
    • Costa Rica
      • Distance: 2,207 miles [3,551.8 km]<3> to the south
      • Open a Google Map centered on Bristol
    • England
      • Distance: 3,892 miles [6,263.6 km]<3> to the northeast
      • Open a Google Map centered on Bristol
    • Jamaica
      • Distance: 1,738 miles [2,797 km]<3> to the south southeast
      • Open a Google Map centered on Bristol

Curious and Interesting Names Near Bristol ...

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.

  • Aurora
    (7 miles [11.3 km] to the northeast)
  • Big Rock
    (8 miles [12.9 km] to the northwest)
  • Blackberry Woods
    (8 miles [12.9 km] to the north)
    • Blackberry Woods is located in Kane County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Blackberry Woods
  • Boulder Hill
    (5 miles [8 km] to the east)
    • Boulder Hill is located in Kendall County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Boulder Hill
  • Countryside
    (Less than 2 miles to the southwest)
    • Countryside is located in Kendall County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Countryside
  • Exposition View
    (8 miles [12.9 km] to the northeast)
    • Exposition View is located in Kane County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Exposition View
  • Fox
    (5 miles [8 km] to the southwest)
    • Fox is located in Kendall County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Fox
  • Knob Hill
    (6 miles [9.7 km] to the southwest)
    • Knob Hill is located in Kendall County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Knob Hill
  • Little Rock
    (7 miles [11.3 km] to the west)
    • Little Rock is located in Kendall County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Little Rock
  • Pavillion
    (5 miles [8 km] to the southwest)
    • Pavillion is located in Kendall County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Pavillion
  • South Park
    (7 miles [11.3 km] to the northeast)
    • South Park is located in Kane County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for South Park
  • Sugar Grove
    (5 miles [8 km] to the north)
  • Tanner Woods
    (8 miles [12.9 km] to the north)
    • Tanner Woods is located in Kane County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Tanner Woods

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

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

  • Yorkville, which is the Seat of Kendall County, lies just to the South Southwest.
  • Springfield, which is the State Capital of Illinois, lies 146 miles [235 km]<3> to the south southwest (SSW). If you could drive a straight line from Bristol to Springfield, with an average speed<5>of 63 miles [101.4 km] per hour, it would take less than three hours to make the trip. A comfortable walk of 2.2 miles [3.5 km] per hour would take 9 days. A horse and buggy averaging 3.2 miles [5.1 km] per hour would take 6 days.
  • The White House (Washington, DC) is 629 miles [1,012.3 km] to the east southeast (ESE). Driving would take just over a day, a buggy would take 25 days and walking would take 36 days.
  • The shortest distance<6> to Jerusalem (specifically the Temple Mount and the Dome of the Rock) is 6,221 miles [10,011.7 km] and it lies to the northeast (NE).<7>
  • The distance to the Great Mosque of Mecca (specifically the Ka'bah - or Kaaba ) is 6,960 miles [11,201 km] and it lies to the northeast (NE).<8>
  • The distance to Saint Peter's Basilica (The Vatican) is 4,845 miles [7,797.3 km] and it lies to the northeast (NE).<9>'

Footnotes ...

<1>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 Bristol, please let us know so that we can improve our accuracy.
<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 Bristol 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>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 drawn from Point A (ie- Bristol) to Point B. In other words: 'As the crow flies'.
<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 Bristol 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 Bristol. The point we use is located at these GPS coordinates - Latitude: 41.6857, Longitude: -88.4280    
<7>The calculated bearing (or angle) to Jerusalem is 314.965 degrees.
<8>The calculated bearing (or angle) to Mecca is 311.908 degrees.
<9>The calculated bearing (or angle) to the Vatican is 309.016 degrees.