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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 Custer, we use the following websites to find information relevant to Custer 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 Custer:
    • 41.037256, -89.153695
    • 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 Custer
  • 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 Custer ...

We found 22 communities that share the name Custer.

Within Illinois, the name Custer is unique.

Beyond Illinois, we know of another 22 communities that are located throughout in the United States.

  • Communities Elsewhere In North America ...
    • Arkansas
      • Baxter 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 Custer [Baxter County].
    • Idaho
      • Custer County
      • This Custer is located in Custer County and lies 1,310 miles [2,108.2 km]<2> to the west northwest of the Custer that is located in Marshall County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Custer County community of Custer.
    • Indiana
      • DeKalb County
      • We found mention of this community, but have little information.<3> For the information that we do have, please visit our profile page for the Indiana community of Custer [DeKalb County].
    • Kansas
      • Smith County
      • We found mention of this community, but have little information.<3> For the information that we do have, please visit our profile page for the Kansas community of Custer [Smith County].
    • Kentucky
      • Breckinridge County
      • This Custer is located in Breckinridge County and lies 275 miles [442.6 km]<2> to the southeast of the Custer that is located in Marshall County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Breckinridge County community of Custer.
    • Michigan
      • Mason County
      • This Custer is located in Mason County and lies 250 miles [402.3 km]<2> to the northeast of the Custer that is located in Marshall County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Mason County community of Custer.
    • Minnesota
      • Big Stone County
      • We found mention of this community, but have little information.<3> For the information that we do have, please visit our profile page for the Minnesota community of Custer [Big Stone County].
    • Missouri
      • Dent County
      • This Custer is located in Dent County and lies 272 miles [437.7 km]<2> to the south southwest of the Custer that is located in Marshall County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Dent County community of Custer.
    • Montana
      • Yellowstone County
      • This Custer is located in Yellowstone County and lies 982 miles [1,580.4 km]<2> to the west northwest of the Custer that is located in Marshall County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Yellowstone County community of Custer.
    • Nebraska
      • Custer County
      • This community is historic<1> and although located in Custer County, we don't know where within the county.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Custer County community of Custer.
    • North Dakota
      • McLean County
      • We found mention of this community, but have little information.<3> For the information that we do have, please visit our profile page for the North Dakota community of Custer [McLean County].
    • Ohio
      • Harrison County
      • This community is historic<1> and although located in Harrison County, we don't know where within the county.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Harrison County community of Custer.
    • Oklahoma
      • Beaver County
      • We found mention of this community, but have little information.<3> For the information that we do have, please visit our profile page for the Oklahoma community of Custer [Beaver County].
      • Custer 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 Oklahoma community of Custer [Custer County].
    • Pennsylvania
      • Lehigh County
      • This Custer is located in Lehigh County and lies 705 miles [1,134.6 km]<2> to the east of the Custer that is located in Marshall County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Lehigh County community of Custer.
      • Montgomery County
      • We found mention of this community, but have little information.<3> For the information that we do have, please visit our profile page for the Pennsylvania community of Custer [Montgomery County].
    • South Dakota
      • Custer County
      • This Custer is located in Custer County and lies 759 miles [1,221.5 km]<2> to the west northwest of the Custer that is located in Marshall County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Custer County community of Custer.
    • Tennessee
      • Anderson 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 Tennessee community of Custer [Anderson County].
    • Texas
      • Brazoria County
      • We found mention of this community, but have little information.<3> For the information that we do have, please visit our profile page for the Texas community of Custer [Brazoria County].
    • Washington
      • Pierce County
      • This Custer is located in Pierce County and lies 1,694 miles [2,726.2 km]<2> to the west northwest of the Custer that is located in Marshall County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Pierce County community of Custer.
      • Whatcom County
      • This Custer is located in Whatcom County and lies 1,707 miles [2,747.2 km] to the west northwest of the Custer that is located in Marshall County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Whatcom County community of Custer.
    • Wisconsin
      • Portage County
      • This Custer is located in Portage County and lies 240 miles [386.2 km]<2> to the north of the Custer that is located in Marshall County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Portage County community of Custer.

Curious and Interesting Names Near Custer ...

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.

  • Dana
    (11 miles [17.7 km] to the southeast)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Dana have been provided by the GNIS.<4> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Dana
    • Dana is located in La Salle County
    • Population from the 2020 Census: 149 people
    • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Dana <5>
  • Evans ‑ Historic
    (2 miles [3.2 km] to the east)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Evans
    • Evans is located in Marshall County
  • Henry
    (12 miles [19.3 km] to the northwest)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Henry have been provided by the GNIS.<4> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Henry
    • Henry is located in Marshall County
    • Population from the 2020 Census: 2,230 people
    • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Henry <5>
  • Indian Spring
    (14 miles [22.5 km] to the northwest)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Indian Spring have been provided by the GNIS.<4> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Indian Spring
    • Indian Spring is located in Putnam County
  • Long Point
    (13 miles [20.9 km] to the east)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Long Point have been provided by the GNIS.<4> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Long Point
    • Long Point is located in Livingston County
    • Population from the 2020 Census: 212 people
    • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Long Point <5>
  • Low Point
    (14 miles [22.5 km] to the southwest)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Low Point have been provided by the GNIS.<4> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Low Point
    • Low Point is located in Woodford County
  • Magnolia
    (5 miles [8 km] to the northwest)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Magnolia have been provided by the GNIS.<4> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Magnolia
    • Magnolia is located in Putnam County
    • Population from the 2020 Census: 244 people
    • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Magnolia <5>
  • Munster
    (13 miles [20.9 km] to the east)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Munster
    • Munster is located in Livingston County
  • Porterfield
    (3 miles [4.8 km] to the north)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Porterfield have been provided by the GNIS.<4> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Porterfield
    • Porterfield is located in Marshall County
  • Priscilla ‑ Historic
    (7 miles [11.3 km] to the north)
    • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for Priscilla. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<6>
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Priscilla
    • Priscilla is located in La Salle County
  • Rutland
    (6 miles [9.7 km] to the southeast)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Rutland have been provided by the GNIS.<4> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Rutland
    • Rutland is located in La Salle County
    • Population from the 2020 Census: 303 people
    • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Rutland <5>
  • Sparland
    (14 miles [22.5 km] to the west)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Sparland have been provided by the GNIS.<4> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Sparland
    • Sparland is located in Marshall County
    • Population from the 2020 Census: 357 people
    • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Sparland <5>
  • Spires
    (14 miles [22.5 km] to the southeast)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Spires have been provided by the GNIS.<4> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Spires
    • Spires is located in Woodford County
  • Walnut Grove
    (14 miles [22.5 km] to the northwest)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Walnut Grove have been provided by the GNIS.<4> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Walnut Grove
    • Walnut Grove is located in Putnam County

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

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

  • Lacon, which is the Seat of Marshall County, lies 13 miles [20.9 km]<2> to the west. If you could walk a straight line from Custer to Lacon, with an average speed<7> of 2.2 miles [3.5 km] per hour, it would take 6 hours to make the trip. A horse and buggy averaging 3.2 miles [5.1 km] per hour would take four to five hours.
  • Springfield, which is the State Capital of Illinois, lies 90 miles [144.8 km] to the south southwest (SSW). Driving, with an average speed of 63 miles [101.4 km] per hour, would take less than two hours, a buggy would take most of three days and walking would take 6 days.
  • The White House (Washington, DC) is 657 miles [1,057.3 km] to the east (E). Driving would take just about two full days, a buggy would take 26 days and walking would take 38 days.
  • The shortest distance<8> to Jerusalem (specifically the Temple Mount and the Dome of the Rock) is 6,279 miles [10,105.1 km] and it lies to the northeast (NE).<9>
  • The distance to the Great Mosque of Mecca (specifically the Ka'bah - or Kaaba ) is 7,018 miles [11,294.4 km] and it lies to the northeast (NE).<10>
  • The distance to Saint Peter's Basilica (The Vatican) is 4,902 miles [7,889 km] and it lies to the northeast (NE).<11>

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

The official website for Marshall County: www.co.marshall.il.us/

The official website for State of Illinois: https://illinois.gov

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 Custer, please let us know so that we can improve our accuracy.
<2>Our distances are not driving distances, but are calculated as a 'straight-line' (or 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- Custer) to Point B.Our distance measurements begin at a specific point in Custer. The point we use is located at these GPS coordinates - Latitude: 41.0373, Longitude: -89.1537       In this case, the coordinates for Custer have been provided by the Geographic Names Information System (GNIS).
<3>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 Custer 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.
<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>An 'estimated' location is one where we have been given GPS coordinates, but are unable to verify the accuracy of those coordinates. That said, we have some confidence that we have placed the marker near the actual location. A typical reason for being unable to verify a location is that it might be on private property or maybe historic and gone without an obvious trace.
<7>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.
<8>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 Custer to the Middle East to be East and South, the Great Circle Route actually lies to the North and East.
<9>The calculated bearing (or angle) to Jerusalem is 315.444 degrees.
<10>The calculated bearing (or angle) to Mecca is 312.364 degrees.
<11>The calculated bearing (or angle) to the Vatican is 309.551 degrees.









 

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This page was last modified/updated: 07 Apr 2024