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

Outdoor Activities ...

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

When in Homer, we use the following websites to find information relevant to Homer 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 Homer:
    • 40.032742, -87.958410
    • 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 Homer
  • 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 Homer ...

We found 29 communities that share the name Homer.

Within Illinois, the name Homer is unique.

Beyond Illinois, we know of another 29 communities that are located throughout in the United States and Canada. Of these 29 communities, 28 are located in the United States and two are in Canada.

  • Communities Elsewhere In North America ...
    • Alabama
      • DeKalb 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 Alabama community of Homer [DeKalb County].
    • Alaska
      • This Homer lies 2,993 miles [4,816.8 km]<2> to the northwest of the Homer that is located in Champaign County.
    • California
      • San Bernardino County
      • This Homer is located in San Bernardino County and lies 1,513 miles [2,434.9 km]<2> to the west of the Homer that is located in Champaign County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the San Bernardino County community of Homer.
    • Georgia
      • Banks County
      • This Homer is located in Banks County and lies 463 miles [745.1 km]<2> to the south southeast of the Homer that is located in Champaign County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Banks County community of Homer.
    • Indiana
      • Rush County
      • This Homer is located in Rush County and lies 130 miles [209.2 km]<2> to the east southeast of the Homer that is located in Champaign County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Rush County community of Homer.
    • Iowa
      • Hamilton County
      • This Homer is located in Hamilton County and lies 349 miles [561.7 km]<2> to the west northwest of the Homer that is located in Champaign County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Hamilton County community of Homer.
    • Kansas
      • Russell County
      • This Homer is located in Russell County and lies 583 miles [938.2 km]<2> to the west of the Homer that is located in Champaign County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Russell County community of Homer.
    • Kentucky
      • Logan County
      • This Homer is located in Logan County and lies 220 miles [354.1 km]<2> to the south southeast of the Homer that is located in Champaign County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Logan County community of Homer.
    • Louisiana
      • Claiborne Parish
      • This Homer is located in Claiborne Parish and lies 574 miles [923.8 km]<2> to the south southwest of the Homer that is located in Champaign County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Claiborne Parish community of Homer.
    • Michigan
      • Calhoun County
      • This Homer is located in Calhoun County and lies 219 miles [352.4 km]<2> to the northeast of the Homer that is located in Champaign County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Calhoun County community of Homer.
      • Iron 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 Michigan community of Homer [Iron County].
    • Minnesota
      • Winona County
      • This Homer is located in Winona County and lies 331 miles [532.7 km]<2> to the north northwest of the Homer that is located in Champaign County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Winona County community of Homer.
    • Missouri
      • Atchison County
      • This community is historic<1> and although located in Atchison County, we don't know where within the county.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Atchison County community of Homer.
      • Stone County
      • This Homer is located in Stone County and lies 381 miles [613.2 km]<2> to the southwest of the Homer that is located in Champaign County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Stone County community of Homer.
    • Nebraska
      • Dakota County
      • This Homer is located in Dakota County and lies 470 miles [756.4 km]<2> to the west northwest of the Homer that is located in Champaign County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Dakota County community of Homer.
    • Nevada
      • Lincoln County
      • This community is historic<1> and although located in Lincoln County, we don't know where within the county.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Lincoln County community of Homer.
    • New York
      • Cortland County
      • This Homer is located in Cortland County and lies 635 miles [1,021.9 km]<2> to the east northeast of the Homer that is located in Champaign County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Cortland County community of Homer.
    • North Dakota
      • Stutsman County
      • This Homer is located in Stutsman County and lies 712 miles [1,145.9 km]<2> to the northwest of the Homer that is located in Champaign County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Stutsman County community of Homer.
    • Ohio
      • Licking County
      • This Homer is located in Licking County and lies 287 miles [461.9 km]<2> to the east of the Homer that is located in Champaign County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Licking County community of Homer.
      • Medina County
      • This Homer is located in Medina County and lies 313 miles [503.7 km] to the east northeast of the Homer that is located in Champaign County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Medina County community of Homer.
      • Union County
      • This community is historic<1> and although located in Union County, we don't know where within the county.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Union County community of Homer.
    • Oklahoma
      • Pontotoc County
      • This Homer is located in Pontotoc County and lies 597 miles [960.8 km]<2> to the southwest of the Homer that is located in Champaign County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Pontotoc County community of Homer.
    • Ontario
      • 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 Ontario community of Homer.
    • Oregon
      • Grant 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 Oregon community of Homer [Grant County].
    • Tennessee
      • Madison 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 Tennessee community of Homer [Madison County].
    • Texas
      • Angelina County
      • This Homer is located in Angelina County and lies 710 miles [1,142.6 km]<2> to the southwest of the Homer that is located in Champaign County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Angelina County community of Homer.
      • Jasper County
      • This Homer is located in Jasper County and lies 716 miles [1,152.3 km] to the south southwest of the Homer that is located in Champaign County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Jasper County community of Homer.
    • Virginia
      • Russell 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 Virginia community of Homer [Russell County].
    • Wisconsin
      • Grant County
      • This Homer is located in Grant County and lies 251 miles [403.9 km]<2> to the north northwest of the Homer that is located in Champaign County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Grant County community of Homer.

Curious and Interesting Names Near Homer ...

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.

  • Archie
    (11 miles [17.7 km] to the southeast)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Archie
    • Archie is located in Vermilion County
  • Block
    (8 miles [12.9 km] to the southwest)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Block have been provided by the GNIS.<4> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Block
    • Block is located in Champaign County
  • Brothers
    (11 miles [17.7 km] to the northeast)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Brothers have been provided by the GNIS.<4> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Brothers
    • Brothers is located in Vermilion County
  • Bucktown
    (12 miles [19.3 km] to the northeast)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Bucktown have been provided by the GNIS.<4> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Bucktown
    • Bucktown is located in Vermilion County
  • Deers
    (8 miles [12.9 km] to the west)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Deers have been provided by the GNIS.<4> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Deers
    • Deers is located in Champaign County
  • Glenburn
    (12 miles [19.3 km] to the northeast)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Glenburn
    • Glenburn is located in Vermilion County
  • Glover
    (6 miles [9.7 km] to the northwest)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Glover have been provided by the GNIS.<4> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Glover
    • Glover is located in Champaign County
  • Hope
    (12 miles [19.3 km] to the north)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Hope have been provided by the GNIS.<4> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Hope
    • Hope is located in Vermilion County
  • Longview
    (11 miles [17.7 km] to the southwest)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Longview have been provided by the GNIS.<4> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Longview
    • Longview is located in Champaign County
    • Population from the 2020 Census: 146 people
    • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Longview <5>
  • Maizetown
    (9 miles [14.5 km] to the southeast)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Maizetown have been provided by the GNIS.<4> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Maizetown
    • Maizetown is located in Vermilion County
  • Mayview
    (9 miles [14.5 km] to the northwest)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Mayview
    • Mayview is located in Champaign County
  • Royal
    (11 miles [17.7 km] to the north)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Royal
    • Royal is located in Champaign County
    • Population from the 2020 Census: 273 people
    • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Royal <5>

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

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

  • Urbana, which is the Seat of Champaign County, lies 14 miles [22.5 km]<2> to the west northwest. If you could walk a straight line from Homer to Urbana, 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.
  • Springfield, which is the State Capital of Illinois, lies 91 miles [146.5 km] to the west (W). 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 587 miles [944.7 km] to the east (E). Driving would take just over a day, a buggy would take 23 days and walking would take 34 days.
  • The shortest distance<7> to Jerusalem (specifically the Temple Mount and the Dome of the Rock) is 6,284 miles [10,113.1 km] and it lies to the northeast (NE).<8>
  • The distance to the Great Mosque of Mecca (specifically the Ka'bah - or Kaaba ) is 7,018 miles [11,294.4 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>

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 Homer, 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' distance. A straight line distance ignores things like rivers, canyons, lakes, et cetera - it's truly a line drawn from Point A (ie- Homer) to Point B.Our distance measurements begin at a specific point in Homer. The point we use is located at these GPS coordinates - Latitude: 40.0327, Longitude: -87.9584       In this case, the coordinates for Homer 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 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 Homer 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>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 Homer 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 314.644 degrees.
<9>The calculated bearing (or angle) to Mecca is 311.308 degrees.
<10>The calculated bearing (or angle) to the Vatican is 309.24 degrees.