RoadsideThoughts
A Gazetteer for the United States and Canada
Home >> State of Illinois >> Cook County >> Maple Ridge >> Tidbits & TriviaIndex...

Outdoor Activities ...

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

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

  • Weather ...
  • 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 Maple Ridge:
    • 42.126111, -87.843333
    • 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 Maple Ridge
  • 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 Cook County as the starting point when you click on the link below:
    • Open the eBird sighting report for Cook County
    • Since Maple Ridge is near Lake County and also DuPage County, we have provided a link to their eBird sighting reports:
    • Open the eBird sighting report for Lake County
    • Open the eBird sighting report for DuPage 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 Maple Ridge

Communities Also Named Maple Ridge ...

We found fifteen communities that are also named Maple Ridge.

Within Illinois, the name Maple Ridge is unique.

Beyond Illinois, we know of fifteen communities that are located in the United States and Canada. Of these fifteen communities, eleven are located in the United States and six are in Canada.

  • Communities Elsewhere In North America ...
    • British Columbia
      • This Maple Ridge lies 1,725 miles [2,776.1 km]<1> to the west northwest of the Maple Ridge that is located in Cook County.
    • Georgia
      • Gwinnett County
      • This Maple Ridge is located in Gwinnett County and lies 595 miles [957.6 km]<1> to the south southeast of the Maple Ridge that is located in Cook County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Gwinnett County community of Maple Ridge.
    • Indiana
      • Marion County
      • This Maple Ridge is located in Marion County and lies 187 miles [300.9 km]<1> to the south southeast of the Maple Ridge that is located in Cook County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Marion County community of Maple Ridge.
    • Maryland
      • Anne Arundel County
      • This Maple Ridge is located in Anne Arundel County and lies 620 miles [997.8 km]<1> to the east southeast of the Maple Ridge that is located in Cook County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Anne Arundel County community of Maple Ridge.
    • Massachusetts
      • Norfolk County
      • This Maple Ridge is located in Norfolk County and lies 837 miles [1,347 km]<1> to the east of the Maple Ridge that is located in Cook County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Norfolk County community of Maple Ridge.
    • Michigan
      • Arenac County
      • This Maple Ridge is located in Arenac County and lies 241 miles [387.9 km]<1> to the northeast of the Maple Ridge that is located in Cook County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Arenac County community of Maple Ridge.
      • Delta 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 Maple Ridge [Delta County].
    • Minnesota
      • Isanti 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 Minnesota community of Maple Ridge [Isanti County].
    • New Brunswick
      • This Maple Ridge lies 1,055 miles [1,697.9 km]<1> to the east northeast of the Maple Ridge that is located in Cook County.
    • Ohio
      • Mahoning County
      • This Maple Ridge is located in Mahoning County and lies 360 miles [579.4 km]<1> to the east southeast of the Maple Ridge that is located in Cook County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Mahoning County community of Maple Ridge.
    • Ontario
      • This Maple Ridge lies 492 miles [791.8 km]<1> to the east northeast of the Maple Ridge that is located in Cook County.
    • Pennsylvania
      • Somerset County
      • This Maple Ridge is located in Somerset County and lies 482 miles [775.7 km]<1> to the east southeast of the Maple Ridge that is located in Cook County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Somerset County community of Maple Ridge.
    • Quebec
      • 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 Quebec community of Maple Ridge.
    • South Carolina
      • Berkeley County
      • This Maple Ridge is located in Berkeley County and lies 761 miles [1,224.7 km]<1> to the southeast of the Maple Ridge that is located in Cook County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Berkeley County community of Maple Ridge.
    • Wisconsin
      • Douglas 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 Wisconsin community of Maple Ridge [Douglas County].

Curious and Interesting Names Near Maple Ridge ...

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.

  • Ancient Tree
    (Less than 2 miles to the west)
    • Ancient Tree is located in Cook County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Ancient Tree
  • Arrowhead
    (Less than 2 miles to the west)
    • Arrowhead is located in Cook County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Arrowhead
  • Birch Pond
    (Less than 2 miles to the southwest)
    • Birch Pond is located in Cook County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Birch Pond
  • Buttonwood
    (Less than 2 miles to the east)
    • Buttonwood is located in Cook County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Buttonwood
  • Cobblewood
    (Less than 2 miles to the south)
    • Cobblewood is located in Cook County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Cobblewood
  • Colonial Village
    (Less than 2 miles to the east)
    • Colonial Village is located in Cook County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Colonial Village
  • Covenant Village
    (Less than 2 miles to the south)
    • Covenant Village is located in Cook County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Covenant Village
  • Cozy Corner
    (Less than 2 miles to the southwest)
    • Cozy Corner is located in Cook County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Cozy Corner
  • Edgewood Grove
    (Less than 2 miles to the west)
    • Edgewood Grove is located in Cook County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Edgewood Grove
  • Fair Meadows
    (Less than 2 miles to the northeast)
    • Fair Meadows is located in Cook County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Fair Meadows
  • Fox Hedge
    (Less than 2 miles to the south)
    • Fox Hedge is located in Cook County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Fox Hedge
  • Fox Run
    (Less than 2 miles to the south)
    • Fox Run is located in Cook County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Fox Run
  • Continue List   (19 more) ...
    • Garden Court
      (Less than 2 miles to the west)
      • Garden Court is located in Cook County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Garden Court
    • Heathercrest
      (Less than 2 miles to the southwest)
      • Heathercrest is located in Cook County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Heathercrest
    • Mallard Creek
      (Less than 2 miles to the south)
      • Mallard Creek is located in Cook County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Mallard Creek
    • Meadow Green
      (Less than 2 miles to the south)
      • Meadow Green is located in Cook County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Meadow Green
    • Pheasant Creek
      (Less than 2 miles to the northwest)
      • Pheasant Creek is located in Cook County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Pheasant Creek
    • Regency Place
      (Less than 2 miles to the west)
      • Regency Place is located in Cook County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Regency Place
    • Royal Court
      (Less than 2 miles to the southwest)
      • Royal Court is located in Cook County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Royal Court
    • Solar Grove
      (Less than 2 miles to the south)
      • Solar Grove is located in Cook County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Solar Grove
    • Sportmans Cove
      (Less than 2 miles to the northwest)
      • Sportmans Cove is located in Cook County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Sportmans Cove
    • Stonebrook
      (Less than 2 miles to the southwest)
      • Stonebrook is located in Cook County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Stonebrook
    • Stonegate
      (Less than 2 miles to the southwest)
      • Stonegate is located in Cook County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Stonegate
    • Summerhill
      (Less than 2 miles to the southwest)
      • Summerhill is located in Cook County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Summerhill
    • Sunset Fields
      (Less than 2 miles to the south)
      • Sunset Fields is located in Cook County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Sunset Fields
    • Sycamore Lane
      (Less than 2 miles to the east)
      • Sycamore Lane is located in Cook County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Sycamore Lane
    • Thorn Hill
      (Less than 2 miles to the northeast)
      • Thorn Hill is located in Cook County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Thorn Hill
    • Timber Ridge
      (Less than 2 miles to the east)
      • Timber Ridge is located in Cook County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Timber Ridge
    • Willow Cove
      (Less than 2 miles to the south)
      • Willow Cove is located in Cook County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Willow Cove
    • Willow Creek
      (Less than 2 miles to the south)
      • Willow Creek is located in Cook County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Willow Creek
    • Willow Wood
      (Less than 2 miles to the south)
      • Willow Wood is located in Cook County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Willow Wood

How Far From Maple Ridge to ...

We spend a lot of time looking through Gazetteers that were published in the late 1800's and early 1900's. Many of the Gazetteers include the distance from a community such as Maple Ridge to various places of note, such as the White House.

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

  • Chicago, which is the Seat of Cook County, lies 20 miles [32.2 km]<1> to the south southeast. If you could walk a straight line from Maple Ridge to Chicago, with an average speed<3> of 2.2 miles [3.5 km] per hour, it would take just over a day to make the trip. A horse and buggy averaging 3.2 miles [5.1 km] per hour would take most of a day.
  • Springfield, which is the State Capital of Illinois, lies 187 miles [300.9 km] to the south southwest (SSW). Driving, with an average speed of 63 miles [101.4 km] per hour, would take a little over three hours, a buggy would take 8 days and walking would take 11 days.
  • The White House (Washington, DC) is 608 miles [978.5 km] to the east southeast (ESE). Driving would take just over a day, a buggy would take 24 days and walking would take 35 days.
  • The shortest distance<4> to Jerusalem (specifically the Temple Mount and the Dome of the Rock) is 6,178 miles [9,942.5 km] and it lies to the northeast (NE).<5>
  • The distance to the Great Mosque of Mecca (specifically the Ka'bah - or Kaaba ) is 6,918 miles [11,133.4 km] and it lies to the northeast (NE).<6>
  • The distance to Saint Peter's Basilica (The Vatican) is 4,802 miles [7,728.1 km] and it lies to the northeast (NE).<7>'

Footnotes ...

<1>Our distances are not driving distances, but are calculated as a 'straight-line' distance. A straight line distance ignores obstructions like rivers, canyons, lakes, et cetera - it's truly a line from Point A (ie- Maple Ridge) 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 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 Maple Ridge 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>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.
<4>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 Maple Ridge 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 Maple Ridge. The point we use is located at these GPS coordinates - Latitude: 42.1261, Longitude: -87.8433       In this case, the coordinates for Maple Ridge have been provided by the Geographic Names Information System (GNIS).
<5>The calculated bearing (or angle) to Jerusalem is 314.574 degrees.
<6>The calculated bearing (or angle) to Mecca is 311.524 degrees.
<7>The calculated bearing (or angle) to the Vatican is 308.599 degrees.