RoadsideThoughts
A Gazetteer for the United States and Canada
Home >> State of Illinois >> Will County >> River Oaks >> Tidbits & TriviaIndex...

Outdoor Activities ...

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

When in River Oaks, we use the following websites to find information relevant to River Oaks 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 River Oaks:
    • 41.721389, -88.138333
    • 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 River Oaks
  • 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 Will County as the starting point when you click on the link below:
    • Open the eBird sighting report for Will County
    • Since River Oaks is near DuPage County and also Kendall County, we have provided a link to their eBird sighting reports:
    • Open the eBird sighting report for DuPage County
    • Open the eBird sighting report for Kendall 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 River Oaks

Communities Also Named River Oaks ...

We found 22 communities that are also named River Oaks.

Within Illinois, the name River Oaks is unique.

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

  • Communities Elsewhere In North America ...
    • Alabama
      • Colbert County
      • This River Oaks is located in Colbert County and lies 480 miles [772.5 km]<1> to the south of the River Oaks that is located in Will County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Colbert County community of River Oaks.
    • California
      • San Benito County
      • This River Oaks is located in San Benito County and lies 1,806 miles [2,906.5 km]<1> to the west of the River Oaks that is located in Will County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the San Benito County community of River Oaks.
    • Florida
      • Hillsborough County
      • This River Oaks is located in Hillsborough County and lies 1,019 miles [1,639.9 km]<1> to the south southeast of the River Oaks that is located in Will County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Hillsborough County community of River Oaks.
    • Georgia
      • Camden County
      • This River Oaks is located in Camden County and lies 841 miles [1,353.5 km]<1> to the south southeast of the River Oaks that is located in Will County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Camden County community of River Oaks.
      • Chatham County
      • This River Oaks is located in Chatham County and lies 777 miles [1,250.5 km] to the south southeast of the River Oaks that is located in Will County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Chatham County community of River Oaks.
      • Cherokee County
      • This River Oaks is located in Cherokee County and lies 562 miles [904.5 km] to the south southeast of the River Oaks that is located in Will County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Cherokee County community of River Oaks.
    • Indiana
      • LaGrange County
      • This River Oaks is located in LaGrange County and lies 140 miles [225.3 km]<1> to the east of the River Oaks that is located in Will County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the LaGrange County community of River Oaks.
    • Louisiana
      • Caddo Parish
      • This River Oaks is located in Caddo Parish and lies 711 miles [1,144.2 km]<1> to the south southwest of the River Oaks that is located in Will County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Caddo Parish community of River Oaks.
      • East Baton Rouge Parish
      • This River Oaks is located in East Baton Rouge Parish and lies 793 miles [1,276.2 km] to the south southwest of the River Oaks that is located in Will County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the East Baton Rouge Parish community of River Oaks.
      • Ouachita Parish
      • This River Oaks is located in Ouachita Parish and lies 669 miles [1,076.7 km] to the south southwest of the River Oaks that is located in Will County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Ouachita Parish community of River Oaks.
      • Saint Tammany Parish
      • This River Oaks is located in Saint Tammany Parish and lies 796 miles [1,281 km] to the south of the River Oaks that is located in Will County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Saint Tammany Parish community of River Oaks.
    • South Carolina
      • Spartanburg County
      • This River Oaks is located in Spartanburg County and lies 564 miles [907.7 km]<1> to the southeast of the River Oaks that is located in Will County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Spartanburg County community of River Oaks.
    • Tennessee
      • Hamilton County
      • This River Oaks is located in Hamilton County and lies 483 miles [777.3 km]<1> to the south southeast of the River Oaks that is located in Will County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Hamilton County community of River Oaks.
      • Shelby County
      • This River Oaks is located in Shelby County and lies 465 miles [748.3 km] to the south southwest of the River Oaks that is located in Will County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Shelby County community of River Oaks.
    • Texas
      • Brazos County
      • Although located in Brazos County, we don't know the location within the county.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Brazos County community of River Oaks.
      • Dallas County
      • This River Oaks is located in Dallas County and lies 791 miles [1,273 km]<1> to the southwest of the River Oaks that is located in Will County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Dallas County community of River Oaks.
      • Harris 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 Texas community of River Oaks [Harris County].
      • Tarrant County
      • This River Oaks is located in Tarrant County and lies 799 miles [1,285.9 km] to the southwest of the River Oaks that is located in Will County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Tarrant County community of River Oaks.
    • Utah
      • Salt Lake County
      • This River Oaks is located in Salt Lake County and lies 1,233 miles [1,984.3 km]<1> to the west of the River Oaks that is located in Will County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Salt Lake County community of River Oaks.
    • Virginia
      • Fairfax County
      • This River Oaks is located in Fairfax County and lies 606 miles [975.3 km]<1> to the east southeast of the River Oaks that is located in Will County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Fairfax County community of River Oaks.
      • Goochland County
      • This River Oaks is located in Goochland County and lies 623 miles [1,002.6 km] to the east southeast of the River Oaks that is located in Will County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Goochland County community of River Oaks.
      • Norfolk City
      • This River Oaks is located in Norfolk City and lies 718 miles [1,155.5 km] to the east southeast of the River Oaks that is located in Will County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Norfolk City community of River Oaks.

Curious and Interesting Names Near River Oaks ...

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.

  • Cider Creek
    (2 miles [3.2 km] to the south)
    • Cider Creek is located in Will County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Cider Creek
  • Crossing
    (Less than 2 miles to the west)
    • Crossing is located in Will County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Crossing
  • Heritage Creek
    (2 miles [3.2 km] to the east)
    • Heritage Creek is located in Will County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Heritage Creek
  • Heritage Knolls
    (Less than 2 miles to the northeast)
    • Heritage Knolls is located in Will County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Heritage Knolls
  • Hickory Oaks
    (Less than 2 miles to the south)
    • Hickory Oaks is located in Will County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Hickory Oaks
  • Indian Boundary
    (2 miles [3.2 km] to the south)
    • Indian Boundary is located in Will County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Indian Boundary
  • Old Sawmill
    (Less than 2 miles to the west)
    • Old Sawmill is located in Will County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Old Sawmill
  • Pepper Tree
    (2 miles [3.2 km] to the south)
    • Pepper Tree is located in Will County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Pepper Tree
  • Pheasant Chase
    (2 miles [3.2 km] to the south)
    • Pheasant Chase is located in Will County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Pheasant Chase
  • Prairie Ridge
    (Less than 2 miles to the west)
    • Prairie Ridge is located in Will County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Prairie Ridge
  • Quail Grove
    (2 miles [3.2 km] to the southeast)
    • Quail Grove is located in Will County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Quail Grove
  • River Woods
    (Less than 2 miles to the east)
    • River Woods is located in Will County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for River Woods
  • Continue List   (9 more) ...
    • Riverbend
      (2 miles [3.2 km] to the southwest)
      • Riverbend is located in Will County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Riverbend
    • Rivermist
      (Less than 2 miles to the southeast)
      • Rivermist is located in Will County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Rivermist
    • Stillwater
      (2 miles [3.2 km] to the west)
      • Stillwater is located in Will County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Stillwater
    • Sugar Brook
      (2 miles [3.2 km] to the southeast)
      • Sugar Brook is located in Will County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Sugar Brook
    • Walnut Ridge
      (Less than 2 miles to the east)
      • Walnut Ridge is located in Will County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Walnut Ridge
    • Walnut Woods
      (Less than 2 miles to the east)
      • Walnut Woods is located in Will County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Walnut Woods
    • Wheatland View
      (2 miles [3.2 km] to the west)
      • Wheatland View is located in Will County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Wheatland View
    • Willow Grove
      (Less than 2 miles to the southeast)
      • Willow Grove is located in Will County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Willow Grove
    • Woodleaf
      (Less than 2 miles to the southeast)
      • Woodleaf is located in Will County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Woodleaf

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

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

  • Joliet, which is the Seat of Will County, lies 13 miles [20.9 km]<1> to the south. If you could walk a straight line from River Oaks to Joliet, with an average speed<3> 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 155 miles [249.4 km] to the south southwest (SSW). 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 615 miles [989.7 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 6,208 miles [9,990.8 km] and it lies to the northeast (NE).<5>
  • The distance to the Great Mosque of Mecca (specifically the Ka'bah - or Kaaba ) is 6,948 miles [11,181.7 km] and it lies to the northeast (NE).<6>
  • The distance to Saint Peter's Basilica (The Vatican) is 4,832 miles [7,776.4 km] and it lies to the northeast (NE).<7>'

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 from Point A (ie- River Oaks) 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 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 River Oaks 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 River Oaks 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 River Oaks. The point we use is located at these GPS coordinates - Latitude: 41.7214, Longitude: -88.1383       In this case, the coordinates for River Oaks have been provided by the Geographic Names Information System (GNIS).
<5>The calculated bearing (or angle) to Jerusalem is 314.772 degrees.
<6>The calculated bearing (or angle) to Mecca is 311.693 degrees.
<7>The calculated bearing (or angle) to the Vatican is 308.862 degrees.