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

Outdoor Activities ...

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

When in Somerset, we use the following websites to find information relevant to Somerset 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 Somerset:
    • 37.654493, -88.457268
    • 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 Somerset
  • 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 Saline County as the starting point when you click on the link below:
    • Open the eBird sighting report for Saline County
    • Since Somerset is near Pope County and also Gallatin County, we have provided a link to their eBird sighting reports:
    • Open the eBird sighting report for Pope County
    • Open the eBird sighting report for Gallatin 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 Somerset

Communities Also Named Somerset ...

We found 44 communities that are also named Somerset.

There are two communities within Illinois that are also named Somerset.

Beyond Illinois, we know of 42 communities that are located in the United States and Canada. Of these 42 communities, 41 are located in the United States and five are in Canada.

  • Communities Located In Illinois ...
    • DuPage County
      • We found mention of this community, but have little information.<1> For the information that we do have, please visit our profile page for the Illinois community of Somerset [DuPage County].
    • McHenry County
      • We found mention of this community, but have little information.<1> For the information that we do have, please visit our profile page for the Illinois community of Somerset [McHenry County].
  • Communities Elsewhere In North America ...
    • Alabama
      • Geneva County
      • This Somerset is located in Geneva County and lies 480 miles [772.5 km]<2> to the south southeast of the Somerset that is located in Saline County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Geneva County community of Somerset.
    • California
      • El Dorado County
      • This Somerset is located in El Dorado County and lies 1,742 miles [2,803.5 km]<2> to the west northwest of the Somerset that is located in Saline County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the El Dorado County community of Somerset.
      • Siskiyou County
      • This Somerset is located in Siskiyou County and lies 1,791 miles [2,882.3 km] to the west northwest of the Somerset that is located in Saline County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Siskiyou County community of Somerset.
    • Colorado
      • Gunnison County
      • This Somerset is located in Gunnison County and lies 1,032 miles [1,660.8 km]<2> to the west of the Somerset that is located in Saline County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Gunnison County community of Somerset.
    • Florida
      • Hillsborough County
      • This Somerset is located in Hillsborough County and lies 761 miles [1,224.7 km]<2> to the south southeast of the Somerset that is located in Saline County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Hillsborough County community of Somerset.
    • Georgia
      • Bulloch County
      • This Somerset is located in Bulloch County and lies 523 miles [841.7 km]<2> to the southeast of the Somerset that is located in Saline County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Bulloch County community of Somerset.
    • Indiana
      • Wabash County
      • This Somerset is located in Wabash County and lies 251 miles [403.9 km]<2> to the north northeast of the Somerset that is located in Saline County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Wabash County community of Somerset.
    • Iowa
      • Warren County
      • We found mention of this community, but have little information.<1> For the information that we do have, please visit our profile page for the Iowa community of Somerset [Warren County].
    • Kansas
      • Miami County
      • This Somerset is located in Miami County and lies 348 miles [560.1 km]<2> to the west northwest of the Somerset that is located in Saline County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Miami County community of Somerset.
    • Kentucky
      • Pulaski County
      • This Somerset is located in Pulaski County and lies 214 miles [344.4 km]<2> to the east of the Somerset that is located in Saline County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Pulaski County community of Somerset.
    • Louisiana
      • Tensas Parish
      • This Somerset is located in Tensas Parish and lies 409 miles [658.2 km]<2> to the south southwest of the Somerset that is located in Saline County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Tensas Parish community of Somerset.
    • Manitoba
      • This Somerset lies 956 miles [1,538.5 km]<2> to the north northwest of the Somerset that is located in Saline County.
    • Maryland
      • Anne Arundel County
      • This Somerset is located in Anne Arundel County and lies 647 miles [1,041.2 km]<2> to the east northeast of the Somerset that is located in Saline County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Anne Arundel County community of Somerset.
      • Calvert County
      • This Somerset is located in Calvert County and lies 645 miles [1,038 km] to the east of the Somerset that is located in Saline County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Calvert County community of Somerset.
      • Carroll County
      • This Somerset is located in Carroll County and lies 629 miles [1,012.3 km] to the east northeast of the Somerset that is located in Saline County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Carroll County community of Somerset.
      • Frederick County
      • This Somerset is located in Frederick County and lies 603 miles [970.4 km] to the east northeast of the Somerset that is located in Saline County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Frederick County community of Somerset.
      • Howard County
      • This Somerset is located in Howard County and lies 636 miles [1,023.5 km] to the east northeast of the Somerset that is located in Saline County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Howard County community of Somerset.
      • Montgomery County
      • This Somerset is located in Montgomery County and lies 621 miles [999.4 km] to the east of the Somerset that is located in Saline County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Montgomery County community of Somerset.
      • Worcester County
      • This Somerset is located in Worcester County and lies 724 miles [1,165.2 km] to the east of the Somerset that is located in Saline County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Worcester County community of Somerset.
    • Massachusetts
      • Bristol County
      • This Somerset is located in Bristol County and lies 961 miles [1,546.6 km]<2> to the east northeast of the Somerset that is located in Saline County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Bristol County community of Somerset.
    • Michigan
      • Hillsdale County
      • This Somerset is located in Hillsdale County and lies 372 miles [598.7 km]<2> to the north northeast of the Somerset that is located in Saline County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Hillsdale County community of Somerset.
    • Missouri
      • Monroe County
      • This community is historic<3> and although located in Monroe County, we don't know where within the county.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Monroe County community of Somerset.
      • Ozark County
      • We found mention of this community, but have little information.<1> For the information that we do have, please visit our profile page for the Missouri community of Somerset [Ozark County].
    • Nebraska
      • Lincoln County
      • This Somerset is located in Lincoln County and lies 697 miles [1,121.7 km]<2> to the west northwest of the Somerset that is located in Saline County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Lincoln County community of Somerset.
    • New Jersey
      • Mercer County
      • This Somerset is located in Mercer County and lies 751 miles [1,208.6 km]<2> to the east northeast of the Somerset that is located in Saline County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Mercer County community of Somerset.
      • Passaic County
      • We found mention of this community, but have little information.<1> For the information that we do have, please visit our profile page for the New Jersey community of Somerset [Passaic County].
      • Somerset County
      • This Somerset is located in Somerset County and lies 773 miles [1,244 km] to the east northeast of the Somerset that is located in Saline County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Somerset County community of Somerset.
    • New York
      • Niagara County
      • This Somerset is located in Niagara County and lies 651 miles [1,047.7 km]<2> to the northeast of the Somerset that is located in Saline County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Niagara County community of Somerset.
    • Newfoundland and Labrador
      • This Somerset lies 1,874 miles [3,015.9 km]<2> to the east northeast of the Somerset that is located in Saline County.
    • North Carolina
      • Chowan County
      • This Somerset is located in Chowan County and lies 671 miles [1,079.9 km]<2> to the east of the Somerset that is located in Saline County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Chowan County community of Somerset.
      • Haywood County
      • We found mention of this community, but have little information.<1> For the information that we do have, please visit our profile page for the North Carolina community of Somerset [Haywood County].
      • Person County
      • This Somerset is located in Person County and lies 530 miles [853 km] to the east of the Somerset that is located in Saline County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Person County community of Somerset.
    • Nova Scotia
      • We found mention of this community, but have little information.<1> For the information that we do have, please visit our profile page for the Nova Scotia community of Somerset.
    • Ohio
      • Perry County
      • This Somerset is located in Perry County and lies 363 miles [584.2 km]<2> to the east northeast of the Somerset that is located in Saline County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Perry County community of Somerset.
    • Pennsylvania
      • Somerset County
      • This Somerset is located in Somerset County and lies 529 miles [851.3 km]<2> to the east northeast of the Somerset that is located in Saline County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Somerset County community of Somerset.
    • Texas
      • Atascosa County
      • This community is historic<3> and although located in Atascosa County, we don't know where within the county.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Atascosa County community of Somerset.
      • Bexar County
      • This Somerset is located in Bexar County and lies 825 miles [1,327.7 km]<2> to the southwest of the Somerset that is located in Saline County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Bexar County community of Somerset.
    • Vermont
      • Windham County
      • This Somerset is located in Windham County and lies 891 miles [1,433.9 km]<2> to the east northeast of the Somerset that is located in Saline County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Windham County community of Somerset.
    • Virginia
      • Chesterfield County
      • This Somerset is located in Chesterfield County and lies 604 miles [972 km]<2> to the east of the Somerset that is located in Saline County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Chesterfield County community of Somerset.
      • Orange County
      • This Somerset is located in Orange County and lies 558 miles [898 km] to the east of the Somerset that is located in Saline County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Orange County community of Somerset.
    • Washington
      • King County
      • This Somerset is located in King County and lies 1,826 miles [2,938.7 km]<2> to the west northwest of the Somerset that is located in Saline County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the King County community of Somerset.
    • Wisconsin
      • Saint Croix County
      • This Somerset is located in Saint Croix County and lies 560 miles [901.2 km]<2> to the north northwest of the Somerset that is located in Saline County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Saint Croix County community of Somerset.

Curious and Interesting Names Near Somerset ...

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.

  • Cottage Grove
    (6 miles [9.7 km] to the north)
    • Cottage Grove is located in Saline County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Cottage Grove
  • Derby
    (4 miles [6.4 km] to the southeast)
    • Derby is located in Saline County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Derby
  • Dorrisville
    (6 miles [9.7 km] to the northwest)
    • Dorrisville is located in Saline County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Dorrisville
  • Eagle
    (3 miles [4.8 km] to the east)
    • Eagle is located in Saline County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Eagle
  • Equality
    (8 miles [12.9 km] to the northeast)
  • Garden Heights
    (5 miles [8 km] to the northwest)
    • Garden Heights is located in Saline County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Garden Heights
  • Harrisburg
    (7 miles [11.3 km] to the northwest)
  • Hartsville
    (8 miles [12.9 km] to the south)
    • Hartsville is located in Pope County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Hartsville
  • Hicks
    (8 miles [12.9 km] to the southeast)
    • Hicks is located in Hardin County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Hicks
  • Horseshoe
    (5 miles [8 km] to the northeast)
    • Horseshoe is located in Saline County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Horseshoe
  • Liberty
    (7 miles [11.3 km] to the northwest)
    • Liberty is located in Saline County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Liberty
  • Muddy
    (8 miles [12.9 km] to the northwest)
  • Red Bud ‑ Historic
    (8 miles [12.9 km] to the north)
    • Red Bud is located in Saline County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Red Bud
  • Saline Valley Store ‑ Historic
    (2 miles [3.2 km] to the northwest)
    • Saline Valley Store is located in Saline County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Saline Valley Store

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

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

  • Harrisburg, which is the Seat of Saline County, lies just to the Northwest.
  • Springfield, which is the State Capital of Illinois, lies 160 miles [257.5 km]<2> to the north northwest (NNW). If you could drive a straight line from Somerset 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 7 days.
  • The White House (Washington, DC) is 624 miles [1,004.2 km] to the east (E). 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 6,418 miles [10,328.8 km] and it lies to the northeast (NE).<7>
  • The distance to the Great Mosque of Mecca (specifically the Ka'bah - or Kaaba ) is 7,146 miles [11,500.4 km] and it lies to the northeast (NE).<8>
  • The distance to Saint Peter's Basilica (The Vatican) is 5,023 miles [8,083.7 km] and it lies to the northeast (NE).<9>'

Footnotes ...

<1>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 Somerset 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.
<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- Somerset) to Point B. In other words: 'As the crow flies'.
<3>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 Somerset, please let us know so that we can improve our accuracy.
<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 Somerset 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 Somerset. The point we use is located at these GPS coordinates - Latitude: 37.6545, Longitude: -88.4573       In this case, the coordinates for Somerset have been provided by the Geographic Names Information System (GNIS).
<7>The calculated bearing (or angle) to Jerusalem is 314.908 degrees.
<8>The calculated bearing (or angle) to Mecca is 311.28 degrees.
<9>The calculated bearing (or angle) to the Vatican is 310.072 degrees.