Outdoor Activities ...
As we travel, we like to pursue some of our interests (such as astronomy and bird watching).
When in Watson, we use the following websites to find information relevant to Watson and the surrounding area.
- Weather ...
- Before heading outdoors, you should check the weather:
- The National Weather Service forecast for Watson
- 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 Watson:
- 39.025435, -88.568201
- 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 Watson
- 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 Effingham County as the starting point when you click on the link below:
- eBird sighting report for Effingham County
- Since Watson is near Clay County and also Fayette County, we have provided a link to their eBird sighting reports:
- eBird sighting report for Clay County
- eBird sighting report for Fayette 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:
- Waymark.com
Communities Also Named Watson ...
We found 57 communities that share the name Watson.
Within Illinois, the name Watson is unique.
Beyond Illinois, we know of another 57 communities that are located throughout in the United States and Canada. Of these 57 communities, 54 are located in the United States and three are in Canada.
- Communities Elsewhere In North America ...
- Alabama
- Cherokee County
- This Watson is located in Cherokee County and lies 364 miles [585.8 km]<1> to the south southeast of the Watson that is located in Effingham County.
- For more information, please visit our profile page for the Cherokee County community of Watson.
- Jefferson County
- This Watson is located in Jefferson County and lies 383 miles [616.4 km] to the south southeast of the Watson that is located in Effingham County.
- For more information, please visit our profile page for the Jefferson County community of Watson.
- Arkansas
- Calhoun County
- This Watson is located in Calhoun County and lies 427 miles [687.2 km]<1> to the south southwest of the Watson that is located in Effingham County.
- For more information, please visit our profile page for the Calhoun County community of Watson.
- Desha County
- This Watson is located in Desha County and lies 384 miles [618 km] to the south southwest of the Watson that is located in Effingham County.
- For more information, please visit our profile page for the Desha County community of Watson.
- Woodruff 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 Arkansas community of Watson [Woodruff County].
- British Columbia
- This Watson lies 2,003 miles [3,223.5 km]<1> to the northwest of the Watson that is located in Effingham County.
- California
- Los Angeles County
- This Watson is located in Los Angeles County and lies 1,679 miles [2,702.1 km]<1> to the west of the Watson that is located in Effingham County.
- For more information, please visit our profile page for the Los Angeles County community of Watson.
- Tehama County
- This Watson is located in Tehama County and lies 1,807 miles [2,908.1 km] to the west northwest of the Watson that is located in Effingham County.
- For more information, please visit our profile page for the Tehama County community of Watson.
- Colorado
- Florida
- Hamilton County
- This Watson is located in Hamilton County and lies 669 miles [1,076.7 km]<1> to the south southeast of the Watson that is located in Effingham County.
- For more information, please visit our profile page for the Hamilton County community of Watson.
- Palm Beach County
- This Watson is located in Palm Beach County and lies 961 miles [1,546.6 km] to the south southeast of the Watson that is located in Effingham County.
- For more information, please visit our profile page for the Palm Beach County community of Watson.
- Georgia
- Cherokee 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 Georgia community of Watson [Cherokee County].
- Thomas 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 Georgia community of Watson [Thomas County].
- Indiana
- Clark County
- This Watson is located in Clark County and lies 161 miles [259.1 km]<1> to the east southeast of the Watson that is located in Effingham County.
- For more information, please visit our profile page for the Clark County community of Watson.
- Greene 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 Indiana community of Watson [Greene County].
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kiowa 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 Kansas community of Watson [Kiowa County].
- Lane 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 Kansas community of Watson [Lane County].
- Shawnee County
- This Watson is located in Shawnee County and lies 374 miles [601.9 km]<1> to the west of the Watson that is located in Effingham County.
- For more information, please visit our profile page for the Shawnee County community of Watson.
- Kentucky
- Adair 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 Kentucky community of Watson [Adair County].
- Estill County
- This Watson is located in Estill County and lies 271 miles [436.1 km]<1> to the east southeast of the Watson that is located in Effingham County.
- For more information, please visit our profile page for the Estill County community of Watson.
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Allegan County
- This Watson is located in Allegan County and lies 285 miles [458.7 km]<1> to the north northeast of the Watson that is located in Effingham County.
- For more information, please visit our profile page for the Allegan County community of Watson.
- Marquette County
- This community is historic<3> and we have very little information. For the information that we do have, please visit our profile page for the Michigan community of Watson [Marquette County].
- Montmorency 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 Watson [Montmorency County].
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Atchison County
- This Watson is located in Atchison County and lies 387 miles [622.8 km]<1> to the west northwest of the Watson that is located in Effingham County.
- For more information, please visit our profile page for the Atchison County community of Watson.
- Pike 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 Missouri community of Watson [Pike County].
- Montana
- Cascade County
- This community is historic<3> and we have very little information. For the information that we do have, please visit our profile page for the Montana community of Watson [Cascade County].
- Meagher County
- This Watson is located in Meagher County and lies 1,263 miles [2,032.6 km]<1> to the west northwest of the Watson that is located in Effingham County.
- For more information, please visit our profile page for the Meagher County community of Watson.
- Nebraska
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Malheur County
- This community is historic<3> and we have very little information. For the information that we do have, please visit our profile page for the Oregon community of Watson [Malheur County].
- Multnomah County
- This Watson is located in Multnomah County and lies 1,779 miles [2,863 km]<1> to the west northwest of the Watson that is located in Effingham County.
- For more information, please visit our profile page for the Multnomah County community of Watson.
- Pennsylvania
- Allegheny 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 Pennsylvania community of Watson [Allegheny County].
- Forest 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 Pennsylvania community of Watson [Forest County].
- Saskatchewan
- This Watson lies 1,183 miles [1,903.9 km]<1> to the northwest of the Watson that is located in Effingham County.
- Tennessee
- Cumberland County
- This Watson is located in Cumberland County and lies 293 miles [471.5 km]<1> to the southeast of the Watson that is located in Effingham County.
- For more information, please visit our profile page for the Cumberland County community of Watson.
- Hickman County
- This Watson is located in Hickman County and lies 237 miles [381.4 km] to the south southeast of the Watson that is located in Effingham County.
- For more information, please visit our profile page for the Hickman County community of Watson.
- Rutherford County
- This Watson is located in Rutherford County and lies 248 miles [399.1 km] to the south southeast of the Watson that is located in Effingham County.
- For more information, please visit our profile page for the Rutherford County community of Watson.
- Williamson County
- This Watson is located in Williamson County and lies 247 miles [397.5 km] to the south southeast of the Watson that is located in Effingham County.
- For more information, please visit our profile page for the Williamson County community of Watson.
- Texas
- Burnet County
- This Watson is located in Burnet County and lies 772 miles [1,242.4 km]<1> to the southwest of the Watson that is located in Effingham County.
- For more information, please visit our profile page for the Burnet County community of Watson.
- Comanche County
- This Watson is located in Comanche County and lies 754 miles [1,213.4 km] to the southwest of the Watson that is located in Effingham County.
- For more information, please visit our profile page for the Comanche County community of Watson.
- Red River County
- This community is historic<3> and although located in Red River County, we don't know where within the county.
- For more information, please visit our profile page for the Red River County community of Watson.
- Utah
- Salt Lake County
- This Watson is located in Salt Lake County and lies 1,236 miles [1,989.1 km]<1> to the west northwest of the Watson that is located in Effingham County.
- For more information, please visit our profile page for the Salt Lake County community of Watson.
- Uintah County
- This community is historic<3> and we have very little information. For the information that we do have, please visit our profile page for the Utah community of Watson [Uintah County].
- Virginia
- West Virginia
- Yukon
- This Watson lies 2,454 miles [3,949.3 km]<1> to the northwest of the Watson that is located in Effingham County.
- Alabama
Curious and Interesting Names Near Watson ...
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.
- Bible Grove
(12 miles [19.3 km] to the southeast)- Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Bible Grove have been provided by the GNIS.<4> The coordinates still need to be verified.
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Bible Grove
- Bible Grove is located in Clay County
- Elliottstown
(6 miles [9.7 km] to the east)- Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Elliottstown have been provided by the GNIS.<4> The coordinates still need to be verified.
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Elliottstown
- Elliottstown is located in Effingham County
- Evers
(7 miles [11.3 km] to the northeast) - Funkhouser
(5 miles [8 km] to the northwest)- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Funkhouser
- Funkhouser is located in Effingham County
- Green Creek
(12 miles [19.3 km] to the north)- Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Green Creek have been provided by the GNIS.<4> The coordinates still need to be verified.
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Green Creek
- Green Creek is located in Effingham County
- Heartville
(2 miles [3.2 km] to the northeast)- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Heartville
- Heartville is located in Effingham County
- Hill
(7 miles [11.3 km] to the south) - Hord
(10 miles [16.1 km] to the south) - Island Grove ‑ Historic
(13 miles [20.9 km] to the northeast)- Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Island Grove have been provided by the GNIS.<4> The coordinates still need to be verified.
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Island Grove
- Island Grove is located in Jasper County
- Lillyville
(12 miles [19.3 km] to the northeast)- Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Lillyville have been provided by the GNIS.<4> The coordinates still need to be verified.
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Lillyville
- Lillyville is located in Cumberland County
- Mason
(5 miles [8 km] to the southwest)- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Mason
- Mason is located in Effingham County
- Population from the 2020 Census: 333 people
- Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Mason <5>
- Moccasin
(13 miles [20.9 km] to the northwest)- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Moccasin
- Moccasin is located in Effingham County
How Far From Watson 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 village such as Watson to various places of note, such as the White House.
With a nod to our favorite Gazetteers, the straight-line distance beginning in Watson and extending to:
- Effingham, which is the Seat of Effingham County, lies just to the North.
- Springfield, which is the State Capital of Illinois, lies 77 miles [123.9 km]<1> to the northwest (NW). If you could drive a straight line from Watson to Springfield, with an average speed<6>of 63 miles [101.4 km] per hour, it would take less than two hours to make the trip. A comfortable walk of 2.2 miles [3.5 km] per hour would take 5 days. A horse and buggy averaging 3.2 miles [5.1 km] per hour would take most of three days.
- The White House (Washington, DC) is 618 miles [994.6 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<7> to Jerusalem (specifically the Temple Mount and the Dome of the Rock) is 6,356 miles [10,229 km] and it lies to the northeast (NE).<8>
- The distance to the Great Mosque of Mecca (specifically the Ka'bah - or Kaaba ) is 7,088 miles [11,407 km] and it lies to the northeast (NE).<9>
- The distance to Saint Peter's Basilica (The Vatican) is 4,967 miles [7,993.6 km] and it lies to the northeast (NE).<10>
Off-the-Road Links ...
Unfortunately, we don't know of a website for Watson. If you can help, please contact us through our Feedback Page.
The official website for Effingham County: www.co.effingham.il.us/
The official website for State of Illinois: https://illinois.gov
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- Watson) to Point B.Our distance measurements begin at a specific point in Watson. The point we use is located at these GPS coordinates - Latitude: 39.0254, Longitude: -88.5682 In this case, the coordinates for Watson have been provided by the Geographic Names Information System (GNIS). |
| <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 Watson 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> | 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 Watson, please let us know so that we can improve our accuracy. |
| <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 Watson 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 315.022 degrees. |
| <9> | The calculated bearing (or angle) to Mecca is 311.601 degrees. |
| <10> | The calculated bearing (or angle) to the Vatican is 309.789 degrees. |