RoadsideThoughts
A Gazetteer for the United States and Canada
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The Commemorative
Quarter for
Illinois

The Commemorative Quarter for Illinois





Outdoor Activities ...

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

When in Westchester, we use the following websites to find information relevant to Westchester 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 Westchester:
    • 41.850468, -87.881740
    • 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 Westchester
  • 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 Westchester ...

We found 26 communities that share the name Westchester.

Within Illinois, the name Westchester is unique.

Beyond Illinois, we know of another 26 communities that are located throughout in the United States and Canada. Of these 26 communities, 25 are located in the United States and one is in Canada.

  • Communities Elsewhere In North America ...
    • California
      • Los Angeles County
      • This Westchester is located in Los Angeles County and lies 1,739 miles [2,798.6 km]<1> to the west of the Westchester that is located in Cook County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Los Angeles County community of Westchester.
    • Connecticut
      • New London County
      • This Westchester is located in New London County and lies 796 miles [1,281 km]<1> to the east of the Westchester that is located in Cook County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the New London County community of Westchester.
    • Florida
      • Hillsborough County
      • This Westchester is located in Hillsborough County and lies 996 miles [1,602.9 km]<1> to the south southeast of the Westchester that is located in Cook County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Hillsborough County community of Westchester.
      • Miami-Dade County
      • This Westchester is located in Miami-Dade County and lies 1,191 miles [1,916.7 km] to the south southeast of the Westchester that is located in Cook County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Miami-Dade County community of Westchester.
    • Georgia
      • Bulloch County
      • This Westchester is located in Bulloch County and lies 728 miles [1,171.6 km]<1> to the south southeast of the Westchester that is located in Cook County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Bulloch County community of Westchester.
      • Clarke County
      • This Westchester is located in Clarke County and lies 595 miles [957.6 km] to the south southeast of the Westchester that is located in Cook County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Clarke County community of Westchester.
    • Indiana
      • Allen County
      • This Westchester is located in Allen County and lies 153 miles [246.2 km]<1> to the east southeast of the Westchester that is located in Cook County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Allen County community of Westchester.
      • Jay County
      • This Westchester is located in Jay County and lies 181 miles [291.3 km] to the east southeast of the Westchester that is located in Cook County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Jay County community of Westchester.
    • Louisiana
      • East Baton Rouge Parish
      • This Westchester is located in East Baton Rouge Parish and lies 813 miles [1,308.4 km]<1> to the south southwest of the Westchester that is located in Cook County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the East Baton Rouge Parish community of Westchester.
    • Maryland
      • Baltimore County
      • This Westchester is located in Baltimore County and lies 609 miles [980.1 km]<1> to the east southeast of the Westchester that is located in Cook County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Baltimore County community of Westchester.
      • Frederick County
      • This Westchester is located in Frederick County and lies 565 miles [909.3 km] to the east southeast of the Westchester that is located in Cook County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Frederick County community of Westchester.
      • Montgomery 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 Maryland community of Westchester [Montgomery County].
    • Massachusetts
      • Worcester County
      • This Westchester is located in Worcester County and lies 822 miles [1,322.9 km]<1> to the east of the Westchester that is located in Cook County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Worcester County community of Westchester.
    • New York
      • Bronx County
      • This Westchester is located in Bronx County and lies 729 miles [1,173.2 km]<1> to the east of the Westchester that is located in Cook County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Bronx County community of Westchester.
      • Westchester 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 New York community of Westchester [Westchester County].
    • North Carolina
      • Cumberland County
      • This Westchester is located in Cumberland County and lies 676 miles [1,087.9 km]<1> to the southeast of the Westchester that is located in Cook County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Cumberland County community of Westchester.
      • Mecklenburg County
      • This Westchester is located in Mecklenburg County and lies 589 miles [947.9 km] to the southeast of the Westchester that is located in Cook County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Mecklenburg County community of Westchester.
      • Wake County
      • This Westchester is located in Wake County and lies 646 miles [1,039.6 km] to the southeast of the Westchester that is located in Cook County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Wake County community of Westchester.
    • Nova Scotia
      • This Westchester lies 1,229 miles [1,977.9 km]<1> to the east northeast of the Westchester that is located in Cook County.
    • South Carolina
      • Charleston County
      • This Westchester is located in Charleston County and lies 765 miles [1,231.1 km]<1> to the southeast of the Westchester that is located in Cook County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Charleston County community of Westchester.
    • Virginia
      • Chesterfield County
      • This Westchester is located in Chesterfield County and lies 622 miles [1,001 km]<1> to the east southeast of the Westchester that is located in Cook County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Chesterfield County community of Westchester.
      • Fairfax 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 Virginia community of Westchester [Fairfax County].
      • Petersburg City
      • This Westchester is located in Petersburg City and lies 644 miles [1,036.4 km] to the east southeast of the Westchester that is located in Cook County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Petersburg City community of Westchester.
      • Prince William County
      • This Westchester is located in Prince William County and lies 589 miles [947.9 km] to the east southeast of the Westchester that is located in Cook County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Prince William County community of Westchester.
    • West Virginia
      • Marion County
      • This Westchester is located in Marion County and lies 435 miles [700.1 km]<1> to the east southeast of the Westchester that is located in Cook County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Marion County community of Westchester.
    • Wisconsin
      • Waukesha 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 Westchester [Waukesha County].

Curious and Interesting Names Near Westchester ...

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.

  • Clyde
    (5 miles [8 km] to the east)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Clyde have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Clyde
    • Clyde is located in Cook County
  • Countryside
    (5 miles [8 km] to the south)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Countryside have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Countryside
    • Countryside is located in Cook County
    • Population from the 2020 Census: 5,862 people
    • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Countryside <4>
  • Forest Park
    (3 miles [4.8 km] to the east)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Forest Park have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Forest Park
    • Forest Park is located in Cook County
    • Population from the 2020 Census: 13,534 people
    • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Forest Park <4>
  • Forest View
    (5 miles [8 km] to the southeast)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Forest View have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Forest View
    • Forest View is located in Cook County
    • Population from the 2020 Census: 659 people
    • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Forest View <4>
  • Fullersburg
    (2 miles [3.2 km] to the southwest)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Fullersburg have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Fullersburg
    • Fullersburg is located in DuPage County
  • Gary
    (5 miles [8 km] to the south)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Gary have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Gary
    • Gary is located in Cook County
  • Hillside
    (2 miles [3.2 km] to the northwest)
  • Indian Head Park
    (5 miles [8 km] to the south)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Indian Head Park have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Indian Head Park
    • Indian Head Park is located in Cook County
    • Population from the 2020 Census: 3,680 people
  • Lyons
    (4 miles [6.4 km] to the southeast)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Lyons have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Lyons
    • Lyons is located in Cook County
    • Population from the 2020 Census: 10,247 people
    • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Lyons <4>
  • Mammoth Springs
    (3 miles [4.8 km] to the west)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Mammoth Springs have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Mammoth Springs
    • Mammoth Springs is located in DuPage County
  • Maywood
    (2 miles [3.2 km] to the northeast)
  • McCook
    (4 miles [6.4 km] to the southeast)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for McCook have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for McCook
    • McCook is located in Cook County
    • Population from the 2020 Census: 217 people
    • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for McCook <4>
  • Stone Park
    (3 miles [4.8 km] to the north)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Stone Park have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Stone Park
    • Stone Park is located in Cook County
    • Population from the 2020 Census: 4,764 people
    • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Stone Park <4>

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

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

  • Chicago, which is the Seat of Cook County, lies 12 miles [19.3 km]<1> to the east. If you could walk a straight line from Westchester to Chicago, with an average speed<5> of 2.2 miles [3.5 km] per hour, it would take five to six hours to make the trip. A horse and buggy averaging 3.2 miles [5.1 km] per hour would take nearly four hours.
  • Springfield, which is the State Capital of Illinois, lies 170 miles [273.6 km] to the southwest (SW). Driving, with an average speed of 63 miles [101.4 km] per hour, would take about three hours, a buggy would take 7 days and walking would take 10 days.
  • The White House (Washington, DC) is 605 miles [973.7 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<6> to Jerusalem (specifically the Temple Mount and the Dome of the Rock) is 6,193 miles [9,966.7 km] and it lies to the northeast (NE).<7>
  • The distance to the Great Mosque of Mecca (specifically the Ka'bah - or Kaaba ) is 6,932 miles [11,156 km] and it lies to the northeast (NE).<8>
  • The distance to Saint Peter's Basilica (The Vatican) is 4,816 miles [7,750.6 km] and it lies to the northeast (NE).<9>

The official website for Westchester: www.westchester-il.org/

The official website for Cook County: www.co.cook.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' (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- Westchester) to Point B.Our distance measurements begin at a specific point in Westchester. The point we use is located at these GPS coordinates - Latitude: 41.8505, Longitude: -87.8817    
<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 Westchester 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>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.
<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 Westchester to the Middle East to be East and South, the Great Circle Route actually lies to the North and East.
<7>The calculated bearing (or angle) to Jerusalem is 314.601 degrees.
<8>The calculated bearing (or angle) to Mecca is 311.516 degrees.
<9>The calculated bearing (or angle) to the Vatican is 308.698 degrees.




 

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This page was last modified/updated: 07 Apr 2024