RoadsideThoughts
A Gazetteer for the United States and Canada
Home >> State of Indiana >> LaPorte County >> Smith >> Tidbits & TriviaIndex...

Outdoor Activities ...

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

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

  • 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 Smith:
    • 41.717748, -86.668546
    • 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 Smith
  • 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 LaPorte County as the starting point when you click on the link below:
    • Open the eBird sighting report for LaPorte County
    • Since Smith is near Berrien County and also Saint Joseph County, we have provided a link to their eBird sighting reports:
    • Open the eBird sighting report for Berrien County
    • Open the eBird sighting report for Saint Joseph 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 Smith

Communities Also Named Smith ...

We found 35 communities that are also named Smith.

There are two communities within Indiana that are also named Smith.

Beyond Indiana, we know of 33 communities that are located in the United States and Canada. Of these 33 communities, 34 are located in the United States and one is in Canada.

  • Communities Located In Indiana ...
    • Floyd 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 Indiana community of Smith [Floyd County].
    • Knox 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 Indiana community of Smith [Knox County].
  • Communities Elsewhere In North America ...
    • Alabama
      • Franklin County
      • This community is historic<2> and we have very little information. For the information that we do have, please visit our profile page for the Alabama community of Smith [Franklin County].
      • Tallapoosa County
      • This Smith is located in Tallapoosa County and lies 636 miles [1,023.5 km]<3> to the south of the Smith that is located in LaPorte County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Tallapoosa County community of Smith.
    • Alberta
      • This Smith lies 1,543 miles [2,483.2 km]<3> to the northwest of the Smith that is located in LaPorte County.
    • Arkansas
      • Union County
      • This Smith is located in Union County and lies 676 miles [1,087.9 km]<3> to the south southwest of the Smith that is located in LaPorte County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Union County community of Smith.
    • California
      • Humboldt County
      • This community is historic<2> and we have very little information. For the information that we do have, please visit our profile page for the California community of Smith [Humboldt County].
      • Shasta County
      • This Smith is located in Shasta County and lies 1,828 miles [2,941.9 km]<3> to the west of the Smith that is located in LaPorte County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Shasta County community of Smith.
    • Delaware
      • Sussex 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 Delaware community of Smith [Sussex County].
    • Florida
      • Hillsborough County
      • This Smith is located in Hillsborough County and lies 989 miles [1,591.6 km]<3> to the south southeast of the Smith that is located in LaPorte County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Hillsborough County community of Smith.
      • Taylor 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 Florida community of Smith [Taylor County].
    • Kentucky
      • Harlan County
      • This Smith is located in Harlan County and lies 389 miles [626 km]<3> to the south southeast of the Smith that is located in LaPorte County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Harlan County community of Smith.
      • Jackson County
      • This Smith is located in Jackson County and lies 330 miles [531.1 km] to the south southeast of the Smith that is located in LaPorte County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Jackson County community of Smith.
    • Louisiana
      • Winn Parish
      • This community is historic<2> and we have very little information. For the information that we do have, please visit our profile page for the Louisiana community of Smith [Winn Parish].
    • Maryland
      • Frederick County
      • This Smith is located in Frederick County and lies 519 miles [835.2 km]<3> to the east southeast of the Smith that is located in LaPorte County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Frederick County community of Smith.
    • Michigan
      • Saint Clair County
      • This community is historic<2> and although located in Saint Clair County, we don't know where within the county.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Saint Clair County community of Smith.
    • Mississippi
      • Covington County
      • This Smith is located in Covington County and lies 706 miles [1,136.2 km]<3> to the south southwest of the Smith that is located in LaPorte County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Covington County community of Smith.
      • Lauderdale County
      • This Smith is located in Lauderdale County and lies 649 miles [1,044.5 km] to the south of the Smith that is located in LaPorte County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Lauderdale County community of Smith.
      • Neshoba 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 Mississippi community of Smith [Neshoba County].
    • Missouri
      • Lincoln 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 Smith [Lincoln County].
      • Webster 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 Missouri community of Smith [Webster County].
    • Nevada
      • Lyon County
      • This Smith is located in Lyon County and lies 1,722 miles [2,771.3 km]<3> to the west of the Smith that is located in LaPorte County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Lyon County community of Smith.
    • New Mexico
      • Eddy County
      • This community is historic<2> and although located in Eddy County, we don't know where within the county.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Eddy County community of Smith.
      • San Juan County
      • This community is historic and although located in San Juan County, we don't know where within the county.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the San Juan County community of Smith.
      • Union County
      • This community is historic and although located in Union County, we don't know where within the county.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Union County community of Smith.
    • North Carolina
      • Brunswick 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 Smith [Brunswick County].
      • Rowan County
      • This community is historic<2> and we have very little information. For the information that we do have, please visit our profile page for the North Carolina community of Smith [Rowan County].
      • Stokes 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 North Carolina community of Smith [Stokes County].
    • Ohio
      • Muskingum County
      • This community is historic<2> and we have very little information. For the information that we do have, please visit our profile page for the Ohio community of Smith [Muskingum County].
    • Pennsylvania
      • Indiana County
      • This Smith is located in Indiana County and lies 396 miles [637.3 km]<3> to the east of the Smith that is located in LaPorte County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Indiana County community of Smith.
    • South Carolina
      • Berkeley County
      • This Smith is located in Berkeley County and lies 707 miles [1,137.8 km]<3> to the southeast of the Smith that is located in LaPorte County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Berkeley County community of Smith.
      • Chester County
      • This Smith is located in Chester County and lies 563 miles [906.1 km] to the southeast of the Smith that is located in LaPorte County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Chester County community of Smith.
    • Tennessee
      • Henderson County
      • This Smith is located in Henderson County and lies 420 miles [675.9 km]<3> to the south southwest of the Smith that is located in LaPorte County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Henderson County community of Smith.
    • Texas
      • Bell County
      • This Smith is located in Bell County and lies 944 miles [1,519.2 km]<3> to the southwest of the Smith that is located in LaPorte County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Bell County community of Smith.
    • Utah
      • Davis County
      • This Smith is located in Davis County and lies 1,303 miles [2,097 km]<3> to the west of the Smith that is located in LaPorte County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Davis County community of Smith.

Curious and Interesting Names Near Smith ...

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.

  • Duneland Beach
    (8 miles [12.9 km] to the west)
    • Duneland Beach is located in LaPorte County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Duneland Beach
  • Gordon Beach
    (7 miles [11.3 km] to the north)
    • Gordon Beach is located in Berrien County (MI)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Gordon Beach
  • Grand Beach
    (7 miles [11.3 km] to the northwest)
    • Grand Beach is located in Berrien County (MI)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Grand Beach
    • Population from the 2020 Census: 281 people
  • Hicks
    (5 miles [8 km] to the east)
    • Hicks is located in LaPorte County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Hicks
  • Hillside
    (2 miles [3.2 km] to the east)
    • Hillside is located in LaPorte County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Hillside
  • Hooks Corner
    (7 miles [11.3 km] to the north)
    • Hooks Corner is located in Berrien County (MI)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Hooks Corner
  • Lakeview
    (8 miles [12.9 km] to the north)
    • Lakeview is located in Berrien County (MI)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Lakeview
  • Orchard Highlands
    (8 miles [12.9 km] to the west)
    • Orchard Highlands is located in LaPorte County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Orchard Highlands
  • Rolling Prairie
    (4 miles [6.4 km] to the southeast)
  • Three Oaks
    (6 miles [9.7 km] to the northeast)
  • Union Pier
    (7 miles [11.3 km] to the north)

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

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

  • La Porte, which is the Seat of LaPorte County, lies just to the South Southwest.
  • Indianapolis, which is the State Capital of Indiana, lies 137 miles [220.5 km]<3> to the south (S). If you could drive a straight line from Smith to Indianapolis, 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 8 days. A horse and buggy averaging 3.2 miles [5.1 km] per hour would take 6 days.
  • The White House (Washington, DC) is 542 miles [872.3 km] to the east southeast (ESE). Driving would take just over a day, a buggy would take 22 days and walking would take 31 days.
  • The shortest distance<6> to Jerusalem (specifically the Temple Mount and the Dome of the Rock) is 6,154 miles [9,903.9 km] and it lies to the northeast (NE).<7>
  • The distance to the Great Mosque of Mecca (specifically the Ka'bah - or Kaaba ) is 6,891 miles [11,090 km] and it lies to the northeast (NE).<8>
  • The distance to Saint Peter's Basilica (The Vatican) is 4,772 miles [7,679.8 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 Smith 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>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 Smith, please let us know so that we can improve our accuracy.
<3>Our distances are not driving distances, but are calculated as a 'straight-line' distance. A straight line distance ignores things like rivers, canyons, lakes, et cetera - it's truly a line from Point A (ie- Smith) to Point B. In other words: 'As the crow flies'.
<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 Smith 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 Smith. The point we use is located at these GPS coordinates - Latitude: 41.7177, Longitude: -86.6685    
<7>The calculated bearing (or angle) to Jerusalem is 313.80 degrees.
<8>The calculated bearing (or angle) to Mecca is 310.584 degrees.
<9>The calculated bearing (or angle) to the Vatican is 308.14 degrees.