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A Gazetteer for the United States and Canada
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Outdoor Activities ...

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

When in Thomas, we use the following websites to find information relevant to Thomas 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 Thomas:
    • 31.409347, -92.347635
    • 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 Thomas
  • 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 Thomas ...

We found 37 communities that share the name Thomas.

There are two communities within Louisiana that are also named Thomas.

Beyond Louisiana, we know of another 35 communities that are located throughout in the United States and Canada. Of these 35 communities, 36 are located in the United States and one is in Canada.

  • Communities Located In Louisiana ...
    • Bienville Parish
      • This community is historic<1> and we have very little information. For the information that we do have, please visit our profile page for the Louisiana community of Thomas [Bienville Parish].
    • Washington Parish
      • This Thomas is located in Washington Parish and lies 140 miles [225.3 km]<2> to the east southeast of the Thomas that is located in Rapides Parish.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Washington Parish community of Thomas.
  • Communities Elsewhere In North America ...
    • Alabama
      • Jefferson County
      • This Thomas is located in Jefferson County and lies 351 miles [564.9 km]<2> to the east northeast of the Thomas that is located in Rapides Parish.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Jefferson County community of Thomas.
    • Arkansas
      • Prairie County
      • This community is historic<1> and we have very little information. For the information that we do have, please visit our profile page for the Arkansas community of Thomas [Prairie County].
    • Georgia
      • Burke County
      • We found mention of this community, but have little information.<3> For the information that we do have, please visit our profile page for the Georgia community of Thomas [Burke County].
    • Idaho
      • Bingham County
      • This Thomas is located in Bingham County and lies 1,367 miles [2,200 km]<2> to the northwest of the Thomas that is located in Rapides Parish.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Bingham County community of Thomas.
    • Illinois
      • Bureau County
      • This Thomas is located in Bureau County and lies 711 miles [1,144.2 km]<2> to the north of the Thomas that is located in Rapides Parish.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Bureau County community of Thomas.
      • Vermilion County
      • This Thomas is located in Vermilion County and lies 670 miles [1,078.3 km] to the north northeast of the Thomas that is located in Rapides Parish.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Vermilion County community of Thomas.
    • Indiana
      • Davies's County
      • This Thomas is located in Davies's County and lies 575 miles [925.4 km]<2> to the north northeast of the Thomas that is located in Rapides Parish.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Davies's County community of Thomas.
      • Warren County
      • We found mention of this community, but have little information.<3> For the information that we do have, please visit our profile page for the Indiana community of Thomas [Warren County].
    • Kansas
      • Barton County
      • We found mention of this community, but have little information.<3> For the information that we do have, please visit our profile page for the Kansas community of Thomas [Barton County].
      • Ellsworth 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 Thomas [Ellsworth County].
      • Marshall 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 Thomas [Marshall County].
    • Kentucky
      • Boyd County
      • We found mention of this community, but have little information.<3> For the information that we do have, please visit our profile page for the Kentucky community of Thomas [Boyd County].
      • Estill County
      • This Thomas is located in Estill County and lies 638 miles [1,026.8 km]<2> to the northeast of the Thomas that is located in Rapides Parish.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Estill County community of Thomas.
      • Floyd County
      • This Thomas is located in Floyd County and lies 703 miles [1,131.4 km] to the northeast of the Thomas that is located in Rapides Parish.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Floyd County community of Thomas.
      • Pike 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 Kentucky community of Thomas [Pike County].
    • Maryland
      • Dorchester County
      • This Thomas is located in Dorchester County and lies 1,032 miles [1,660.8 km]<2> to the east northeast of the Thomas that is located in Rapides Parish.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Dorchester County community of Thomas.
    • Michigan
      • Oakland County
      • This Thomas is located in Oakland County and lies 934 miles [1,503.1 km]<2> to the north northeast of the Thomas that is located in Rapides Parish.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Oakland County community of Thomas.
      • Tuscola County
      • This Thomas is located in Tuscola County and lies 974 miles [1,567.5 km] to the north northeast of the Thomas that is located in Rapides Parish.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Tuscola County community of Thomas.
      • Van Buren County
      • We found mention of this community, but have little information.<3> For the information that we do have, please visit our profile page for the Michigan community of Thomas [Van Buren County].
    • Missouri
      • Harrison County
      • We found mention of this community, but have little information.<3> For the information that we do have, please visit our profile page for the Missouri community of Thomas [Harrison County].
    • New Hampshire
      • Cheshire County
      • This Thomas is located in Cheshire County and lies 1,359 miles [2,187.1 km]<2> to the northeast of the Thomas that is located in Rapides Parish.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Cheshire County community of Thomas.
    • New Mexico
      • Union County
      • This Thomas is located in Union County and lies 710 miles [1,142.6 km]<2> to the west northwest of the Thomas that is located in Rapides Parish.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Union County community of Thomas.
    • Oklahoma
      • Custer County
      • This Thomas is located in Custer County and lies 474 miles [762.8 km]<2> to the northwest of the Thomas that is located in Rapides Parish.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Custer County community of Thomas.
    • Pennsylvania
      • Washington County
      • This Thomas is located in Washington County and lies 916 miles [1,474.2 km]<2> to the northeast of the Thomas that is located in Rapides Parish.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Washington County community of Thomas.
    • Quebec
      • This Thomas lies 1,496 miles [2,407.6 km]<2> to the northeast of the Thomas that is located in Rapides Parish.
    • South Dakota
      • Hamlin County
      • This Thomas is located in Hamlin County and lies 958 miles [1,541.8 km]<2> to the north northwest of the Thomas that is located in Rapides Parish.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Hamlin County community of Thomas.
    • Tennessee
      • Putnam County
      • This Thomas is located in Putnam County and lies 502 miles [807.9 km]<2> to the northeast of the Thomas that is located in Rapides Parish.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Putnam County community of Thomas.
    • Texas
      • Panola County
      • We found mention of this community, but have little information.<3> For the information that we do have, please visit our profile page for the Texas community of Thomas [Panola County].
      • Rockwall 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 Texas community of Thomas [Rockwall County].
      • Upshur County
      • This Thomas is located in Upshur County and lies 188 miles [302.6 km]<2> to the west northwest of the Thomas that is located in Rapides Parish.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Upshur County community of Thomas.
    • Utah
      • Davis County
      • This Thomas is located in Davis County and lies 1,268 miles [2,040.6 km]<2> to the northwest of the Thomas that is located in Rapides Parish.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Davis County community of Thomas.
    • Virginia
      • Buchanan County
      • This Thomas is located in Buchanan County and lies 709 miles [1,141 km]<2> to the northeast of the Thomas that is located in Rapides Parish.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Buchanan County community of Thomas.
    • Washington
      • King County
      • This Thomas is located in King County and lies 1,918 miles [3,086.7 km]<2> to the northwest of the Thomas that is located in Rapides Parish.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the King County community of Thomas.
      • Walla Walla County
      • This Thomas is located in Walla Walla County and lies 1,705 miles [2,743.9 km] to the northwest of the Thomas that is located in Rapides Parish.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Walla Walla County community of Thomas.
    • West Virginia
      • Tucker County
      • This Thomas is located in Tucker County and lies 898 miles [1,445.2 km]<2> to the northeast of the Thomas that is located in Rapides Parish.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Tucker County community of Thomas.

Curious and Interesting Names Near Thomas ...

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.

  • Ball
    (3 miles [4.8 km] to the west)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Ball have been provided by the GNIS.<4> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Ball
    • Ball is located in Rapides Parish
    • Population from the 2020 Census: 3,906 people
    • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Ball <5>
  • Bob
    (6 miles [9.7 km] to the northeast)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Bob have been provided by the GNIS.<4> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Bob
    • Bob is located in Grant Parish
  • Fishville
    (7 miles [11.3 km] to the north)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Fishville have been provided by the GNIS.<4> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Fishville
    • Fishville is located in Grant Parish
  • Green Gables
    (Less than 2 miles to the south)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Green Gables have been provided by the GNIS.<4> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Green Gables
    • Green Gables is located in Rapides Parish
  • Kingsville
    (4 miles [6.4 km] to the southwest)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Kingsville have been provided by the GNIS.<4> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Kingsville
    • Kingsville is located in Rapides Parish
  • Lee Heights
    (6 miles [9.7 km] to the southwest)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Lee Heights have been provided by the GNIS.<4> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Lee Heights
    • Lee Heights is located in Rapides Parish
  • Paradise
    (3 miles [4.8 km] to the southwest)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Paradise have been provided by the GNIS.<4> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Paradise
    • Paradise is located in Rapides Parish
  • Pollock
    (8 miles [12.9 km] to the northwest)
  • Prospect
    (8 miles [12.9 km] to the west)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Prospect have been provided by the GNIS.<4> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Prospect
    • Prospect is located in Grant Parish
  • Shady Oaks
    (7 miles [11.3 km] to the south)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Shady Oaks have been provided by the GNIS.<4> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Shady Oaks
    • Shady Oaks is located in Rapides Parish
  • Timber Trails
    (8 miles [12.9 km] to the west)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Timber Trails have been provided by the GNIS.<4> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Timber Trails
    • Timber Trails is located in Rapides Parish

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

With a nod to our favorite Gazetteers and using the location of where the historic community of Thomas once stood, the straight-line distance beginning in Thomas and extending to:

  • Alexandria, which is the Seat of Rapides Parish, lies 9 miles [14.5 km]<2> to the southwest. If you could walk a straight line from Thomas to Alexandria, with an average speed<6> of 2.2 miles [3.5 km] per hour, it would take four to five hours to make the trip. A horse and buggy averaging 3.2 miles [5.1 km] per hour would take a little over three hours.
  • Baton Rouge, which is the State Capital of Louisiana, lies 96 miles [154.5 km] to the southeast (SE). Driving, with an average speed of 63 miles [101.4 km] per hour, would take less than two hours, a buggy would take three full days and walking would take 6 days.
  • The White House (Washington, DC) is 1,005 miles [1,617.4 km] to the northeast (NE). Driving would take most of two days, a buggy would take 40 days and walking would take 58 days.
  • The shortest distance<7> to Jerusalem (specifically the Temple Mount and the Dome of the Rock) is 6,882 miles [11,075.5 km] and it lies to the northeast (NE).<8>
  • The distance to the Great Mosque of Mecca (specifically the Ka'bah - or Kaaba ) is 7,599 miles [12,229.4 km] and it lies to the northeast (NE).<9>
  • The distance to Saint Peter's Basilica (The Vatican) is 5,475 miles [8,811.2 km] and it lies to the northeast (NE).<10>

The official website for Rapides Parish: www.rppj.com/

The official website for State of Louisiana: louisiana.gov/

Footnotes ...

<1>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 Thomas, please let us know so that we can improve our accuracy.
<2>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- Thomas) to Point B.Our distance measurements begin at a specific point in Thomas. The point we use is located at these GPS coordinates - Latitude: 31.4093, Longitude: -92.3476       In this case, the coordinates for Thomas have been provided by the Geographic Names Information System (GNIS).
<3>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 Thomas 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 parish. 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.
<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 Thomas 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 316.891 degrees.
<9>The calculated bearing (or angle) to Mecca is 312.736 degrees.
<10>The calculated bearing (or angle) to the Vatican is 312.917 degrees.









 

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This page was last modified/updated: 10 Mar 2024