RoadsideThoughts
A Gazetteer for the United States and Canada
Home >> State of Maryland >> Carroll County >> Ben-Har Heights >> Tidbits & TriviaIndex...

Outdoor Activities ...

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

When in Ben-Har Heights, we use the following websites to find information relevant to Ben-Har Heights 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 Ben-Har Heights:
    • 39.605658, -76.879978
    • 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 Ben-Har Heights
  • 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

Curious and Interesting Names Near Ben-Har Heights ...

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.

  • Adams Chance
    (2 miles [3.2 km] to the south)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Adams Chance have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Adams Chance
    • Adams Chance is located in Carroll County
  • Cedarbrook
    (2 miles [3.2 km] to the east)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Cedarbrook have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Cedarbrook
    • Cedarbrook is located in Carroll County
  • Clear View
    (2 miles [3.2 km] to the east)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Clear View have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Clear View
    • Clear View is located in Carroll County
  • Cranberry
    (3 miles [4.8 km] to the northwest)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Cranberry have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Cranberry
    • Cranberry is located in Carroll County
  • Finlandia
    (Less than 2 miles to the southwest)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Finlandia have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Finlandia
    • Finlandia is located in Carroll County
  • Green Acres
    (2 miles [3.2 km] to the northwest)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Green Acres have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Green Acres
    • Green Acres is located in Carroll County
  • Greenmount
    (Less than 2 miles to the northeast)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Greenmount have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Greenmount
    • Greenmount is located in Carroll County
  • Hunt Ridge
    (Less than 2 miles to the northeast)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Hunt Ridge have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Hunt Ridge
    • Hunt Ridge is located in Carroll County
  • Lees Corner
    (2 miles [3.2 km] to the west)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Lees Corner have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Lees Corner
    • Lees Corner is located in Carroll County
  • Lees Mill
    (3 miles [4.8 km] to the south)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Lees Mill have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Lees Mill
    • Lees Mill is located in Carroll County
  • Maple Grove
    (3 miles [4.8 km] to the north)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Maple Grove have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Maple Grove
    • Maple Grove is located in Carroll County
  • Mexico
    (3 miles [4.8 km] to the west)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Mexico have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Mexico
    • Mexico is located in Carroll County
  • Continue List   (17 more) ...
    • New Mexico
      (3 miles [4.8 km] to the west)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for New Mexico have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for New Mexico
      • New Mexico is located in Carroll County
    • Park Ridge
      (3 miles [4.8 km] to the north)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Park Ridge have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Park Ridge
      • Park Ridge is located in Carroll County
    • Random Heights
      (3 miles [4.8 km] to the west)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Random Heights have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Random Heights
      • Random Heights is located in Carroll County
    • Raven Run
      (2 miles [3.2 km] to the southwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Raven Run have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Raven Run
      • Raven Run is located in Carroll County
    • Reeds Village
      (3 miles [4.8 km] to the north)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Reeds Village have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Reeds Village
      • Reeds Village is located in Carroll County
    • Roberts Field
      (2 miles [3.2 km] to the east)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Roberts Field have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Roberts Field
      • Roberts Field is located in Carroll County
    • Rockbrook Village
      (3 miles [4.8 km] to the northeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Rockbrook Village have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Rockbrook Village
      • Rockbrook Village is located in Carroll County
    • Roseville Heights
      (Less than 2 miles to the west)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Roseville Heights have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Roseville Heights
      • Roseville Heights is located in Carroll County
    • Royal Heights
      (3 miles [4.8 km] to the north)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Royal Heights have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Royal Heights
      • Royal Heights is located in Carroll County
    • Singer Heights
      (Less than 2 miles to the southeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Singer Heights have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Singer Heights
      • Singer Heights is located in Carroll County
    • Small Crossings
      (Less than 2 miles to the east)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Small Crossings have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Small Crossings
      • Small Crossings is located in Carroll County
    • Summer Hills
      (2 miles [3.2 km] to the southwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Summer Hills have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Summer Hills
      • Summer Hills is located in Carroll County
    • Sunset Way
      (3 miles [4.8 km] to the northeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Sunset Way have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Sunset Way
      • Sunset Way is located in Carroll County
    • Tabbys Delight
      (2 miles [3.2 km] to the south)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Tabbys Delight have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Tabbys Delight
      • Tabbys Delight is located in Carroll County
    • Velvet Run
      (3 miles [4.8 km] to the west)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Velvet Run have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Velvet Run
      • Velvet Run is located in Carroll County
    • Winterberry
      (2 miles [3.2 km] to the southwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Winterberry have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Winterberry
      • Winterberry is located in Carroll County
    • Wolf Hill
      (2 miles [3.2 km] to the southeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Wolf Hill have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Wolf Hill
      • Wolf Hill is located in Carroll County

How Far From Ben-Har Heights 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 Ben-Har Heights to various places of note, such as the White House.

With a nod to our favorite Gazetteers, the straight-line distance<2> beginning in Ben-Har Heights and extending to:

  • Westminster, which is the Seat of Carroll County, lies just to the West Southwest.
  • Annapolis, which is the State Capital of Maryland, lies 48 miles [77.2 km]<2> to the south southeast (SSE). If you could walk a straight line from Ben-Har Heights to Annapolis, with an average speed<3> of 2.2 miles [3.5 km] per hour, it would take about three full days to make the trip. A horse and buggy averaging 3.2 miles [5.1 km] per hour would take most of two days.
  • The White House (Washington, DC) is 49 miles [78.9 km] to the south (S). Driving, with an average speed of 63 miles [101.4 km] per hour, would take less than an hour, a buggy would take most of two days and walking would take about three full days.
  • The shortest distance<4> to Jerusalem (specifically the Temple Mount and the Dome of the Rock) is 5,861 miles [9,432.4 km] and it lies to the northeast (NE).<5>
  • The distance to the Great Mosque of Mecca (specifically the Ka'bah - or Kaaba ) is 6,569 miles [10,571.8 km] and it lies to the east northeast (ENE).<6>
  • The distance to Saint Peter's Basilica (The Vatican) is 4,445 miles [7,153.5 km] and it lies to the northeast (NE).<7>

Footnotes ...

<1>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.
<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- Ben-Har Heights) to Point B.Our distance measurements begin at a specific point in Ben-Har Heights. The point we use is located at these GPS coordinates - Latitude: 39.6057, Longitude: -76.8800       In this case, the coordinates for Ben-Har Heights have been provided by the Geographic Names Information System (GNIS).
<3>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.
<4>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 Ben-Har Heights to the Middle East to be East and South, the Great Circle Route actually lies to the North and East.
<5>The calculated bearing (or angle) to Jerusalem is 307.749 degrees.
<6>The calculated bearing (or angle) to Mecca is 303.389 degrees.
<7>The calculated bearing (or angle) to the Vatican is 304.371 degrees.