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





Outdoor Activities ...

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

When in Big Spring, we use the following websites to find information relevant to Big Spring 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 Big Spring:
    • 39.495383, -76.739975
    • 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 Big Spring
  • 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 Big Spring ...

We found 21 communities that share the name Big Spring.

There is one other community in Maryland which is also named Big Spring.

Beyond Maryland, we know of another twenty communities that are located throughout in the United States.

  • Communities Located In Maryland ...
    • Washington County
      • This Big Spring is located in Washington County and lies 64 miles [103 km]<1> to the west of the Big Spring that is located in Baltimore County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Washington County community of Big Spring.
  • Communities Elsewhere In North America ...
    • Alabama
      • Marshall 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 Big Spring [Marshall County].
    • Georgia
      • Gordon 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 Georgia community of Big Spring [Gordon County].
      • Hancock 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 Big Spring [Hancock County].
      • Walker 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 Big Spring [Walker County].
    • Iowa
      • Wayne 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 Iowa community of Big Spring [Wayne County].
    • Kentucky
      • Meade County
      • This Big Spring is located in Meade County and lies 520 miles [836.9 km]<1> to the west of the Big Spring that is located in Baltimore County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Meade County community of Big Spring.
    • Michigan
      • Ottawa 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 Big Spring [Ottawa County].
    • Minnesota
      • Fillmore County
      • This Big Spring is located in Fillmore County and lies 838 miles [1,348.6 km]<1> to the west northwest of the Big Spring that is located in Baltimore County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Fillmore County community of Big Spring.
    • Missouri
      • Montgomery County
      • This Big Spring is located in Montgomery County and lies 789 miles [1,269.8 km]<1> to the west of the Big Spring that is located in Baltimore County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Montgomery County community of Big Spring.
    • North Carolina
      • Jackson 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 North Carolina community of Big Spring [Jackson County].
    • Oklahoma
      • Hughes 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 Oklahoma community of Big Spring [Hughes County].
    • Pennsylvania
      • Centre County
      • This Big Spring is located in Centre County and lies 112 miles [180.2 km]<1> to the north northwest of the Big Spring that is located in Baltimore County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Centre County community of Big Spring.
      • Cumberland County
      • This Big Spring is located in Cumberland County and lies 56 miles [90.1 km] to the northwest of the Big Spring that is located in Baltimore County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Cumberland County community of Big Spring.
      • Franklin 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 Pennsylvania community of Big Spring [Franklin County].
    • Tennessee
      • Carter County
      • This Big Spring is located in Carter County and lies 371 miles [597.1 km]<1> to the southwest of the Big Spring that is located in Baltimore County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Carter County community of Big Spring.
      • Meigs County
      • This Big Spring is located in Meigs County and lies 529 miles [851.3 km] to the west southwest of the Big Spring that is located in Baltimore County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Meigs County community of Big Spring.
      • Wilson 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 Tennessee community of Big Spring [Wilson County].
    • Texas
      • Howard County
      • This Big Spring is located in Howard County and lies 1,466 miles [2,359.3 km]<1> to the west southwest of the Big Spring that is located in Baltimore County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Howard County community of Big Spring.
    • Virginia
      • Page County
      • This Big Spring is located in Page County and lies 104 miles [167.4 km]<1> to the west southwest of the Big Spring that is located in Baltimore County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Page County community of Big Spring.
    • Wisconsin
      • Adams County
      • This Big Spring is located in Adams County and lies 725 miles [1,166.8 km]<1> to the west northwest of the Big Spring that is located in Baltimore County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Adams County community of Big Spring.

Curious and Interesting Names Near Big Spring ...

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.

  • Autumn Wind
    (2 miles [3.2 km] to the south)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Autumn Wind have been provided by the GNIS.<4> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Autumn Wind
    • Autumn Wind is located in Baltimore County
  • Butler
    (2 miles [3.2 km] to the north)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Butler have been provided by the GNIS.<4> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Butler
    • Butler is located in Baltimore County
  • Cave Valley
    (3 miles [4.8 km] to the south)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Cave Valley have been provided by the GNIS.<4> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Cave Valley
    • Cave Valley is located in Baltimore County
  • Caves Park
    (3 miles [4.8 km] to the south)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Caves Park have been provided by the GNIS.<4> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Caves Park
    • Caves Park is located in Baltimore County
  • Chestnut Ridge
    (2 miles [3.2 km] to the south)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Chestnut Ridge have been provided by the GNIS.<4> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Chestnut Ridge
    • Chestnut Ridge is located in Baltimore County
  • Dover
    (Less than 2 miles to the northwest)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Dover have been provided by the GNIS.<4> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Dover
    • Dover is located in Baltimore County
  • Gentsville
    (2 miles [3.2 km] to the northeast)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Gentsville have been provided by the GNIS.<4> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Gentsville
    • Gentsville is located in Baltimore County
  • Hickory Meadow
    (3 miles [4.8 km] to the southeast)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Hickory Meadow have been provided by the GNIS.<4> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Hickory Meadow
    • Hickory Meadow is located in Baltimore County
  • Hunt Cup Hill
    (Less than 2 miles to the southeast)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Hunt Cup Hill have been provided by the GNIS.<4> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Hunt Cup Hill
    • Hunt Cup Hill is located in Baltimore County
  • Hunters Glen
    (3 miles [4.8 km] to the southwest)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Hunters Glen have been provided by the GNIS.<4> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Hunters Glen
    • Hunters Glen is located in Baltimore County
  • Ivy Hill
    (3 miles [4.8 km] to the east)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Ivy Hill have been provided by the GNIS.<4> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Ivy Hill
    • Ivy Hill is located in Baltimore County
  • Jonathans Delight
    (Less than 2 miles to the east)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Jonathans Delight have been provided by the GNIS.<4> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Jonathans Delight
    • Jonathans Delight is located in Baltimore County
  • Continue List   (6 more) ...
    • Oregon
      (2 miles [3.2 km] to the east)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Oregon
      • Oregon is located in Baltimore County
    • Timber Chase
      (3 miles [4.8 km] to the southwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Timber Chase have been provided by the GNIS.<4> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Timber Chase
      • Timber Chase is located in Baltimore County
    • Valley Hills
      (2 miles [3.2 km] to the south)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Valley Hills have been provided by the GNIS.<4> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Valley Hills
      • Valley Hills is located in Baltimore County
    • Velvet Hills
      (3 miles [4.8 km] to the southwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Velvet Hills have been provided by the GNIS.<4> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Velvet Hills
      • Velvet Hills is located in Baltimore County
    • Waterspout
      (Less than 2 miles to the south)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Waterspout have been provided by the GNIS.<4> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Waterspout
      • Waterspout is located in Baltimore County
    • Western Run
      (3 miles [4.8 km] to the northeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Western Run have been provided by the GNIS.<4> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Western Run
      • Western Run is located in Baltimore County

How Far From Big Spring to ...

We spend a lot of time looking through Gazetteers, Almanacs & Directories that were published in the late 1800's and early 1900's. Many of the Gazetteers include the distance from a community such as Big Spring to various places of note, such as the White House.

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

  • Towson, which is the Seat of Baltimore County, lies 9 miles [14.5 km]<1> to the southeast. If you could walk a straight line from Big Spring to Towson, with an average speed<5> 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.
  • Annapolis, which is the State Capital of Maryland, lies 38 miles [61.2 km] to the south southeast (SSE). Driving, with an average speed of 63 miles [101.4 km] per hour, would take less than an hour, a buggy would take just about two full days and walking would take over two days.
  • The White House (Washington, DC) is 44 miles [70.8 km] to the south southwest (SSW). Driving 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<6> to Jerusalem (specifically the Temple Mount and the Dome of the Rock) is 5,860 miles [9,430.8 km] and it lies to the northeast (NE).<7>
  • The distance to the Great Mosque of Mecca (specifically the Ka'bah - or Kaaba ) is 6,566 miles [10,567 km] and it lies to the east northeast (ENE).<8>
  • The distance to Saint Peter's Basilica (The Vatican) is 4,443 miles [7,150.3 km] and it lies to the northeast (NE).<9>

Unfortunately, we don't know of a website for Big Spring. If you can help, please contact us through our Feedback Page.

The official website for Baltimore County: www.co.ba.md.us/

The official website for State of Maryland: www.maryland.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 from Point A (ie- Big Spring) to Point B.Our distance measurements begin at a specific point in Big Spring. The point we use is located at these GPS coordinates - Latitude: 39.4954, Longitude: -76.7400       In this case, the coordinates for Big Spring have been provided by the Geographic Names Information System (GNIS).
<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 Big Spring, please let us know so that we can improve our accuracy.
<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 Big Spring 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.
<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 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 Big Spring 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 307.674 degrees.
<8>The calculated bearing (or angle) to Mecca is 303.286 degrees.
<9>The calculated bearing (or angle) to the Vatican is 304.355 degrees.




 

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This page was last modified/updated: 07 Apr 2024