RoadsideThoughts
A Gazetteer for the United States and Canada
Home >> State of Maryland >> Saint Mary's County >> Ridgewood >> Tidbits & TriviaIndex...

Outdoor Activities ...

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

When in Ridgewood, we use the following websites to find information relevant to Ridgewood 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 Ridgewood:
    • 38.339849, -76.759411
    • 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 Ridgewood
  • 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 Saint Mary's County as the starting point when you click on the link below:
    • Open the eBird sighting report for Saint Mary's County
    • Since Ridgewood is near Charles County and also Calvert County, we have provided a link to their eBird sighting reports:
    • Open the eBird sighting report for Charles County
    • Open the eBird sighting report for Calvert 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 Ridgewood

Communities Also Named Ridgewood ...

We found 41 communities that are also named Ridgewood.

Within Maryland, the name Ridgewood is unique.

Beyond Maryland, we know of 41 communities that are located in the United States and Canada. Of these 41 communities, 40 are located in the United States and two are in Canada.

  • Communities Elsewhere In North America ...
    • Alabama
      • Jefferson County
      • This Ridgewood is located in Jefferson County and lies 637 miles [1,025.2 km]<1> to the west southwest of the Ridgewood that is located in Saint Mary's County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Jefferson County community of Ridgewood.
      • Madison County
      • This Ridgewood is located in Madison County and lies 598 miles [962.4 km] to the west southwest of the Ridgewood that is located in Saint Mary's County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Madison County community of Ridgewood.
      • Pike County
      • This Ridgewood is located in Pike County and lies 687 miles [1,105.6 km] to the southwest of the Ridgewood that is located in Saint Mary's County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Pike County community of Ridgewood.
    • California
      • Placer County
      • This Ridgewood is located in Placer County and lies 2,310 miles [3,717.6 km]<1> to the west northwest of the Ridgewood that is located in Saint Mary's County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Placer County community of Ridgewood.
    • Colorado
      • Boulder County
      • This Ridgewood is located in Boulder County and lies 1,532 miles [2,465.5 km]<1> to the west northwest of the Ridgewood that is located in Saint Mary's County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Boulder County community of Ridgewood.
    • Connecticut
      • Middlesex County
      • This Ridgewood is located in Middlesex County and lies 302 miles [486 km]<1> to the northeast of the Ridgewood that is located in Saint Mary's County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Middlesex County community of Ridgewood.
      • New London County
      • This Ridgewood is located in New London County and lies 320 miles [515 km] to the northeast of the Ridgewood that is located in Saint Mary's County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the New London County community of Ridgewood.
    • Delaware
      • New Castle County
      • This Ridgewood is located in New Castle County and lies 119 miles [191.5 km]<1> to the north northeast of the Ridgewood that is located in Saint Mary's County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the New Castle County community of Ridgewood.
    • Florida
      • Alachua 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 Florida community of Ridgewood [Alachua County].
      • Clay County
      • This Ridgewood is located in Clay County and lies 634 miles [1,020.3 km]<1> to the south southwest of the Ridgewood that is located in Saint Mary's County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Clay County community of Ridgewood.
      • Polk County
      • This Ridgewood is located in Polk County and lies 780 miles [1,255.3 km] to the south southwest of the Ridgewood that is located in Saint Mary's County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Polk County community of Ridgewood.
      • Putnam 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 Florida community of Ridgewood [Putnam County].
    • Georgia
      • Chatham County
      • This Ridgewood is located in Chatham County and lies 499 miles [803.1 km]<1> to the south southwest of the Ridgewood that is located in Saint Mary's County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Chatham County community of Ridgewood.
      • Clayton County
      • This Ridgewood is located in Clayton County and lies 534 miles [859.4 km] to the southwest of the Ridgewood that is located in Saint Mary's County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Clayton County community of Ridgewood.
      • Gwinnett County
      • This Ridgewood is located in Gwinnett County and lies 501 miles [806.3 km] to the southwest of the Ridgewood that is located in Saint Mary's County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Gwinnett County community of Ridgewood.
      • Richmond County
      • This Ridgewood is located in Richmond County and lies 448 miles [721 km] to the southwest of the Ridgewood that is located in Saint Mary's County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Richmond County community of Ridgewood.
    • Illinois
      • Cook 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 Illinois community of Ridgewood [Cook County].
      • Will County
      • This Ridgewood is located in Will County and lies 636 miles [1,023.5 km]<1> to the west northwest of the Ridgewood that is located in Saint Mary's County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Will County community of Ridgewood.
    • Indiana
      • Morgan County
      • This Ridgewood is located in Morgan County and lies 522 miles [840.1 km]<1> to the west northwest of the Ridgewood that is located in Saint Mary's County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Morgan County community of Ridgewood.
    • Louisiana
      • Caddo Parish
      • This Ridgewood is located in Caddo Parish and lies 1,041 miles [1,675.3 km]<1> to the west southwest of the Ridgewood that is located in Saint Mary's County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Caddo Parish community of Ridgewood.
      • East Baton Rouge Parish
      • This Ridgewood is located in East Baton Rouge Parish and lies 974 miles [1,567.5 km] to the west southwest of the Ridgewood that is located in Saint Mary's County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the East Baton Rouge Parish community of Ridgewood.
    • New Jersey
      • Bergen County
      • This Ridgewood is located in Bergen County and lies 230 miles [370.1 km]<1> to the northeast of the Ridgewood that is located in Saint Mary's County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Bergen County community of Ridgewood.
    • New York
      • Niagara County
      • This Ridgewood is located in Niagara County and lies 353 miles [568.1 km]<1> to the north northwest of the Ridgewood that is located in Saint Mary's County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Niagara County community of Ridgewood.
      • Oneida 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 Ridgewood [Oneida County].
      • Queens County
      • This Ridgewood is located in Queens County and lies 222 miles [357.3 km] to the northeast of the Ridgewood that is located in Saint Mary's County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Queens County community of Ridgewood.
    • North Carolina
      • Rowan County
      • This Ridgewood is located in Rowan County and lies 276 miles [444.2 km]<1> to the southwest of the Ridgewood that is located in Saint Mary's County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Rowan County community of Ridgewood.
      • Union County
      • This Ridgewood is located in Union County and lies 313 miles [503.7 km] to the southwest of the Ridgewood that is located in Saint Mary's County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Union County community of Ridgewood.
      • Wake County
      • This Ridgewood is located in Wake County and lies 204 miles [328.3 km] to the south southwest of the Ridgewood that is located in Saint Mary's County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Wake County community of Ridgewood.
      • Wayne County
      • This Ridgewood is located in Wayne County and lies 214 miles [344.4 km] to the south southwest of the Ridgewood that is located in Saint Mary's County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Wayne County community of Ridgewood.
    • Ohio
      • Clark County
      • This Ridgewood is located in Clark County and lies 393 miles [632.5 km]<1> to the west northwest of the Ridgewood that is located in Saint Mary's County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Clark County community of Ridgewood.
      • Muskingum 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 Ohio community of Ridgewood [Muskingum County].
    • Ontario
      • This Ridgewood lies 336 miles [540.7 km]<1> to the north northwest of the Ridgewood that is located in Saint Mary's County.
    • Pennsylvania
      • Berks County
      • This Ridgewood is located in Berks County and lies 143 miles [230.1 km]<1> to the north northeast of the Ridgewood that is located in Saint Mary's County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Berks County community of Ridgewood.
      • Luzerne County
      • This Ridgewood is located in Luzerne County and lies 208 miles [334.7 km] to the north northeast of the Ridgewood that is located in Saint Mary's County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Luzerne County community of Ridgewood.
    • South Carolina
      • Charleston 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 South Carolina community of Ridgewood [Charleston County].
      • Oconee County
      • This Ridgewood is located in Oconee County and lies 423 miles [680.8 km]<1> to the southwest of the Ridgewood that is located in Saint Mary's County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Oconee County community of Ridgewood.
      • Richland 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 South Carolina community of Ridgewood [Richland County].
    • Tennessee
      • Bradley County
      • This Ridgewood is located in Bradley County and lies 498 miles [801.5 km]<1> to the west southwest of the Ridgewood that is located in Saint Mary's County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Bradley County community of Ridgewood.
      • Campbell County
      • This Ridgewood is located in Campbell County and lies 432 miles [695.2 km] to the west southwest of the Ridgewood that is located in Saint Mary's County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Campbell County community of Ridgewood.
      • Jefferson County
      • This Ridgewood is located in Jefferson County and lies 385 miles [619.6 km] to the west southwest of the Ridgewood that is located in Saint Mary's County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Jefferson County community of Ridgewood.
    • West Virginia
      • Cabell County
      • This Ridgewood is located in Cabell County and lies 308 miles [495.7 km]<1> to the west of the Ridgewood that is located in Saint Mary's County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Cabell County community of Ridgewood.

Curious and Interesting Names Near Ridgewood ...

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.

  • Avenue
    (5 miles [8 km] to the south)
  • Birch Hanger
    (4 miles [6.4 km] to the north)
    • Birch Hanger is located in Saint Mary's County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Birch Hanger
  • Bull Run
    (Less than 2 miles to the west)
    • Bull Run is located in Saint Mary's County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Bull Run
  • Burning Oaks
    (5 miles [8 km] to the north)
    • Burning Oaks is located in Saint Mary's County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Burning Oaks
  • Coffee Hill
    (5 miles [8 km] to the northwest)
    • Coffee Hill is located in Saint Mary's County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Coffee Hill
  • Gravelly Hills
    (4 miles [6.4 km] to the northwest)
    • Gravelly Hills is located in Saint Mary's County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Gravelly Hills
  • Helen
    (3 miles [4.8 km] to the northeast)
    • Helen is located in Saint Mary's County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Helen
  • Holly Oaks
    (4 miles [6.4 km] to the east)
    • Holly Oaks is located in Saint Mary's County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Holly Oaks
  • Hurry
    (Less than 2 miles to the west)
    • Hurry is located in Saint Mary's County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Hurry
  • Continue List   (6 more) ...
    • Indiantown
      (4 miles [6.4 km] to the northwest)
      • Indiantown is located in Saint Mary's County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Indiantown
    • Longview Beach
      (4 miles [6.4 km] to the southwest)
      • Longview Beach is located in Saint Mary's County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Longview Beach
    • Loveville
      (4 miles [6.4 km] to the east)
      • Loveville is located in Saint Mary's County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Loveville
    • Milestown
      (3 miles [4.8 km] to the south)
      • Milestown is located in Saint Mary's County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Milestown
    • Mount Pleasant
      (2 miles [3.2 km] to the south)
      • Mount Pleasant is located in Saint Mary's County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Mount Pleasant
    • Yellow Bank
      (5 miles [8 km] to the south)
      • Yellow Bank is located in Saint Mary's County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Yellow Bank

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

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

  • Leonardtown, which is the Seat of Saint Mary's County, lies just to the East Southeast.
  • Annapolis, which is the State Capital of Maryland, lies 46 miles [74 km]<1> to the north northeast (NNE). If you could walk a straight line from Ridgewood to Annapolis, with an average speed<4> 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 41 miles [66 km] to the north northwest (NNW). 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 about three full days.
  • The shortest distance<5> to Jerusalem (specifically the Temple Mount and the Dome of the Rock) is 5,909 miles [9,509.6 km] and it lies to the northeast (NE).<6>
  • The distance to the Great Mosque of Mecca (specifically the Ka'bah - or Kaaba ) is 6,611 miles [10,639.4 km] and it lies to the east northeast (ENE).<7>
  • The distance to Saint Peter's Basilica (The Vatican) is 4,489 miles [7,224.3 km] and it lies to the northeast (NE).<8>'

Footnotes ...

<1>Our distances are not driving distances, but are calculated as a 'straight-line' distance. A straight line distance ignores obstructions like rivers, canyons, lakes, et cetera - it's truly a line from Point A (ie- Ridgewood) to Point B. In other words: 'As the crow flies'.
<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 Rock Creek to see Pete ... Rock 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 Ridgewood 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>While we're fans and frequent users of TripAdvisor, you should know that we're also members of the TripAdvisor affiliate program.
<4>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.
<5>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 Ridgewood 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 Ridgewood. The point we use is located at these GPS coordinates - Latitude: 38.3398, Longitude: -76.7594       In this case, the coordinates for Ridgewood have been provided by the Geographic Names Information System (GNIS).
<6>The calculated bearing (or angle) to Jerusalem is 307.761 degrees.
<7>The calculated bearing (or angle) to Mecca is 303.207 degrees.
<8>The calculated bearing (or angle) to the Vatican is 304.813 degrees.