RoadsideThoughts
A Gazetteer for the United States and Canada
Home >> State of Maryland >> Frederick County >> Urbana >> Tidbits & TriviaIndex...

Outdoor Activities ...

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

When in Urbana, we use the following websites to find information relevant to Urbana 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 Urbana:
    • 39.328609, -77.351953
    • 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 Urbana
  • 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 Urbana ...

We found fifteen communities that share the name Urbana.

Within Maryland, the name Urbana is unique.

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

  • Communities Elsewhere In North America ...
    • Arkansas
      • Union County
      • This Urbana is located in Union County and lies 940 miles [1,512.8 km]<1> to the west southwest of the Urbana that is located in Frederick County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Union County community of Urbana.
    • Illinois
      • Champaign County
      • This Urbana is located in Champaign County and lies 578 miles [930.2 km]<1> to the west of the Urbana that is located in Frederick County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Champaign County community of Urbana.
    • Indiana
      • Wabash County
      • This Urbana is located in Wabash County and lies 458 miles [737.1 km]<1> to the west northwest of the Urbana that is located in Frederick County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Wabash County community of Urbana.
    • Iowa
      • Benton County
      • This Urbana is located in Benton County and lies 784 miles [1,261.7 km]<1> to the west northwest of the Urbana that is located in Frederick County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Benton County community of Urbana.
    • Kansas
      • Allen 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 Kansas community of Urbana [Allen County].
      • Nemaha 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 Urbana [Nemaha County].
      • Neosho County
      • This Urbana is located in Neosho County and lies 981 miles [1,578.8 km]<1> to the west of the Urbana that is located in Frederick County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Neosho County community of Urbana.
      • Shawnee 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 Urbana [Shawnee County].
    • Missouri
      • Dallas County
      • This Urbana is located in Dallas County and lies 858 miles [1,380.8 km]<1> to the west of the Urbana that is located in Frederick County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Dallas County community of Urbana.
      • Henry 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 Missouri community of Urbana [Henry County].
    • Nebraska
      • Phelps 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 Nebraska community of Urbana [Phelps County].
    • New York
      • Steuben County
      • This Urbana is located in Steuben County and lies 216 miles [347.6 km]<1> to the north of the Urbana that is located in Frederick County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Steuben County community of Urbana.
    • North Dakota
      • Barnes County
      • This Urbana is located in Barnes County and lies 1,179 miles [1,897.4 km]<1> to the northwest of the Urbana that is located in Frederick County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Barnes County community of Urbana.
    • Ohio
      • Champaign County
      • This Urbana is located in Champaign County and lies 344 miles [553.6 km]<1> to the west northwest of the Urbana that is located in Frederick County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Champaign County community of Urbana.
    • Texas
      • San Jacinto County
      • This Urbana is located in San Jacinto County and lies 1,162 miles [1,870.1 km]<1> to the west southwest of the Urbana that is located in Frederick County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the San Jacinto County community of Urbana.

Curious and Interesting Names Near Urbana ...

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.

  • Big Woods Estates
    (Less than 2 miles to the east)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Big Woods Estates have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Big Woods Estates
    • Big Woods Estates is located in Frederick County
  • Burnt Hickory
    (Less than 2 miles to the southwest)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Burnt Hickory have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Burnt Hickory
    • Burnt Hickory is located in Frederick County
  • Dennis ‑ Historic
    (2 miles [3.2 km] to the north)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Dennis have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Dennis
    • Dennis is located in Frederick County
  • Flint Hill
    (2 miles [3.2 km] to the southwest)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Flint Hill have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Flint Hill
    • Flint Hill is located in Frederick County
  • Frederick Junction
    (3 miles [4.8 km] to the northwest)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Frederick Junction have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Frederick Junction
    • Frederick Junction is located in Frederick County
  • Green Valley
    (3 miles [4.8 km] to the southeast)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Green Valley have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Green Valley
    • Green Valley is located in Frederick County
  • Heritage Hills
    (2 miles [3.2 km] to the south)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Heritage Hills have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Heritage Hills
    • Heritage Hills is located in Frederick County
  • Hope Hill
    (2 miles [3.2 km] to the west)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Hope Hill have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Hope Hill
    • Hope Hill is located in Frederick County
  • Hope Valley Hills
    (2 miles [3.2 km] to the west)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Hope Valley Hills have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Hope Valley Hills
    • Hope Valley Hills is located in Frederick County
  • Hunting Hills
    (3 miles [4.8 km] to the northeast)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Hunting Hills have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Hunting Hills
    • Hunting Hills is located in Frederick County
  • Land of Promise
    (2 miles [3.2 km] to the east)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Land of Promise have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Land of Promise
    • Land of Promise is located in Frederick County
  • Michaels Mill
    (3 miles [4.8 km] to the west)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Michaels Mill have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Michaels Mill
    • Michaels Mill is located in Frederick County
  • Continue List   (8 more) ...
    • Park Mills
      (3 miles [4.8 km] to the southwest)
      • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for Park Mills. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<4>
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Park Mills
      • Park Mills is located in Frederick County
      • Google driving directions:
      • From your current location to Park Mills
      • From Urbana to Park Mills
    • Pleasant Grove
      (3 miles [4.8 km] to the east)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Pleasant Grove have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Pleasant Grove
      • Pleasant Grove is located in Frederick County
    • Rangers Woods
      (3 miles [4.8 km] to the southeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Rangers Woods have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Rangers Woods
      • Rangers Woods is located in Frederick County
    • Reels Mill
      (2 miles [3.2 km] to the north)
      • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for Reels Mill. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<4>
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Reels Mill
      • Reels Mill is located in Frederick County
      • Google driving directions:
      • From your current location to Reels Mill
      • From Urbana to Reels Mill
    • Riverwood
      (Less than 2 miles to the north)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Riverwood have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Riverwood
      • Riverwood is located in Frederick County
    • Rolling Green
      (3 miles [4.8 km] to the southeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Rolling Green have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Rolling Green
      • Rolling Green is located in Frederick County
    • Stone Barn Station
      (Less than 2 miles to the northwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Stone Barn Station have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Stone Barn Station
      • Stone Barn Station is located in Frederick County
    • Sugarloaf Vista
      (3 miles [4.8 km] to the southeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Sugarloaf Vista have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Sugarloaf Vista
      • Sugarloaf Vista is located in Montgomery County

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

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

  • Frederick, which is the Seat of Frederick County, lies just to the North Northwest.
  • Annapolis, which is the State Capital of Maryland, lies 52 miles [83.7 km]<1> to the east southeast (ESE). If you could walk a straight line from Urbana to Annapolis, with an average speed<5> of 2.2 miles [3.5 km] per hour, it would take most of three days to make the trip. A horse and buggy averaging 3.2 miles [5.1 km] per hour would take over two days.
  • The White House (Washington, DC) is 34 miles [54.7 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 most of two days.
  • The shortest distance<6> to Jerusalem (specifically the Temple Mount and the Dome of the Rock) is 5,892 miles [9,482.3 km] and it lies to the northeast (NE).<7>
  • The distance to the Great Mosque of Mecca (specifically the Ka'bah - or Kaaba ) is 6,600 miles [10,621.7 km] and it lies to the east northeast (ENE).<8>
  • The distance to Saint Peter's Basilica (The Vatican) is 4,476 miles [7,203.4 km] and it lies to the northeast (NE).<9>

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 obstructions like rivers, canyons, lakes, et cetera - it's truly a line drawn from Point A (ie- Urbana) to Point B.Our distance measurements begin at a specific point in Urbana. The point we use is located at these GPS coordinates - Latitude: 39.3286, Longitude: -77.3520    
<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 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 Urbana 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>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.
<4>An 'estimated' location is one where we have been given GPS coordinates, but are unable to verify the accuracy of those coordinates. That said, we have some confidence that we have placed the marker near the actual location. A typical reason for being unable to verify a location is that it might be on private property or maybe historic and gone without an obvious trace.
<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 Urbana 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 308.049 degrees.
<8>The calculated bearing (or angle) to Mecca is 303.686 degrees.
<9>The calculated bearing (or angle) to the Vatican is 304.681 degrees.