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

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 Westminster, we use the following websites to find information relevant to Westminster 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 Westminster:
    • 39.579943, -77.006568
    • 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 Westminster
  • 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 Westminster ...

We found twenty communities that share the name Westminster.

Within Maryland, the name Westminster is unique.

Beyond Maryland, we know of another twenty communities that are located throughout in the United States and Canada. Of these twenty communities, eighteen are located in the United States and three are in Canada.

  • Communities Elsewhere In North America ...
    • California
      • Orange County
      • This Westminster is located in Orange County and lies 2,285 miles [3,677.4 km]<1> to the west of the Westminster that is located in Carroll County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Orange County community of Westminster.
    • Colorado
      • Jefferson County
      • This Westminster is located in Jefferson County and lies 1,483 miles [2,386.7 km]<1> to the west of the Westminster that is located in Carroll County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Jefferson County community of Westminster.
    • Connecticut
      • Windham County
      • This Westminster is located in Windham County and lies 299 miles [481.2 km]<1> to the east northeast of the Westminster that is located in Carroll County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Windham County community of Westminster.
    • Delaware
      • New Castle County
      • This Westminster is located in New Castle County and lies 73 miles [117.5 km]<1> to the east of the Westminster that is located in Carroll County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the New Castle County community of Westminster.
    • Florida
      • Hillsborough County
      • This Westminster is located in Hillsborough County and lies 859 miles [1,382.4 km]<1> to the south southwest of the Westminster that is located in Carroll County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Hillsborough County community of Westminster.
    • Illinois
      • Shelby 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 Illinois community of Westminster [Shelby County].
    • Kansas
      • Reno 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 Westminster [Reno County].
    • Louisiana
      • East Baton Rouge Parish
      • This Westminster is located in East Baton Rouge Parish and lies 1,015 miles [1,633.5 km]<1> to the southwest of the Westminster that is located in Carroll County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the East Baton Rouge Parish community of Westminster.
    • Massachusetts
      • Worcester County
      • This Westminster is located in Worcester County and lies 335 miles [539.1 km]<1> to the northeast of the Westminster that is located in Carroll County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Worcester County community of Westminster.
    • Michigan
      • Grand Traverse 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 Westminster [Grand Traverse County].
    • North Carolina
      • Rutherford County
      • This Westminster is located in Rutherford County and lies 390 miles [627.6 km]<1> to the southwest of the Westminster that is located in Carroll County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Rutherford County community of Westminster.
    • Ohio
      • Allen County
      • This Westminster is located in Allen County and lies 376 miles [605.1 km]<1> to the west northwest of the Westminster that is located in Carroll County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Allen County community of Westminster.
    • Ontario
      • 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 Ontario community of Westminster.
    • Pennsylvania
      • Erie County
      • This Westminster is located in Erie County and lies 237 miles [381.4 km]<1> to the northwest of the Westminster that is located in Carroll County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Erie County community of Westminster.
      • Luzerne County
      • This Westminster is located in Luzerne County and lies 133 miles [214 km] to the north northeast of the Westminster that is located in Carroll County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Luzerne County community of Westminster.
    • Quebec
      • This Westminster lies 437 miles [703.3 km]<1> to the north northeast of the Westminster that is located in Carroll County.
    • South Carolina
      • Oconee County
      • This Westminster is located in Oconee County and lies 476 miles [766 km]<1> to the southwest of the Westminster that is located in Carroll County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Oconee County community of Westminster.
    • Texas
      • Brazoria County
      • This Westminster is located in Brazoria County and lies 1,244 miles [2,002 km]<1> to the west southwest of the Westminster that is located in Carroll County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Brazoria County community of Westminster.
      • Collin County
      • This Westminster is located in Collin County and lies 1,159 miles [1,865.2 km] to the west southwest of the Westminster that is located in Carroll County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Collin County community of Westminster.
    • Vermont
      • Windham County
      • This Westminster is located in Windham County and lies 337 miles [542.3 km]<1> to the northeast of the Westminster that is located in Carroll County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Windham County community of Westminster.

Curious and Interesting Names Near Westminster ...

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.

  • Chapel Heights
    (2 miles [3.2 km] to the south)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Chapel Heights have been provided by the GNIS.<4> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Chapel Heights
    • Chapel Heights is located in Carroll County
  • Daisy Ridge
    (3 miles [4.8 km] to the northwest)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Daisy Ridge have been provided by the GNIS.<4> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Daisy Ridge
    • Daisy Ridge is located in Carroll County
  • Eden Farms
    (Less than 2 miles to the northeast)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Eden Farms have been provided by the GNIS.<4> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Eden Farms
    • Eden Farms is located in Carroll County
  • Fountain Valley
    (2 miles [3.2 km] to the northwest)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Fountain Valley have been provided by the GNIS.<4> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Fountain Valley
    • Fountain Valley is located in Carroll County
  • Furnace Hills
    (Less than 2 miles to the southwest)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Furnace Hills have been provided by the GNIS.<4> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Furnace Hills
    • Furnace Hills is located in Carroll County
  • Hillside
    (2 miles [3.2 km] to the east)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Hillside have been provided by the GNIS.<4> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Hillside
    • Hillside is located in Carroll County
  • Jasontown
    (3 miles [4.8 km] to the west)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Jasontown have been provided by the GNIS.<4> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Jasontown
    • Jasontown is located in Carroll County
  • Maple Crest
    (3 miles [4.8 km] to the southeast)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Maple Crest have been provided by the GNIS.<4> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Maple Crest
    • Maple Crest is located in Carroll County
  • Maple View
    (Less than 2 miles to the southeast)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Maple View have been provided by the GNIS.<4> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Maple View
    • Maple View is located in Carroll County
  • Mexico
    (3 miles [4.8 km] to the northeast)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Mexico have been provided by the GNIS.<4> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Mexico
    • Mexico is located in Carroll County
  • Michaels Ridge
    (Less than 2 miles to the south)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Michaels Ridge have been provided by the GNIS.<4> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Michaels Ridge
    • Michaels Ridge is located in Carroll County
  • Mountain Lake View
    (2 miles [3.2 km] to the east)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Mountain Lake View have been provided by the GNIS.<4> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Mountain Lake View
    • Mountain Lake View is located in Carroll County
  • Continue List   (10 more) ...
    • New Mexico
      (3 miles [4.8 km] to the northeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for New Mexico have been provided by the GNIS.<4> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for New Mexico
      • New Mexico is located in Carroll County
    • Random Heights
      (3 miles [4.8 km] to the northeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Random Heights have been provided by the GNIS.<4> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Random Heights
      • Random Heights is located in Carroll County
    • Rebecca Ridge
      (3 miles [4.8 km] to the southeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Rebecca Ridge have been provided by the GNIS.<4> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Rebecca Ridge
      • Rebecca Ridge is located in Carroll County
    • Rolling Ridge
      (3 miles [4.8 km] to the south)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Rolling Ridge have been provided by the GNIS.<4> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Rolling Ridge
      • Rolling Ridge is located in Carroll County
    • Shoemakers Lot
      (3 miles [4.8 km] to the north)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Shoemakers Lot have been provided by the GNIS.<4> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Shoemakers Lot
      • Shoemakers Lot is located in Carroll County
    • Spring Mills
      (Less than 2 miles to the south)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Spring Mills have been provided by the GNIS.<4> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Spring Mills
      • Spring Mills is located in Carroll County
    • Tannery
      (3 miles [4.8 km] to the east)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Tannery have been provided by the GNIS.<4> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Tannery
      • Tannery is located in Carroll County
    • Velvet Run
      (3 miles [4.8 km] to the east)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Velvet Run have been provided by the GNIS.<4> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Velvet Run
      • Velvet Run is located in Carroll County
    • Walnut Ridge
      (2 miles [3.2 km] to the southeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Walnut Ridge have been provided by the GNIS.<4> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Walnut Ridge
      • Walnut Ridge is located in Carroll County
    • Whispering Meadows
      (Less than 2 miles to the northwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Whispering Meadows have been provided by the GNIS.<4> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Whispering Meadows
      • Whispering Meadows is located in Carroll County

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

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

  • Annapolis, which is the State Capital of Maryland, lies 49 miles [78.9 km]<1> to the south southeast (SSE). If you could walk a straight line from Westminster to Annapolis, with an average speed<5> 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 47 miles [75.6 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<6> to Jerusalem (specifically the Temple Mount and the Dome of the Rock) is 5,867 miles [9,442 km] and it lies to the northeast (NE).<7>
  • The distance to the Great Mosque of Mecca (specifically the Ka'bah - or Kaaba ) is 6,575 miles [10,581.4 km] and it lies to the east northeast (ENE).<8>
  • The distance to Saint Peter's Basilica (The Vatican) is 4,451 miles [7,163.2 km] and it lies to the northeast (NE).<9>

The official website for Westminster: www.westgov.com/

The official website for Carroll County: www.ccgov.carr.org/

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' distance. A straight line distance ignores things like rivers, canyons, lakes, et cetera - it's truly a line from Point A (ie- Westminster) to Point B.Our distance measurements begin at a specific point in Westminster. The point we use is located at these GPS coordinates - Latitude: 39.5799, Longitude: -77.0066       In this case, the coordinates for Westminster 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 Westminster, 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 Bird Creek to see Pete ... Bird 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 Westminster 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 Westminster 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 307.826 degrees.
<8>The calculated bearing (or angle) to Mecca is 303.472 degrees.
<9>The calculated bearing (or angle) to the Vatican is 304.435 degrees.




 

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This page was last modified/updated: 07 Apr 2024