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The Commemorative Quarter for North Carolina





Our Genealogy Helper

Introduction ...

We have a couple of goals for our Gazetteer:

  • That it be a tool which helps us with planning our trips.
  • We're trying to shape our Gazetteer as a tool to help us understand the community in which our ancestors lived, the community that was part of their daily lives.
  • On our trips, we try to visit those places where our ancestors left their footprints.

By learning about California (and the surrounding area) during the time that our ancestors lived, we hope to have a better understanding of both their community and its relationship to their lifes. We hope that this tool helps to give us an insight into their world.

As we add data and organize our Gazetteer to help with our family research, we will be adding to this our Genealogical Helper for California. While we don't have information that is specific to any given person or family, we intend to expand our understanding about where and how people lived.

Neighboring Counties ...

When searching for family records, we have frequently made the mistake of not checking the neighboring counties.

For example, we have great-grandparents who lived in the southeast corner of their home county. During their lives, most doctors and hospitals were in the next county to the east. Almost all of the nearby churches and cemeteries were in the county to the south.

So when searching for records, we had our best success by looking in neighboring counties instead of the county in which they lived:  their home county contained property and probate records; the county to the east contained birth and death records; the county to the south contained their burial records. If we hadn't included the neighboring counties, we would have missed many valuable sources of information.

If you're in a similar situation, we hope that the following information helps.

California is located in Madison County.

To see how the shape of North Carolina's counties have changed over time, we recommend the Atlas of Historical County Boundaries.

The following counties adjoin and form the boundaries of Madison County: Buncombe, Haywood, Yancey, Cocke (TN), Greene (TN) & Unicoi (TN).

Below are the counties that are near California. For each of these counties, we show a sample of those communities that are closest to California:

  • Madison County     (The home county of California)
    • The following are listed by their distance from California, with the one closest to California listed first.
    • Bethel
      (2 miles [3.2 km] to the northeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Bethel have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Bethel
      • Bethel is located in Madison County
    • Ivy
      (3 miles [4.8 km] to the south)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Ivy
      • Ivy is located in Madison County
    • Mars Hill
      (3 miles [4.8 km] to the southwest)
    • Foster Creek
      (6 miles [9.7 km] to the northwest)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Foster Creek
      • Foster Creek is located in Madison County
    • Petersburg
      (6 miles [9.7 km] to the southwest)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Petersburg
      • Petersburg is located in Madison County
    • Rollins
      (9 miles [14.5 km] to the southwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Rollins have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Rollins
      • Rollins is located in Madison County
    • Marshall
      (10 miles [16.1 km] to the southwest)
    • Allegheny
      (11 miles [17.7 km] to the northwest)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Allegheny
      • Allegheny is located in Madison County
    • Chapel Hill
      (11 miles [17.7 km] to the northwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Chapel Hill have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Chapel Hill
      • Chapel Hill is located in Madison County
    • Cutshalltown
      (11 miles [17.7 km] to the northwest)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Cutshalltown
      • Cutshalltown is located in Madison County
    • White Rock
      (11 miles [17.7 km] to the northwest)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for White Rock
      • White Rock is located in Madison County
    • Walnut
      (12 miles [19.3 km] to the west)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Walnut have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Walnut
      • Walnut is located in Madison County
    • Hurricane
      (13 miles [20.9 km] to the west)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Hurricane
      • Hurricane is located in Madison County
  • Avery County
    • Plumtree
      (30 miles [48.3 km] to the east)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Plumtree have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Plumtree
      • Plumtree is located in Avery County
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Plumtree <2>
  • Buncombe County
    • The following are listed by their distance from California, with the one closest to California listed first.
    • Democrat
      (5 miles [8 km] to the south)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Democrat
      • Democrat is located in Buncombe County
    • Flat Creek
      (7 miles [11.3 km] to the south)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Flat Creek have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Flat Creek
      • Flat Creek is located in Buncombe County
    • Barnardsville
      (7 miles [11.3 km] to the southeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Barnardsville have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Barnardsville
      • Barnardsville is located in Buncombe County
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Barnardsville <2>
    • Beech
      (11 miles [17.7 km] to the south)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Beech have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Beech
      • Beech is located in Buncombe County
    • Weaverville
      (11 miles [17.7 km] to the south)
    • Stoney Knob
      (13 miles [20.9 km] to the south)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Stoney Knob
      • Stoney Knob is located in Buncombe County
    • Alexander
      (13 miles [20.9 km] to the southwest)
    • Woodfin
      (15 miles [24.1 km] to the south)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Woodfin have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Woodfin
      • Woodfin is located in Buncombe County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 6,679 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Woodfin <2>
    • Riceville
      (16 miles [25.7 km] to the south)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Riceville have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Riceville
      • Riceville is located in Buncombe County
    • Walkertown
      (17 miles [27.4 km] to the southeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Walkertown have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Walkertown
      • Walkertown is located in Buncombe County
    • Leicester
      (17 miles [27.4 km] to the southwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Leicester have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Leicester
      • Leicester is located in Buncombe County
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Leicester <2>
    • Asheville
      (18 miles [29 km] to the south)
    • Azalea
      (19 miles [30.6 km] to the south)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Azalea have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Azalea
      • Azalea is located in Buncombe County
  • Haywood County
    • The following are listed by their distance from California, with the one closest to California listed first.
    • Canton
      (28 miles [45.1 km] to the southwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Canton have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Canton
      • Canton is located in Haywood County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 4,369 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Canton <2>
    • Morning Star
      (29 miles [46.7 km] to the southwest)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Morning Star
      • Morning Star is located in Haywood County
    • West Canton
      (29 miles [46.7 km] to the southwest)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for West Canton
      • West Canton is located in Haywood County
  • Henderson County
    • The following are listed by their distance from California, with the one closest to California listed first.
    • Gerton
      (28 miles [45.1 km] to the south)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Gerton have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Gerton
      • Gerton is located in Henderson County
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Gerton <2>
    • Fletcher
      (30 miles [48.3 km] to the south)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Fletcher have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Fletcher
      • Fletcher is located in Henderson County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 8,439 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Fletcher <2>
  • McDowell County
    • The following are listed by their distance from California, with the one closest to California listed first.
    • Little Switzerland
      (24 miles [38.6 km] to the east)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Little Switzerland have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Little Switzerland
      • Little Switzerland is located in McDowell County
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Little Switzerland <2>
    • Old Fort
      (25 miles [40.2 km] to the southeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Old Fort have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Old Fort
      • Old Fort is located in McDowell County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 924 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Old Fort <2>
    • Greenlee
      (26 miles [41.8 km] to the southeast)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Greenlee
      • Greenlee is located in McDowell County
    • Lackey Town
      (26 miles [41.8 km] to the southeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Lackey Town have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Lackey Town
      • Lackey Town is located in McDowell County
    • Moffitt Hill
      (26 miles [41.8 km] to the southeast)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Moffitt Hill
      • Moffitt Hill is located in McDowell County
    • Providence
      (30 miles [48.3 km] to the southeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Providence have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Providence
      • Providence is located in McDowell County
  • Mitchell County
    • The following are listed by their distance from California, with the one closest to California listed first.
    • Bailey
      (16 miles [25.7 km] to the northeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Bailey have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Bailey
      • Bailey is located in Mitchell County
    • Relief
      (17 miles [27.4 km] to the northeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Relief have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Relief
      • Relief is located in Mitchell County
    • Tipton Hill
      (18 miles [29 km] to the northeast)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Tipton Hill
      • Tipton Hill is located in Mitchell County
    • Red Hill
      (19 miles [30.6 km] to the northeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Red Hill have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Red Hill
      • Red Hill is located in Mitchell County
    • Richlands
      (19 miles [30.6 km] to the northeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Richlands have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Richlands
      • Richlands is located in Mitchell County
    • Bakersville
      (22 miles [35.4 km] to the northeast)
    • Penland
      (23 miles [37 km] to the east)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Penland have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Penland
      • Penland is located in Mitchell County
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Penland <2>
    • Buladean
      (24 miles [38.6 km] to the northeast)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Buladean
      • Buladean is located in Mitchell County
    • Grassy Creek
      (25 miles [40.2 km] to the east)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Grassy Creek have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Grassy Creek
      • Grassy Creek is located in Mitchell County
    • Spruce Pine
      (25 miles [40.2 km] to the east)
  • Yancey County
    • The following are listed by their distance from California, with the one closest to California listed first.
    • Higgins
      (10 miles [16.1 km] to the northeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Higgins have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Higgins
      • Higgins is located in Yancey County
    • Concord
      (11 miles [17.7 km] to the east)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Concord have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Concord
      • Concord is located in Yancey County
    • Murchison
      (11 miles [17.7 km] to the east)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Murchison
      • Murchison is located in Yancey County
    • Pensacola
      (11 miles [17.7 km] to the east)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Pensacola have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Pensacola
      • Pensacola is located in Yancey County
    • Burnsville
      (12 miles [19.3 km] to the east)
    • Low Gap
      (12 miles [19.3 km] to the east)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Low Gap
      • Low Gap is located in Yancey County
    • Ramseytown
      (12 miles [19.3 km] to the northeast)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Ramseytown
      • Ramseytown is located in Yancey County
    • Sioux
      (13 miles [20.9 km] to the northeast)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Sioux
      • Sioux is located in Yancey County
    • Celo
      (17 miles [27.4 km] to the east)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Celo
      • Celo is located in Yancey County
    • Micaville
      (17 miles [27.4 km] to the east)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Micaville have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Micaville
      • Micaville is located in Yancey County
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Micaville <2>
    • Green Mountain
      (17 miles [27.4 km] to the northeast)
    • Double Island
      (18 miles [29 km] to the east)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Double Island
      • Double Island is located in Yancey County
    • Hamrick
      (18 miles [29 km] to the east)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Hamrick
      • Hamrick is located in Yancey County
  • Carter County (TN)
    • The following are listed by their distance from California, with the one closest to California listed first.
    • Tolley Town
      (27 miles [43.5 km] to the northeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Tolley Town have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Tolley Town
      • Tolley Town is located in Carter County (TN)
    • Woodby Hill
      (27 miles [43.5 km] to the northeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Woodby Hill have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Woodby Hill
      • Woodby Hill is located in Carter County (TN)
      • Estimated population in 2014: 2,730 people
    • Burbank
      (30 miles [48.3 km] to the northeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Burbank have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Burbank
      • Burbank is located in Carter County (TN)
  • Cocke County (TN)
    • The following are listed by their distance from California, with the one closest to California listed first.
    • Wolf Creek
      (24 miles [38.6 km] to the west)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Wolf Creek have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Wolf Creek
      • Wolf Creek is located in Cocke County (TN)
    • Tom Town
      (27 miles [43.5 km] to the west)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Tom Town have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Tom Town
      • Tom Town is located in Cocke County (TN)
    • Del Rio
      (28 miles [45.1 km] to the west)
  • Greene County (TN)
    • The following are listed by their distance from California, with the one closest to California listed first.
    • Camp Creek
      (20 miles [32.2 km] to the northwest)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Camp Creek
      • Camp Creek is located in Greene County (TN)
    • Horse Creek
      (21 miles [33.8 km] to the north)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Horse Creek have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Horse Creek
      • Horse Creek is located in Greene County (TN)
      • Estimated population in 2014: 284 people
    • Water Fork Mill
      (21 miles [33.8 km] to the northwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Water Fork Mill have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Water Fork Mill
      • Water Fork Mill is located in Greene County (TN)
      • Estimated population in 2014: 445 people
    • Henshaw ‑ Historic
      (22 miles [35.4 km] to the northwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Henshaw have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Henshaw
      • Henshaw is located in Greene County (TN)
      • Estimated population in 2014: 470 people
    • Cedar Creek
      (24 miles [38.6 km] to the northwest)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Cedar Creek
      • Cedar Creek is located in Greene County (TN)
    • Pleasant View
      (24 miles [38.6 km] to the northwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Pleasant View have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Pleasant View
      • Pleasant View is located in Greene County (TN)
      • Estimated population in 2014: 4,251 people
    • Tusculum
      (24 miles [38.6 km] to the northwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Tusculum have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Tusculum
      • Tusculum is located in Greene County (TN)
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 2,669 people
    • Afton
      (25 miles [40.2 km] to the northwest)
    • Rheatown
      (26 miles [41.8 km] to the north)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Rheatown
      • Rheatown is located in Greene County (TN)
    • Bolton Estates
      (26 miles [41.8 km] to the northwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Bolton Estates have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Bolton Estates
      • Bolton Estates is located in Greene County (TN)
      • Estimated population in 2014: 5,152 people
    • Forest Hills
      (26 miles [41.8 km] to the northwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Forest Hills have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Forest Hills
      • Forest Hills is located in Greene County (TN)
      • Estimated population in 2014: 5,027 people
    • Greeneville
      (26 miles [41.8 km] to the northwest)
    • Fairview
      (27 miles [43.5 km] to the northwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Fairview have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Fairview
      • Fairview is located in Greene County (TN)
  • Unicoi County (TN)
    • The following are listed by their distance from California, with the one closest to California listed first.
    • Flag Pond
      (10 miles [16.1 km] to the north)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Flag Pond
      • Flag Pond is located in Unicoi County (TN)
    • Clear Branch
      (12 miles [19.3 km] to the north)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Clear Branch
      • Clear Branch is located in Unicoi County (TN)
      • Former name for Clear Branch:
      • Kittyton
    • Ernestville
      (14 miles [22.5 km] to the north)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Ernestville have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Ernestville
      • Ernestville is located in Unicoi County (TN)
      • Estimated population in 2014: 1,311 people
    • Banner Hill
      (18 miles [29 km] to the north)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Banner Hill have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Banner Hill
      • Banner Hill is located in Unicoi County (TN)
      • Population from the 2010 Census: 1,497 people
    • Bumpus Cove
      (19 miles [30.6 km] to the north)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Bumpus Cove have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Bumpus Cove
      • Bumpus Cove is located in Unicoi County (TN)
      • Estimated population in 2014: 729 people
    • Erwin
      (20 miles [32.2 km] to the north)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Erwin have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Erwin
      • Erwin is located in Unicoi County (TN)
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 5,854 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Erwin <2>
    • Unicoi
      (24 miles [38.6 km] to the north)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Unicoi
      • Unicoi is located in Unicoi County (TN)
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 3,579 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Unicoi <2>
    • Whispering Pines
      (29 miles [46.7 km] to the northeast)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Whispering Pines
      • Whispering Pines is located in Unicoi County (TN)
  • Washington County (TN)
    • The following are listed by their distance from California, with the one closest to California listed first.
    • Nolichucky ‑ Historic
      (20 miles [32.2 km] to the north)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Nolichucky have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Nolichucky
      • Nolichucky is located in Washington County (TN)
      • Population from the 2010 Census: 5,861 people
    • Conklin
      (22 miles [35.4 km] to the north)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Conklin have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Conklin
      • Conklin is located in Washington County (TN)
    • Kansas City
      (22 miles [35.4 km] to the north)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Kansas City have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Kansas City
      • Kansas City is located in Washington County (TN)
    • Limestone
      (25 miles [40.2 km] to the north)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Limestone have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Limestone
      • Limestone is located in Washington County (TN)
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Limestone <2>
    • Telford
      (26 miles [41.8 km] to the north)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Telford
      • Telford is located in Washington County (TN)
      • Population from the 2010 Census: 921 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Telford <2>
    • Oakland
      (28 miles [45.1 km] to the north)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Oakland
      • Oakland is located in Washington County (TN)
    • Bowmantown
      (29 miles [46.7 km] to the north)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Bowmantown have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Bowmantown
      • Bowmantown is located in Washington County (TN)
      • Population from the 2010 Census: 302 people
    • Jonesborough
      (29 miles [46.7 km] to the north)
    • Big Sandy
      (30 miles [48.3 km] to the north)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Big Sandy have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Big Sandy
      • Big Sandy is located in Washington County (TN)
      • Estimated population in 2014: 542 people
    • Green Hill
      (30 miles [48.3 km] to the north)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Green Hill have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Green Hill
      • Green Hill is located in Washington County (TN)
    • Midway
      (30 miles [48.3 km] to the north)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Midway have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Midway
      • Midway is located in Washington County (TN)
    • Onks
      (30 miles [48.3 km] to the north)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Onks have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Onks
      • Onks is located in Washington County (TN)
      • Estimated population in 2014: 3,715 people

For an expanded list of the communities that are closest to California, see our County-by-County Page for California.

Newspapers Published in California ...

An ongoing effort between the Library of Congress and the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) has resulted in the National Digital Newspaper Program (NDNP).

To share their results, the partnership has created the Chronicling America website. The goal of this partnership is to assemble a database about the current and historic newspapers of the United States. This includes a growing collection of scanned images from selected papers. All of it available to the public on their website.

Using information that we've taken from the Chronicling America website, we've identified 84 newspapers that have been published in the area around California.

Although we're unaware of any newspapers that were published in the immediate area of California, there are papers which were published within 18 miles [29 km]<3>. A list of those papers, sorted by paper name, can be found on the Extended Newspaper List for California.

Websites to Help With Your Genealogy Research ...

When we do our genealogical research, we like to start with the websites from Cyndi's List, FamilySearch and Genealogy Trails. These websites offer the information directly or else point to where you can find it. Their information is open to everyone.

To help you get started, the following links will take you to the pages that are relevant to California:

Cemeteries Near California ...

Below are cemeteries that are in the vicinity of California.

This is a new section and is likely to have errors. If you find an error, such as a missing cemetery or we have the wrong name, please let us know. If you know of them, we would also appreciate learning about previous or alternate names.

If you need information about a burial or interment, photos, transcripts, how to contact the cemetery or local authorities, please visit our selection of Genealogy Websites (see below).

If not found below, our Cemetery List for California covers a larger area, with the cemeteries listed in alphabetical order.

The following cemeteries are listed based on their distance from California, with the one closest to California listed first.

  • California Creek Baptist Church Cemetery
    (Less than 2 miles to the southwest)
  • Hawkins - Willis Cemetery
    (Less than 2 miles to the south)
  • Harris Family Cemetery
    (Less than 2 miles to the south)
  • Young Cemetery
    (Less than 2 miles to the south)
  • Penley Cemetery
    (Less than 2 miles to the southeast)
  • Bradford Cemetery
    (Less than 2 miles to the southeast)
  • Sprinkle Cemetery
    (Less than 2 miles to the northwest)
  • Ramsey Cemetery
    (2 miles [3.2 km] to the southwest)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Ramsey Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Ramsey Cemetery
  • Jarvis Brown Cemetery
    (2 miles [3.2 km] to the southwest)
  • Runion Cemetery
    (2 miles [3.2 km] to the south)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Runion Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Runion Cemetery
  • George Cemetery
    (2 miles [3.2 km] to the south)
    • To give a relative sense of its location, the George Cemetery is located less than 2 miles<3> to the southwest of Mars Hill.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the George Cemetery
  • Shook Cemetery
    (2 miles [3.2 km] to the north)
  • Continue List   (678 more) ...
    • George Family Cemetery
      (2 miles [3.2 km] to the south)
    • Ramsey Cemetery
      (2 miles [3.2 km] to the south)
      • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for the Ramsey Cemetery. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<5>
      • To give a relative sense of its location, the Ramsey Cemetery is located 2 miles [3.2 km]<3> to the west of Mars Hill.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Ramsey Cemetery
      • Jump to Find-A-Grave: FG ID #48523 <4>
    • Carter Cemetery
      (2 miles [3.2 km] to the south)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Carter Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Carter Cemetery

Nearby Communities in 1895 ...

We've built the following list with information that came from an Atlas published by Rand McNally in 1895. The Atlas had details such as the population of the community (which appears to have come from the 1890 Census) and whether there was a post office and/or railroad service available. We also indicate if the community no longer exists and is now historic.<6>

While we didn't find California in the Atlas, the following 1895 communities would have been found near the current location of California.

These communities are listed based on their distance from California, with the one closest to California listed first.

  • Mars Hill
    (3 miles [4.8 km] to the southwest)
  • Ivy
    (3 miles [4.8 km] to the south)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Ivy
    • Ivy is located in Madison County
  • Paint Fork
    (3 miles [4.8 km] to the southeast)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Paint Fork have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Paint Fork
    • Paint Fork is located in Madison County
  • Little Creek
    (3 miles [4.8 km] to the northwest)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Little Creek have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Little Creek
    • Little Creek is located in Madison County
  • Democrat
    (5 miles [8 km] to the south)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Democrat
    • Democrat is located in Buncombe County
  • Paint Gap
    (6 miles [9.7 km] to the east)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Paint Gap have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Paint Gap
    • Paint Gap is located in Yancey County
  • Bald Creek
    (6 miles [9.7 km] to the northeast)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Bald Creek have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Bald Creek
    • Bald Creek is located in Yancey County
  • Flat Creek
    (7 miles [11.3 km] to the south)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Flat Creek have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Flat Creek
    • Flat Creek is located in Buncombe County
  • Barnardsville
    (7 miles [11.3 km] to the southeast)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Barnardsville have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Barnardsville
    • Barnardsville is located in Buncombe County
    • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Barnardsville <2>
  • Rockview
    (7 miles [11.3 km] to the southeast)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Rockview have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Rockview
    • Rockview is located in Buncombe County
  • Price Creek
    (7 miles [11.3 km] to the east)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Price Creek have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Price Creek
    • Price Creek is located in Yancey County
  • Cane River
    (7 miles [11.3 km] to the northeast)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Cane River have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Cane River
    • Cane River is located in Yancey County
  • Continue List   (16 more) ...
    • Jupiter
      (8 miles [12.9 km] to the southwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Jupiter have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Jupiter
      • Jupiter is located in Buncombe County
    • Stocksville
      (8 miles [12.9 km] to the south)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Stocksville have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Stocksville
      • Stocksville is located in Buncombe County
    • Hensley ‑ Historic
      (8 miles [12.9 km] to the northeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Hensley have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Hensley
      • Hensley is located in Yancey County

We've also created an expanded list of communities that existed in the 1890's and were located in the area around California. See our List of 1890's Communities around California.

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

The official website for State of North Carolina: https://www.nc.gov/

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>While we're fans and frequent users of TripAdvisor, you should know that we're also members of the TripAdvisor affiliate program.
<3>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 drawn from Point A (ie- California) to Point B.Our distance measurements begin at a specific point in California. The point we use is located at these GPS coordinates - Latitude: 35.8668, Longitude: -82.5196       In this case, the coordinates for California have been provided by the Geographic Names Information System (GNIS).
<4>The Find-a-Grave website is an excellent research tool with information about a cemetery's location and interments. They also offer a forum for their members which can provide additional help. More information about Find-a-Grave can be found on their website: findagrave.com.
<5>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.
<6>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 California, please let us know so that we can improve our accuracy.




 

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This page was last modified/updated: 07 Apr 2024