RoadsideThoughts
A Gazetteer for the United States and Canada
Home >> State of North Carolina >> Buncombe County >> Oak Forest >> Tidbits & TriviaIndex...

Outdoor Activities ...

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

When in Oak Forest, we use the following websites to find information relevant to Oak Forest 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 Oak Forest:
    • 35.491781, -82.527899
    • 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 Oak Forest
  • 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 Buncombe County as the starting point when you click on the link below:
    • Open the eBird sighting report for Buncombe County
    • Since Oak Forest is near Henderson County and also Transylvania County, we have provided a link to their eBird sighting reports:
    • Open the eBird sighting report for Henderson County
    • Open the eBird sighting report for Transylvania 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 Oak Forest

Communities Also Named Oak Forest ...

We found 26 communities that are also named Oak Forest.

There are three communities within North Carolina that are also named Oak Forest.

Beyond North Carolina, we know of 23 communities that are located in the United States.

  • Communities Located In North Carolina ...
    • Iredell County
      • We found mention of this community, but have little information.<1> For the information that we do have, please visit our profile page for the North Carolina community of Oak Forest [Iredell County].
    • Johnston County
      • This Oak Forest is located in Johnston County and lies 231 miles [371.8 km]<2> to the east of the Oak Forest that is located in Buncombe County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Johnston County community of Oak Forest.
    • Wayne County
      • This Oak Forest is located in Wayne County and lies 258 miles [415.2 km]<2> to the east of the Oak Forest that is located in Buncombe County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Wayne County community of Oak Forest.
  • Communities Elsewhere In North America ...
    • Alabama
      • Jefferson County
      • This Oak Forest is located in Jefferson County and lies 274 miles [441 km]<2> to the west southwest of the Oak Forest that is located in Buncombe County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Jefferson County community of Oak Forest.
    • Arkansas
      • Lee County
      • This Oak Forest is located in Lee County and lies 475 miles [764.4 km]<2> to the west of the Oak Forest that is located in Buncombe County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Lee County community of Oak Forest.
      • Lonoke County
      • This Oak Forest is located in Lonoke County and lies 533 miles [857.8 km] to the west of the Oak Forest that is located in Buncombe County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Lonoke County community of Oak Forest.
      • Phillips County
      • This Oak Forest is located in Phillips County and lies 461 miles [741.9 km] to the west of the Oak Forest that is located in Buncombe County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Phillips County community of Oak Forest.
      • Pulaski County
      • This Oak Forest is located in Pulaski County and lies 555 miles [893.2 km] to the west of the Oak Forest that is located in Buncombe County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Pulaski County community of Oak Forest.
    • Florida
      • Hillsborough County
      • This Oak Forest is located in Hillsborough County and lies 516 miles [830.4 km]<2> to the south of the Oak Forest that is located in Buncombe County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Hillsborough County community of Oak Forest.
    • Georgia
      • Chatham County
      • This Oak Forest is located in Chatham County and lies 254 miles [408.8 km]<2> to the south southeast of the Oak Forest that is located in Buncombe County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Chatham County community of Oak Forest.
      • Clayton County
      • This Oak Forest is located in Clayton County and lies 166 miles [267.2 km] to the southwest of the Oak Forest that is located in Buncombe County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Clayton County community of Oak Forest.
    • Illinois
      • Cook County
      • This Oak Forest is located in Cook County and lies 507 miles [815.9 km]<2> to the north northwest of the Oak Forest that is located in Buncombe County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Cook County community of Oak Forest.
    • Indiana
      • Franklin County
      • This Oak Forest is located in Franklin County and lies 303 miles [487.6 km]<2> to the north northwest of the Oak Forest that is located in Buncombe County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Franklin County community of Oak Forest.
    • Kentucky
      • Allen County
      • This Oak Forest is located in Allen County and lies 216 miles [347.6 km]<2> to the west northwest of the Oak Forest that is located in Buncombe County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Allen County community of Oak Forest.
    • Louisiana
      • East Baton Rouge Parish
      • This Oak Forest is located in East Baton Rouge Parish and lies 603 miles [970.4 km]<2> to the west southwest of the Oak Forest that is located in Buncombe County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the East Baton Rouge Parish community of Oak Forest.
      • Terrebonne Parish
      • This Oak Forest is located in Terrebonne Parish and lies 634 miles [1,020.3 km] to the southwest of the Oak Forest that is located in Buncombe County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Terrebonne Parish community of Oak Forest.
    • Maryland
      • Baltimore County
      • This Oak Forest is located in Baltimore County and lies 410 miles [659.8 km]<2> to the northeast of the Oak Forest that is located in Buncombe County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Baltimore County community of Oak Forest.
    • Pennsylvania
      • Greene County
      • This Oak Forest is located in Greene County and lies 325 miles [523 km]<2> to the north northeast of the Oak Forest that is located in Buncombe County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Greene County community of Oak Forest.
    • South Carolina
      • Charleston County
      • This Oak Forest is located in Charleston County and lies 236 miles [379.8 km]<2> to the southeast of the Oak Forest that is located in Buncombe County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Charleston County community of Oak Forest.
      • Florence County
      • This Oak Forest is located in Florence County and lies 175 miles [281.6 km] to the east southeast of the Oak Forest that is located in Buncombe County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Florence County community of Oak Forest.
      • Spartanburg County
      • This Oak Forest is located in Spartanburg County and lies 50 miles [80.5 km] to the southeast of the Oak Forest that is located in Buncombe County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Spartanburg County community of Oak Forest.
    • Texas
      • Gonzales County
      • This Oak Forest is located in Gonzales County and lies 968 miles [1,557.8 km]<2> to the west southwest of the Oak Forest that is located in Buncombe County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Gonzales County community of Oak Forest.
      • Harris County
      • This Oak Forest is located in Harris County and lies 845 miles [1,359.9 km] to the west southwest of the Oak Forest that is located in Buncombe County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Harris County community of Oak Forest.
    • Virginia
      • Chesterfield County
      • This Oak Forest is located in Chesterfield County and lies 305 miles [490.8 km]<2> to the east northeast of the Oak Forest that is located in Buncombe County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Chesterfield County community of Oak Forest.
      • Cumberland County
      • This Oak Forest is located in Cumberland County and lies 278 miles [447.4 km] to the east northeast of the Oak Forest that is located in Buncombe County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Cumberland County community of Oak Forest.
      • Hanover County
      • This Oak Forest is located in Hanover County and lies 324 miles [521.4 km] to the east northeast of the Oak Forest that is located in Buncombe County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Hanover County community of Oak Forest.

Curious and Interesting Names Near Oak Forest ...

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.

  • Dogwood Grove
    (7 miles [11.3 km] to the north)
    • Dogwood Grove is located in Buncombe County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Dogwood Grove
  • Gashes Creek
    (5 miles [8 km] to the north)
    • Gashes Creek is located in Buncombe County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Gashes Creek
  • Goodluck
    (6 miles [9.7 km] to the southeast)
    • Goodluck is located in Henderson County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Goodluck
  • Haw Creek
    (6 miles [9.7 km] to the north)
    • Haw Creek is located in Buncombe County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Haw Creek
  • Hazel Green
    (7 miles [11.3 km] to the northwest)
    • Hazel Green is located in Buncombe County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Hazel Green
  • Hoopers Creek
    (5 miles [8 km] to the southeast)
    • Hoopers Creek is located in Henderson County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Hoopers Creek
  • Mountain View
    (Less than 2 miles to the southeast)
    • Mountain View is located in Buncombe County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Mountain View
  • Mountainbrook
    (7 miles [11.3 km] to the north)
    • Mountainbrook is located in Buncombe County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Mountainbrook
  • Murphy Junction
    (7 miles [11.3 km] to the north)
    • Murphy Junction is located in Buncombe County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Murphy Junction
  • Naples
    (7 miles [11.3 km] to the south)
    • Naples is located in Henderson County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Naples
  • Rosebank Park
    (3 miles [4.8 km] to the north)
    • Rosebank Park is located in Buncombe County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Rosebank Park
  • Royal Pines
    (Less than 2 miles to the southeast)
    • Royal Pines is located in Buncombe County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Royal Pines
  • Continue List   (5 more) ...
    • Sand Hill
      (7 miles [11.3 km] to the northwest)
      • Sand Hill is located in Buncombe County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Sand Hill
    • Skyland
      (Less than 2 miles to the southeast)
    • Spring Time
      (7 miles [11.3 km] to the north)
      • Spring Time is located in Buncombe County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Spring Time
    • Sulphur Springs
      (7 miles [11.3 km] to the northwest)
      • Sulphur Springs is located in Buncombe County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Sulphur Springs
    • Valley Springs
      (Less than 2 miles to the north)
      • Valley Springs is located in Buncombe County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Valley Springs

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

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

  • Asheville, which is the Seat of Buncombe County, lies just to the North.
  • Raleigh, which is the State Capital of North Carolina, lies 218 miles [350.8 km]<2> to the east (E). If you could drive a straight line from Oak Forest to Raleigh, with an average speed<4>of 63 miles [101.4 km] per hour, it would take nearly four hours to make the trip. A comfortable walk of 2.2 miles [3.5 km] per hour would take 13 days. A horse and buggy averaging 3.2 miles [5.1 km] per hour would take 9 days.
  • The White House (Washington, DC) is 382 miles [614.8 km] to the northeast (NE). Driving would take most of a day, a buggy would take 15 days and walking would take 22 days.
  • The shortest distance<5> to Jerusalem (specifically the Temple Mount and the Dome of the Rock) is 6,280 miles [10,106.7 km] and it lies to the northeast (NE).<6>
  • The distance to the Great Mosque of Mecca (specifically the Ka'bah - or Kaaba ) is 6,985 miles [11,241.3 km] and it lies to the northeast (NE).<7>
  • The distance to Saint Peter's Basilica (The Vatican) is 4,862 miles [7,824.6 km] and it lies to the northeast (NE).<8>'

Footnotes ...

<1>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 Oak Forest 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.
<2>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 from Point A (ie- Oak Forest) to Point B. In other words: 'As the crow flies'.
<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 Oak Forest 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 Oak Forest. The point we use is located at these GPS coordinates - Latitude: 35.4918, Longitude: -82.5279       In this case, the coordinates for Oak Forest have been provided by the Geographic Names Information System (GNIS).
<6>The calculated bearing (or angle) to Jerusalem is 311.207 degrees.
<7>The calculated bearing (or angle) to Mecca is 306.721 degrees.
<8>The calculated bearing (or angle) to the Vatican is 308.095 degrees.