RoadsideThoughts
A Gazetteer for the United States and Canada
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Outdoor Activities ...

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

When in Thompson, we use the following websites to find information relevant to Thompson 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 Thompson:
    • 35.790151, -78.714727
    • 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 Thompson
  • 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 Thompson ...

We found 48 communities that share the name Thompson.

Within North Carolina, the name Thompson is unique.

Beyond North Carolina, we know of another 48 communities that are located throughout in the United States and Canada. Of these 48 communities, 46 are located in the United States and three are in Canada.

  • Communities Elsewhere In North America ...
    • Alabama
      • Bullock County
      • This Thompson is located in Bullock County and lies 476 miles [766 km]<1> to the west southwest of the Thompson that is located in Wake County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Bullock County community of Thompson.
    • Arkansas
      • Crittenden County
      • This Thompson is located in Crittenden County and lies 656 miles [1,055.7 km]<1> to the west of the Thompson that is located in Wake County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Crittenden County community of Thompson.
      • Madison County
      • This Thompson is located in Madison County and lies 851 miles [1,369.6 km] to the west of the Thompson that is located in Wake County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Madison County community of Thompson.
    • British Columbia
      • 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 British Columbia community of Thompson.
    • California
      • Los Angeles 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 California community of Thompson [Los Angeles County].
      • Napa County
      • This Thompson is located in Napa County and lies 2,385 miles [3,838.3 km]<1> to the west northwest of the Thompson that is located in Wake County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Napa County community of Thompson.
    • Connecticut
      • Windham County
      • This Thompson is located in Windham County and lies 562 miles [904.5 km]<1> to the northeast of the Thompson that is located in Wake County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Windham County community of Thompson.
    • Delaware
      • New Castle County
      • This Thompson is located in New Castle County and lies 316 miles [508.6 km]<1> to the north northeast of the Thompson that is located in Wake County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the New Castle County community of Thompson.
    • Florida
      • Citrus County
      • We found mention of this community, but have little information.<2> For the information that we do have, please visit our profile page for the Florida community of Thompson [Citrus County].
      • Lee County
      • We found mention of this community, but have little information. For the information that we do have, please visit our profile page for the Florida community of Thompson [Lee County].
      • Monroe County
      • This Thompson is located in Monroe County and lies 749 miles [1,205.4 km]<1> to the south of the Thompson that is located in Wake County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Monroe County community of Thompson.
    • Illinois
      • Franklin County
      • We found mention of this community, but have little information.<2> For the information that we do have, please visit our profile page for the Illinois community of Thompson [Franklin County].
    • Iowa
      • Winnebago County
      • This Thompson is located in Winnebago County and lies 954 miles [1,535.3 km]<1> to the northwest of the Thompson that is located in Wake County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Winnebago County community of Thompson.
    • Kentucky
      • Clark 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 Kentucky community of Thompson [Clark County].
      • Fayette 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 Kentucky community of Thompson [Fayette County].
      • Union 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 Kentucky community of Thompson [Union County].
    • Louisiana
      • Calcasieu Parish
      • 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 Louisiana community of Thompson [Calcasieu Parish].
    • Maine
      • Somerset County
      • This Thompson is located in Somerset County and lies 792 miles [1,274.6 km]<1> to the northeast of the Thompson that is located in Wake County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Somerset County community of Thompson.
    • Manitoba
      • This Thompson lies 1,646 miles [2,649 km]<1> to the north northwest of the Thompson that is located in Wake County.
    • Maryland
      • Dorchester County
      • This Thompson is located in Dorchester County and lies 240 miles [386.2 km]<1> to the northeast of the Thompson that is located in Wake County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Dorchester County community of Thompson.
    • Michigan
      • Kalkaska 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 Michigan community of Thompson [Kalkaska County].
      • Ogemaw 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 Michigan community of Thompson [Ogemaw County].
      • Schoolcraft County
      • This Thompson is located in Schoolcraft County and lies 802 miles [1,290.7 km]<1> to the north northwest of the Thompson that is located in Wake County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Schoolcraft County community of Thompson.
    • Mississippi
      • Amite County
      • This Thompson is located in Amite County and lies 753 miles [1,211.8 km]<1> to the west southwest of the Thompson that is located in Wake County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Amite County community of Thompson.
      • Attala County
      • This community is historic<3> and we have very little information. For the information that we do have, please visit our profile page for the Mississippi community of Thompson [Attala County].
      • Hinds County
      • This Thompson is located in Hinds County and lies 708 miles [1,139.4 km] to the west southwest of the Thompson that is located in Wake County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Hinds County community of Thompson.
    • Missouri
      • Audrain County
      • This Thompson is located in Audrain County and lies 763 miles [1,227.9 km]<1> to the west northwest of the Thompson that is located in Wake County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Audrain County community of Thompson.
    • Montana
      • Missoula 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 Montana community of Thompson [Missoula County].
    • Nebraska
      • Jefferson County
      • This Thompson is located in Jefferson County and lies 1,050 miles [1,689.8 km]<1> to the west northwest of the Thompson that is located in Wake County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Jefferson County community of Thompson.
    • Nevada
      • Lyon County
      • This community is historic<3> and we have very little information. For the information that we do have, please visit our profile page for the Nevada community of Thompson [Lyon County].
    • New York
      • Ontario County
      • This Thompson is located in Ontario County and lies 506 miles [814.3 km]<1> to the north of the Thompson that is located in Wake County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Ontario County community of Thompson.
    • North Dakota
      • Grand Forks County
      • This Thompson is located in Grand Forks County and lies 1,251 miles [2,013.3 km]<1> to the northwest of the Thompson that is located in Wake County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Grand Forks County community of Thompson.
    • Ohio
      • Geauga County
      • This Thompson is located in Geauga County and lies 426 miles [685.6 km]<1> to the north northwest of the Thompson that is located in Wake County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Geauga County community of Thompson.
    • Oklahoma
      • Pottawatomie 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 Oklahoma community of Thompson [Pottawatomie County].
    • Oregon
      • Lane 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 Oregon community of Thompson [Lane County].
    • Pennsylvania
      • Allegheny 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 Pennsylvania community of Thompson [Allegheny County].
      • Beaver County
      • This Thompson is located in Beaver County and lies 357 miles [574.5 km]<1> to the north northwest of the Thompson that is located in Wake County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Beaver County community of Thompson.
      • Forest 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 Pennsylvania community of Thompson [Forest County].
      • Susquehanna County
      • This Thompson is located in Susquehanna County and lies 453 miles [729 km] to the north northeast of the Thompson that is located in Wake County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Susquehanna County community of Thompson.
      • Warren 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 Pennsylvania community of Thompson [Warren County].
    • South Carolina
      • Horry County
      • This community is historic<3> and we have very little information. For the information that we do have, please visit our profile page for the South Carolina community of Thompson [Horry County].
    • Texas
      • Collin 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 Texas community of Thompson [Collin County].
      • Harris 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 Texas community of Thompson [Harris County].
      • Hidalgo County
      • This Thompson is located in Hidalgo County and lies 1,330 miles [2,140.4 km]<1> to the west southwest of the Thompson that is located in Wake County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Hidalgo County community of Thompson.
    • Virginia
      • Rockbridge 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 Virginia community of Thompson [Rockbridge County].
    • Washington
      • Okanogan County
      • This community is historic<3> and we have very little information. For the information that we do have, please visit our profile page for the Washington community of Thompson [Okanogan County].
    • West Virginia
      • Marshall 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 West Virginia community of Thompson [Marshall County].
    • Wisconsin
      • Washington County
      • This Thompson is located in Washington County and lies 727 miles [1,170 km]<1> to the northwest of the Thompson that is located in Wake County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Washington County community of Thompson.

Curious and Interesting Names Near Thompson ...

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.

  • Dublin Woods
    (3 miles [4.8 km] to the northwest)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Dublin Woods have been provided by the GNIS.<4> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Dublin Woods
    • Dublin Woods is located in Wake County
  • Glen Eden
    (2 miles [3.2 km] to the northeast)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Glen Eden have been provided by the GNIS.<4> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Glen Eden
    • Glen Eden is located in Wake County
  • Hearthstone Farms
    (3 miles [4.8 km] to the northwest)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Hearthstone Farms have been provided by the GNIS.<4> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Hearthstone Farms
    • Hearthstone Farms is located in Wake County
  • Indian Hills
    (Less than 2 miles to the south)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Indian Hills have been provided by the GNIS.<4> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Indian Hills
    • Indian Hills is located in Wake County
  • Irongate
    (2 miles [3.2 km] to the west)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Irongate have been provided by the GNIS.<4> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Irongate
    • Irongate is located in Wake County
  • Isle Forest
    (2 miles [3.2 km] to the southeast)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Isle Forest have been provided by the GNIS.<4> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Isle Forest
    • Isle Forest is located in Wake County
  • Ivy Meadows
    (2 miles [3.2 km] to the southwest)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Ivy Meadows have been provided by the GNIS.<4> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Ivy Meadows
    • Ivy Meadows is located in Wake County
  • Kent Garden
    (Less than 2 miles to the southeast)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Kent Garden have been provided by the GNIS.<4> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Kent Garden
    • Kent Garden is located in Wake County
  • Little Lake Hill
    (2 miles [3.2 km] to the northeast)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Little Lake Hill have been provided by the GNIS.<4> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Little Lake Hill
    • Little Lake Hill is located in Wake County
  • Markwood
    (3 miles [4.8 km] to the northeast)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Markwood have been provided by the GNIS.<4> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Markwood
    • Markwood is located in Wake County
  • Method
    (Less than 2 miles to the east)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Method
    • Method is located in Wake County
  • Orchards
    (Less than 2 miles to the southeast)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Orchards have been provided by the GNIS.<4> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Orchards
    • Orchards is located in Wake County
  • Continue List   (4 more) ...
    • Piney Plains
      (3 miles [4.8 km] to the southwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Piney Plains have been provided by the GNIS.<4> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Piney Plains
      • Piney Plains is located in Wake County
    • Pirates Cove
      (3 miles [4.8 km] to the southwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Pirates Cove have been provided by the GNIS.<4> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Pirates Cove
      • Pirates Cove is located in Wake County
    • Stoneybrook
      (3 miles [4.8 km] to the southwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Stoneybrook have been provided by the GNIS.<4> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Stoneybrook
      • Stoneybrook is located in Wake County
    • Walnut Ridge
      (2 miles [3.2 km] to the southwest)
      • 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 Wake County

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

With a nod to our favorite Gazetteers and using the location of where the historic community of Thompson once stood, the straight-line distance beginning in Thompson and extending to:

  • Raleigh, which is the Seat of Wake County, lies just to the East.
  • Raleigh, which is the State Capital of North Carolina, lies just to the east (E).
  • The White House (Washington, DC) is 233 miles [375 km]<1> to the north northeast (NNE). If you could drive a straight line from Thompson to White House, with an average speed<5>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 14 days. A horse and buggy averaging 3.2 miles [5.1 km] per hour would take 10 days.
  • The shortest distance<6> to Jerusalem (specifically the Temple Mount and the Dome of the Rock) is 6,103 miles [9,821.8 km] and it lies to the northeast (NE).<7>
  • The distance to the Great Mosque of Mecca (specifically the Ka'bah - or Kaaba ) is 6,798 miles [10,940.3 km] and it lies to the northeast (NE).<8>
  • The distance to Saint Peter's Basilica (The Vatican) is 4,679 miles [7,530.1 km] and it lies to the northeast (NE).<9>

The official website for Wake County: www.wakegov.com/

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

Footnotes ...

<1>Our distances are not driving distances, but are calculated as a 'point-to-point' distance. A straight line distance ignores things like rivers, canyons, lakes, et cetera - it's truly a line from Point A (ie- Thompson) to Point B.Our distance measurements begin at a specific point in Thompson. The point we use is located at these GPS coordinates - Latitude: 35.7902, Longitude: -78.7147       In this case, the coordinates for Thompson have been provided by the Geographic Names Information System (GNIS).
<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 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 Thompson 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>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 Thompson, please let us know so that we can improve our accuracy.
<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 Thompson 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 308.994 degrees.
<8>The calculated bearing (or angle) to Mecca is 304.23 degrees.
<9>The calculated bearing (or angle) to the Vatican is 306.50 degrees.









 

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This page was last modified/updated: 07 Apr 2024