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A Gazetteer for the United States and Canada
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The Commemorative Quarter for North Carolina





Outdoor Activities ...

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

When in Three Forks, we use the following websites to find information relevant to Three Forks 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 Three Forks:
    • 35.644820, -83.262096
    • 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 Three Forks
  • 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 Three Forks ...

We found 28 communities that share the name Three Forks.

Within North Carolina, the name Three Forks is unique.

Beyond North Carolina, we know of another 28 communities that are located throughout in the United States and Canada. Of these 28 communities, 27 are located in the United States and one is in Canada.

  • Communities Elsewhere In North America ...
    • Alabama
      • Lauderdale County
      • This Three Forks is located in Lauderdale County and lies 257 miles [413.6 km]<1> to the west of the Three Forks that is located in Swain County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Lauderdale County community of Three Forks.
      • Madison County
      • This Three Forks is located in Madison County and lies 190 miles [305.8 km] to the west southwest of the Three Forks that is located in Swain County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Madison County community of Three Forks.
      • Tuscaloosa County
      • This Three Forks is located in Tuscaloosa County and lies 272 miles [437.7 km] to the west southwest of the Three Forks that is located in Swain County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Tuscaloosa County community of Three Forks.
    • Arizona
      • Apache County
      • This Three Forks is located in Apache County and lies 1,478 miles [2,378.6 km]<1> to the west of the Three Forks that is located in Swain County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Apache County community of Three Forks.
    • Arkansas
      • Crittenden County
      • This Three Forks is located in Crittenden County and lies 404 miles [650.2 km]<1> to the west of the Three Forks that is located in Swain County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Crittenden County community of Three Forks.
    • British Columbia
      • 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 British Columbia community of Three Forks.
    • Colorado
      • Conejos County
      • This Three Forks is located in Conejos County and lies 1,298 miles [2,088.9 km]<1> to the west northwest of the Three Forks that is located in Swain County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Conejos County community of Three Forks.
    • Georgia
      • Fannin County
      • This Three Forks is located in Fannin County and lies 85 miles [136.8 km]<1> to the southwest of the Three Forks that is located in Swain County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Fannin County community of Three Forks.
      • Rabun County
      • This Three Forks is located in Rabun County and lies 46 miles [74 km] to the south of the Three Forks that is located in Swain County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Rabun County community of Three Forks.
    • Idaho
      • Owyhee County
      • This Three Forks is located in Owyhee County and lies 1,795 miles [2,888.8 km]<1> to the west northwest of the Three Forks that is located in Swain County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Owyhee County community of Three Forks.
    • Kentucky
      • Garrard County
      • This Three Forks is located in Garrard County and lies 158 miles [254.3 km]<1> to the north northwest of the Three Forks that is located in Swain County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Garrard County community of Three Forks.
      • Warren County
      • This Three Forks is located in Warren County and lies 186 miles [299.3 km] to the west northwest of the Three Forks that is located in Swain County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Warren County community of Three Forks.
    • Montana
      • Cascade County
      • This Three Forks is located in Cascade County and lies 1,636 miles [2,632.9 km]<1> to the northwest of the Three Forks that is located in Swain County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Cascade County community of Three Forks.
      • Flathead County
      • This Three Forks is located in Flathead County and lies 1,752 miles [2,819.6 km] to the northwest of the Three Forks that is located in Swain County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Flathead County community of Three Forks.
      • Gallatin County
      • This Three Forks is located in Gallatin County and lies 1,628 miles [2,620 km] to the northwest of the Three Forks that is located in Swain County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Gallatin County community of Three Forks.
    • New Mexico
      • Eddy County
      • This Three Forks is located in Eddy County and lies 1,250 miles [2,011.7 km]<1> to the west of the Three Forks that is located in Swain County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Eddy County community of Three Forks.
    • Ohio
      • Noble County
      • This Three Forks is located in Noble County and lies 294 miles [473.1 km]<1> to the north northeast of the Three Forks that is located in Swain County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Noble County community of Three Forks.
    • Oregon
      • Grant County
      • This Three Forks is located in Grant County and lies 1,996 miles [3,212.3 km]<1> to the west northwest of the Three Forks that is located in Swain County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Grant County community of Three Forks.
    • Tennessee
      • Franklin County
      • This Three Forks is located in Franklin County and lies 165 miles [265.5 km]<1> to the west southwest of the Three Forks that is located in Swain County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Franklin County community of Three Forks.
      • Scott County
      • This Three Forks is located in Scott County and lies 91 miles [146.5 km] to the northwest of the Three Forks that is located in Swain County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Scott County community of Three Forks.
    • Utah
      • Garfield County
      • This Three Forks is located in Garfield County and lies 1,508 miles [2,426.9 km]<1> to the west northwest of the Three Forks that is located in Swain County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Garfield County community of Three Forks.
      • Utah County
      • This Three Forks is located in Utah County and lies 1,555 miles [2,502.5 km] to the west northwest of the Three Forks that is located in Swain County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Utah County community of Three Forks.
      • Wasatch County
      • This Three Forks is located in Wasatch County and lies 1,533 miles [2,467.1 km] to the west northwest of the Three Forks that is located in Swain County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Wasatch County community of Three Forks.
    • Virginia
      • Campbell County
      • This Three Forks is located in Campbell County and lies 258 miles [415.2 km]<1> to the east northeast of the Three Forks that is located in Swain County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Campbell County community of Three Forks.
      • Scott County
      • This Three Forks is located in Scott County and lies 87 miles [140 km] to the north northeast of the Three Forks that is located in Swain County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Scott County community of Three Forks.
    • West Virginia
      • Logan 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 West Virginia community of Three Forks [Logan County].
    • Wyoming
      • Carbon County
      • This Three Forks is located in Carbon County and lies 1,372 miles [2,208 km]<1> to the west northwest of the Three Forks that is located in Swain County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Carbon County community of Three Forks.
      • Uinta County
      • This Three Forks is located in Uinta County and lies 1,541 miles [2,480 km] to the west northwest of the Three Forks that is located in Swain County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Uinta County community of Three Forks.

Curious and Interesting Names Near Three Forks ...

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.

  • Birdtown
    (13 miles [20.9 km] to the south)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Birdtown have been provided by the GNIS.<4> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Birdtown
    • Birdtown is located in Swain County
  • Cherokee
    (12 miles [19.3 km] to the south)
  • Indian Hills
    (13 miles [20.9 km] 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 Jackson County
  • Jenkins Mill
    (9 miles [14.5 km] to the north)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Jenkins Mill have been provided by the GNIS.<4> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Jenkins Mill
    • Jenkins Mill is located in Cocke County (TN)
  • Jones Cove
    (13 miles [20.9 km] to the north)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Jones Cove have been provided by the GNIS.<4> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Jones Cove
    • Jones Cove is located in Sevier County (TN)
  • Maggie Valley
    (13 miles [20.9 km] to the southeast)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Maggie Valley have been provided by the GNIS.<4> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Maggie Valley
    • Maggie Valley is located in Haywood County
    • Population from the 2020 Census: 1,258 people
    • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Maggie Valley <5>
  • Nellie
    (8 miles [12.9 km] to the east)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Nellie have been provided by the GNIS.<4> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Nellie
    • Nellie is located in Haywood County
  • Paint Town
    (12 miles [19.3 km] to the south)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Paint Town have been provided by the GNIS.<4> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Paint Town
    • Paint Town is located in Jackson County
  • Pinnacle
    (11 miles [17.7 km] to the northwest)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Pinnacle have been provided by the GNIS.<4> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Pinnacle
    • Pinnacle is located in Sevier County (TN)
  • Rocky Grove
    (8 miles [12.9 km] to the north)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Rocky Grove have been provided by the GNIS.<4> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Rocky Grove
    • Rocky Grove is located in Sevier County (TN)
  • Texas Settlement ‑ Historic
    (7 miles [11.3 km] to the north)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Texas Settlement have been provided by the GNIS.<4> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Texas Settlement
    • Texas Settlement is located in Sevier County (TN)
  • Zion Grove
    (12 miles [19.3 km] to the northwest)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Zion Grove have been provided by the GNIS.<4> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Zion Grove
    • Zion Grove is located in Sevier County (TN)

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

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

  • Bryson City, which is the Seat of Swain County, lies 18 miles [29 km]<1> to the southwest. If you could walk a straight line from Three Forks to Bryson City, with an average speed<6> of 2.2 miles [3.5 km] per hour, it would take just over a day to make the trip. A horse and buggy averaging 3.2 miles [5.1 km] per hour would take five to six hours.
  • Raleigh, which is the State Capital of North Carolina, lies 259 miles [416.8 km] to the east (E). Driving, with an average speed of 63 miles [101.4 km] per hour, would take four to five hours, a buggy would take 11 days and walking would take 15 days.
  • The White House (Washington, DC) is 409 miles [658.2 km] to the northeast (NE). Driving would take most of a day, a buggy would take 16 days and walking would take 24 days.
  • The shortest distance<7> to Jerusalem (specifically the Temple Mount and the Dome of the Rock) is 6,304 miles [10,145.3 km] and it lies to the northeast (NE).<8>
  • The distance to the Great Mosque of Mecca (specifically the Ka'bah - or Kaaba ) is 7,011 miles [11,283.1 km] and it lies to the northeast (NE).<9>
  • The distance to Saint Peter's Basilica (The Vatican) is 4,888 miles [7,866.5 km] and it lies to the northeast (NE).<10>

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

The official website for Swain County: www.swaincounty.org/

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 'straight-line' (or point-to-point) distance. A straight line distance ignores things like rivers, canyons, lakes, et cetera - it's truly a line drawn from Point A (ie- Three Forks) to Point B.Our distance measurements begin at a specific point in Three Forks. The point we use is located at these GPS coordinates - Latitude: 35.6448, Longitude: -83.2621       In this case, the coordinates for Three Forks 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 Three Forks, 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 Mile's to see Pete ... Mile's is just a gas station and a couple of homes at the crossroads. While it might not be on the map, everybody in the area knows it by that name.

Places of interest include buildings at a crossroad, several families clustered in a hollow or maybe the location of a way station. It also includes places like mines, lumber camps, ferry crossings, etc. The community might still exist, is now gone or only existed for just a short period of time.

Also keep in mind that Three Forks 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're fans and frequent users of TripAdvisor, you should know that we're also members of the TripAdvisor affiliate program.
<6>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.
<7>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 Three Forks to the Middle East to be East and South, the Great Circle Route actually lies to the North and East.
<8>The calculated bearing (or angle) to Jerusalem is 311.644 degrees.
<9>The calculated bearing (or angle) to Mecca is 307.245 degrees.
<10>The calculated bearing (or angle) to the Vatican is 308.35 degrees.




 

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This page was last modified/updated: 07 Apr 2024