RoadsideThoughts
A Gazetteer for the United States and Canada
Home >> State of South Carolina >> Dorchester County >> Canaan >> Tidbits & TriviaIndex...

Outdoor Activities ...

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

When in Canaan, we use the following websites to find information relevant to Canaan and the surrounding area.

  • 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 Canaan:
    • 32.965727, -80.294264
    • 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 Canaan
  • 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 Dorchester County as the starting point when you click on the link below:
    • Open the eBird sighting report for Dorchester County
    • Since Canaan is near Colleton County and also Charleston County, we have provided a link to their eBird sighting reports:
    • Open the eBird sighting report for Colleton County
    • Open the eBird sighting report for Charleston 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 Canaan

Communities Also Named Canaan ...

We found 29 communities that are also named Canaan.

There are two communities within South Carolina that are also named Canaan.

Beyond South Carolina, we know of 27 communities that are located in the United States and Canada. Of these 27 communities, 26 are located in the United States and five are in Canada.

  • Communities Located In South Carolina ...
    • Orangeburg County
      • This Canaan is located in Orangeburg County and lies 45 miles [72.4 km]<1> to the northwest of the Canaan that is located in Dorchester County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Orangeburg County community of Canaan.
    • Spartanburg County
      • This Canaan is located in Spartanburg County and lies 162 miles [260.7 km]<1> to the northwest of the Canaan that is located in Dorchester County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Spartanburg County community of Canaan.
  • Communities Elsewhere In North America ...
    • Alabama
      • Lamar 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 Alabama community of Canaan [Lamar County].
      • Lauderdale 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 Alabama community of Canaan [Lauderdale County].
      • Montgomery County
      • This Canaan is located in Montgomery County and lies 353 miles [568.1 km]<1> to the west of the Canaan that is located in Dorchester County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Montgomery County community of Canaan.
    • Arkansas
      • Lee County
      • This Canaan is located in Lee County and lies 615 miles [989.7 km]<1> to the west northwest of the Canaan that is located in Dorchester County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Lee County community of Canaan.
      • Searcy County
      • This Canaan is located in Searcy County and lies 734 miles [1,181.3 km] to the west northwest of the Canaan that is located in Dorchester County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Searcy County community of Canaan.
    • Connecticut
      • Litchfield County
      • This Canaan is located in Litchfield County and lies 732 miles [1,178 km]<1> to the north northeast of the Canaan that is located in Dorchester County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Litchfield County community of Canaan.
    • Florida
      • Seminole County
      • This Canaan is located in Seminole County and lies 293 miles [471.5 km]<1> to the south southwest of the Canaan that is located in Dorchester County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Seminole County community of Canaan.
    • Georgia
      • Morgan County
      • This Canaan is located in Morgan County and lies 188 miles [302.6 km]<1> to the west northwest of the Canaan that is located in Dorchester County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Morgan County community of Canaan.
    • Indiana
      • Jefferson County
      • This Canaan is located in Jefferson County and lies 494 miles [795 km]<1> to the north northwest of the Canaan that is located in Dorchester County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Jefferson County community of Canaan.
    • Kansas
      • Chase 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 Kansas community of Canaan [Chase County].
    • Maine
      • Somerset County
      • This Canaan is located in Somerset County and lies 996 miles [1,602.9 km]<1> to the north northeast of the Canaan that is located in Dorchester County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Somerset County community of Canaan.
    • Mississippi
      • Benton County
      • This Canaan is located in Benton County and lies 523 miles [841.7 km]<1> to the west northwest of the Canaan that is located in Dorchester County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Benton County community of Canaan.
    • Missouri
      • Gasconade County
      • This Canaan is located in Gasconade County and lies 731 miles [1,176.4 km]<1> to the northwest of the Canaan that is located in Dorchester County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Gasconade County community of Canaan.
    • New Brunswick
      • This Canaan lies 1,219 miles [1,961.8 km]<1> to the northeast of the Canaan that is located in Dorchester County.
    • New Hampshire
      • Grafton County
      • This Canaan is located in Grafton County and lies 862 miles [1,387.3 km]<1> to the north northeast of the Canaan that is located in Dorchester County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Grafton County community of Canaan.
    • New York
      • Columbia County
      • This Canaan is located in Columbia County and lies 751 miles [1,208.6 km]<1> to the north northeast of the Canaan that is located in Dorchester County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Columbia County community of Canaan.
    • North Carolina
      • Transylvania County
      • This Canaan is located in Transylvania County and lies 216 miles [347.6 km]<1> to the northwest of the Canaan that is located in Dorchester County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Transylvania County community of Canaan.
    • Nova Scotia
      • We haven't found the location of this community yet.
    • Ohio
      • Wayne County
      • This Canaan is located in Wayne County and lies 558 miles [898 km]<1> to the north of the Canaan that is located in Dorchester County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Wayne County community of Canaan.
    • Ontario
      • This Canaan lies 902 miles [1,451.6 km]<1> to the north northeast of the Canaan that is located in Dorchester County.
    • Oregon
      • Columbia County
      • This Canaan is located in Columbia County and lies 2,408 miles [3,875.3 km]<1> to the northwest of the Canaan that is located in Dorchester County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Columbia County community of Canaan.
    • Tennessee
      • Maury County
      • This Canaan is located in Maury County and lies 432 miles [695.2 km]<1> to the west northwest of the Canaan that is located in Dorchester County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Maury County community of Canaan.
      • Montgomery County
      • This Canaan is located in Montgomery County and lies 472 miles [759.6 km] to the west northwest of the Canaan that is located in Dorchester County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Montgomery County community of Canaan.
    • Texas
      • Grayson County
      • This Canaan is located in Grayson County and lies 929 miles [1,495.1 km]<1> to the west of the Canaan that is located in Dorchester County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Grayson County community of Canaan.
      • Limestone 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 Canaan [Limestone County].
    • Vermont
      • Essex County
      • This Canaan is located in Essex County and lies 953 miles [1,533.7 km]<1> to the north northeast of the Canaan that is located in Dorchester County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Essex County community of Canaan.
    • West Virginia
      • Upshur County
      • This Canaan is located in Upshur County and lies 399 miles [642.1 km]<1> to the north of the Canaan that is located in Dorchester County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Upshur County community of Canaan.

Curious and Interesting Names Near Canaan ...

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.

  • Clubhouse Crossroads
    (4 miles [6.4 km] to the south)
    • Clubhouse Crossroads is located in Dorchester County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Clubhouse Crossroads
  • Coachmans Corners
    (Less than 2 miles to the west)
    • Coachmans Corners is located in Dorchester County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Coachmans Corners
  • Corey Point
    (5 miles [8 km] to the northeast)
    • Corey Point is located in Dorchester County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Corey Point
  • Corey Wood
    (5 miles [8 km] to the northeast)
    • Corey Wood is located in Dorchester County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Corey Wood
  • Cotton Hill
    (4 miles [6.4 km] to the northeast)
    • Cotton Hill is located in Dorchester County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Cotton Hill
  • Creekside
    (5 miles [8 km] to the east)
    • Creekside is located in Dorchester County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Creekside
  • Evergreen
    (5 miles [8 km] to the east)
    • Evergreen is located in Dorchester County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Evergreen
  • Farmdale
    (4 miles [6.4 km] to the east)
    • Farmdale is located in Dorchester County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Farmdale
  • Flowertown Village
    (4 miles [6.4 km] to the northeast)
    • Flowertown Village is located in Dorchester County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Flowertown Village
  • Indian Springs
    (4 miles [6.4 km] to the northeast)
    • Indian Springs is located in Dorchester County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Indian Springs
  • Knightsville
    (4 miles [6.4 km] to the northeast)
    • Knightsville is located in Dorchester County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Knightsville
  • Lotts Crossroads
    (5 miles [8 km] to the northeast)
    • Lotts Crossroads is located in Dorchester County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Lotts Crossroads
  • Continue List   (7 more) ...
    • Orchard Hill
      (5 miles [8 km] to the northeast)
      • Orchard Hill is located in Dorchester County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Orchard Hill
    • Pecan Grove
      (5 miles [8 km] to the northeast)
      • Pecan Grove is located in Dorchester County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Pecan Grove
    • Sprucewood
      (4 miles [6.4 km] to the east)
      • Sprucewood is located in Dorchester County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Sprucewood
    • Summerville Farms
      (4 miles [6.4 km] to the east)
      • Summerville Farms is located in Dorchester County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Summerville Farms
    • Sweetbriar
      (4 miles [6.4 km] to the northeast)
      • Sweetbriar is located in Dorchester County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Sweetbriar
    • Trotters Ridge
      (5 miles [8 km] to the northeast)
      • Trotters Ridge is located in Dorchester County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Trotters Ridge
    • Twin Lakes
      (2 miles [3.2 km] to the northeast)
      • Twin Lakes is located in Dorchester County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Twin Lakes

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

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

  • Saint George, which is the Seat of Dorchester County, lies 22 miles [35.4 km]<1> to the northwest. If you could walk a straight line from Canaan to Saint George, with an average speed<4> 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 most of a day.
  • Columbia, which is the State Capital of South Carolina, lies 83 miles [133.6 km] to the north northwest (NNW). Driving, with an average speed of 63 miles [101.4 km] per hour, would take less than two hours, a buggy would take most of three days and walking would take 5 days.
  • The White House (Washington, DC) is 448 miles [721 km] to the north northeast (NNE). Driving would take most of a day, a buggy would take 18 days and walking would take 26 days.
  • The shortest distance<5> to Jerusalem (specifically the Temple Mount and the Dome of the Rock) is 6,296 miles [10,132.4 km] and it lies to the northeast (NE).<6>
  • The distance to the Great Mosque of Mecca (specifically the Ka'bah - or Kaaba ) is 6,983 miles [11,238 km] and it lies to the northeast (NE).<7>
  • The distance to Saint Peter's Basilica (The Vatican) is 4,869 miles [7,835.9 km] and it lies to the northeast (NE).<8>'

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 drawn from Point A (ie- Canaan) to Point B. In other words: 'As the crow flies'.
<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 Canaan 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 Canaan, please let us know so that we can improve our accuracy.
<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 Canaan 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 Canaan. The point we use is located at these GPS coordinates - Latitude: 32.9657, Longitude: -80.2943       In this case, the coordinates for Canaan have been provided by the Geographic Names Information System (GNIS).
<6>The calculated bearing (or angle) to Jerusalem is 309.892 degrees.
<7>The calculated bearing (or angle) to Mecca is 304.848 degrees.
<8>The calculated bearing (or angle) to the Vatican is 307.948 degrees.