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










Learn About
The Commemorative
Quarter for
South Carolina


The Commemorative Quarter for South Carolina







Outdoor Activities ...

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

When in Elgin, we use the following websites to find information relevant to Elgin 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 Elgin:
    • 34.675340, -80.721410
    • 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 Elgin
  • 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 Elgin ...

We found 38 communities that share the name Elgin.

There is one other community in South Carolina which is also named Elgin.

Beyond South Carolina, we know of another 37 communities that are located throughout in the United States and Canada. Of these 37 communities, 32 are located in the United States and seven are in Canada.

  • Communities Located In South Carolina ...
    • Kershaw County
      • This Elgin is located in Kershaw County and lies 35 miles [56.3 km]<1> to the south of the Elgin that is located in Lancaster County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Kershaw County community of Elgin.
  • Communities Elsewhere In North America ...
    • Alabama
      • Lauderdale County
      • This Elgin is located in Lauderdale County and lies 378 miles [608.3 km]<1> to the west of the Elgin that is located in Lancaster County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Lauderdale County community of Elgin.
      • Tuscaloosa 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 Elgin [Tuscaloosa County].
    • Arizona
      • Pima 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 Arizona community of Elgin [Pima County].
      • Santa Cruz County
      • This Elgin is located in Santa Cruz County and lies 1,728 miles [2,780.9 km]<1> to the west of the Elgin that is located in Lancaster County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Santa Cruz County community of Elgin.
    • Arkansas
      • Jackson County
      • This Elgin is located in Jackson County and lies 600 miles [965.6 km]<1> to the west of the Elgin that is located in Lancaster County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Jackson County community of Elgin.
    • British Columbia
      • This Elgin lies 2,343 miles [3,770.7 km]<1> to the northwest of the Elgin that is located in Lancaster County.
    • Georgia
      • Butts 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 Georgia community of Elgin [Butts County].
    • Idaho
      • Bingham 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 Idaho community of Elgin [Bingham County].
    • Illinois
      • Kane County
      • This Elgin is located in Kane County and lies 652 miles [1,049.3 km]<1> to the northwest of the Elgin that is located in Lancaster County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Kane County community of Elgin.
    • Iowa
      • Fayette County
      • This Elgin is located in Fayette County and lies 818 miles [1,316.4 km]<1> to the northwest of the Elgin that is located in Lancaster County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Fayette County community of Elgin.
    • Kansas
      • Chautauqua County
      • This Elgin is located in Chautauqua County and lies 884 miles [1,422.7 km]<1> to the west northwest of the Elgin that is located in Lancaster County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Chautauqua County community of Elgin.
      • Sedgwick 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 Elgin [Sedgwick County].
    • Manitoba
      • This Elgin lies 1,420 miles [2,285.3 km]<1> to the northwest of the Elgin that is located in Lancaster County.
    • Michigan
      • Ottawa 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 Elgin [Ottawa County].
    • Minnesota
      • Wabasha County
      • This Elgin is located in Wabasha County and lies 894 miles [1,438.8 km]<1> to the northwest of the Elgin that is located in Lancaster County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Wabasha County community of Elgin.
    • Missouri
      • Shelby County
      • This Elgin is located in Shelby County and lies 717 miles [1,153.9 km]<1> to the northwest of the Elgin that is located in Lancaster County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Shelby County community of Elgin.
      • Sullivan County
      • Although located in Sullivan County, we don't know the location within the county.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Sullivan County community of Elgin.
    • Montana
      • Carter 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 Montana community of Elgin [Carter County].
    • Nebraska
      • Antelope County
      • This Elgin is located in Antelope County and lies 1,064 miles [1,712.3 km]<1> to the northwest of the Elgin that is located in Lancaster County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Antelope County community of Elgin.
    • Nevada
      • Lincoln 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 Elgin [Lincoln County].
    • New Brunswick
      • This Elgin lies 1,121 miles [1,804.1 km]<1> to the northeast of the Elgin that is located in Lancaster County.
    • New York
      • Cattaraugus County
      • This Elgin is located in Cattaraugus County and lies 542 miles [872.3 km]<1> to the north northeast of the Elgin that is located in Lancaster County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Cattaraugus County community of Elgin.
    • North Dakota
      • Grant County
      • This Elgin is located in Grant County and lies 1,365 miles [2,196.8 km]<1> to the northwest of the Elgin that is located in Lancaster County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Grant County community of Elgin.
    • Nova Scotia
      • This Elgin lies 1,204 miles [1,937.7 km]<1> to the northeast of the Elgin that is located in Lancaster County.
    • Ohio
      • Van Wert County
      • This Elgin is located in Van Wert County and lies 466 miles [750 km]<1> to the north northwest of the Elgin that is located in Lancaster County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Van Wert County community of Elgin.
    • Oklahoma
      • Comanche County
      • This Elgin is located in Comanche County and lies 996 miles [1,602.9 km]<1> to the west of the Elgin that is located in Lancaster County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Comanche County community of Elgin.
      • Garfield 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 Elgin [Garfield County].
    • Ontario
      • This Elgin lies 726 miles [1,168.4 km]<1> to the north northeast of the Elgin that is located in Lancaster County.
    • Oregon
      • Union County
      • This Elgin is located in Union County and lies 2,080 miles [3,347.4 km]<1> to the west northwest of the Elgin that is located in Lancaster County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Union County community of Elgin.
    • Pennsylvania
      • Erie County
      • This Elgin is located in Erie County and lies 501 miles [806.3 km]<1> to the north of the Elgin that is located in Lancaster County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Erie County community of Elgin.
    • Quebec
      • This Elgin lies 791 miles [1,273 km]<1> to the north northeast of the Elgin that is located in Lancaster County.
    • Tennessee
      • Scott County
      • This Elgin is located in Scott County and lies 246 miles [395.9 km]<1> to the west northwest of the Elgin that is located in Lancaster County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Scott County community of Elgin.
    • Texas
      • Bastrop County
      • This Elgin is located in Bastrop County and lies 1,013 miles [1,630.3 km]<1> to the west southwest of the Elgin that is located in Lancaster County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Bastrop County community of Elgin.
    • Utah
      • Emery County
      • This community is historic<3> and although located in Emery County, we don't know where within the county.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Emery County community of Elgin.
      • Grand County
      • This Elgin is located in Grand County and lies 1,645 miles [2,647.4 km]<1> to the west northwest of the Elgin that is located in Lancaster County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Grand County community of Elgin.
    • Virginia
      • Shenandoah 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 Elgin [Shenandoah County].
    • Washington
      • Pierce 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 Washington community of Elgin [Pierce County].

Curious and Interesting Names Near Elgin ...

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.

  • Crocketts Crossroad
    (3 miles [4.8 km] to the west)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Crocketts Crossroad have been provided by the GNIS.<4> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Crocketts Crossroad
    • Crocketts Crossroad is located in Lancaster County
  • Erwin
    (5 miles [8 km] to the west)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Erwin have been provided by the GNIS.<4> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Erwin
    • Erwin is located in Lancaster County
  • Fork Hill Crossroads
    (5 miles [8 km] to the east)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Fork Hill Crossroads have been provided by the GNIS.<4> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Fork Hill Crossroads
    • Fork Hill Crossroads is located in Lancaster County
  • Green Peach Orchard
    (4 miles [6.4 km] to the west)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Green Peach Orchard have been provided by the GNIS.<4> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Green Peach Orchard
    • Green Peach Orchard is located in Lancaster County
  • Heath Springs
    (6 miles [9.7 km] to the southeast)
  • Irwin
    (5 miles [8 km] to the west)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Irwin have been provided by the GNIS.<4> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Irwin
    • Irwin is located in Lancaster County
  • Jones Crossroads
    (3 miles [4.8 km] to the southwest)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Jones Crossroads have been provided by the GNIS.<4> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Jones Crossroads
    • Jones Crossroads is located in Lancaster County
  • Pleasant Hill
    (4 miles [6.4 km] to the southeast)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Pleasant Hill
    • Pleasant Hill is located in Lancaster County
  • Rich Hill Crossroads
    (4 miles [6.4 km] to the east)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Rich Hill Crossroads have been provided by the GNIS.<4> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Rich Hill Crossroads
    • Rich Hill Crossroads is located in Lancaster County
  • Smoke Rise
    (Less than 2 miles to the west)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Smoke Rise have been provided by the GNIS.<4> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Smoke Rise
    • Smoke Rise is located in Lancaster County
  • Union
    (6 miles [9.7 km] to the northeast)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Union
    • Union is located in Lancaster County

How Far From Elgin to ...

We spend a lot of time looking through Gazetteers, Almanacs & Directories that were published in the late 1800's and early 1900's. Many of the Gazetteers include the distance from a community such as Elgin to various places of note, such as the White House.

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

  • Lancaster, which is the Seat of Lancaster County, lies just to the Northwest.
  • Columbia, which is the State Capital of South Carolina, lies 49 miles [78.9 km]<1> to the south southwest (SSW). If you could walk a straight line from Elgin to Columbia, with an average speed<6> of 2.2 miles [3.5 km] per hour, it would take about three full days to make the trip. A horse and buggy averaging 3.2 miles [5.1 km] per hour would take most of two days.
  • The White House (Washington, DC) is 355 miles [571.3 km] to the north northeast (NNE). Driving, with an average speed of 63 miles [101.4 km] per hour, would take five to six hours, a buggy would take 14 days and walking would take 21 days.
  • The shortest distance<7> to Jerusalem (specifically the Temple Mount and the Dome of the Rock) is 6,239 miles [10,040.7 km] and it lies to the northeast (NE).<8>
  • The distance to the Great Mosque of Mecca (specifically the Ka'bah - or Kaaba ) is 6,935 miles [11,160.8 km] and it lies to the northeast (NE).<9>
  • The distance to Saint Peter's Basilica (The Vatican) is 4,816 miles [7,750.6 km] and it lies to the northeast (NE).<10>

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

The official website for Lancaster County: www.lancastercountysc.net/

The official website for State of South Carolina: https://sc.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 obstructions like rivers, canyons, lakes, et cetera - it's truly a line drawn from Point A (ie- Elgin) to Point B.Our distance measurements begin at a specific point in Elgin. The point we use is located at these GPS coordinates - Latitude: 34.6753, Longitude: -80.7214    
<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 Rock Creek to see Pete ... Rock 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 Elgin 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 Elgin, 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'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 Elgin 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 310.15 degrees.
<9>The calculated bearing (or angle) to Mecca is 305.391 degrees.
<10>The calculated bearing (or angle) to the Vatican is 307.619 degrees.









 

Copyright 2024
All Rights Reserved

Thank you for visiting our website.

In closing, please keep in mind that we can not guarantee the accuracy or timeliness of the information on this website, so use with care. We encourage you to double-check the information that is critical to you.

If you've found an error or have additional information that you would like to share, please don't hesitate to write: Click here to contact us.

This page was last modified/updated: 10 Mar 2024