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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 Aurora, we use the following websites to find information relevant to Aurora 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 Aurora:
    • 44.282746, -96.686995
    • 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 Aurora
  • 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 Aurora ...

We found 43 communities that share the name Aurora.

Within South Dakota, the name Aurora is unique.

Beyond South Dakota, we know of another 43 communities that are located throughout in the United States and Canada. Of these 43 communities, 43 are located in the United States and one is in Canada.

  • Communities Elsewhere In North America ...
    • Alabama
      • Etowah County
      • This Aurora is located in Etowah County and lies 897 miles [1,443.6 km]<1> to the southeast of the Aurora that is located in Brookings County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Etowah County community of Aurora.
    • Alaska
      • This Aurora lies 2,388 miles [3,843.1 km]<1> to the northwest of the Aurora that is located in Brookings County.
    • Arkansas
      • Madison County
      • This Aurora is located in Madison County and lies 593 miles [954.3 km]<1> to the south southeast of the Aurora that is located in Brookings County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Madison County community of Aurora.
    • California
      • Stanislaus County
      • This Aurora is located in Stanislaus County and lies 1,341 miles [2,158.1 km]<1> to the west of the Aurora that is located in Brookings County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Stanislaus County community of Aurora.
    • Colorado
      • Arapahoe County
      • This Aurora is located in Arapahoe County and lies 521 miles [838.5 km]<1> to the southwest of the Aurora that is located in Brookings County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Arapahoe County community of Aurora.
    • Florida
      • Brevard County
      • This Aurora is located in Brevard County and lies 1,422 miles [2,288.5 km]<1> to the southeast of the Aurora that is located in Brookings County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Brevard County community of Aurora.
      • Hillsborough County
      • This Aurora is located in Hillsborough County and lies 1,372 miles [2,208 km] to the southeast of the Aurora that is located in Brookings County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Hillsborough County community of Aurora.
    • Georgia
      • Lumpkin 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 Georgia community of Aurora [Lumpkin County].
    • Illinois
      • Kane County
      • This Aurora is located in Kane County and lies 457 miles [735.5 km]<1> to the east southeast of the Aurora that is located in Brookings County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Kane County community of Aurora.
    • Indiana
      • Dearborn County
      • This Aurora is located in Dearborn County and lies 705 miles [1,134.6 km]<1> to the east southeast of the Aurora that is located in Brookings County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Dearborn County community of Aurora.
    • Iowa
      • Buchanan County
      • This Aurora is located in Buchanan County and lies 273 miles [439.4 km]<1> to the east southeast of the Aurora that is located in Brookings County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Buchanan County community of Aurora.
      • Keokuk County
      • This Aurora is located in Keokuk County and lies 295 miles [474.8 km] to the southeast of the Aurora that is located in Brookings County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Keokuk County community of Aurora.
    • Kansas
      • 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 Kansas community of Aurora [Clark County].
      • Cloud County
      • This Aurora is located in Cloud County and lies 336 miles [540.7 km]<1> to the south of the Aurora that is located in Brookings County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Cloud County community of Aurora.
      • Coffey 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 Kansas community of Aurora [Coffey County].
      • Cowley 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 Kansas community of Aurora [Cowley County].
      • Jewell 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 Kansas community of Aurora [Jewell County].
      • Norton 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 Kansas community of Aurora [Norton County].
      • Osage 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 Kansas community of Aurora [Osage County].
    • Kentucky
      • Marshall County
      • This Aurora is located in Marshall County and lies 684 miles [1,100.8 km]<1> to the southeast of the Aurora that is located in Brookings County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Marshall County community of Aurora.
    • Maine
      • Hancock County
      • This Aurora is located in Hancock County and lies 1,388 miles [2,233.8 km]<1> to the east of the Aurora that is located in Brookings County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Hancock County community of Aurora.
    • Michigan
      • Gogebic County
      • This Aurora is located in Gogebic County and lies 350 miles [563.3 km]<1> to the east northeast of the Aurora that is located in Brookings County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Gogebic County community of Aurora.
    • Minnesota
      • Saint Louis County
      • This Aurora is located in Saint Louis County and lies 309 miles [497.3 km]<1> to the northeast of the Aurora that is located in Brookings County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Saint Louis County community of Aurora.
      • Steele 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 Minnesota community of Aurora [Steele County].
    • Missouri
      • Lawrence County
      • This Aurora is located in Lawrence County and lies 528 miles [849.7 km]<1> to the south southeast of the Aurora that is located in Brookings County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Lawrence County community of Aurora.
    • Nebraska
      • Hamilton County
      • This Aurora is located in Hamilton County and lies 245 miles [394.3 km]<1> to the south southwest of the Aurora that is located in Brookings County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Hamilton County community of Aurora.
    • Nevada
      • Mineral 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 Aurora [Mineral County].
    • New Mexico
      • Colfax County
      • This community is historic<3> and although located in Colfax County, we don't know where within the county.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Colfax County community of Aurora.
      • Mora 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 New Mexico community of Aurora [Mora County].
      • San Miguel County
      • This Aurora is located in San Miguel County and lies 782 miles [1,258.5 km]<1> to the southwest of the Aurora that is located in Brookings County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the San Miguel County community of Aurora.
    • New York
      • Cayuga County
      • This Aurora is located in Cayuga County and lies 1,003 miles [1,614.2 km]<1> to the east of the Aurora that is located in Brookings County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Cayuga County community of Aurora.
    • North Carolina
      • Beaufort County
      • This Aurora is located in Beaufort County and lies 1,219 miles [1,961.8 km]<1> to the east southeast of the Aurora that is located in Brookings County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Beaufort County community of Aurora.
    • Ohio
      • Portage County
      • This Aurora is located in Portage County and lies 801 miles [1,289.1 km]<1> to the east of the Aurora that is located in Brookings County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Portage County community of Aurora.
    • Ontario
      • This Aurora lies 851 miles [1,369.6 km]<1> to the east of the Aurora that is located in Brookings County.
    • Oregon
      • Marion County
      • This Aurora is located in Marion County and lies 1,274 miles [2,050.3 km]<1> to the west northwest of the Aurora that is located in Brookings County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Marion County community of Aurora.
    • Pennsylvania
      • Bradford 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 Aurora [Bradford County].
    • Texas
      • Jefferson County
      • This community is historic<3> and although located in Jefferson County, we don't know where within the county.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Jefferson County community of Aurora.
      • Wise County
      • This Aurora is located in Wise County and lies 776 miles [1,248.9 km]<1> to the south of the Aurora that is located in Brookings County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Wise County community of Aurora.
    • Utah
      • Sevier County
      • This Aurora is located in Sevier County and lies 868 miles [1,396.9 km]<1> to the west southwest of the Aurora that is located in Brookings County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Sevier County community of Aurora.
    • West Virginia
      • Preston County
      • This Aurora is located in Preston County and lies 943 miles [1,517.6 km]<1> to the east southeast of the Aurora that is located in Brookings County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Preston County community of Aurora.
    • Wisconsin
      • Florence County
      • This Aurora is located in Florence County and lies 431 miles [693.6 km]<1> to the east northeast of the Aurora that is located in Brookings County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Florence County community of Aurora.
      • Washington County
      • This Aurora is located in Washington County and lies 421 miles [677.5 km] to the east of the Aurora that is located in Brookings County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Washington County community of Aurora.
    • Wyoming
      • Carbon 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 Wyoming community of Aurora [Carbon County].

Curious and Interesting Names Near Aurora ...

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.

  • Bruce
    (14 miles [22.5 km] to the northwest)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Bruce
    • Bruce is located in Brookings County
    • Population from the 2020 Census: 205 people
    • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Bruce <4>
  • Holland
    (27 miles [43.5 km] to the southeast)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Holland have been provided by the GNIS.<5> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Holland
    • Holland is located in Pipestone County (MN)
    • Population from the 2020 Census: 172 people
  • Ivanhoe
    (24 miles [38.6 km] to the northeast)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Ivanhoe have been provided by the GNIS.<5> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Ivanhoe
    • Ivanhoe is located in Lincoln County (MN)
    • Population from the 2020 Census: 524 people
    • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Ivanhoe <4>
  • Lone Tree
    (21 miles [33.8 km] to the south)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Lone Tree have been provided by the GNIS.<5> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Lone Tree
    • Lone Tree is located in Moody County
    • Estimated population in 2014: 14 people
  • Pipestone
    (27 miles [43.5 km] to the southeast)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Pipestone
    • Pipestone is located in Pipestone County (MN)
    • Population from the 2020 Census: 4,039 people
    • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Pipestone <4>
  • Prairie Queen ‑ Historic
    (18 miles [29 km] to the southwest)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Prairie Queen have been provided by the GNIS.<5> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Prairie Queen
    • Prairie Queen is located in Lake County
  • Rutland
    (19 miles [30.6 km] to the southwest)
  • Stone Bridge
    (28 miles [45.1 km] to the northwest)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Stone Bridge have been provided by the GNIS.<5> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Stone Bridge
    • Stone Bridge is located in Hamlin County
    • Estimated population in 2014: 105 people
  • Sunnyview
    (6 miles [9.7 km] to the northwest)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Sunnyview
    • Sunnyview is located in Brookings County
    • Estimated population in 2014: 17 people

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

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

  • Brookings, which is the Seat of Brookings County, lies just to the West Northwest.
  • Pierre, which is the State Capital of South Dakota, lies 179 miles [288.1 km]<1> to the west (W). If you could drive a straight line from Aurora to Pierre, with an average speed<6>of 63 miles [101.4 km] per hour, it would take a little over three hours to make the trip. A comfortable walk of 2.2 miles [3.5 km] per hour would take 11 days. A horse and buggy averaging 3.2 miles [5.1 km] per hour would take 7 days.
  • The White House (Washington, DC) is 1,077 miles [1,733.3 km] to the east southeast (ESE). Driving would take over two days, a buggy would take 42 days and walking would take 62 days.
  • The shortest distance<7> to Jerusalem (specifically the Temple Mount and the Dome of the Rock) is 6,368 miles [10,248.3 km] and it lies to the northeast (NE).<8>
  • The distance to the Great Mosque of Mecca (specifically the Ka'bah - or Kaaba ) is 7,126 miles [11,468.2 km] and it lies to the northeast (NE).<9>
  • The distance to Saint Peter's Basilica (The Vatican) is 5,043 miles [8,115.9 km] and it lies to the northeast (NE).<10>

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

The official website for Brookings County: www.brookingscountysd.gov/

The official website for State of South Dakota: sd.gov/

Footnotes ...

<1>Our distances are not driving distances, but are calculated as a '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- Aurora) to Point B.Our distance measurements begin at a specific point in Aurora. The point we use is located at these GPS coordinates - Latitude: 44.2827, Longitude: -96.6870       In this case, the coordinates for Aurora 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 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 Aurora 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 Aurora, please let us know so that we can improve our accuracy.
<4>While we're fans and frequent users of TripAdvisor, you should know that we're also members of the TripAdvisor affiliate program.
<5>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.
<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 Aurora 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 320.729 degrees.
<9>The calculated bearing (or angle) to Mecca is 318.848 degrees.
<10>The calculated bearing (or angle) to the Vatican is 312.686 degrees.









 

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This page was last modified/updated: 10 Mar 2024