RoadsideThoughts
A Gazetteer for the United States and Canada
Home >> State of Tennessee >> McMinn County >> Alta Vista >> Tidbits & TriviaIndex...

Outdoor Activities ...

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

When in Alta Vista, we use the following websites to find information relevant to Alta Vista 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 Alta Vista:
    • 35.463962, -84.616047
    • 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 Alta Vista
  • 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 McMinn County as the starting point when you click on the link below:
    • Open the eBird sighting report for McMinn County
    • Since Alta Vista is near Meigs County and also Monroe County, we have provided a link to their eBird sighting reports:
    • Open the eBird sighting report for Meigs County
    • Open the eBird sighting report for Monroe 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 Alta Vista

Communities Also Named Alta Vista ...

We found 27 communities that are also named Alta Vista.

There is one other community in Tennessee that is also named Alta Vista.

Beyond Tennessee, we know of 26 communities that are located in the United States and Canada. Of these 26 communities, 25 are located in the United States and two are in Canada.

  • Communities Located In Tennessee ...
    • Hamilton County
      • We found mention of this community, but have little information.<1> For the information that we do have, please visit our profile page for the Tennessee community of Alta Vista [Hamilton County].
  • Communities Elsewhere In North America ...
    • Alabama
      • Lee County
      • This Alta Vista is located in Lee County and lies 199 miles [320.3 km]<2> to the south southwest of the Alta Vista that is located in McMinn County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Lee County community of Alta Vista.
      • Tuscaloosa County
      • This Alta Vista is located in Tuscaloosa County and lies 228 miles [366.9 km] to the southwest of the Alta Vista that is located in McMinn County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Tuscaloosa County community of Alta Vista.
    • California
      • Alameda County
      • We found mention of this community, but have little information.<1> For the information that we do have, please visit our profile page for the California community of Alta Vista [Alameda County].
      • Inyo County
      • This Alta Vista is located in Inyo County and lies 1,879 miles [3,024 km]<2> to the west northwest of the Alta Vista that is located in McMinn County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Inyo County community of Alta Vista.
      • Tulare 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 California community of Alta Vista [Tulare County].
    • Colorado
      • El Paso County
      • This Alta Vista is located in El Paso County and lies 1,097 miles [1,765.5 km]<2> to the west northwest of the Alta Vista that is located in McMinn County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the El Paso County community of Alta Vista.
      • Jefferson County
      • This Alta Vista is located in Jefferson County and lies 1,156 miles [1,860.4 km] to the west northwest of the Alta Vista that is located in McMinn County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Jefferson County community of Alta Vista.
    • Florida
      • Charlotte County
      • We found mention of this community, but have little information.<1> For the information that we do have, please visit our profile page for the Florida community of Alta Vista [Charlotte County].
      • Hillsborough County
      • This Alta Vista is located in Hillsborough County and lies 530 miles [853 km]<2> to the south southeast of the Alta Vista that is located in McMinn County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Hillsborough County community of Alta Vista.
    • Georgia
      • Douglas County
      • This Alta Vista is located in Douglas County and lies 118 miles [189.9 km]<2> to the south of the Alta Vista that is located in McMinn County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Douglas County community of Alta Vista.
      • Muscogee County
      • This Alta Vista is located in Muscogee County and lies 206 miles [331.5 km] to the south of the Alta Vista that is located in McMinn County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Muscogee County community of Alta Vista.
    • Iowa
      • Chickasaw County
      • This Alta Vista is located in Chickasaw County and lies 676 miles [1,087.9 km]<2> to the northwest of the Alta Vista that is located in McMinn County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Chickasaw County community of Alta Vista.
    • Kansas
      • Wabaunsee County
      • This Alta Vista is located in Wabaunsee County and lies 693 miles [1,115.3 km]<2> to the west northwest of the Alta Vista that is located in McMinn County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Wabaunsee County community of Alta Vista.
    • Maryland
      • Montgomery County
      • This Alta Vista is located in Montgomery County and lies 479 miles [770.9 km]<2> to the east northeast of the Alta Vista that is located in McMinn County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Montgomery County community of Alta Vista.
    • Missouri
      • Daviess 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 Missouri community of Alta Vista [Daviess County].
    • New Mexico
      • San Miguel County
      • This Alta Vista is located in San Miguel County and lies 1,129 miles [1,816.9 km]<2> to the west of the Alta Vista that is located in McMinn County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the San Miguel County community of Alta Vista.
    • Ontario
      • This Alta Vista lies 830 miles [1,335.8 km]<2> to the north northeast of the Alta Vista that is located in McMinn County.
    • Saskatchewan
      • This Alta Vista lies 1,464 miles [2,356.1 km]<2> to the northwest of the Alta Vista that is located in McMinn County.
    • South Carolina
      • Greenville County
      • This Alta Vista is located in Greenville County and lies 133 miles [214 km]<2> to the east southeast of the Alta Vista that is located in McMinn County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Greenville County community of Alta Vista.
      • Richland County
      • We found mention of this community, but have little information.<1> For the information that we do have, please visit our profile page for the South Carolina community of Alta Vista [Richland County].
    • Texas
      • Frio County
      • This Alta Vista is located in Frio County and lies 959 miles [1,543.4 km]<2> to the west southwest of the Alta Vista that is located in McMinn County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Frio County community of Alta Vista.
      • Hidalgo County
      • This Alta Vista is located in Hidalgo County and lies 1,029 miles [1,656 km] to the southwest of the Alta Vista that is located in McMinn County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Hidalgo County community of Alta Vista.
    • Utah
      • Salt Lake County
      • This Alta Vista is located in Salt Lake County and lies 1,516 miles [2,439.8 km]<2> to the west northwest of the Alta Vista that is located in McMinn County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Salt Lake County community of Alta Vista.
      • Weber County
      • This Alta Vista is located in Weber County and lies 1,525 miles [2,454.2 km] to the west northwest of the Alta Vista that is located in McMinn County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Weber County community of Alta Vista.
    • Washington
      • Lewis County
      • This Alta Vista is located in Lewis County and lies 2,086 miles [3,357.1 km]<2> to the northwest of the Alta Vista that is located in McMinn County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Lewis County community of Alta Vista.
      • Spokane County
      • We found mention of this community, but have little information.<1> For the information that we do have, please visit our profile page for the Washington community of Alta Vista [Spokane County].

Curious and Interesting Names Near Alta Vista ...

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.

  • Cedar Springs
    (3 miles [4.8 km] to the south)
    • Cedar Springs is located in McMinn County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Cedar Springs
  • Clearwater
    (3 miles [4.8 km] to the northwest)
    • Clearwater is located in McMinn County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Clearwater
  • Georgetown
    (5 miles [8 km] to the southwest)
    • Georgetown is located in McMinn County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Georgetown
  • Heritage Park
    (3 miles [4.8 km] to the southeast)
    • Heritage Park is located in McMinn County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Heritage Park
  • Idlewild
    (5 miles [8 km] to the west)
    • Idlewild is located in McMinn County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Idlewild
  • Marshall Hill
    (4 miles [6.4 km] to the north)
    • Marshall Hill is located in McMinn County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Marshall Hill
  • Mashburn
    (5 miles [8 km] to the east)
    • Mashburn is located in McMinn County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Mashburn
  • Pond Hill
    (6 miles [9.7 km] to the north)
    • Pond Hill is located in McMinn County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Pond Hill
  • Poplar Hill
    (4 miles [6.4 km] to the south)
    • Poplar Hill is located in McMinn County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Poplar Hill
  • Riceville
    (6 miles [9.7 km] to the southwest)
  • Rogers Creek
    (5 miles [8 km] to the northwest)
    • Rogers Creek is located in McMinn County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Rogers Creek
  • Spring Creek
    (6 miles [9.7 km] to the southwest)
    • Spring Creek is located in McMinn County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Spring Creek
  • Suburban Hills
    (5 miles [8 km] to the southwest)
    • Suburban Hills is located in McMinn County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Suburban Hills
  • Sunset View
    (3 miles [4.8 km] to the southeast)
    • Sunset View is located in McMinn County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Sunset View

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

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

  • Athens, which is the Seat of McMinn County, lies just to the Southeast.
  • Nashville, which is the State Capital of Tennessee, lies 130 miles [209.2 km]<2> to the west northwest (WNW). If you could drive a straight line from Alta Vista to Nashville, with an average speed<5>of 63 miles [101.4 km] per hour, it would take less than three hours to make the trip. A comfortable walk of 2.2 miles [3.5 km] per hour would take 8 days. A horse and buggy averaging 3.2 miles [5.1 km] per hour would take 5 days.
  • The White House (Washington, DC) is 479 miles [770.9 km] to the east northeast (ENE). Driving would take most of a day, a buggy would take 19 days and walking would take 28 days.
  • The shortest distance<6> to Jerusalem (specifically the Temple Mount and the Dome of the Rock) is 6,369 miles [10,249.9 km] and it lies to the northeast (NE).<7>
  • The distance to the Great Mosque of Mecca (specifically the Ka'bah - or Kaaba ) is 7,079 miles [11,392.5 km] and it lies to the northeast (NE).<8>
  • The distance to Saint Peter's Basilica (The Vatican) is 4,955 miles [7,974.3 km] and it lies to the northeast (NE).<9>'

Footnotes ...

<1>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 Alta Vista 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.
<2>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 from Point A (ie- Alta Vista) to Point B. In other words: 'As the crow flies'.
<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 Alta Vista, 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>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 Alta Vista 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 Alta Vista. The point we use is located at these GPS coordinates - Latitude: 35.4640, Longitude: -84.6160       In this case, the coordinates for Alta Vista have been provided by the Geographic Names Information System (GNIS).
<7>The calculated bearing (or angle) to Jerusalem is 312.45 degrees.
<8>The calculated bearing (or angle) to Mecca is 308.145 degrees.
<9>The calculated bearing (or angle) to the Vatican is 308.952 degrees.