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

Outdoor Activities ...

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

When in Idlewild, we use the following websites to find information relevant to Idlewild 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 Idlewild:
    • 35.481184, -84.703829
    • 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 Idlewild
  • 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 Idlewild is near Meigs County and also Rhea 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 Rhea 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 Idlewild

Communities Also Named Idlewild ...

We found 31 communities that are also named Idlewild.

There are two communities within Tennessee that are also named Idlewild.

Beyond Tennessee, we know of 29 communities that are located in the United States.

  • Communities Located In Tennessee ...
    • Gibson County
      • This Idlewild is located in Gibson County and lies 233 miles [375 km]<1> to the west of the Idlewild that is located in McMinn County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Gibson County community of Idlewild.
    • Maury County
      • This Idlewild is located in Maury County and lies 132 miles [212.4 km]<1> to the west of the Idlewild that is located in McMinn County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Maury County community of Idlewild.
  • Communities Elsewhere In North America ...
    • California
      • Del Norte County
      • This Idlewild is located in Del Norte County and lies 2,132 miles [3,431.1 km]<1> to the west northwest of the Idlewild that is located in McMinn County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Del Norte County community of Idlewild.
      • Placer County
      • This Idlewild is located in Placer County and lies 1,951 miles [3,139.8 km] to the west northwest of the Idlewild that is located in McMinn County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Placer County community of Idlewild.
      • Tulare County
      • This Idlewild is located in Tulare County and lies 1,896 miles [3,051.3 km] to the west of the Idlewild that is located in McMinn County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Tulare County community of Idlewild.
    • Colorado
      • Park 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 Colorado community of Idlewild [Park County].
    • Illinois
      • Alexander 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 Illinois community of Idlewild [Alexander County].
      • Jefferson 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 Illinois community of Idlewild [Jefferson County].
      • Lake County
      • This Idlewild is located in Lake County and lies 506 miles [814.3 km]<1> to the north northwest of the Idlewild that is located in McMinn County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Lake County community of Idlewild.
    • Indiana
      • Harrison County
      • This community is historic<3> and although located in Harrison County, we don't know where within the county.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Harrison County community of Idlewild.
    • Kentucky
      • Boone County
      • This Idlewild is located in Boone County and lies 248 miles [399.1 km]<1> to the north of the Idlewild that is located in McMinn County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Boone County community of Idlewild.
    • Louisiana
      • Saint Mary Parish
      • This Idlewild is located in Saint Mary Parish and lies 554 miles [891.6 km]<1> to the southwest of the Idlewild that is located in McMinn County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Saint Mary Parish community of Idlewild.
      • Terrebonne Parish
      • This Idlewild is located in Terrebonne Parish and lies 535 miles [861 km] to the southwest of the Idlewild that is located in McMinn County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Terrebonne Parish community of Idlewild.
    • Maryland
      • Prince George's County
      • This Idlewild is located in Prince George's County and lies 500 miles [804.7 km]<1> to the east northeast of the Idlewild that is located in McMinn County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Prince George's County community of Idlewild.
      • Talbot County
      • This Idlewild is located in Talbot County and lies 526 miles [846.5 km] to the east northeast of the Idlewild that is located in McMinn County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Talbot County community of Idlewild.
    • Michigan
      • Lake County
      • This Idlewild is located in Lake County and lies 583 miles [938.2 km]<1> to the north of the Idlewild that is located in McMinn County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Lake County community of Idlewild.
    • Minnesota
      • Lincoln 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 Idlewild [Lincoln County].
    • Missouri
      • Crawford County
      • This Idlewild is located in Crawford County and lies 409 miles [658.2 km]<1> to the west northwest of the Idlewild that is located in McMinn County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Crawford County community of Idlewild.
      • Stoddard County
      • This Idlewild is located in Stoddard County and lies 318 miles [511.8 km] to the west northwest of the Idlewild that is located in McMinn County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Stoddard County community of Idlewild.
    • Nevada
      • Nye 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 Idlewild [Nye County].
    • New Mexico
      • Colfax County
      • This Idlewild is located in Colfax County and lies 1,150 miles [1,850.7 km]<1> to the west of the Idlewild that is located in McMinn County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Colfax County community of Idlewild.
    • New York
      • Orange 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 York community of Idlewild [Orange County].
    • North Carolina
      • Ashe County
      • This Idlewild is located in Ashe County and lies 190 miles [305.8 km]<1> to the east northeast of the Idlewild that is located in McMinn County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Ashe County community of Idlewild.
      • Mecklenburg County
      • This Idlewild is located in Mecklenburg County and lies 223 miles [358.9 km] to the east of the Idlewild that is located in McMinn County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Mecklenburg County community of Idlewild.
    • Ohio
      • Hamilton County
      • This Idlewild is located in Hamilton County and lies 253 miles [407.2 km]<1> to the north of the Idlewild that is located in McMinn County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Hamilton County community of Idlewild.
      • Mercer County
      • This Idlewild is located in Mercer County and lies 350 miles [563.3 km] to the north of the Idlewild that is located in McMinn County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Mercer County community of Idlewild.
    • Pennsylvania
      • Allegheny 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 Idlewild [Allegheny County].
    • South Carolina
      • Greenville County
      • This Idlewild is located in Greenville County and lies 141 miles [226.9 km]<1> to the east southeast of the Idlewild that is located in McMinn County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Greenville County community of Idlewild.
    • Texas
      • Bexar 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 Idlewild [Bexar County].
      • Dallas 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 Texas community of Idlewild [Dallas County].
    • Wisconsin
      • Door County
      • This Idlewild is located in Door County and lies 665 miles [1,070.2 km]<1> to the north of the Idlewild that is located in McMinn County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Door County community of Idlewild.

Curious and Interesting Names Near Idlewild ...

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
    (6 miles [9.7 km] to the southeast)
    • Cedar Springs is located in McMinn County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Cedar Springs
  • Clearwater
    (3 miles [4.8 km] to the northeast)
    • Clearwater is located in McMinn County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Clearwater
  • Cute ‑ Historic
    (6 miles [9.7 km] to the north)
    • Cute is located in Meigs County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Cute
  • Georgetown
    (5 miles [8 km] to the south)
    • Georgetown is located in McMinn County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Georgetown
  • Marshall Hill
    (7 miles [11.3 km] to the northeast)
    • Marshall Hill is located in McMinn County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Marshall Hill
  • Pond Hill
    (6 miles [9.7 km] to the northeast)
    • Pond Hill is located in McMinn County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Pond Hill
  • Poplar Hill
    (6 miles [9.7 km] to the southeast)
    • Poplar Hill is located in McMinn County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Poplar Hill
  • Prices Ferry
    (7 miles [11.3 km] to the northwest)
    • Prices Ferry is located in Meigs County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Prices Ferry
  • Riceville
    (6 miles [9.7 km] to the south)
  • Rogers Creek
    (Less than 2 miles to the northeast)
    • Rogers Creek is located in McMinn County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Rogers Creek
  • Spring Creek
    (4 miles [6.4 km] to the south)
    • Spring Creek is located in McMinn County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Spring Creek
  • Suburban Hills
    (5 miles [8 km] to the south)
    • Suburban Hills is located in McMinn County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Suburban Hills
  • Union Grove
    (3 miles [4.8 km] to the west)
    • Union Grove is located in Meigs County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Union Grove
  • Walnut Grove
    (4 miles [6.4 km] to the northwest)
    • Walnut Grove is located in Meigs County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Walnut Grove

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

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

  • Athens, which is the Seat of McMinn County, lies just to the East Southeast.
  • Nashville, which is the State Capital of Tennessee, lies 125 miles [201.2 km]<1> to the west northwest (WNW). If you could drive a straight line from Idlewild to Nashville, with an average speed<5>of 63 miles [101.4 km] per hour, it would take about two 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 483 miles [777.3 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 6,372 miles [10,254.7 km] and it lies to the northeast (NE).<7>
  • The distance to the Great Mosque of Mecca (specifically the Ka'bah - or Kaaba ) is 7,082 miles [11,397.4 km] and it lies to the northeast (NE).<8>
  • The distance to Saint Peter's Basilica (The Vatican) is 4,958 miles [7,979.1 km] and it lies to the northeast (NE).<9>'

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 from Point A (ie- Idlewild) 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 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 Idlewild 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 Idlewild, 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 Idlewild 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 Idlewild. The point we use is located at these GPS coordinates - Latitude: 35.4812, Longitude: -84.7038       In this case, the coordinates for Idlewild have been provided by the Geographic Names Information System (GNIS).
<7>The calculated bearing (or angle) to Jerusalem is 312.503 degrees.
<8>The calculated bearing (or angle) to Mecca is 308.209 degrees.
<9>The calculated bearing (or angle) to the Vatican is 308.984 degrees.