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Our Genealogy Helper

Introduction ...

We have a couple of goals for our Gazetteer:

  • That it be a tool which helps us with planning our trips.
  • We're trying to shape our Gazetteer as a tool to help us understand the community in which our ancestors lived, the community that was part of their daily lives.
  • On our trips, we try to visit those places where our ancestors left their footprints.

By learning about Newport (and the surrounding area) during the time that our ancestors lived, we hope to have a better understanding of both their community and its relationship to their lifes. We hope that this tool helps to give us an insight into their world.

As we add data and organize our Gazetteer to help with our family research, we will be adding to this our Genealogical Helper for Newport. While we don't have information that is specific to any given person or family, we intend to expand our understanding about where and how people lived.

Name Variations for Newport ...

When searching records, keep in mind that names and their spelling can change over time. Our sources include documents like maps, railroad schedules, Travel, Express and Shipping Guides. Many of these documents date from the 1800's and it's common to find spelling differences.

In past government published Postal Guides, Newport was referred to as Newport Courthouse.

You might be interested in other communities that are also named Newport. More information can be found on our Tidbits & Trivia Page for Newport.

If you have information about these names (such as the reason for the change, date of change, the origin of the name), please Contact Us.

For more information about how community names might have been affected by the Board of Geographic Names (BGN), see our page about Placename Rules.

Neighboring Counties ...

When searching for family records, we have frequently made the mistake of not checking the neighboring counties.

For example, we have great-grandparents who lived in the northeast corner of their home county. During their lives, most hospitals and doctors were in the next county to the east. Almost all of the nearby churches and cemeteries were in the county to the north.

So when searching for records, we had our best success by looking in neighboring counties instead of the county in which they lived:  their home county contained property and probate records; the county to the east contained birth and death records; the county to the north contained their burial records. If we hadn't included the neighboring counties, we would have missed many valuable sources of information.

If you're in a similar situation, we hope that the following information helps.

Newport is located in Cocke County and is the County Seat.

To see how the shape of Tennessee's counties may have changed over time, we recommend the Atlas of Historical County Boundaries.

The following counties adjoin and form the boundaries of Cocke County: Haywood (NC), Madison (NC), Greene, Hamblen, Jefferson & Sevier.

Below are the counties that are near Newport. For each of these counties, we show a sample of those communities that are closest to Newport:

  • Cocke County     (The home county of Newport)
    • The following are listed by their distance from Newport, with the one closest to Newport listed first.
    • Jaybird
      (Less than 2 miles to the northwest)
      • Jaybird is located in Cocke County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Jaybird
      • Estimated population in 2014: 3,299 people
    • Jimtown
      (Less than 2 miles to the northeast)
      • Jimtown is located in Cocke County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Jimtown
    • Wilsonville
      (2 miles [3.2 km] to the west)
      • Wilsonville is located in Cocke County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Wilsonville
    • Bridgeport
      (3 miles [4.8 km] to the east)
      • Bridgeport is located in Cocke County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Bridgeport
    • Edwina
      (3 miles [4.8 km] to the southeast)
      • Edwina is located in Cocke County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Edwina
    • Clevenger
      (3 miles [4.8 km] to the west)
      • Clevenger is located in Cocke County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Clevenger
      • Estimated population in 2014: 43,182 people
    • Carson Springs
      (4 miles [6.4 km] to the southwest)
      • Carson Springs is located in Cocke County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Carson Springs
    • Bailey Town
      (4 miles [6.4 km] to the west)
      • Bailey Town is located in Cocke County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Bailey Town
      • Estimated population in 2014: 428 people
    • Wilton Springs
      (5 miles [8 km] to the south)
      • Wilton Springs is located in Cocke County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Wilton Springs
    • West Myers
      (6 miles [9.7 km] to the east)
      • West Myers is located in Cocke County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for West Myers
      • Estimated population in 2014: 2,282 people
    • Bybee
      (6 miles [9.7 km] to the north)
    • Parrottsville
      (7 miles [11.3 km] to the northeast)
    • Birdsville ‑ Historic
      (7 miles [11.3 km] to the southwest)
      • Birdsville is located in Cocke County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Birdsville
  • Grainger County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Newport, with the one closest to Newport listed first.
    • Dyers Ferry
      (22 miles [35.4 km] to the northwest)
      • Dyers Ferry is located in Grainger County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Dyers Ferry
      • Estimated population in 2014: 16,839 people
    • Oakland
      (22 miles [35.4 km] to the northwest)
      • Oakland is located in Grainger County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Oakland
      • Estimated population in 2014: 7,316 people
    • Wa-Ni Village
      (23 miles [37 km] to the northwest)
      • Wa-Ni Village is located in Grainger County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Wa-Ni Village
    • Marshalls Ferry
      (24 miles [38.6 km] to the north)
      • Marshalls Ferry is located in Grainger County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Marshalls Ferry
    • Wyatt Village
      (25 miles [40.2 km] to the north)
      • Wyatt Village is located in Grainger County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Wyatt Village
    • Bean Station
      (26 miles [41.8 km] to the north)
    • Massengill Mill
      (26 miles [41.8 km] to the northwest)
      • Massengill Mill is located in Grainger County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Massengill Mill
      • Estimated population in 2014: 1,600 people
    • Beans
      (27 miles [43.5 km] to the north)
      • Beans is located in Grainger County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Beans
      • Estimated population in 2014: 3,084 people
    • Bowen
      (27 miles [43.5 km] to the northwest)
      • Bowen is located in Grainger County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Bowen
    • Rutledge
      (28 miles [45.1 km] to the northwest)
    • Lulaville
      (29 miles [46.7 km] to the northwest)
      • Lulaville is located in Grainger County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Lulaville
    • Joppa
      (30 miles [48.3 km] to the northwest)
      • Joppa is located in Grainger County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Joppa
    • Lea Springs
      (30 miles [48.3 km] to the northwest)
      • Lea Springs is located in Grainger County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Lea Springs
  • Greene County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Newport, with the one closest to Newport listed first.
    • Sirenburg ‑ Historic
      (12 miles [19.3 km] to the east)
      • Sirenburg is located in Greene County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Sirenburg
    • Warrensburg
      (12 miles [19.3 km] to the northeast)
      • Warrensburg is located in Greene County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Warrensburg
    • Beulah
      (13 miles [20.9 km] to the north)
      • Beulah is located in Greene County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Beulah
    • Bright Hope
      (15 miles [24.1 km] to the northeast)
      • Bright Hope is located in Greene County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Bright Hope
    • Little Chucky ‑ Historic
      (15 miles [24.1 km] to the northeast)
      • Little Chucky is located in Greene County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Little Chucky
    • Cedar Creek
      (17 miles [27.4 km] to the east)
      • Cedar Creek is located in Greene County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Cedar Creek
    • Midway
      (18 miles [29 km] to the northeast)
    • Mosheim
      (20 miles [32.2 km] to the northeast)
    • Marvin
      (22 miles [35.4 km] to the northeast)
      • Marvin is located in Greene County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Marvin
    • Greeneville
      (24 miles [38.6 km] to the northeast)
    • Camp Creek
      (25 miles [40.2 km] to the east)
      • Camp Creek is located in Greene County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Camp Creek
    • Albany
      (25 miles [40.2 km] to the northeast)
      • Albany is located in Greene County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Albany
    • Forest Hills
      (26 miles [41.8 km] to the northeast)
      • Forest Hills is located in Greene County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Forest Hills
      • Estimated population in 2014: 5,027 people
  • Hamblen County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Newport, with the one closest to Newport listed first.
    • Monte Vista Estates
      (15 miles [24.1 km] to the north)
      • Monte Vista Estates is located in Hamblen County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Monte Vista Estates
      • Estimated population in 2014: 2,860 people
    • East Village
      (18 miles [29 km] to the north)
      • East Village is located in Hamblen County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for East Village
    • Morristown
      (18 miles [29 km] to the north)
    • Silver City
      (18 miles [29 km] to the north)
      • Silver City is located in Hamblen County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Silver City
    • Casablanca
      (19 miles [30.6 km] to the north)
      • Casablanca is located in Hamblen County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Casablanca
      • Estimated population in 2014: 2,223 people
    • Whitesburg
      (21 miles [33.8 km] to the north)
    • Collons Ferry
      (21 miles [33.8 km] to the northwest)
      • Collons Ferry is located in Hamblen County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Collons Ferry
      • Estimated population in 2014: 986 people
    • Bright ‑ Historic
      (22 miles [35.4 km] to the north)
      • Bright is located in Hamblen County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Bright
      • Estimated population in 2014: 2,942 people
  • Hawkins County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Newport, with the one closest to Newport listed first.
    • Bulls Gap
      (21 miles [33.8 km] to the north)
    • Mooresburg
      (26 miles [41.8 km] to the north)
    • Red Bridge Ferry
      (26 miles [41.8 km] to the north)
      • Red Bridge Ferry is located in Hawkins County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Red Bridge Ferry
      • Estimated population in 2014: 1,135 people
    • Galbraith Springs
      (28 miles [45.1 km] to the north)
      • Galbraith Springs is located in Hawkins County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Galbraith Springs
    • Mooresburg Springs
      (28 miles [45.1 km] to the north)
      • Mooresburg Springs is located in Hawkins County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Mooresburg Springs
      • Population from the 2010 Census: 941 people
    • Persia
      (28 miles [45.1 km] to the north)
      • Persia is located in Hawkins County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Persia
    • Strahl
      (30 miles [48.3 km] to the northeast)
      • Strahl is located in Hawkins County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Strahl
  • Jefferson County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Newport, with the one closest to Newport listed first.
    • Baneberry
      (7 miles [11.3 km] to the northwest)
    • Leadvale
      (9 miles [14.5 km] to the north)
      • Leadvale is located in Jefferson County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Leadvale
    • White Pine
      (11 miles [17.7 km] to the northwest)
    • Dandridge
      (13 miles [20.9 km] to the west)
    • Edna
      (14 miles [22.5 km] to the northwest)
      • Edna is located in Jefferson County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Edna
    • Flat Gap
      (17 miles [27.4 km] to the northwest)
      • Flat Gap is located in Jefferson County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Flat Gap
    • Talbott
      (17 miles [27.4 km] to the northwest)
    • Rock Town
      (18 miles [29 km] to the northwest)
      • Rock Town is located in Jefferson County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Rock Town
    • Alena ‑ Historic
      (19 miles [30.6 km] to the northwest)
      • Alena is located in Jefferson County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Alena
    • Jefferson City
      (19 miles [30.6 km] to the northwest)
    • Piedmont
      (19 miles [30.6 km] to the west)
      • Piedmont is located in Jefferson County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Piedmont
    • Cook Mill
      (20 miles [32.2 km] to the west)
      • Cook Mill is located in Jefferson County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Cook Mill
      • Estimated population in 2014: 31,335 people
    • Dumplin
      (20 miles [32.2 km] to the west)
      • Dumplin is located in Jefferson County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Dumplin
  • Knox County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Newport, with the one closest to Newport listed first.
    • Thorn Grove
      (27 miles [43.5 km] to the west)
      • Thorn Grove is located in Knox County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Thorn Grove
    • Peters Mill
      (28 miles [45.1 km] to the west)
      • Peters Mill is located in Knox County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Peters Mill
    • Lyonton
      (29 miles [46.7 km] to the west)
      • Lyonton is located in Knox County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Lyonton
  • Sevier County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Newport, with the one closest to Newport listed first.
    • East Fork
      (14 miles [22.5 km] to the southwest)
      • East Fork is located in Sevier County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for East Fork
    • Harrisburg
      (17 miles [27.4 km] to the southwest)
      • Harrisburg is located in Sevier County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Harrisburg
      • Estimated population in 2014: 6,219 people
    • Pittman Center
      (17 miles [27.4 km] to the southwest)
      • Pittman Center is located in Sevier County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Pittman Center
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 545 people
    • Millican Grove
      (17 miles [27.4 km] to the west)
      • Millican Grove is located in Sevier County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Millican Grove
    • Middle Creek
      (21 miles [33.8 km] to the southwest)
      • Middle Creek is located in Sevier County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Middle Creek
    • Catlettsburg
      (21 miles [33.8 km] to the west)
      • Catlettsburg is located in Sevier County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Catlettsburg
    • Sevierville
      (21 miles [33.8 km] to the west)
    • Henry Crossroads
      (22 miles [35.4 km] to the west)
      • Henry Crossroads is located in Sevier County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Henry Crossroads
    • Pigeon Forge
      (23 miles [37 km] to the southwest)
    • Gatlinburg
      (24 miles [38.6 km] to the southwest)
    • Kodak
      (24 miles [38.6 km] to the west)
    • Boyds Creek
      (25 miles [40.2 km] to the west)
      • Boyds Creek is located in Sevier County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Boyds Creek
    • Chalet Village
      (26 miles [41.8 km] to the southwest)
      • Chalet Village is located in Sevier County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Chalet Village
  • Buncombe County (NC)
    • Sandymush
      (29 miles [46.7 km] to the southeast)
      • Sandymush is located in Buncombe County (NC)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Sandymush
      • Sandymush has also been known as:
      • Sandy Mush
  • Haywood County (NC)
    • The following are listed by their distance from Newport, with the one closest to Newport listed first.
    • Mount Sterling
      (14 miles [22.5 km] to the south)
      • Mount Sterling is located in Haywood County (NC)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Mount Sterling
    • Teague ‑ Historic
      (23 miles [37 km] to the southeast)
      • Teague is located in Haywood County (NC)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Teague
  • Madison County (NC)
    • The following are listed by their distance from Newport, with the one closest to Newport listed first.
    • Lynch ‑ Historic
      (19 miles [30.6 km] to the southeast)
      • Lynch is located in Madison County (NC)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Lynch
    • Bluff
      (20 miles [32.2 km] to the southeast)
      • Bluff is located in Madison County (NC)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Bluff
    • Hot Springs
      (21 miles [33.8 km] to the east)
    • Spring Creek
      (22 miles [35.4 km] to the southeast)
      • Spring Creek is located in Madison County (NC)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Spring Creek
    • Trust
      (23 miles [37 km] to the southeast)
      • Trust is located in Madison County (NC)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Trust
    • Allenstand
      (24 miles [38.6 km] to the east)
      • Allenstand is located in Madison County (NC)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Allenstand
    • Hurricane
      (24 miles [38.6 km] to the east)
      • Hurricane is located in Madison County (NC)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Hurricane
    • Stackhouse
      (24 miles [38.6 km] to the east)
      • Stackhouse is located in Madison County (NC)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Stackhouse
    • Walnut
      (26 miles [41.8 km] to the east)
      • Walnut is located in Madison County (NC)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Walnut
    • Chapel Hill
      (27 miles [43.5 km] to the east)
      • Chapel Hill is located in Madison County (NC)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Chapel Hill
    • White Rock
      (27 miles [43.5 km] to the east)
      • White Rock is located in Madison County (NC)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for White Rock
    • Cutshalltown
      (28 miles [45.1 km] to the east)
      • Cutshalltown is located in Madison County (NC)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Cutshalltown
    • Allegheny
      (29 miles [46.7 km] to the east)
      • Allegheny is located in Madison County (NC)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Allegheny

For an expanded list of the communities that are closest to Newport, see our County-by-County Page for Newport.

Cemeteries Near Newport ...

Below are cemeteries that are in the vicinity of Newport.

This is a new section and is likely to have errors. If you find an error, such as a missing cemetery or we have the wrong name, please let us know. If you know of them, we would also appreciate learning about previous or alternate names.

Although we don't have the information ourselves, if you need information about a burial or interment, photos, transcripts, how to contact the cemetery or local authorities, please visit our list of websites on our Genealogy Helper Page for Newport - one of the links might be able to help.

If not found below, our Cemetery List for Newport covers a larger area, with the cemeteries listed in alphabetical order.

The following cemeteries are listed based on their distance from Newport, with the one closest to Newport listed first.

  • Union Cemetery
    (Less than 2 miles to the southeast)
  • Inman Cemetery
    (Less than 2 miles to the southwest)
  • Hearst Cemetery
    (Less than 2 miles to the southwest)
  • Gray Cemetery
    (Less than 2 miles to the southeast)
  • Allen Cemetery
    (Less than 2 miles to the northwest)
  • Morris Cemetery
    (2 miles [3.2 km] to the south)
  • Woods Cemetery
    (2 miles [3.2 km] to the south)
  • Jack Cemetery
    (2 miles [3.2 km] to the north)
  • Nichols Cemetery
    (2 miles [3.2 km] to the northwest)
  • Stokely's Chapel Baptist Church Cemetery
    (2 miles [3.2 km] to the north)
  • Finchum Cemetery
    (3 miles [4.8 km] to the southwest)
  • Baxter Cemetery
    (3 miles [4.8 km] to the southwest)
  • Continue List   (775 more) ...
    • Bryant Cemetery
      (3 miles [4.8 km] to the south)
    • Hannon Cemetery
      (3 miles [4.8 km] to the south)
    • Gray Cemetery
      (3 miles [4.8 km] to the south)

Nearby Communities in 1895 ...

We've built the following list with information that came from an Atlas published by Rand McNally in 1895. The Atlas had details such as the population of the community (which appears to have come from the 1890 Census) and whether there was a post office and/or railroad service available. We also indicate if the community no longer exists and is now historic.<3>

The Rand McNally Atlas shows that Newport had a population of 658 people in 1895 with a post office and railroad service. In 2020, Newport had a population of 6,894 people.

These communities are listed based on their distance from Newport, with the one closest to Newport listed first.

  • Oldtown
    (2 miles [3.2 km] to the northeast)
    • Oldtown is located in Cocke County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Oldtown
  • Edwina
    (3 miles [4.8 km] to the southeast)
    • Edwina is located in Cocke County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Edwina
  • Bridgeport
    (3 miles [4.8 km] to the east)
    • Bridgeport is located in Cocke County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Bridgeport
  • Carson Springs
    (4 miles [6.4 km] to the southwest)
    • Carson Springs is located in Cocke County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Carson Springs
  • Wilton Springs
    (5 miles [8 km] to the south)
    • Wilton Springs is located in Cocke County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Wilton Springs
  • Bybee
    (6 miles [9.7 km] to the north)
  • Rankin
    (6 miles [9.7 km] to the north)
    • Rankin is located in Cocke County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Rankin
  • Birdsville ‑ Historic
    (7 miles [11.3 km] to the southwest)
    • Birdsville is located in Cocke County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Birdsville
  • Parrottsville
    (7 miles [11.3 km] to the northeast)
  • Chestnut Hill
    (8 miles [12.9 km] to the west)
    • Chestnut Hill is located in Jefferson County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Chestnut Hill
  • Leadvale
    (9 miles [14.5 km] to the north)
    • Leadvale is located in Jefferson County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Leadvale
  • Salem
    (9 miles [14.5 km] to the northeast)
    • Salem is located in Cocke County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Salem
  • Continue List   (18 more) ...
    • Sandy Ridge
      (9 miles [14.5 km] to the west)
      • Sandy Ridge is located in Jefferson County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Sandy Ridge
    • Del Rio
      (10 miles [16.1 km] to the east)
    • Ottinger
      (10 miles [16.1 km] to the northeast)
      • Ottinger is located in Cocke County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Ottinger

We've also created an expanded list of communities that existed in the 1890's and were located in the area around Newport. See our List of 1890's Communities around Newport.

Newspapers Published in the Vicinity of Newport ...

An ongoing effort between the Library of Congress and the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) has resulted in the National Digital Newspaper Program (NDNP).

To share their results, the partnership has created the Chronicling America website. The goal of this partnership is to assemble a database about the current and historic newspapers of the United States. This includes a growing collection of scanned images from selected papers. All of it available to the public on their website.

Using information that we've taken from the Chronicling America website, we've identified 31 newspapers that have been published in the area around Newport.

We have organized these newspapers into two lists:

  • A Local Newspaper List - focusing on the papers published in the immediate area of Newport. There are actually two parts to this list - papers printed in the immediate area of Newport and those printed in the larger area surrounding Newport.
  • An Extended Newspaper List - a longer list, sorted by paper name and containing those papers published within 13 miles [20.9 km]<4> of Newport.

Websites to Help With Your Genealogy Research ...

When we do our genealogical research, we begin with the websites from Cyndi's List, FamilySearch and Genealogy Trails. These professional and volunteer websites offer the information directly or else point to where you can find it. Their information is open to everyone.

To help you get started, the following links will take you to the pages that are relevant to Newport:

Footnotes ...

<1>While we're fans and frequent users of TripAdvisor, you should know that we're also members of the TripAdvisor affiliate program.
<2>The Find-a-Grave website is an excellent research tool with information about a cemetery's location and interments. They also offer a forum for their members which can provide additional help. More information about Find-a-Grave can be found on their website: findagrave.com.
<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 Newport, please let us know so that we can improve our accuracy.
<4>Our distances are not driving distances, but are calculated as a 'straight-line' distance. A straight line distance ignores things like rivers, canyons, lakes, et cetera - it's truly a line from Point A (ie- Newport) to Point B. In other words: 'As the crow flies'.