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

Outdoor Activities ...

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

When in Sunshine, we use the following websites to find information relevant to Sunshine 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 Sunshine:
    • 35.683420, -83.793508
    • 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 Sunshine
  • 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 Blount County as the starting point when you click on the link below:
    • Open the eBird sighting report for Blount County
    • Since Sunshine is near Sevier County and also Swain County, we have provided a link to their eBird sighting reports:
    • Open the eBird sighting report for Sevier County
    • Open the eBird sighting report for Swain 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 Sunshine

Communities Also Named Sunshine ...

We found 44 communities that are also named Sunshine.

Within Tennessee, the name Sunshine is unique.

Beyond Tennessee, we know of 44 communities that are located in the United States and Canada. Of these 44 communities, 42 are located in the United States and three are in Canada.

  • Communities Elsewhere In North America ...
    • Alabama
      • Hale County
      • This Sunshine is located in Hale County and lies 304 miles [489.2 km]<1> to the southwest of the Sunshine that is located in Blount County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Hale County community of Sunshine.
    • Alaska
      • This Sunshine lies 3,318 miles [5,339.8 km]<1> to the northwest of the Sunshine that is located in Blount County.
    • Arizona
      • Coconino County
      • This Sunshine is located in Coconino County and lies 1,528 miles [2,459.1 km]<1> to the west of the Sunshine that is located in Blount County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Coconino County community of Sunshine.
    • Arkansas
      • Ashley County
      • This Sunshine is located in Ashley County and lies 472 miles [759.6 km]<1> to the west southwest of the Sunshine that is located in Blount County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Ashley County community of Sunshine.
      • Garland County
      • This Sunshine is located in Garland County and lies 539 miles [867.4 km] to the west of the Sunshine that is located in Blount County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Garland County community of Sunshine.
      • Howard County
      • This community is historic<2> and we have very little information. For the information that we do have, please visit our profile page for the Arkansas community of Sunshine [Howard County].
    • British Columbia
      • This Sunshine lies 2,171 miles [3,493.9 km]<1> to the northwest of the Sunshine that is located in Blount County.
    • Colorado
      • Boulder County
      • This Sunshine is located in Boulder County and lies 1,210 miles [1,947.3 km]<1> to the west northwest of the Sunshine that is located in Blount County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Boulder County community of Sunshine.
      • Garfield County
      • We found mention of this community, but have little information.<3> For the information that we do have, please visit our profile page for the Colorado community of Sunshine [Garfield County].
    • Florida
      • Hillsborough County
      • We found mention of this community, but have little information.<3> For the information that we do have, please visit our profile page for the Florida community of Sunshine [Hillsborough County].
    • Georgia
      • Hancock County
      • This community is historic<2> and we have very little information. For the information that we do have, please visit our profile page for the Georgia community of Sunshine [Hancock County].
    • Iowa
      • Appanoose County
      • This Sunshine is located in Appanoose County and lies 605 miles [973.7 km]<1> to the northwest of the Sunshine that is located in Blount County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Appanoose County community of Sunshine.
    • Kansas
      • Ford County
      • This community is historic<2> and although located in Ford County, we don't know where within the county.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Ford County community of Sunshine.
      • Meade County
      • We found mention of this community, but have little information.<3> For the information that we do have, please visit our profile page for the Kansas community of Sunshine [Meade County].
    • Kentucky
      • Greenup County
      • This Sunshine is located in Greenup County and lies 213 miles [342.8 km]<1> to the north northeast of the Sunshine that is located in Blount County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Greenup County community of Sunshine.
      • Harlan County
      • This Sunshine is located in Harlan County and lies 83 miles [133.6 km] to the north northeast of the Sunshine that is located in Blount County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Harlan County community of Sunshine.
    • Louisiana
      • Iberville Parish
      • This Sunshine is located in Iberville Parish and lies 564 miles [907.7 km]<1> to the southwest of the Sunshine that is located in Blount County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Iberville Parish community of Sunshine.
      • Terrebonne Parish
      • This Sunshine is located in Terrebonne Parish and lies 586 miles [943.1 km] to the southwest of the Sunshine that is located in Blount County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Terrebonne Parish community of Sunshine.
    • Maine
      • Hancock County
      • This Sunshine is located in Hancock County and lies 994 miles [1,599.7 km]<1> to the northeast of the Sunshine that is located in Blount County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Hancock County community of Sunshine.
    • Maryland
      • Montgomery County
      • This Sunshine is located in Montgomery County and lies 442 miles [711.3 km]<1> to the northeast of the Sunshine that is located in Blount County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Montgomery County community of Sunshine.
    • Missouri
      • Randolph County
      • This community is historic<2> and although located in Randolph County, we don't know where within the county.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Randolph County community of Sunshine.
      • Ray County
      • We found mention of this community, but have little information.<3> For the information that we do have, please visit our profile page for the Missouri community of Sunshine [Ray County].
    • Nebraska
      • Lincoln County
      • We found mention of this community, but have little information.<3> For the information that we do have, please visit our profile page for the Nebraska community of Sunshine [Lincoln County].
    • New Mexico
      • Luna County
      • This community is historic<2> and we have very little information. For the information that we do have, please visit our profile page for the New Mexico community of Sunshine [Luna County].
      • Roosevelt County
      • This community is historic and although located in Roosevelt County, we don't know where within the county.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Roosevelt County community of Sunshine.
      • Taos County
      • This Sunshine is located in Taos County and lies 1,216 miles [1,957 km]<1> to the west of the Sunshine that is located in Blount County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Taos County community of Sunshine.
    • North Carolina
      • Rutherford County
      • This Sunshine is located in Rutherford County and lies 112 miles [180.2 km]<1> to the east of the Sunshine that is located in Blount County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Rutherford County community of Sunshine.
    • Ohio
      • Adams County
      • This Sunshine is located in Adams County and lies 211 miles [339.6 km]<1> to the north of the Sunshine that is located in Blount County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Adams County community of Sunshine.
      • Brown County
      • This community is historic<2> and we have very little information. For the information that we do have, please visit our profile page for the Ohio community of Sunshine [Brown County].
    • Ontario
      • This Sunshine lies 574 miles [923.8 km]<1> to the north northeast of the Sunshine that is located in Blount County.
    • Pennsylvania
      • Berks County
      • This Sunshine is located in Berks County and lies 536 miles [862.6 km]<1> to the northeast of the Sunshine that is located in Blount County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Berks County community of Sunshine.
      • Fayette County
      • This Sunshine is located in Fayette County and lies 355 miles [571.3 km] to the northeast of the Sunshine that is located in Blount County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Fayette County community of Sunshine.
      • Luzerne County
      • We found mention of this community, but have little information.<3> For the information that we do have, please visit our profile page for the Pennsylvania community of Sunshine [Luzerne County].
      • Wayne 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 Pennsylvania community of Sunshine [Wayne County].
    • South Carolina
      • Newberry County
      • We found mention of this community, but have little information.<3> For the information that we do have, please visit our profile page for the South Carolina community of Sunshine [Newberry County].
    • Texas
      • El Paso County
      • This Sunshine is located in El Paso County and lies 1,319 miles [2,122.7 km]<1> to the west of the Sunshine that is located in Blount County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the El Paso County community of Sunshine.
      • Hamilton County
      • This Sunshine is located in Hamilton County and lies 863 miles [1,388.9 km] to the west southwest of the Sunshine that is located in Blount County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Hamilton County community of Sunshine.
    • Utah
      • Davis County
      • This Sunshine is located in Davis County and lies 1,557 miles [2,505.7 km]<1> to the west northwest of the Sunshine that is located in Blount County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Davis County community of Sunshine.
      • Tooele County
      • This community is historic<2> and although located in Tooele County, we don't know where within the county.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Tooele County community of Sunshine.
    • Washington
      • Pacific County
      • We found mention of this community, but have little information.<3> For the information that we do have, please visit our profile page for the Washington community of Sunshine [Pacific County].
      • Whitman County
      • This Sunshine is located in Whitman County and lies 1,872 miles [3,012.7 km]<1> to the northwest of the Sunshine that is located in Blount County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Whitman County community of Sunshine.
    • West Virginia
      • Marion County
      • We found mention of this community, but have little information.<3> For the information that we do have, please visit our profile page for the West Virginia community of Sunshine [Marion County].
    • Wyoming
      • Big Horn County
      • We found mention of this community, but have little information.<3> For the information that we do have, please visit our profile page for the Wyoming community of Sunshine [Big Horn County].
      • Park County
      • This Sunshine is located in Park County and lies 1,447 miles [2,328.7 km]<1> to the west northwest of the Sunshine that is located in Blount County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Park County community of Sunshine.

Curious and Interesting Names Near Sunshine ...

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.

  • Blockhouse
    (8 miles [12.9 km] to the west)
    • Blockhouse is located in Blount County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Blockhouse
  • Cold Springs
    (5 miles [8 km] to the north)
    • Cold Springs is located in Blount County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Cold Springs
  • Hornet
    (6 miles [9.7 km] to the northeast)
    • Hornet is located in Sevier County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Hornet
  • Law Chapel
    (5 miles [8 km] to the northwest)
    • Law Chapel is located in Blount County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Law Chapel
  • Line Spring
    (7 miles [11.3 km] to the east)
    • Line Spring is located in Sevier County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Line Spring
  • Mountain Trace
    (8 miles [12.9 km] to the northwest)
    • Mountain Trace is located in Blount County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Mountain Trace
  • Notime ‑ Historic
    (7 miles [11.3 km] to the northwest)
    • Notime is located in Blount County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Notime
  • Park Settlement
    (6 miles [9.7 km] to the northeast)
    • Park Settlement is located in Sevier County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Park Settlement
  • Prospect
    (8 miles [12.9 km] to the north)
    • Prospect is located in Blount County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Prospect
  • Red Bank
    (3 miles [4.8 km] to the southeast)
    • Red Bank is located in Blount County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Red Bank
  • Rocky Branch
    (4 miles [6.4 km] to the northwest)
    • Rocky Branch is located in Blount County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Rocky Branch
    • Estimated population in 2014: 5,427 people
  • Twelve Oaks
    (8 miles [12.9 km] to the northwest)
    • Twelve Oaks is located in Blount County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Twelve Oaks

How Far From Sunshine to ...

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

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

  • Maryville, which is the Seat of Blount County, lies 11 miles [17.7 km]<1> to the west northwest. If you could walk a straight line from Sunshine to Maryville, with an average speed<4> of 2.2 miles [3.5 km] per hour, it would take five to six hours to make the trip. A horse and buggy averaging 3.2 miles [5.1 km] per hour would take nearly four hours.
  • Nashville, which is the State Capital of Tennessee, lies 170 miles [273.6 km] to the west northwest (WNW). Driving, with an average speed of 63 miles [101.4 km] per hour, would take about three hours, a buggy would take 7 days and walking would take 10 days.
  • The White House (Washington, DC) is 432 miles [695.2 km] to the east northeast (ENE). Driving would take most of a day, a buggy would take 17 days and walking would take 25 days.
  • The shortest distance<5> to Jerusalem (specifically the Temple Mount and the Dome of the Rock) is 6,324 miles [10,177.5 km] and it lies to the northeast (NE).<6>
  • The distance to the Great Mosque of Mecca (specifically the Ka'bah - or Kaaba ) is 7,033 miles [11,318.5 km] and it lies to the northeast (NE).<7>
  • The distance to Saint Peter's Basilica (The Vatican) is 4,910 miles [7,901.9 km] and it lies to the northeast (NE).<8>'

Footnotes ...

<1>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 drawn from Point A (ie- Sunshine) to Point B. In other words: 'As the crow flies'.
<2>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 Sunshine, please let us know so that we can improve our accuracy.
<3>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 Bird Creek to see Pete ... Bird 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 Sunshine 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.
<4>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.
<5>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 Sunshine 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 Sunshine. The point we use is located at these GPS coordinates - Latitude: 35.6834, Longitude: -83.7935       In this case, the coordinates for Sunshine have been provided by the Geographic Names Information System (GNIS).
<6>The calculated bearing (or angle) to Jerusalem is 311.962 degrees.
<7>The calculated bearing (or angle) to Mecca is 307.616 degrees.
<8>The calculated bearing (or angle) to the Vatican is 308.557 degrees.