RoadsideThoughts
A Gazetteer for the United States and Canada
Home >> State of Virginia >> Pittsylvania County >> Ridgeway >> Tidbits & TriviaIndex...

Outdoor Activities ...

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

When in Ridgeway, we use the following websites to find information relevant to Ridgeway 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 Ridgeway:
    • 36.989311, -79.482528
    • 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 Ridgeway
  • 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 Pittsylvania County as the starting point when you click on the link below:
    • Open the eBird sighting report for Pittsylvania County
    • Since Ridgeway is near Bedford County and also Franklin County, we have provided a link to their eBird sighting reports:
    • Open the eBird sighting report for Bedford County
    • Open the eBird sighting report for Franklin 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 Ridgeway

Communities Also Named Ridgeway ...

We found 36 communities that are also named Ridgeway.

There are two communities within Virginia that are also named Ridgeway.

Beyond Virginia, we know of 34 communities that are located in the United States and Canada. Of these 34 communities, 35 are located in the United States and one is in Canada.

  • Communities Located In Virginia ...
    • Halifax County
      • This Ridgeway is located in Halifax County and lies 22 miles [35.4 km]<1> to the southeast of the Ridgeway that is located in Pittsylvania County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Halifax County community of Ridgeway.
    • Henry County
      • This Ridgeway is located in Henry County and lies 35 miles [56.3 km]<1> to the southwest of the Ridgeway that is located in Pittsylvania County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Henry County community of Ridgeway.
  • Communities Elsewhere In North America ...
    • Alaska
      • This Ridgeway lies 3,426 miles [5,513.6 km]<1> to the northwest of the Ridgeway that is located in Pittsylvania County.
    • Arkansas
      • Boone County
      • This Ridgeway is located in Boone County and lies 760 miles [1,223.1 km]<1> to the west of the Ridgeway that is located in Pittsylvania County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Boone County community of Ridgeway.
    • Connecticut
      • Fairfield County
      • This Ridgeway is located in Fairfield County and lies 424 miles [682.4 km]<1> to the northeast of the Ridgeway that is located in Pittsylvania County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Fairfield County community of Ridgeway.
    • Georgia
      • Harris County
      • This Ridgeway is located in Harris County and lies 422 miles [679.1 km]<1> to the southwest of the Ridgeway that is located in Pittsylvania County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Harris County community of Ridgeway.
      • Heard County
      • This Ridgeway is located in Heard County and lies 413 miles [664.7 km] to the southwest of the Ridgeway that is located in Pittsylvania County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Heard County community of Ridgeway.
      • Newton County
      • This Ridgeway is located in Newton County and lies 337 miles [542.3 km] to the southwest of the Ridgeway that is located in Pittsylvania County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Newton County community of Ridgeway.
    • Indiana
      • Allen 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 Indiana community of Ridgeway [Allen County].
      • Howard County
      • This Ridgeway is located in Howard County and lies 439 miles [706.5 km]<1> to the northwest of the Ridgeway that is located in Pittsylvania County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Howard County community of Ridgeway.
    • Iowa
      • Winneshiek County
      • This Ridgeway is located in Winneshiek County and lies 789 miles [1,269.8 km]<1> to the northwest of the Ridgeway that is located in Pittsylvania County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Winneshiek County community of Ridgeway.
    • Kansas
      • Ford 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 Ridgeway [Ford 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 Ridgeway [Osage County].
      • Shawnee 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 Ridgeway [Shawnee County].
    • Kentucky
      • Harlan County
      • This Ridgeway is located in Harlan County and lies 201 miles [323.5 km]<1> to the west of the Ridgeway that is located in Pittsylvania County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Harlan County community of Ridgeway.
    • Maryland
      • Anne Arundel County
      • This Ridgeway is located in Anne Arundel County and lies 211 miles [339.6 km]<1> to the northeast of the Ridgeway that is located in Pittsylvania County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Anne Arundel County community of Ridgeway.
      • Baltimore County
      • This Ridgeway is located in Baltimore County and lies 216 miles [347.6 km] to the northeast of the Ridgeway that is located in Pittsylvania County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Baltimore County community of Ridgeway.
    • Michigan
      • Lenawee County
      • This Ridgeway is located in Lenawee County and lies 416 miles [669.5 km]<1> to the north northwest of the Ridgeway that is located in Pittsylvania County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Lenawee County community of Ridgeway.
      • Saint Clair County
      • This community is historic<3> and although located in Saint Clair County, we don't know where within the county.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Saint Clair County community of Ridgeway.
    • Minnesota
      • Winona County
      • This Ridgeway is located in Winona County and lies 793 miles [1,276.2 km]<1> to the northwest of the Ridgeway that is located in Pittsylvania County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Winona County community of Ridgeway.
    • Missouri
      • Harrison County
      • This Ridgeway is located in Harrison County and lies 812 miles [1,306.8 km]<1> to the west northwest of the Ridgeway that is located in Pittsylvania County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Harrison County community of Ridgeway.
      • Jackson 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 Missouri community of Ridgeway [Jackson County].
    • Montana
      • Carter County
      • This Ridgeway is located in Carter County and lies 1,418 miles [2,282 km]<1> to the west northwest of the Ridgeway that is located in Pittsylvania County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Carter County community of Ridgeway.
    • New Jersey
      • Ocean County
      • This Ridgeway is located in Ocean County and lies 350 miles [563.3 km]<1> to the northeast of the Ridgeway that is located in Pittsylvania County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Ocean County community of Ridgeway.
    • New York
      • Orleans County
      • This Ridgeway is located in Orleans County and lies 437 miles [703.3 km]<1> to the north of the Ridgeway that is located in Pittsylvania County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Orleans County community of Ridgeway.
      • Westchester County
      • This Ridgeway is located in Westchester County and lies 413 miles [664.7 km] to the northeast of the Ridgeway that is located in Pittsylvania County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Westchester County community of Ridgeway.
    • North Carolina
      • Warren County
      • This Ridgeway is located in Warren County and lies 78 miles [125.5 km]<1> to the east southeast of the Ridgeway that is located in Pittsylvania County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Warren County community of Ridgeway.
    • Ohio
      • Gallia County
      • This community is historic<3> and although located in Gallia County, we don't know where within the county.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Gallia County community of Ridgeway.
      • Hardin County
      • This Ridgeway is located in Hardin County and lies 327 miles [526.3 km]<1> to the northwest of the Ridgeway that is located in Pittsylvania County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Hardin County community of Ridgeway.
      • Muskingum County
      • This community is historic and although located in Muskingum County, we don't know where within the county.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Muskingum County community of Ridgeway.
    • Ontario
      • This Ridgeway lies 407 miles [655 km]<1> to the north of the Ridgeway that is located in Pittsylvania County.
    • South Carolina
      • Fairfield County
      • This Ridgeway is located in Fairfield County and lies 202 miles [325.1 km]<1> to the south southwest of the Ridgeway that is located in Pittsylvania County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Fairfield County community of Ridgeway.
    • Tennessee
      • McMinn County
      • This Ridgeway is located in McMinn County and lies 305 miles [490.8 km]<1> to the west southwest of the Ridgeway that is located in Pittsylvania County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the McMinn County community of Ridgeway.
    • Texas
      • Hopkins County
      • This Ridgeway is located in Hopkins County and lies 955 miles [1,536.9 km]<1> to the west of the Ridgeway that is located in Pittsylvania County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Hopkins County community of Ridgeway.
    • West Virginia
      • Berkeley County
      • This Ridgeway is located in Berkeley County and lies 176 miles [283.2 km]<1> to the north northeast of the Ridgeway that is located in Pittsylvania County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Berkeley County community of Ridgeway.
    • Wisconsin
      • Iowa County
      • This Ridgeway is located in Iowa County and lies 692 miles [1,113.7 km]<1> to the northwest of the Ridgeway that is located in Pittsylvania County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Iowa County community of Ridgeway.

Curious and Interesting Names Near Ridgeway ...

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.

  • Ajax
    (5 miles [8 km] to the west)
    • Ajax is located in Pittsylvania County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Ajax
  • Arrowhead
    (8 miles [12.9 km] to the west)
    • Arrowhead is located in Franklin County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Arrowhead
  • Brights
    (3 miles [4.8 km] to the northeast)
    • Brights is located in Pittsylvania County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Brights
  • Climax
    (7 miles [11.3 km] to the south)
    • Climax is located in Pittsylvania County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Climax
  • Dundee
    (8 miles [12.9 km] to the north)
    • Dundee is located in Bedford County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Dundee
  • Eagles Roost
    (7 miles [11.3 km] to the northwest)
    • Eagles Roost is located in Bedford County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Eagles Roost
  • Farmers
    (4 miles [6.4 km] to the east)
    • Farmers is located in Pittsylvania County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Farmers
  • Green Pond
    (7 miles [11.3 km] to the south)
    • Green Pond is located in Pittsylvania County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Green Pond
  • Gross Point
    (7 miles [11.3 km] to the northwest)
    • Gross Point is located in Bedford County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Gross Point
  • Continue List   (6 more) ...
    • Museville
      (8 miles [12.9 km] to the southwest)
      • Museville is located in Pittsylvania County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Museville
    • Pelican Point
      (8 miles [12.9 km] to the west)
      • Pelican Point is located in Franklin County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Pelican Point
    • Pickerel
      (4 miles [6.4 km] to the east)
      • Pickerel is located in Pittsylvania County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Pickerel
    • Redeye
      (5 miles [8 km] to the south)
      • Redeye is located in Pittsylvania County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Redeye
    • Smothers
      (8 miles [12.9 km] to the southeast)
      • Smothers is located in Pittsylvania County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Smothers
    • Whittles
      (8 miles [12.9 km] to the southeast)
      • Whittles is located in Pittsylvania County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Whittles
      • Whittles has also been known as:
      • Whittle's Depot
      • Whittle's Station

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

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

  • Chatham, which is the Seat of Pittsylvania County, lies 12 miles [19.3 km]<1> to the south southeast. If you could walk a straight line from Ridgeway to Chatham, 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.
  • Richmond, which is the State Capital of Virginia, lies 118 miles [189.9 km] to the east northeast (ENE). Driving, with an average speed of 63 miles [101.4 km] per hour, would take about two hours, a buggy would take 5 days and walking would take 7 days.
  • The White House (Washington, DC) is 187 miles [300.9 km] to the northeast (NE). Driving would take a little over three hours, a buggy would take 8 days and walking would take 11 days.
  • The shortest distance<5> to Jerusalem (specifically the Temple Mount and the Dome of the Rock) is 6,084 miles [9,791.2 km] and it lies to the northeast (NE).<6>
  • The distance to the Great Mosque of Mecca (specifically the Ka'bah - or Kaaba ) is 6,787 miles [10,922.6 km] and it lies to the northeast (NE).<7>
  • The distance to Saint Peter's Basilica (The Vatican) is 4,664 miles [7,506 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 obstructions like rivers, canyons, lakes, et cetera - it's truly a line from Point A (ie- Ridgeway) 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 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 Ridgeway 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 Ridgeway, please let us know so that we can improve our accuracy.
<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 Ridgeway 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 Ridgeway. The point we use is located at these GPS coordinates - Latitude: 36.9893, Longitude: -79.4825       In this case, the coordinates for Ridgeway have been provided by the Geographic Names Information System (GNIS).
<6>The calculated bearing (or angle) to Jerusalem is 309.41 degrees.
<7>The calculated bearing (or angle) to Mecca is 304.882 degrees.
<8>The calculated bearing (or angle) to the Vatican is 306.408 degrees.