Outdoor Activities ...
As we travel, we like to pursue some of our interests (such as astronomy and bird watching).
When in Florence, we use the following websites to find information relevant to Florence and the surrounding area.
- Weather ...
- Before heading outdoors, you should check the weather:
- The National Weather Service forecast for Florence
- 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 Florence:
- 39.700079, -79.698939
- 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.
- The Heavens-Above Website, centered on Florence
- 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 Preston County as the starting point when you click on the link below:
- eBird sighting report for Preston County
- Since Florence is near Fayette County and also Monongalia County, we have provided a link to their eBird sighting reports:
- eBird sighting report for Fayette County
- eBird sighting report for Monongalia 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:
- Waymark.com
Communities Also Named Florence ...
We found 61 communities that share the name Florence.
There is one other community in West Virginia which is also named Florence.
Beyond West Virginia, we know of another 60 communities that are located throughout in the United States and Canada. Of these 60 communities, 59 are located in the United States and four are in Canada.
- Communities Located In West Virginia ...
- Communities Elsewhere In North America ...
- Alabama
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Delaware
- Florida
- Clay 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 Florence [Clay County].
- Gadsden County
- This Florence is located in Gadsden County and lies 684 miles [1,100.8 km]<2> to the south southwest of the Florence that is located in Preston County.
- For more information, please visit our profile page for the Gadsden County community of Florence.
- Saint Johns County
- This Florence is located in Saint Johns County and lies 678 miles [1,091.1 km] to the south of the Florence that is located in Preston County.
- For more information, please visit our profile page for the Saint Johns County community of Florence.
- Georgia
- Morgan 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 Georgia community of Florence [Morgan County].
- Stewart County
- This Florence is located in Stewart County and lies 604 miles [972 km]<2> to the south southwest of the Florence that is located in Preston County.
- For more information, please visit our profile page for the Stewart County community of Florence.
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Pike County
- This Florence is located in Pike County and lies 579 miles [931.8 km]<2> to the west of the Florence that is located in Preston County.
- For more information, please visit our profile page for the Pike County community of Florence.
- Stephenson County
- This Florence is located in Stephenson County and lies 547 miles [880.3 km] to the west northwest of the Florence that is located in Preston County.
- For more information, please visit our profile page for the Stephenson County community of Florence.
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Allen 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 Florence [Allen County].
- Lyon 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 Florence [Lyon County].
- Marion County
- This Florence is located in Marion County and lies 929 miles [1,495.1 km]<2> to the west of the Florence that is located in Preston County.
- For more information, please visit our profile page for the Marion County community of Florence.
- Kentucky
- Boone County
- This Florence is located in Boone County and lies 267 miles [429.7 km]<2> to the west of the Florence that is located in Preston County.
- For more information, please visit our profile page for the Boone County community of Florence.
- McCracken 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 Kentucky community of Florence [McCracken County].
- Louisiana
- Catahoula Parish
- 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 Louisiana community of Florence [Catahoula Parish].
- Saint Mary Parish
- This Florence is located in Saint Mary Parish and lies 964 miles [1,551.4 km]<2> to the southwest of the Florence that is located in Preston County.
- For more information, please visit our profile page for the Saint Mary Parish community of Florence.
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Manistee 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 Michigan community of Florence [Manistee County].
- Saint Joseph 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 Michigan community of Florence [Saint Joseph County].
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Buchanan 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 Florence [Buchanan County].
- Morgan County
- This Florence is located in Morgan County and lies 714 miles [1,149.1 km]<2> to the west of the Florence that is located in Preston County.
- For more information, please visit our profile page for the Morgan County community of Florence.
- Montana
- Nebraska
- New Jersey
- Burlington County
- This Florence is located in Burlington County and lies 260 miles [418.4 km]<2> to the east of the Florence that is located in Preston County.
- For more information, please visit our profile page for the Burlington County community of Florence.
- Camden County
- This Florence is located in Camden County and lies 253 miles [407.2 km] to the east of the Florence that is located in Preston County.
- For more information, please visit our profile page for the Camden County community of Florence.
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- Guilford County
- This Florence is located in Guilford County and lies 254 miles [408.8 km]<2> to the south of the Florence that is located in Preston County.
- For more information, please visit our profile page for the Guilford County community of Florence.
- Pamlico County
- This Florence is located in Pamlico County and lies 356 miles [572.9 km] to the south southeast of the Florence that is located in Preston County.
- For more information, please visit our profile page for the Pamlico County community of Florence.
- Nova Scotia
- This Florence lies 1,077 miles [1,733.3 km]<2> to the east northeast of the Florence that is located in Preston County.
- Ohio
- Belmont County
- This Florence is located in Belmont County and lies 61 miles [98.2 km]<2> to the west northwest of the Florence that is located in Preston County.
- For more information, please visit our profile page for the Belmont County community of Florence.
- Erie County
- This Florence is located in Erie County and lies 181 miles [291.3 km] to the northwest of the Florence that is located in Preston County.
- For more information, please visit our profile page for the Erie County community of Florence.
- Madison County
- This Florence is located in Madison County and lies 204 miles [328.3 km] to the west of the Florence that is located in Preston County.
- For more information, please visit our profile page for the Madison County community of Florence.
- Noble County
- This Florence is located in Noble County and lies 97 miles [156.1 km] to the west of the Florence that is located in Preston County.
- For more information, please visit our profile page for the Noble County community of Florence.
- Oklahoma
- Ontario
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Northampton 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 Florence [Northampton County].
- Washington County
- This Florence is located in Washington County and lies 63 miles [101.4 km]<2> to the northwest of the Florence that is located in Preston County.
- For more information, please visit our profile page for the Washington County community of Florence.
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Codington County
- This Florence is located in Codington County and lies 969 miles [1,559.5 km]<2> to the west northwest of the Florence that is located in Preston County.
- For more information, please visit our profile page for the Codington County community of Florence.
- Hand County
- This community is historic<1> and we have very little information. For the information that we do have, please visit our profile page for the South Dakota community of Florence [Hand County].
- Pennington County
- This community is historic and we have very little information. For the information that we do have, please visit our profile page for the South Dakota community of Florence [Pennington County].
- Tennessee
- Rutherford County
- This Florence is located in Rutherford County and lies 452 miles [727.4 km]<2> to the west southwest of the Florence that is located in Preston County.
- For more information, please visit our profile page for the Rutherford County community of Florence.
- Washington 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 Tennessee community of Florence [Washington County].
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Washington
- Wisconsin
Curious and Interesting Names Near Florence ...
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.
- Bull Run
(8 miles [12.9 km] to the southwest) - Cheat Lake
(8 miles [12.9 km] to the west)- Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Cheat Lake have been provided by the GNIS.<4> The coordinates still need to be verified.
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Cheat Lake
- Cheat Lake is located in Monongalia County
- Cheat Neck
(7 miles [11.3 km] to the west)- Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Cheat Neck have been provided by the GNIS.<4> The coordinates still need to be verified.
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Cheat Neck
- Cheat Neck is located in Monongalia County
- Cornish
(7 miles [11.3 km] to the northwest) - Crystal
(7 miles [11.3 km] to the northwest) - East Fairchance
(8 miles [12.9 km] to the north)- Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for East Fairchance have been provided by the GNIS.<4> The coordinates still need to be verified.
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for East Fairchance
- East Fairchance is located in Fayette County (PA)
- Elliottsville
(6 miles [9.7 km] to the northeast)- Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for Elliottsville. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<5>
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Elliottsville
- Elliottsville is located in Fayette County (PA)
- Five Forks
(8 miles [12.9 km] to the east)- Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Five Forks have been provided by the GNIS.<4> The coordinates still need to be verified.
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Five Forks
- Five Forks is located in Fayette County (PA)
- Greystone
(8 miles [12.9 km] to the west) - Hopewell
(2 miles [3.2 km] to the southeast) - Ices Ferry
(8 miles [12.9 km] to the west)- Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Ices Ferry have been provided by the GNIS.<4> The coordinates still need to be verified.
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Ices Ferry
- Ices Ferry is located in Monongalia County
- Laurel Run
(3 miles [4.8 km] to the south)- Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Laurel Run have been provided by the GNIS.<4> The coordinates still need to be verified.
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Laurel Run
- Laurel Run is located in Preston County
- Continue List (8 more) ...
- Little Sandy
(5 miles [8 km] to the southeast)- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Little Sandy
- Little Sandy is located in Preston County
- Outcrop
(8 miles [12.9 km] to the northwest) - Point Breeze
(6 miles [9.7 km] to the north)- Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Point Breeze have been provided by the GNIS.<4> The coordinates still need to be verified.
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Point Breeze
- Point Breeze is located in Fayette County (PA)
- Rockville
(5 miles [8 km] to the south) - Ruble Mill
(7 miles [11.3 km] to the northwest)- Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Ruble Mill have been provided by the GNIS.<4> The coordinates still need to be verified.
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Ruble Mill
- Ruble Mill is located in Fayette County (PA)
- Sugar Valley
(6 miles [9.7 km] to the southeast)- Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Sugar Valley have been provided by the GNIS.<4> The coordinates still need to be verified.
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Sugar Valley
- Sugar Valley is located in Preston County
- Sunset Beach
(8 miles [12.9 km] to the west)- Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Sunset Beach have been provided by the GNIS.<4> The coordinates still need to be verified.
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Sunset Beach
- Sunset Beach is located in Monongalia County
- Valley Point
(8 miles [12.9 km] to the south)- Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Valley Point have been provided by the GNIS.<4> The coordinates still need to be verified.
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Valley Point
- Valley Point is located in Preston County
- Little Sandy
How Far From Florence 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 Florence to various places of note, such as the White House.
With a nod to our favorite Gazetteers and using the location of where the historic community of Florence once stood, the straight-line distance beginning in Florence and extending to:
- Kingwood, which is the Seat of Preston County, lies 15 miles [24.1 km]<2> to the south. If you could walk a straight line from Florence to Kingwood, with an average speed<6> of 2.2 miles [3.5 km] per hour, it would take most of a day to make the trip. A horse and buggy averaging 3.2 miles [5.1 km] per hour would take four to five hours.
- Charleston, which is the State Capital of West Virginia, lies 139 miles [223.7 km] to the southwest (SW). Driving, with an average speed of 63 miles [101.4 km] per hour, would take less than three hours, a buggy would take 6 days and walking would take 8 days.
- The White House (Washington, DC) is 152 miles [244.6 km] to the east southeast (ESE). Driving would take less than three hours, a buggy would take 6 days and walking would take 9 days.
- The shortest distance<7> to Jerusalem (specifically the Temple Mount and the Dome of the Rock) is 5,974 miles [9,614.2 km] and it lies to the northeast (NE).<8>
- The distance to the Great Mosque of Mecca (specifically the Ka'bah - or Kaaba ) is 6,689 miles [10,764.9 km] and it lies to the northeast (NE).<9>
- The distance to Saint Peter's Basilica (The Vatican) is 4,564 miles [7,345 km] and it lies to the northeast (NE).<10>
Off-the-Road Links ...
The official website for State of West Virginia: https://www.wv.gov/
Footnotes ...
| <1> | 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 Florence, please let us know so that we can improve our accuracy. |
| <2> | Our distances are not driving distances, but are calculated as a 'point-to-point' distance. A straight line distance ignores things like rivers, canyons, lakes, et cetera - it's truly a line from Point A (ie- Florence) to Point B.Our distance measurements begin at a specific point in Florence. The point we use is located at these GPS coordinates - Latitude: 39.7001, Longitude: -79.6989 In this case, the coordinates for Florence have been provided by the Geographic Names Information System (GNIS). |
| <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 Rock Creek to see Pete ... Rock 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 Florence 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> | The location has been supplied by the Geographic Names Information System - which is maintained by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). While these values should be definitive, we found that accuracy can vary and you should double-check the location if accuracy is required. |
| <5> | An 'estimated' location is one where we have been given GPS coordinates, but are unable to verify the accuracy of those coordinates. That said, we have some confidence that we have placed the marker near the actual location. A typical reason for being unable to verify a location is that it might be on private property or maybe historic and gone without an obvious trace. |
| <6> | 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. |
| <7> | 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 Florence to the Middle East to be East and South, the Great Circle Route actually lies to the North and East. |
| <8> | The calculated bearing (or angle) to Jerusalem is 309.441 degrees. |
| <9> | The calculated bearing (or angle) to Mecca is 305.325 degrees. |
| <10> | The calculated bearing (or angle) to the Vatican is 305.561 degrees. |