RoadsideThoughts
A Gazetteer for the United States and Canada
Home >> State of West Virginia >> Harrison County >> Johnstown >> Tidbits & TriviaIndex...

Outdoor Activities ...

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

When in Johnstown, we use the following websites to find information relevant to Johnstown 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 Johnstown:
    • 39.123427, -80.279253
    • 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 Johnstown
  • 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 Harrison County as the starting point when you click on the link below:
    • Open the eBird sighting report for Harrison County
    • Since Johnstown is near Barbour County and also Upshur County, we have provided a link to their eBird sighting reports:
    • Open the eBird sighting report for Barbour County
    • Open the eBird sighting report for Upshur 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 Johnstown

Communities Also Named Johnstown ...

We found 38 communities that are also named Johnstown.

There are two communities within West Virginia that are also named Johnstown.

Beyond West Virginia, we know of 36 communities that are located in the United States and Canada. Of these 36 communities, 36 are located in the United States and three are in Canada.

  • Communities Located In West Virginia ...
    • McDowell County
      • This Johnstown is located in McDowell County and lies 149 miles [239.8 km]<1> to the south southwest of the Johnstown that is located in Harrison County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the McDowell County community of Johnstown.
    • Raleigh County
      • This Johnstown is located in Raleigh County and lies 104 miles [167.4 km]<1> to the south southwest of the Johnstown that is located in Harrison County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Raleigh County community of Johnstown.
  • Communities Elsewhere In North America ...
    • Alabama
      • Bibb County
      • This Johnstown is located in Bibb County and lies 567 miles [912.5 km]<1> to the southwest of the Johnstown that is located in Harrison County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Bibb County community of Johnstown.
      • Montgomery County
      • This Johnstown is located in Montgomery County and lies 571 miles [918.9 km] to the southwest of the Johnstown that is located in Harrison County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Montgomery County community of Johnstown.
    • Arkansas
      • Jackson County
      • This Johnstown is located in Jackson County and lies 645 miles [1,038 km]<1> to the west southwest of the Johnstown that is located in Harrison County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Jackson County community of Johnstown.
    • California
      • San Diego County
      • This Johnstown is located in San Diego County and lies 2,076 miles [3,341 km]<1> to the west of the Johnstown that is located in Harrison County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the San Diego County community of Johnstown.
    • Colorado
      • Arapahoe 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 Johnstown [Arapahoe County].
      • Weld County
      • This Johnstown is located in Weld County and lies 1,306 miles [2,101.8 km]<1> to the west northwest of the Johnstown that is located in Harrison County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Weld County community of Johnstown.
    • Delaware
      • Sussex 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 Delaware community of Johnstown [Sussex County].
    • Florida
      • Union County
      • This Johnstown is located in Union County and lies 637 miles [1,025.2 km]<1> to the south of the Johnstown that is located in Harrison County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Union County community of Johnstown.
    • Georgia
      • Hall County
      • This community is historic<3> and although located in Hall County, we don't know where within the county.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Hall County community of Johnstown.
    • Illinois
      • Cumberland County
      • This Johnstown is located in Cumberland County and lies 428 miles [688.8 km]<1> to the west of the Johnstown that is located in Harrison County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Cumberland County community of Johnstown.
    • Indiana
      • Greene County
      • This Johnstown is located in Greene County and lies 360 miles [579.4 km]<1> to the west of the Johnstown that is located in Harrison County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Greene County community of Johnstown.
      • Knox County
      • This Johnstown is located in Knox County and lies 379 miles [609.9 km] to the west of the Johnstown that is located in Harrison County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Knox County community of Johnstown.
    • Maryland
      • Calvert County
      • This Johnstown is located in Calvert County and lies 212 miles [341.2 km]<1> to the east southeast of the Johnstown that is located in Harrison County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Calvert County community of Johnstown.
    • Michigan
      • Barry County
      • This community is historic<3> and although located in Barry County, we don't know where within the county.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Barry County community of Johnstown.
    • Missouri
      • Bates County
      • This Johnstown is located in Bates County and lies 745 miles [1,199 km]<1> to the west of the Johnstown that is located in Harrison County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Bates County community of Johnstown.
      • Jasper 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 Johnstown [Jasper County].
      • Linn County
      • This Johnstown is located in Linn County and lies 677 miles [1,089.5 km] to the west of the Johnstown that is located in Harrison County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Linn County community of Johnstown.
    • Montana
      • Cascade 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 Montana community of Johnstown [Cascade County].
    • Nebraska
      • Brown County
      • This Johnstown is located in Brown County and lies 1,057 miles [1,701.1 km]<1> to the west northwest of the Johnstown that is located in Harrison County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Brown County community of Johnstown.
    • New York
      • Fulton County
      • This Johnstown is located in Fulton County and lies 407 miles [655 km]<1> to the northeast of the Johnstown that is located in Harrison County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Fulton County community of Johnstown.
    • North Carolina
      • Lincoln County
      • This Johnstown is located in Lincoln County and lies 260 miles [418.4 km]<1> to the south southwest of the Johnstown that is located in Harrison County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Lincoln County community of Johnstown.
    • North Dakota
      • Grand Forks County
      • This Johnstown is located in Grand Forks County and lies 1,057 miles [1,701.1 km]<1> to the northwest of the Johnstown that is located in Harrison County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Grand Forks County community of Johnstown.
    • Nova Scotia
      • This Johnstown lies 1,093 miles [1,759 km]<1> to the east northeast of the Johnstown that is located in Harrison County.
    • Ohio
      • Ashland County
      • This community is historic<3> and although located in Ashland County, we don't know where within the county.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Ashland County community of Johnstown.
      • Licking County
      • This Johnstown is located in Licking County and lies 146 miles [235 km]<1> to the west northwest of the Johnstown that is located in Harrison County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Licking County community of Johnstown.
    • Ontario
      • This Johnstown lies 374 miles [601.9 km]<1> to the north northeast of the Johnstown that is located in Harrison County.
    • 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 Johnstown [Allegheny County].
      • Cambria County
      • This Johnstown is located in Cambria County and lies 109 miles [175.4 km]<1> to the northeast of the Johnstown that is located in Harrison County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Cambria County community of Johnstown.
      • Lebanon County
      • This Johnstown is located in Lebanon County and lies 225 miles [362.1 km] to the east northeast of the Johnstown that is located in Harrison County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Lebanon County community of Johnstown.
      • Union County
      • This Johnstown is located in Union County and lies 211 miles [339.6 km] to the northeast of the Johnstown that is located in Harrison County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Union County community of Johnstown.
    • South Carolina
      • Aiken County
      • This Johnstown is located in Aiken County and lies 398 miles [640.5 km]<1> to the south southwest of the Johnstown that is located in Harrison County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Aiken County community of Johnstown.
    • Tennessee
      • Coffee County
      • This Johnstown is located in Coffee County and lies 416 miles [669.5 km]<1> to the southwest of the Johnstown that is located in Harrison County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Coffee County community of Johnstown.
    • Texas
      • Montgomery 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 Johnstown [Montgomery County].
      • Van Zandt 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 Johnstown [Van Zandt County].
    • Wisconsin
      • Rock County
      • This Johnstown is located in Rock County and lies 508 miles [817.5 km]<1> to the west northwest of the Johnstown that is located in Harrison County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Rock County community of Johnstown.
    • Wyoming
      • Fremont County
      • This Johnstown is located in Fremont County and lies 1,496 miles [2,407.6 km]<1> to the west northwest of the Johnstown that is located in Harrison County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Fremont County community of Johnstown.

Curious and Interesting Names Near Johnstown ...

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.

  • Berlin
    (6 miles [9.7 km] to the southwest)
    • Berlin is located in Lewis County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Berlin
  • Century
    (5 miles [8 km] to the east)
    • Century is located in Barbour County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Century
  • Homeland
    (6 miles [9.7 km] to the west)
    • Homeland is located in Lewis County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Homeland
  • Jane Lew
    (6 miles [9.7 km] to the west)
  • Longview
    (7 miles [11.3 km] to the east)
    • Longview is located in Barbour County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Longview
  • Lost Creek
    (4 miles [6.4 km] to the northwest)
    • Lost Creek is located in Harrison County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Lost Creek
    • Population from the 2020 Census: 462 people
  • Pecks Run
    (7 miles [11.3 km] to the southeast)
    • Pecks Run is located in Upshur County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Pecks Run
  • Peeltree
    (3 miles [4.8 km] to the east)
    • Peeltree is located in Barbour County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Peeltree
  • Pepper
    (7 miles [11.3 km] to the northeast)
    • Pepper is located in Barbour County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Pepper
  • Quiet Dell
    (6 miles [9.7 km] to the north)
    • Quiet Dell is located in Harrison County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Quiet Dell
  • Red Rock
    (7 miles [11.3 km] to the south)
    • Red Rock is located in Upshur County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Red Rock
  • Rider
    (5 miles [8 km] to the northwest)
    • Rider is located in Harrison County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Rider
  • Continue List   (4 more) ...
    • Romines Mills
      (3 miles [4.8 km] to the north)
      • Romines Mills is located in Harrison County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Romines Mills
    • Ruraldale
      (4 miles [6.4 km] to the southeast)
      • Ruraldale is located in Upshur County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Ruraldale
    • Sheets Mills
      (6 miles [9.7 km] to the northwest)
      • Sheets Mills is located in Harrison County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Sheets Mills
    • South Park
      (6 miles [9.7 km] to the west)
      • South Park is located in Lewis County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for South Park

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

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

  • Clarksburg, which is the Seat of Harrison County, lies 11 miles [17.7 km]<1> to the north northwest. If you could walk a straight line from Johnstown to Clarksburg, with an average speed<5> 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.
  • Charleston, which is the State Capital of West Virginia, lies 90 miles [144.8 km] to the southwest (SW). Driving, with an average speed of 63 miles [101.4 km] per hour, would take less than two hours, a buggy would take most of three days and walking would take 6 days.
  • The White House (Washington, DC) is 174 miles [280 km] to the east (E). Driving would take about three hours, a buggy would take 7 days and walking would take 10 days.
  • The shortest distance<6> to Jerusalem (specifically the Temple Mount and the Dome of the Rock) is 6,023 miles [9,693.1 km] and it lies to the northeast (NE).<7>
  • The distance to the Great Mosque of Mecca (specifically the Ka'bah - or Kaaba ) is 6,737 miles [10,842.2 km] and it lies to the northeast (NE).<8>
  • The distance to Saint Peter's Basilica (The Vatican) is 4,612 miles [7,422.3 km] and it lies to the northeast (NE).<9>'

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 from Point A (ie- Johnstown) 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 Johnstown 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 Johnstown, 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 Johnstown 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 Johnstown. The point we use is located at these GPS coordinates - Latitude: 39.1234, Longitude: -80.2793       In this case, the coordinates for Johnstown have been provided by the Geographic Names Information System (GNIS).
<7>The calculated bearing (or angle) to Jerusalem is 309.818 degrees.
<8>The calculated bearing (or angle) to Mecca is 305.667 degrees.
<9>The calculated bearing (or angle) to the Vatican is 306.019 degrees.