# Unusual things found on Google Maps **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [June 10, 2011, 1:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unusual-things-found-on-google-maps/584926 "2011-06-10T01:01:27Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![PlainJain](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/5daacb/32.png) [@PlainJain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PlainJain)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2011, 5:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unusual-things-found-on-google-maps/584926/21 "2011-06-10T05:51:46Z")
Enter “N 36° 59.172 W 122° 03.853” and zoom in a bit. I’m sure there are lots of these amateur Nazca Lines but the weird thing about these is that you wouldn’t be able to view them from anywhere (I live very near here, I checked) and they seem to made ‘free-hand’. ---
**Author:** ![shijinn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/cc9497/32.png) [@shijinn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/shijinn)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2011, 6:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unusual-things-found-on-google-maps/584926/22 "2011-06-10T06:33:18Z")
some students managed to draw giant penises on their school grounds without permission. can you find all six? keywords: Bankwood Rd, Hamilton, New Zealand Fairfield college ---
**Author:** ![interface2x](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/c0e974/32.png) [@interface2x](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/interface2x)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2011, 1:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unusual-things-found-on-google-maps/584926/23 "2011-06-10T13:48:41Z")
> [@mlees](#): > > Time machine? Nope, just an air show. > > Here is a 2006 article on an Avro Lancaster bomber caught by the Google Earth camera. > > [Google Earth menaced by WW2 bomber • The Register](http://www.theregister.co.uk/2006/01/09/google_lancaster/) Similarly, there is a commercial airplane flying over Russell Square in London - [Link](http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=russell+square,+london&aq=&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=36.642161,56.513672&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Russell+Square,+London+WC1B,+United+Kingdom&ll=51.522446,-0.125828&spn=0.001759,0.003449&t=h&z=18). By the way, if you want people to see exactly what you’re seeing, just click the “link” button and copy it from there. ---
**Author:** ![njtt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ecd19e/32.png) [@njtt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/njtt)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2011, 2:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unusual-things-found-on-google-maps/584926/24 "2011-06-10T14:48:10Z")
> [@Baffle](#): > > ( **njtt** , Google hates the DMS notation. [Here](http://maps.google.ca/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=53.84N+109.22E&aq=&sll=53.638125,108.470764&sspn=0.658685,1.014862&gl=ca&ie=UTF8&ll=53.862044,109.375763&spn=0.17554,0.528374&t=h&z=12) is a direct link to your find.) 😕 Hates in what sense? It works, and I pasted those coordinates straight from Google Earth. They work in both Earth and Maps. ---
**Author:** ![Zyada](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zyada/32/3028_2.png) [@Zyada](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zyada)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2011, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unusual-things-found-on-google-maps/584926/25 "2011-06-10T16:05:48Z")
> [@interface2x](#): > > Similarly, there is a commercial airplane flying over Russell Square in London - [Link](http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=russell+square,+london&aq=&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=36.642161,56.513672&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Russell+Square,+London+WC1B,+United+Kingdom&ll=51.522446,-0.125828&spn=0.001759,0.003449&t=h&z=18). Jeez, how low is that plane and where is it coming from/going to? It looks like it’s just above the tree tops. For more of these, you can check out [Map of Strange](http://www.mapofstrange.com/) - don’t bother looking at anything whose description says something about it being an error, because Google has cleaned up all of those. (And odd shape flashes are also probably gone) ---
**Author:** ![gregorio](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/fbc32d/32.png) [@gregorio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gregorio)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2011, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unusual-things-found-on-google-maps/584926/26 "2011-06-10T16:31:10Z")
Folks have been doing stuff like this forever. Now we get to see the cool ones when threads like this come out. We’ve got our own set of numbers in [Calgary](http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=signal+hill+calgary&aq=&sll=41.667783,-86.488881&sspn=0.010547,0.015063&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Signal+HIll,+Calgary,+Division+No.+6,+Alberta,+Canada&ll=51.021827,-114.17284&spn=0.008881,0.015063&t=h&z=16). The numbers are from four battalions who were waiting to ship out during WWI. [Wikipedia here.](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battalion_Park) Another cool one is the [Penticton sign on Munson Mountain](http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=munson+mountain+penticton&aq=&sll=51.021827,-114.17284&sspn=0.008881,0.015063&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Munson+Mountain+Rd,+Penticton,+Okanagan-Similkameen+Regional+District,+British+Columbia+V2A+8S5,+Canada&ll=49.516196,-119.577298&spn=0.009167,0.015063&t=h&z=16). A nice walk and a great view of the Lake and the mountains in the Okanagan. ---
**Author:** ![Banquet\_Bear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/banquet_bear/32/373_2.png) [@Banquet\_Bear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Banquet_Bear)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2011, 2:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unusual-things-found-on-google-maps/584926/27 "2011-06-17T02:02:01Z")
> [@shijinn](#): > > some students managed to draw giant penises on their school grounds without permission. can you find all six? > > keywords: Bankwood Rd, Hamilton, New Zealand Fairfield college …sorry to bump this, but I just looked this up! Took me a while to spot them, but I can count five! [Google map link:](http://maps.google.com/maps?rls=com.microsoft:en-US:%7Breferrer:source%3F%7D&oe=UTF-8&rlz=1I7GPEA_en&um=1&ie=UTF-8&q=Bankwood+Rd,+Hamilton,+New+Zealand+Fairfield+college&fb=1&hq=Fairfield+college&hnear=0x6d6d187e3b60769b:0x412ebaadbb4d9c66,Bankwood+Rd,+Hamilton,+New+Zealand&cid=0,0,13390455177776017703&ei=M7T6TdHjDobSsAPfn9TeBQ&sa=X&oi=local_result&ct=image&resnum=1&ved=0CBYQnwIwAA) > **[Australian News Headlines | Yahoo News Australia](https://au.news.yahoo.com/)** > > Breaking news and stories that really matter to Australians. From cost of living and politics, to weather and the environment - get all the latest updates. ---
**Author:** ![postcards](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/8e8cbc/32.png) [@postcards](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/postcards)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2011, 1:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unusual-things-found-on-google-maps/584926/28 "2011-06-17T13:03:33Z")
There are two at the ‘A’ point. One tiny one is at the bottom right of the building just below. Count down three buildings from the ‘A’, there are three more penii in the courtyard between the second and third building. Is there a prize? ---
**Author:** ![K7ISS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/bcef8e/32.png) [@K7ISS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/K7ISS)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2011, 3:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unusual-things-found-on-google-maps/584926/29 "2011-07-31T03:47:01Z")
It may not be google maps but that other live one… but here in Southern Oklahoma we have some big words on a mt. [[Bing Maps - Directions, trip planning, traffic cameras & more](http://www.bing.com/maps/?v=2&cp=pqrc3n6x49gg&lvl=17.873351769402547&dir=355.5520515337276&sty=b&where1=Ardmore%2C%20OK&form=LMLTCC)\*\* ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2011, 3:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unusual-things-found-on-google-maps/584926/30 "2011-07-31T03:51:28Z")
[God’s pliers.](http://www.streetviewfun.com/2010/gods-pliers/) ---
**Author:** ![Ferret\_Herder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e47774/32.png) [@Ferret\_Herder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ferret_Herder)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2011, 12:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unusual-things-found-on-google-maps/584926/31 "2011-07-31T12:03:07Z")
[Pool with the Batman logo in the bottom](http://virtualglobetrotting.com/map/pool-with-batman-logo/view/?service=0). ---
**Author:** ![AK84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85e7bf/32.png) [@AK84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AK84)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2011, 10:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unusual-things-found-on-google-maps/584926/32 "2011-08-02T22:52:35Z")
> [@njtt](#): > > Yeah, “HOME OF PIFFERS”. Weird. > > Have you seen the giant piece of tape on the shores of Lake Baikal? (53°50’19.27"N 109°12’26.06"E - previously discussed on these boards) The PIFFERS issue can be solved [here](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frontier_Force_Regiment). And why is it weird. ---
**Author:** ![harvestbamaguy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/df788c/32.png) [@harvestbamaguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/harvestbamaguy)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2012, 7:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unusual-things-found-on-google-maps/584926/33 "2012-02-06T07:06:53Z")
Go to this location on google maps to see a plane in the middle of nowhere: 32.218828,-108.821397 Of course, it is actually flying and the satellite happened to catch it but it does look like it is sitting on the ground. ---
**Author:** ![Atomic\_Alex](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atomic_alex/32/175_2.png) [@Atomic\_Alex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atomic_Alex)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2012, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unusual-things-found-on-google-maps/584926/34 "2012-05-26T20:51:14Z")
Found another unusual shot, an image of footballers in Coleraine, Nothern Ireland. Put 55.120561,-6.650475 into google maps. The sun must have been at a low angle when that one was taken. ---
**Author:** ![Enkel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/df705f/32.png) [@Enkel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enkel)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2012, 2:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unusual-things-found-on-google-maps/584926/35 "2012-05-27T02:52:32Z")
When google earth had just started, a neighbor’s kid got caught mowing curse words into a farmer’s crop field. The word was F\* U mowed into a 100 acre field. Talk about bad timming. ---
**Author:** ![coremelt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/4491bb/32.png) [@coremelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/coremelt)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2012, 3:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unusual-things-found-on-google-maps/584926/36 "2012-05-27T03:42:01Z")
Traveling in India I have seen the giant letters quite often at army bases made of rocks painted white. I guess they get recruits to build them as part of training. Makes perfect sense as it makes it easier to pilots to find them. All the bases have at least helicopter pads so need to be visible. Almost every single base has giant letters of some kind and as you get closer to the India Pakistan border there are army bases and border patrol bases everywhere. ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2012, 4:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unusual-things-found-on-google-maps/584926/37 "2012-05-27T04:00:11Z")
Used to be if you tried to get walking directions and your destination it was Moria, the yellow box would have the text: Walking directions are in beta. Use caution – one does not simply walk into Moria. ---
**Author:** ![interface2x](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/c0e974/32.png) [@interface2x](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/interface2x)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2012, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unusual-things-found-on-google-maps/584926/38 "2012-05-27T18:50:00Z")
Mordor, not Moria. ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2012, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unusual-things-found-on-google-maps/584926/39 "2012-05-27T18:56:01Z")
… I knew that. ---
**Author:** ![Enkel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/df705f/32.png) [@Enkel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enkel)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2012, 11:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unusual-things-found-on-google-maps/584926/40 "2012-05-27T23:27:22Z")
Okay, so I have a large field and am not thinking about creating a piece of google art (something perma culture like). What would you do? I’m thinking about a large circle with the diagonal sign through it over something that looks like an alien. Then I can tell people that my cows are afraid of alien landings and I did it to make them feel safe? A large ‘X’ is definitely out. The air force flies over here all the time for training and one of those idiots would end up dropping something into the field. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unusual-things-found-on-google-maps/584926.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unusual-things-found-on-google-maps/584926.md?page=3)