Visit a Place Called... Broughton?

According to the United States Geological Survey, several states have towns or villages with Broughton as the (or part of the) name:

* Broughtentown Kentucky is spelled with an "e" rather than an "o" as is usually the case with the name Broughton.

• Broughton Illinois is a village which according to the US Census had a population of 218 in 1990.
• Broughton Ohio is a village which had a population of 151 people in 1990.

Off the southeast coast of Australia lies Broughton Island, a place popular among fishermen, divers and campers. It's described as a windswept, rocky outcrop with no trees but a "unique beauty." While no people live on the island (at least not anymore) plant and wildlife abound. From bunnies to colorful birds, from black rocks and white cliffs to mossy caves and blue waters, this island is indeed a natural beauty. It's located 14 kilometers from Port Stephens, Australia. To learn more about this interesting place called Broughton, visit www.marinews.com and read what boating writer, John Clarke has to say about it. Aerial photo by Clive Carlstrom (Fletchers Fotographics).

There is a Broughton Island in Canada's Northwest Territory. While the triangle shaped island is located 64 miles inside the artic circle, it is not deserted. In fact, more than 500 people, known as Inuits, call Broughton Island their home. Broughton Island is a particularly popular spot for adverturers who enjoy dog-sledding and ice-fishing. For those tourists who enjoy viewing the natural beauty of the artic regions, each spring Broughton Island affords one of the world's best locations for witnessing the full display of the Aurora Borealis, including the breathtaking "crown of light" effect. To learn more about Broughton Island and its people, visit www.townsearch.com/canada from which some of the above information was obtained.

On a side note, there is a Broughton Tower as well as a street which bears the Broughton name located in Vancouver Canada.

Since Broughton is originally an English name, it stands to reason that there be a place or two in the United Kingdom called Broughton. One such place is the Broughton Castle located in Banbury (not far from Stratford-upon-Avon, the hometown of William Shakespeare.) Ironically, Broughton Castle was recently shown in all its glory on the big screen as the home of one of the characters in a movie called "Shakespeare in Love."

The Broughton House, located in Salford England was built in 1916. In addition to being a home for ex-servicemen, Broughton House has spacious gardens, a library and a museum.

Also in England is a small village called Broughton-in-Furness in Cumbria. The village sports several pubs, a couple of cafes, a bakery and an atmosphere of peace and serenity in a rural setting. Broughton-in-Furness is not too far from the gentle slopes of Broughton Moor and what's known as Woodland valley which features meadows, woods and a few scattered historic dwellings.

There are at least 14 other towns/villages that bear the Broughton name in England:

1. Broughton, Orkney Islands
2. Broughton, Scottish Borders
3. Broughton, North Yorkshire (N of Malton)
4. Broughton, North Yorkshire (S of Gargrave)
5. Broughton, Lancashire
6. Broughton, North Lincolnshire
7. Broughton, Greater Manchester
8. Broughton, Flintshire
9. Broughton, Cambridgeshire
10. Broughton, Northhamptonshire
11. Broughton, Milton Keynes
12. Broughton, Oxfordshire
13. Broughton, Vale of Glamorgan
14. Broughton, Hampshire