White Cloud, Kansas: 40th Parallel Marker
The 40th Parallel doesn't get anywhere near the attention lavished on the 45th Parallel, but there's a historical marker at the start of this difficult-to-reach spot.
- Address:
- Hwy 7, White Cloud, KS
- Directions:
- About two miles north of White Cloud on Hwy 7, at the KS-NE border. There's a marker on the east side, next to road, but the 40th Parallel Marker is on top of the bluff to the west. A foot bridge leads into the woods to the trail. The climb is very steep.
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My wife and I found the marker without too much trouble. The path isn't well marked at the roadside other than a wooden walk bridge. Trail is clear, hand rails all the way to the top of bluff and marker. Benches along the way. Good history explanation boards at marker. Someone has taken care of the trail.
[Michael Hillyer, 09/28/2012]
When we went to see the obelisk, the foot path was so overgrown we didn't attempt it. We even tried getting in a back way but there wasn't an opening we could see to use. The historical marker marker along the road was placed right on the Kansas/Nebraska border (the 40th parallel).
[Mike & Susan, 09/26/2009]
This point marks the beginning of the public land surveys of the sixth principal meridian. This marker was placed here on May 8, 1855 and was used for the initial point of survey for Nebraska, Kansas and parts of Colorado, Wyoming, and South Dakota.
It is a difficult climb to the top of the bluff to the marker though there is a foot trail with handrails and benches for resting along the way. Location is remote. There are no services of any kind.
[Dempsey Yearry, 04/04/2008]Nearby Offbeat Places
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We're granting some latitude, ahem, in posting this one. The 40th Parallel simply isn't as exciting as, say, the 45th Parallel, with its associated town pride over an invisible line. But if you're a big fan of COORDINATES, it's up to you to decide if a 40th pilgrimage is worthwhile. The pointless climb helps, a little -- and there is an official Nebraska Historical Marker.