Lebanon, Kansas -
Geographical Center of the 48 States
The ultimate fallback position in case we're attacked by Canada, Mexico, and the Fish People from the Atlantic and Pacific.
- Address:
- Hwy 191, Lebanon, KS
- Directions:
- The U.S. Center monument is northwest of town on Hwy 191, three miles north of US Hwy 36, and one mile west of US Hwy 281.
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Visitor Tips and News About Geographical Center of the 48 States
Geographical Center of the 48 States reports and tips from RoadsideAmerica.com visitors and Roadside America mobile tipsters. Some tips may not be verified. Submit your own tip.
Geographical Center of the 48 States The chapel has been rebuilt, and a flagpole was added to the monument. If you're nearby, it's well worth the stop. A historical marker has been added about three miles away on Hwy 36. It doesn't say why it wasn't added at the actual site. [Chuck Dunaj, 08/13/2010][RA: The monument -- which was built in 1941 -- isn't at the center, either. The exact spot is in a field adjacent to the monument, but the farmer didn't want visitors on his land.]
U.S. Center Chapel - Destroyed! Our beautiful little chapel was destroyed on June 1 when someone traveling at a high speed was not able to turn at the T at the end of K-191 highway and totally demolished it on impact.
We are hoping to be able to replace it but the sentiment will not be the same for residents. [Pat, 06/19/2008]
[RA: A grave blow to Tiny Churchdom....]Geographic Center of the 48 States Geographic Center of the Contiguous United States is located
just north and west of Lebanon, KS, adjacent to a pasture and overseen by a
friendly-if-nonplussed herd of cows. The Center is a small grass patch containing a 10 ft.
high stone podium and flagpole, on which U.S. and Kansas flags fly. A small plaque on the
podium informs visitors that a government geographic survey in 1898(?) established this spot
as the center of the continental U.S. A picnic table allows you to contemplate the the
equilibrium of your surroundings. Nearby is a tiny hut, the Chapel at the Center, which
invites you to pray (a bible is provided at the altar; it was open to the book of Revelation
when we visited) and sign the guestbook. Souvenirs, a sign informs you, are available back
down the road in the town of Lebanon. [B Bergevin, 01/12/2003]
U.S. Center Chapel This is a very small chapel outside of Lebanon. The chapel has seating forabout 6 friendly people and was well kept up. It is purported to be "the Geographical Center of the U.S.A." It sits on a little rise overlooking a corn field. Nearby is a defunct motel. You can get info on how to get there from the cafe in Lebanon. [Penny Spring, 06/16/2002][RA: Nearby is this monument marking the "Geographical Center of the 48 States."]
Nearby Offbeat Places
- Mini Statue of Liberty, Gaylord, KS - 18 mi.
- World's Largest Ball of Twine, Cawker City, KS - 23 mi.
- Tiny Church, Glen Elder, KS - 27 mi.
- In the region: Grassroots Art Center - Pull-Tab and Chewing Gum, Lucas, KS - 53 mi.
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