Boston, Massachusetts -
Hub of the Solar System

You have noted the late-comer, now defunct and much lamented Filenes as the Hub of the Universe.

As a long-time Bostonian, I think this entry should be revised or at least amended to reflect the history of the phrase. Yes, Boston is the "Hub of the Universe," but the origin is Oliver Wendell Holmes in his 1858 "Autocrat of the Breakfast Table" stating "[the] Boston State House is the hub of the Solar System. You couldn't pry that out of a Boston man if you had the tire of all creation straightened out for a crowbar." So the axis of the hub of the Universe sticks vertically out of the gilded dome of our Bulfinch State House. And Holmes is the senior one, the doctor poet, not junior, the lawyer justice. [D. Roger Howlett, 02/05/2011]

Thanks to Oliver Wendel Holmes, Boston has the reputation of being the Hub of the Universe and that center of the hub has been marked by Filene's Department Store. Seems they allowed a Fruit Stand to set up at the exact center selling fruit and vegetables that are not even organic! Stood right in the center, trying to absorb the cosmos, but only got the owner saying "Do you need help?" The two apples I bought and ate did seem to taste better from the center of the universe, though. [Carl & Anne Ambrose, 12/21/2004]