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Belle Fourche, South Dakota: Center of the Nation: 50 States

Marked with a pole stuck into a pasture. It's the actual center of the 50 states, not the convenient one in town.

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Center of the Nation.

Actual Center of the United States

The sign has seen better days, but is still easily read. The flag in the center of the field is also present, but since we visited just before a thunderstorm hit, we didn't go out to investigate. There is now a small rock monument in front of the sign to pose with.

[Melinda Bryan, 01/20/2012]

Center of the Nation.

Accurate Geographical Center of the U.S.

The real Geographic Center these days is marked by a U.S. flag and a hand-drawn sign. The helpful guide at the tourist-friendly center in town gave us a map and some helpful advice. The farmer who owns the field doesn't mind visitors, just crawl under the fence and visit the flag. But watch for rattlesnakes. We stayed on the road.

[Steve Cook, 11/23/2009]
Belle Fourche To Become Center Central

Envious foreigners may claim otherwise, but America is still at the center of things. And we have the centers to prove it: the Geographic Center of the Contiguous U.S., the Geographical Center of North America, and the Exact Center of the Northern Half of the Western Hemisphere -- not to mention the Center of the World and four (count 'em) Centers of the Universe.

...

[04/01/2007] Complete News Story

Center of the Nation: 50 States

Address:
Old US 85, Belle Fourche, SD
Directions:
I-90 exit 10. US 85 north 24.5 miles. (13.5 miles from the intersection of US 212.) Turn left (west) onto Old Hwy 85 (a gravel road) and drive 7.8 miles until you see a large metal hay storage shed on your left. On the right you'll see a red metal post about 50 yards into a pasture, sometimes topped with an American flag. At its base is a concrete slab with the survey marker. A home-made Center of the Nation sign may or may not be hanging from the fence in front of the pasture.
RA Rates:
Worth a Detour
Save to My Sights

Nearby Offbeat Places

Abandoned Shepherds MonumentAbandoned Shepherds Monument, Belle Fourche, SD - 10 mi.
Center of the Nation MonumentCenter of the Nation Monument, Belle Fourche, SD - 21 mi.
Teddy Roosevelt Friendship TowerTeddy Roosevelt Friendship Tower, Deadwood, SD - 39 mi.
In the region:
Death Chair of Wild Bill Hickok, Deadwood, SD - 41 mi.

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