Geographic Center of the Continental USA

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Before the Interstate System, US Highway 36 was the main route between Denver and Kansas City. At that time, many tourists stopped at this location and some would spend the night in the now closed hotel.

This monument denotes the geographic center of the continental United States.

The plaque gives information on who located this spot, the engineering firm they worked for and the readings of longitude and latitude.

A few miles away in Osborne county is the geodetic center of North America which is noted by a small marker. This point is the triangulation station named Meade's Ranch (NAD27), and was the reference point for all city, county, state and international boundaries in North America. A replica of this marker is located at the Roadside Park of the junction of Highways 24 and 281. This point was established in 1927 and was based on the 1866 Clarke ellipsoid which was determined by astronomical observations. Because this point is slightly incorrect, many organizations are changing to NAD83.