Lorentz in Upshur County, West Virginia — The American South (Appalachia)

Population Center

Photographed by J. J. Prats, July 15, 2008

1. Population Center Marker

Inscription. The population center of the United States was in present West Virginia four times as it moved westward across the nation: near Wardensville in 1820; at Smoke Hole in 1830; west of Buckhannon in 1840; near Burning Springs in 1850.

Erected by West Virginia Archives and History.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Places. In addition, it is included in the West Virginia Archives and History series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1820.

Location. 39° 0.642′ N, 80° 18.117′ W. Marker is in Lorentz, West Virginia, in Upshur County. It is at the intersection of U.S. 33 and County Highway 5/1, on the right when traveling west on U.S. 33. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Lorentz WV 26229, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in North Central West Virginia.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in

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the Upper South,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Northern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Lorentz (approx. ¼ mile away); The Bassel House (approx. 2.7 miles away); The History Center (approx. 3.9 miles away); Buckhannon City Seal Mural (approx. 3.9 miles away); In Tribute to and in Memory of Buckhannon Volunteer Fire Department, Inc. (approx. 4 miles away); Buckhannon / Frontier Days (approx. 4 miles away); Operation Desert Storm Memorial (approx. 4 miles away); Destruction at the Courthouse (approx. 4 miles away).

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker.

Also see . . . Centers of Population. If

Photographed by J. J. Prats, July 15, 2008

2. Population Center Marker

the United States map were perfectly balanced on a point, this point would be its physical centroid. Currently this point is located in Phelps County, Missouri, in the east-central part of the state. However, when Washington, D.C. was chosen as the federal capital of the United States in 1790, the center of the U.S. population was in Kent County, Maryland, a mere 47 miles (76 km) east-northeast of the new capital. Over the last two centuries, the mean center of United States population has progressed westward and, since 1930, southwesterly, reflecting population drift. (Submitted on December 14, 2008.)

Mean Center of Population for the United States image. Click for full size.

the Geography Division, U.S. Census Bureau, 2001

3. Mean Center of Population for the United States

Click on image to enlarge. This map shows county boundaries.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 9, 2020. It was originally submitted on December 14, 2008, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 1,470 times since then and 26 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on December 14, 2008, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.