Near Lebanon in Smith County, Kansas — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
The Geographic Center
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., April 27, 2011
1. The Geographic Center Marker
In a park three miles north and one mile west is the exact geographic center of the 48 contiguous states. The location has been officially established by the U.S. Geological Survey. It is the point where a plane map of the 48 states would balance if it were of uniform thickness. Trancontinental highway mileages are:
Erected by Kansas Historical Society and State Highway Commission. (Marker Number 37.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Places. In addition, it is included in the Kansas Historical Society series list.
Location. 39° 47.087′ N, 98° 32.795′ W. Marker is near Lebanon, Kansas, in Smith County. Marker is on U.S. 36, on the right when traveling west. Marker is on the access road, near the entrance to Sweet Home Cemetery. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Lebanon KS 66952, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 3 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. A different marker also named The Geographic Center (approx. 1.1 miles away); The Geographic Center of the United States (approx. 3˝ miles away); U.S. Geographic Center Cedar Tree (approx. 3˝ miles away).
Related markers.
this page online
Also see . . .
1. Geographic Center of the U.S. NOAA website entry (Submitted on August 27, 2011, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
2. Geographic Center of the Contiguous United States: Lebanon, Kansas. Atlas Obscura website entry (Submitted on January 30, 2022, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., April 27, 2011
2. The Geographic Center Marker
Looking NW, with Sweet Home Cemetery in background.
Photographed By Bill Kirchner, September 22, 2014
3. The Geographic Center Marker
View east on US-36.
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., April 27, 2011
4. Map on The Geographic Center Marker
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., April 27, 2011
5. Kansas on The Geographic Center Marker Map
Credits. This page was last revised on January 30, 2022. It was originally submitted on August 27, 2011, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 918 times since then and 54 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 27, 2011, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. 3. submitted on October 13, 2014, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. 4, 5. submitted on August 27, 2011, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.
