Near Lebanon in Smith County, Kansas — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
The Geographic Center
Photographed by Jason Voigt, October 28, 2025
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. Transcontinental highway miles are:
(Map of 48 Contiguous United States with transcontinental highway mileage from the geographic center)
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° 47.071′ N, 98° 34.053′ W. Marker is near Lebanon, Kansas, in Smith County. It can be reached from U.S. 36 0.4 miles west of Kansas Highway 181, on the right when traveling east. Marker is located at a roadside pullout on the south side of US 36. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Lebanon KS 66952, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Eastern Kansas and in the Smoky Hills. It is also in the American Midwest, in the Corn Belt, on the prairies, and on the Southern Plains. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Louisiana Purchase.
Other nearby markers. At least 3 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: A different marker also named The Geographic Center (approx. 1.1 miles away);
this page online
More about this marker. An identical marker is located approximately one mile to the east on the north side of US 36.
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. This list includes other markers about the geographic center of the contiguous 48 states.
Photographed by Google Street View (©2014 Google), June 2012
2. The Geographic Center Marker
Photographed by Bill Kirchner, September 22, 2014
3. The Geographic Center Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on November 1, 2025. It was originally submitted on February 22, 2014, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas. This page has been viewed 1,409 times since then and 470 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on November 1, 2025, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. 2. submitted on February 22, 2014, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas. 3. submitted on October 13, 2014, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona.
