Murfreesboro in Rutherford County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)

Geographic Center of Tennessee

Photographed by Greg Golfomitsos, circa June 1, 2024

1. Geographic Center of Tennessee Marker

Inscription. In 1834, the State of Tennessee hired Professor James Hamilton to find its geographic center in order to locate the state capital as near as possible to the center of the state. However, certain circumstances and politics left the capital in Nashville, although Governor James Knox Polk wanted it moved to Murfreesboro. In 1976, ½ mile northeast on Old Lascassas Road an obelisk was placed by the Rutherford County Historical Society at the state's geographic center.

Erected by Tennessee Historical Commission. (Marker Number 3A-166.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Exploration • Landmarks • Notable Places • Political Subdivisions. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #11 James K. Polk, and the Tennessee Historical Commission series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1834.

Location. 35° 51.257′ N, 86° 21.986′ W. Marker is in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, in Rutherford County. It is at the intersection of Greenland Drive and Old Lascassas Highway, on the right when traveling east on Greenland Drive. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1415 Greenland Dr, Murfreesboro TN 37130, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Middle Tennessee

and in Greater Nashville.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Upper South.

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,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this

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marker: A different marker also named Geographic Center of Tennessee (approx. half a mile away); James M. Buchanan (approx. half a mile away); Chris Young (approx. 0.6 miles away); Middle Tennessee State Teachers College Training School (approx. 0.7 miles away); Evergreen Cemetery (approx. 0.8 miles away); The Confederate Circle at Evergreen (approx. 0.8 miles away); Known Confederate Veterans Among 2000 Buried Here (approx. 0.9 miles away); Rutherford Hospital / Middle Tennessee Medical Center (approx. 0.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Murfreesboro.

Photographed by Tom Gillard, December 30, 2009

2. Geographic Center of Tennessee Marker

Middle TN State Univ.- Murphy Center in background image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tom Gillard, December 30, 2009

3. Middle TN State Univ.- Murphy Center in background

Geographic Center of Tennessee Monument image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tom Gillard, December 30, 2009

4. Geographic Center of Tennessee Monument

Coord: N35 51.582 W86 21.726

Monument placque image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tom Gillard, December 30, 2009

5. Monument placque

Photographed by Lee Hattabaugh, January 26, 2011

6. Geographic Center of Tennessee Monument

Obelisk as seen looking north on Old Lascassas Pike.

Credits. This page was last revised on October 6, 2024. It was originally submitted on December 31, 2009, by Tom Gillard of Tullahoma, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 18,449 times since then and 483 times this year. Last updated on October 5, 2024, by Greg Golfomitsos of Plymouth, Massachusetts. Photos: 1. submitted on June 21, 2024, by Greg Golfomitsos of Plymouth, Massachusetts. 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on December 31, 2009, by Tom Gillard of Tullahoma, Tennessee. 6. submitted on February 2, 2011, by Lee Hattabaugh of Capshaw, Alabama. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.