Center of the Nation Monument | Belle Fourche

Information

Landmark: Center of the Nation Monument
City: Belle Fourche
Country: USA South Dakota
Continent: North America

Center of the Nation Monument, Belle Fourche, USA South Dakota, North America

The Center of the Nation Monument is a granite obelisk located in Belle Fourche, South Dakota, USA. It marks the geographic center of the United States.

Visual Characteristics

The monument is a 21-foot tall granite obelisk. It stands on a circular concrete base. The obelisk is grey granite. The base is white concrete.

Location & Access Logistics

The monument is situated 3 miles northwest of Belle Fourche, South Dakota. Access is via US Highway 85 North. Turn west onto a gravel road marked with a sign for the "Geographic Center of the U.S." The gravel road is approximately 0.5 miles long. Parking is available on a gravel lot adjacent to the monument. No public transport services this location.

Historical & Ecological Origin

The monument was dedicated on June 4, 1973. It was erected by the Belle Fourche Chamber of Commerce. The site was determined to be the geographic center of the United States based on calculations that included Alaska and Hawaii.

Key Highlights & Activities

Visitors can stand at the base of the monument. Photographs can be taken at the site. A small plaque details the monument's purpose.

Infrastructure & Amenities

There are no restrooms or shade structures at the monument site. Cell phone signal is intermittent. No food vendors are present at the monument. The nearest amenities are in Belle Fourche.

Best Time to Visit

For optimal lighting conditions for photography, early morning or late afternoon is recommended. The months of May through October offer the most favorable weather conditions, with less chance of snow or extreme cold.

Facts & Legends

The monument's location is based on a calculation that includes the 50 states. If only the contiguous 48 states were considered, the geographic center would be located in Lebanon, Kansas.