The center point shifted from Lebanon, Kansas, to Belle Fourche, South Dakota, following the admission of Alaska and Hawaii as the 49th and 50th states.
The survey conducted by the U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey used a center of gravity method to determine the point.
The monument is located approximately 20 miles east of the Wyoming state line.
The compass rose includes tiles from each of the 50 states, reflecting the geographic diversity of the Union.
The site is maintained in conjunction with the adjacent Tri-State Museum, which houses regional historical artifacts.
The Geographic Center of the Nation Monument marks the official center of the 50 United States as calculated by the U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey in 1959. It is located in Belle Fourche, South Dakota, adjacent to the Tri-State Museum. The site features a concrete compass rose embedded in the ground, representing the states with tiles. It became the official center following the admission of Alaska and Hawaii into the Union. The monument serves as a waypoint for travelers exploring the Black Hills region. It stands as a symbolic point for the unity of the nation.
Standing directly on the center of the compass rose looking down at the state-representative tiles.
Visit the adjacent Tri-State Museum to view historical exhibits of the northern Black Hills.
Plan for a quick stop, as the monument is a small outdoor feature best combined with a longer regional itinerary.
Do not confuse this with the geographic center of the 48 contiguous states, which remains in Kansas.
