The Geographical Center of North America may be off a few miles...
Rugby, North Dakota or Center, North Dakota, or...
What is the geographical center of North America? Scientists are still debating…
The U.S. Geological Survey determined in 1931 that a point near Rugby, North Dakota, was the center of North America.
Their results have since become the official say on the matter, despite the disclaimer at the top of their memo that they had no good method for calculating geographical centers.
Then, the town changed its seal to an outline of North America, with Rugby as a dot on it. Volunteers erected a 15-foot rock obelisk in town, near the intersection of U.S. Highway 2 and North Dakota Highway 3, where motorists passing by could see it.
When U.S. 2 expanded to four lanes in 1971, the obelisk was moved a short distance away, and stands in a parking lot today.
For decades, visitors have streamed into the town to take pictures of the site, lined with American, Mexican and Canadian flags, and to buy souvenirs to take back home.
But Rugby’s claim was recently challenged by some residents of Robinson, a town about a hundred miles south.
Yet another recent claim, put forward by a geography professor using a different method of calculation, puts the coveted point in the North Dakota town of… Center. Yep, you cannot make this up!
Whether or not Rugby is actually the center of the entire continent, the monument continues to stand tall—so Rugby still enjoys the perks, if not the certainty, of being the continent’s center.
Here’s an interesting video about the evolution of North America’s geographic center:
By the way:
Lebanon, Kansas is the geographic center of the lower 48…
Baker Lake, Nunavut is the geographic center of Canada…
If you want to read more about the mysterious center of North America:
The center of North America is a town called Center, and it’s totally a coincidence. Really…
New Calculations Reposition the Geographical Center of North America…
The Geographical Center of North America (first picture and seal)…
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Manuel
I grew up in Winnipeg being told and believing that Winnipeg was the geographical center of North America. Winnipeg is about 60 miles north of the North Dakota international border...
Respectfully, I'd like to suggest renaming South America "Southeast America." not like https://youtube.com/shorts/85x53rLA8FQ