Few People Know This Charming Small Town In Idaho Is The Center Of The Universe
Many Idahoans believe there is nothing better in the entire universe than Idaho. From its gorgeous mountain views, stunning state parks, and tasty places to eat, there is no place that compares. However, what many Idahoans may not know is that Wallace, one of the most delightful small towns in Idaho, has one epic title: The Center of the Universe.
In 2004, the mayor of Wallace made a proclamation announcing the area as the Center of the Universe. This proclamation was likely in response to a disagreement between the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The agency cited the town and declared that the water and soil were polluted. However, they couldn’t prove how the contamination was occurring. Wallace residents argued that the contamination had occurred for thousands of years, and nobody had suffered any effects. The EPA responded by saying that if the town couldn’t prove it was safe, then it must be harmful and needed to be treated.
Today, you can stand on an adorned manhole cover, which is where the city of Wallace claims to be The Center of the Universe. The manhole cover features four sets of initials. These initials represent the four prominent mining companies in the area: Hecla Mining, Bunker Hill Mining Company, Sunshine Silver Mine, and Coeur d’Alene Precious Metals.
Have you ever stood at the Center of the Universe? Or, have you ever explored Wallace, Idaho? We’d love to hear about your experiences in the comments! And, did you know that Wallace was named as one of the best small towns to visit by Smithsonian Magazine? Check out our previously-written article to learn about some of the best things to do in Wallace.
Address: Center of the Universe, 414 6th St, Wallace, ID 83873, USA