Few People Know This Charming Small Town In North Dakota Is The Geographic Center Of North America
By Tori Jane|Published March 21, 2022
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Tori Jane
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Tori Jane is a storm chaser, writer, photographer, and the village idiot - in that order. When she's not out and about dancing with the meanest storms on planet Earth for funsies she can be found wandering, shooting landscapes, writing, editing photos, and otherwise up to no good. Legend has it that she can also be occasionally spotted typing up short bios in the third person, but those rumors are unsubstantiated.
Alright, so maybe North Dakota isn’t the most populated (or traveled) state in the country, but you know what? It’s still home to all kinds of remarkable, historic, or otherwise interesting places. For example, did you know that we can totally brag that we’re at the center of the continent? It’s true, and following some drama over who was really the owner of the “Geographic Center of North America” title, it was finally figured out for good a few years ago. Come explore the small (very small) town at the center of it all:
For a long time, there were a few ideas about where the geographic center of the North American continent was.
Over time, it was narrowed down to two locations. The argument between two towns - well, a town and a bar in another town, more specifically - went on for a few years before it was eventually settled with science.
For the longest time, the geographic center of North America was supposed to be in Rugby, North Dakota.
They even built a monument to mark the spot that, once upon a time, had been the "well, this is probably it" center of the continent. It's still there, but nowadays, it feels kind of obsolete.
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In 2015, a geographer by the name of Peter Rogerson published a paper defining a method for calculating geographic centers (convenient!).
He heard about the debate going on in North Dakota and went to work. Using his carefully-crafted, expert methods, he determined that the geological center of North America was...
In 1902, Center was founded right at about the center of Oliver County, and that's where it got its name from. The fact that it is the officially-calculated geographical center is pure, amusing coincidence.
As for Center itself? It's a cozy little town, with just over 575 people calling it home as of 2020.
The town is famous for the death of a young woman by the name of Hazel Miner, who passed during a blizzard protecting her younger siblings from the extreme cold and whipping wind. Her story, and her bravery, would go on to be celebrated in folk songs in the decades after her amazing sacrifice.
There's a monument to Ms. Miner in town, and once you've checked it out, we recommend a trip to Cross Ranch State Park.
Center might be a tiny little town, but its significance is appreciated. Besides, it's just kind of fun to have bragging rights.
So, what are your thoughts? Have you ever visited Center, North Dakota? Tell us what you thought in the comments! We love learning about your adventures.
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