Geographical Center of North America Monument, Stone monument in Rugby, North Dakota.
The Geographical Center of North America Monument is a pyramid-shaped stone structure approximately 21 feet tall, built on a heart-shaped foundation at a road intersection. Three national flags mark the location, which sits at the corner of two major highways.
In 1931, the U.S. Geological Survey officially identified this location as North America's geographical center through continental measurements. The site was then marked to establish a permanent geographic reference point.
The monument has become central to Rugby's local identity and community pride. The town has built celebrations and traditions around this geographic marker, making it a source of civic distinction.
The monument is located at a road intersection with convenient parking nearby for visitors. The site is small and can be explored quickly, making it easy to fit into a traveling schedule.
The center was determined using an unusual method where surveyors balanced a cardboard cutout of North America on a pencil point. This simple yet effective technique allowed them to find the continent's equilibrium point.
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