Geographic Center of the Nation Monument — Attraction in Belle Fourche

The marker for the geographic center of the United States is about what you expect. A marker. There were a lot of state flags around it. Possibly all 50? We didn’t really count and we don’t know most of the state flags… So let that be a challenge to you!

Now if all you see is the marker, you’re really missing out. Nearby is a cabin… The stairs are very narrow, but otherwise the interior is surprisingly roomy for the first cabin in that area. A very polite staff person in the building and a buffalo horn coat rack.

But the highlight of the whole place is the museum. Go to the museum. Saddles, saddle struck by lightning, saddles a famous people, saddles that were on horses, Saddles that were 100 years old…

Also, antique firearms, the first piano ever, the medical kits that doctors used from 100 years ago with all the pills and drugs and tinctures still inside and on display. Note: These prescriptions are probably past their expiration date.

A whole bunch of other stuff that I forgot now, but I think was really cool. Just lots and lots of stuff. Seriously, see the museum! It’s great! Our friend Sean didn’t come in, and he regrets it. Really really regrets it. And on the way out, throw in a few bucks to the donation box! I mean, come on! Everything else is free. Chip in a little bit, you know? Geez....

I ended up spending the night in Belle Fourche, South Dakota by accident due to a last-minute change in plans. While checking out the small town I saw a sign for the Center of the Nation Monument. Having a little time, I decided to check it out. Now this is not to be confused with the Center of North America Monument in North Dakota or the Center of the Nation Monument in Kansas which only includes the lower 48 states. When you throw in Alaska and Hawaii then center of the Geographic Center of the Nation moves here to Belle Fourche, well close to here anyway. Seems the actual center of the Nation is located a few miles away on Private Property. But the town of Belle Fourche is the closest town to the monument and have erected this nice compass rose monument in a small park. It is free to visit and is available 24-hours a day. If you find yourself in Belle Fourche then it would make for a good quick stop to stretch your legs and take a photo or two. The Tri-State Museum and the Buckskin Johnny Cabin are located on site. I visited the site early on a Sunday Morning and neither the Museum or the Cabin were Open. The Monument is available 24-hours a day but according to the hours posted on site, the Museum and Cabin are open Monday - Saturday 9-5 and on...

A very nostalgic and beautiful little place. We walked down to the "Center of the Nation" granite plaque that has the map of the USA embedded in it and the circle representing Belle Fourche, SD in the middle. There are the flags of our nation's states, all along the walkway.

There is also an old house on the grounds, built by "Buckskin" John Spaulding and his brother-in-law, Thomas J. Davis in 1876-77. Very quaint house, but it even had an actual stairway in the house to get upstairs, instead of a ladder that many old houses originally had.

We didn't visit the Belle Fourche Museum, but the grounds were lovely and had memorial's for many of the wars and their veterans.

Definitely a place to visit if you are...