THE NATION CENTER Monument

South Dakota sits front and center in the United States, geographically, and Belle Fourche holds the distinction as being the center of the nation since it is the closest community to the geographic point.

The geographical center of the landmass of the United States moved on Aug. 21, 1959, the day that Hawaii became the 50th state, and on Aug. 21, 2007, the Belle Fourche Chamber of Commerce and the Center of the Nation Planning Committee marked the spot by dedicating a new monument next to the Tri-State Museum and Visitor Center. Made from South Dakota granite, the 21-by-40 foot compass rose marks Belle Fourche as the geographic center of the nation, with a 12-inch bronze marker from the National Geodetic Survey verifying the location.

“We work hard to make sure all our visitors have an enjoyable and memorable experience while they are here,” Kristi Thielen, the director of the Tri-State Museum and Visitor Center, said. “We maintain gardens and container plantings and have a newly refurbished fountain to make the exterior of the facility look attractive. Our visitor information is always kept up to date, and we have a touchscreen with visitor info, as well. And we always have interesting discovery boxes and activity tables for children and families.” dedicated in the summer of 2009.

Amende wrote the following in a brief article about the monument: Located at latitude 44 degrees 58’N, longitude 103 degrees 46’ W, which is approximately 20 miles north of Belle Fourche, the center of the nation is actually in the middle of private property.

Kristi Thielen

Museum and Visitor Center Director

While visitors can visit the flagpole located there, the landowner does not want to develop the property, so the monument is located in Belle Fourche.

featuring all 50 state flags — arranged in the order the states joined the union — as well as the national flags of the United States and Canada.

In 2022, approximately 17,576 people visited the monument and museum, which is twice as many as in 2020, but about 4,000 fewer than in 2021.

“We are now stabilizing to where we were in 2019. I would expect us to start moving up again, incrementally, as we had been since 2011,” said Kristi Thielen, Tri-State Museum and Visitor Center director.

TO DRIVE TO THE ACTUAL GEOGRAPHIC CENTER OF THE NATION (50 STATES):

• From the intersection of Hwy. 85 and 212, drive 13 miles north on Hwy. 85.

• Turn left onto Old Hwy. 85 and drive 7.8 miles, until you see a barn on your left hand side.

• On the right side of the road you will see a US flag flying freely in the pasture. At this location you will see the survey marker in the ground highlighting the “Center of the Nation”

The monument was designed by local artist and musician Monte Amende and constructed by local contractors. The monument was unveiled and officially

The monument features an engraved courtyard, picnic area, and the trailhead for the Belle Fourche River Walk, which also sports an 18-hole disc golf course.

An avenue of flags rims the monument,