geographical center of north america

While in North Dakota for a wedding, we did some driving and found ourselves in Rugby. We saw the monument and decide to stop and take some pictures. Kind of neat to tell people you were has far away from an ocean as one can be in North America. If you happy by I would encourage you to stop but I wouldn't necessarily tell you to go out of your way to go there.

Platitudes by the bucketful from those who only want a T-shirt stating "I was here at the geographical centre of North America". Sure ,standing next to the cairn marking the exact locus is fine, but when you consider that the Atlantic,Pacific, Arctic oceans and the Gulf of Mexico are all about 1750 km away, the significance increases exponentially. Al that raving aside, within this 20-acre park,resides a prairie village with 30 authentic frontier homes,offices, general store,stable and livery, a saloon, church, home operated telephone exchange - and a stately windmill - that lonely sentinel of the prairie farmstead before the advent of modern power. What's amazing is that most of the buildings were donated, moved to the sight, restored, and furnished by locals and businesses. Walking down the town's main street, you are transported back to the region's tempestuous past when Dakota had the moniker of "The Bad Lands". We found amongst the extensive collection of frontier memorabilia plenty of reminders of conflicts between the American Indians and the early settlers who came from harsh Continental lifestyles, in Russia,Scandinavia and Germany. There is also a fascinating railroad exhibition featuring an 1886 railway depot, and on the other side of the tracks, a hobo jungle. The museum houses a colourful array of artefacts that include feathered Indian head-dresses,a fine beaded vest worn by a medicine man and old photographs and postcards showing how towns in the area looked in days of old. We took our time to amble past collections of old clocks, lamps, firearms and mounted specimens of native birds and animals Great little township. Glad we took the detour.

Just to say that you have been there. It's a stone pillar. But the kids enjoyed the photo opportunity. Rugby is a nice clean, friendly town and far enough away from the Bakken that the oil traffic does not obstruct your view or enjoyment of the abundant wild fowl!

It is kind of cool knowing that you are actually at the geographical center of North America, other than that its just a monument.

OK your in the very center of North America. But other than a plaque there is nothing there. Ok your as far away from any ocean you can get, but why does this location get no support?

Neat to say you've been to this site in Rugby, sadly there's not much else around to do though. Rugby is about two hours east of Minot and probably three west of Grand Forks. There is Devil's Lake area for outdoors stuff like hunting and fishing (I hear fishing is great in Devil's Lake).

Geographical Center of America is the only one of its' kind............a beautiful rock built cairn!

The cairn monument is easy to find, right on the main highway. Although I still wonder whether this is the actual Geographical Center of North America, it was enough for me that the claim was made at one time. I took my pictures, then found the amazing Prairie Village Museum down the road a piece.

If you're traveling to the Peace Gardens or along Highway 2, be sure to stop. It's a fun photo op and you'll be as far away from the ocean as is possible in NA. Stop by the museum, too.

It was just there I wouldn't make a special trip to see it inless you are a geography buff, it was a nice looking little town.

If you are traveling through Rugby stop for a photo for the scrapbook. Free good geography lesson for the kids.