There are a surprising number of ways you can divide up the United States into two. One method is to take the 48 contiguous states (this method excludes the distant Hawaii and Alaska) and find the halfway point of those. When measured by that technique, the halfway point of the United States is in… you guessed it, Kansas! The little town of Lebanon is so small it’s barely a blip on a map, but it’s got the honor of being the Halfway Point of the Contiguous 48 States.

The population of Lebanon hovers right around 300 people. The town is less than half a square mile in area.

Prantik Pandey/Google Maps The small town was founded in 1876, and a decade later, moved about four miles away to where it is today.

Mennonite Church USA Archives/Wikimedia Commons Since then, Hawaii and Alaska have become states, so technically, Lebanon lost its status as the true center. That title now goes to Belle Fourche, South Dakota. However, Lebanon is still the center of the contiguous states.

Interestingly, Lebanon had already made history once before! In February 1908, the temperature there dropped to -40 °F, which is still the lowest temperature ever recorded in Kansas.

J. Stephen Conn/Flickr

Lebanon has a small plaque marking its status as the center of the United States.

48states/Wikimedia Commons

The nearby visitor’s center is a great place to stop. It’s got some information about the history of the town.

Robert Wilson/Google Maps While you’re downtown, make sure to check out the historic jail and local shops. Many of them sell souvenirs advertising Lebanon’s claim to fame.

The adorably small “U.S. Center Chapel” is not technically right at the center point of the country, but it’s nearby. It’s definitely worth a peek while you’re in the area!

Robert Willson/Google Maps U.S. Center Chapel, 130 Rd, Lebanon, KS 66952, USA

Have you visited Lebanon, and were you aware of its claim to fame as the center of the contiguous states?

Prantik Pandey/Google Maps

The small town was founded in 1876, and a decade later, moved about four miles away to where it is today.

Mennonite Church USA Archives/Wikimedia Commons

Since then, Hawaii and Alaska have become states, so technically, Lebanon lost its status as the true center. That title now goes to Belle Fourche, South Dakota. However, Lebanon is still the center of the contiguous states.

J. Stephen Conn/Flickr

48states/Wikimedia Commons

Robert Wilson/Google Maps

While you’re downtown, make sure to check out the historic jail and local shops. Many of them sell souvenirs advertising Lebanon’s claim to fame.

Robert Willson/Google Maps

U.S. Center Chapel, 130 Rd, Lebanon, KS 66952, USA

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Address: Lebanon, KS 66952, USA