AMERICANA: Middle Muddle

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If a map of the U.S. is balanced on a pin, the point sticks up one mile north and one mile west of tiny (pop. 610) Lebanon in north central Kansas. This is the geographical center of the U.S., a trifling fact established 40 years ago in much that way, by the U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey. Pridefully, Lebanon put a marker on the spot, struck off fitting souvenirs, built a new $50,000 motel and counted 20,000 tourists a year.

Last week a recalculation in Washington stripped Lebanon of its exclusive little glory. No malice intended, said the geodesists, but with the addition of 586,400 square Alaska miles, the balance would have to move 439 miles northwest —give or take ten miles—to the vicinity of Two Top Peak, a butte eleven wagon-trail miles west of Castle Rock, S. Dak.

Lebanon was furious. The city's new motto: "Let's put the center back in the middle." Citizens fired off letters to Washington, and Lebanon Mayor Raymond Schuette snapped peckishly: "We just don't see this as something funny."