The Exact Geographical Center of the Michigan Mitten is Here

Did ya ever wonder where the Middle of the Michigan Mitten was? Exactly and geographically, that is? Well, I never did either.

But we have the location and you’ll find this spot in the city of St. Louis in Gratiot County.

As you are traveling through town on M-46, you’ll come to Clapp Park where you’ll see a blue sign that reads: “This location marks the geographic center of the lower peninsula of Michigan as clearly as can be determined.”

Get our free mobile app

Within the park are two more reminders. One is a 5” by 8” bronze plaque that was placed on a boulder in 1876. The inscription on this stone reads: “Sidney S. Hastings placed this stone here in 1876 to mark the geographical center of lower Michigan." It still amazes me how they could even tell way back in the 1800s.

So this geographical fact has been known by some for almost 150 years...but most of us Michiganders weren’t aware. In the early 1950s, the owners of the St. Louis Leader-Press newspaper took it upon themselves to start a campaign to get St. Louis recognized as the official ‘Middle of the Mitten’. Thanks to their efforts, the State of Michigan finally gave the city the designation they sought.

The gallery below shows photos of the markers...