Nestled in the heart of Rutherford County, the city of Murfreesboro is located at the geographic center of the state of Tennessee. In 1834, the State of Tennessee hired Professor James Hamilton to find its geographic center in order to locate the state capital as near as possible to the center of the state. Governor James Polk, the eventual president of the United States, wanted the capital of Tennessee to be located at its exact center.
There is a historic marker in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, in Rutherford County. The marker is at the intersection of Greenland Drive and Lascassas Avenue, on the right when traveling east on Greenland There is an obelisk that marks the spot as well as a plaque that commemorates the significant location. Murfreesboro locals love to surprise new residents with this little bit of history.
Geographic Center of Tennessee
The spot that Hamilton found is actually located on private property just outside of Murfreesboro city limits. The coordinates are 35° 51.251′ N, 86° 21.98′ W. However, a marker has been placed on Greenland Drive to commemorate the significance of this location. The marker reads:
“This marker is erected at a point designated as the geographical center of the state of Tennessee.”
This spot holds a significant place in both Tennessee and Murfreesboro history. It’s also a pretty cool place to visit if you’re ever in town! So next time you’re looking for something fun and historic to do in Murfreesboro, be sure to check out the Geographic Center of Tennessee.
