“Oops – that’s not the visitor book!”
Shae and I had gone into the visitor center in Wausau, Wisconsin and Shae added our names to their visitor book.
Except it wasn’t their visitor book.
It was actually a book listing everyone who’s visited the 45 x 90 Geographical Marker in nearby Athens. Despite our research of things to do in and around Wausau, we’d somehow not heard about the marker. Sharon from the visitor center explained that it was the center point of the Northwest Hemisphere and that if we visited there and returned to the visitor center, we’d each get a coin confirming our membership of the 45 x 90 Club.
Decision made – the 45 x 90 Geographical Marker went on to our list of things to do in Wausau.
The following day, we hopped in the car and drove out to the middle of nowhere AKA Athens, Wisconsin. The center point of the Northwest Hemisphere is in the middle of what was – until recently – a farmer’s field. As a result, you used to only be able to visit it from a distance which is where you now park your car.
Next to the parking lot is a sign about the marker, but don’t be fooled – this isn’t the 45 x 90 point.
As the sign says, follow the path until you reach the exact center.
After a few minutes of walking, you’ll be there – the Northwest Hemisphere’s center. This part of the field was purchased from the farmer and has only been accessible since November 2017, so we got to visit less than a year after that.
There were a couple of people visiting the marker at the same time, so they offered to take a couple of photos of the three of us.
After they left, we took the opportunity to grab a few more photos.
Near the marker you’ll find an information board explaining why 45° North Latitude and 90° West Longitude is significant, along with boards about the other three 45 x 90 points around the world, the founder of this geographical marker and more.
Having visited the 45 x 90 marker, Shae and I returned to the Wausau visitor center the next day to get our commemorative coins. They’re actually very good quality and fun souvenirs to take with us on our 50 state road trip.
Addresses
45 x 90 Geographical Marker – 5651 Meridian Rd, Athens, WI 54411
Wausau Visitor Center – 219 Jefferson St, Wausau, WI 54403
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