Tri-State Museum & Visitor Center

Outside of the museums' walls you'll find the two-story cabin that was built in 1876 by Johnny Spaulding. He was a hunter, guide, scout, and a Black Hills area pioneer, who came to the area during the 1876 gold rush. This was no ordinary cabin; the hand-hewn logs had been hauled from the hills between Crook City and Deadwood. 

The cabin was originally located on the Lower Redwater River just north of Highway 34 east near Belle Fourche and was moved to this location in 1960. The most recent restoration was in 2007 - Furnishings of that era were added then as well.

Belle Fourche, South Dakota holds the distinction of being “The Center of the Nation.” But why is the center here? Because when Hawaii was admitted to the Union in 1959, its landmass – added to the landmass of the continental U.S. – shifted the geographic center of the 50 states to latitude 44 degrees, 58’N, longitude 103 degrees 46’W, which is approximately 20 miles north of Belle Fourche. 

This actual geographic center is marked with a small metal survey marker and a flag. It is on private land, though it is generally accessible. We will gladly provide you with directions. 

Belle Fourche, however, felt that the Center of the Nation deserved a, big beautiful monument. And since our town falls within the measurement’s margin of error, our Chamber of Commerce conducted a fundraising effort to build it on the land below the Tri-State Museum and Visitor Center.