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Lebanon,
Kansas
Center of the
United States of America
Lebanon is a city
in Smith County, Kansas, United States, in the north
central part of the state. The population was 303 at the
2000 census. In 1898 a scientific survey established
that the geographic center of the continental (Lower 48)
United States lies near the town and a monument was
subsequently erected at the site.
Lebanon is located at 39°48'38?N, 98°33'22?W (39.810492,
-98.556061). According to the United States Census
Bureau, the city has a total area of 0.3 miČ, all land.
From: A Century at
the Center, Vol 1
As the early settlers came and homesteaded in
Smith County, a post office and village were
established on Middle Oak Creek in the early
1870's.The government established the post
office at the new point in the county.
The village sat on a portion of land belonging
to the Hensen family. It was located in the
center of Section 18, Township 3, Range 11.
The railroad was built through Smith County in
1887 and it missed a number of little towns like
Lebanon, Cora, Stuart (Porter's Ranch) and
Salem. The valiant inhabitants of Old Lebanon
moved their buildings and personal belongings
about 4 miles to the northeast to the site of
the new town, New Lebanon, already being laid
out by the side of the railroad tracks. Before
many years, the older townsite had returned to
the original prairie from which it sprang, and
only the memory remained.
The New Lebanon was located on one quarter
section of land purchased from G. A. Tomlinson
and C. W. Jones by the Rock Island railroad
company for the sum of $4000. The north portion
of this 160 acres was platted by the Kansas Town
& Land Co. into blocks 300 by 400 feet with
streets and alleys. Once again, this little town
of New Lebanon was taking shape. |
LITTLE TOWN by Edie Price
I like to live in a "Little Town"
Where the trees meet across the street,
Where you wave your hand and say "Hello"
To every one you meet.
I like to stand for a moment,
Outside the grocery store,
And listen to the friendly talk
Of the folks that live next door.
For life is interwoven
With the friends we learn to know,
And we hear their joys and sorrows
As we daily come and go.
So I like to live in a "Little Town";
I care no more to roam,
For every house in a little town
Is more than a house, it's home.
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