About Center of the Universe
At the intersection of Bank and Sixth streets in Wallace, an ornate manhole cover marks the precise Center of the Universe. The claim is official because the town declared it so, and impossible to disprove because no one has established where the universe’s center actually lies. That circular logic is the entire point.
Wallace made the proclamation in 2004 during a local dispute involving environmental cleanup and the use of probabilistic reasoning. Town leaders argued that if a conclusion could be accepted without absolute proof, Wallace could apply the same logic to its own cosmic importance.
The marker is embedded directly in the street rather than raised on a grand pedestal. Its design includes symbols connected to the area’s mining history, grounding the celestial joke in a town built around silver. Visitors often wait for traffic to clear before stepping into the intersection for a closer look.
The absurd designation quickly became a civic identity rather than a one-time stunt. Wallace celebrates the claim with humor, local merchandise, and an annual observance. The town’s compact historic district makes the marker an easy stop among preserved brick buildings and mining attractions.
No admission or scheduled tour is required. The spot is outdoors and visible year-round at Bank and Sixth streets, although visitors must remain alert because it sits in an active roadway. Nearby sidewalks provide a safer place to frame photographs when traffic is present.
Many towns boast of being the biggest, oldest, or first. Wallace bypassed measurable categories and claimed the whole universe. The result is a tiny landmark with an enormous title, supported by a wonderfully stubborn argument that turns municipal satire into roadside mythology.