Robinson claims “Center of North America”

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — A small town tavern in central North Dakota is laying claim as the center of North America.

Hanson’s Bar in Robinson now is now touting its continental bull’s-eye status after snatching the title from the nearby city of Rugby that allowed its trademark to lapse.

Former Rugby Mayor Dale Niewoehner says people in his city are upset.

Niewoehner says the city found out this week that it has lost its trademark phrase “Geographical Center of North America” to the bar in Robinson.

Robinson Mayor Bill Bender says bar patrons always have been suspect of Rugby’s claim. He says Rugby’s trademark expired about 20 years ago and bar patrons raised $350 and sent it off to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office to buy the trademark.

other information about the Center of North America:

Rugby has claimed the “title” since 1931.   Robinson picked up the “trademark” of the phrase recently.

Shortly after the U.S. Geological Survey determined in 1931 that a point near Rugby, N.D., is the center of North America, two volunteers erected a 15-foot obelisk in town.

The location of the monument was 15 miles northeast near the intersection of two highways, U.S. Highway 2 and North Dakota Highway 3, where more motorists can see it. When U.S. 2 expanded to four lanes in 1971, the obelisk was moved a short distance away.