Rutland,Massachusetts,Officiallyโฃ Confirmed as Geographic Center of the State
RUTLAND,MA – After decades of friendly debate,the Massachusetts Geographic Center has been officially reaffirmed as being located inโค Rutland.While the claim has long been widely acknowledged, recent reaffirmation solidifies the town’s position at the heart of the Commonwealth.
The geographic center of Massachusettsโฃ is marked by a modest tree on Center Tree road, a โคsubtle landmark representingโ centuries of cartographic calculation. The โฃlocation stems from calculations based on theโ state’s boundaries as they existed in the late 18th century.
The town of Rutland embracesโข its central identity, even engaging in โa playful rivalry with Madera, California – โคanother town claiming a โgeographic center title – culminating in a 2019 Super Bowl bet.Rutland officials received โa gift โbasket of California wine after the New England Patriots’ victory over the Los Angelesโ Rams.
rutland’s history extends โฃbeyond its central location. The town boasts notable residents including Rufus Putnam, chief engineer to George Washingtonโข and a founding father of Ohio, whose former home on Main โStreet nowโ operates as a bed and breakfast. Other prominentโฃ figures connected to Rutland include Lyman Goodnow, a conductor on the Underground Railroad; George Mangus, a former Philadelphia Phillies baseballโ player; and actress Patricia Stevens.
The Rutlandโ Ancient Society, open Thursdays, preservesโฃ the town’s rich past, though it currently seeks volunteers to aid โขin itsโ preservation efforts.
