On the other side of the I-8 freeway from the Encore Pilot Knob RV Resort was the Museum of History in Granite, along with the Center of the World, the Maze of Honor, and the Church on the Hill.

One could consider this a kitschy roadside attraction, and it is that, but it’s also a lasting testament to the passions of one man, wanting to record history in stone that’ll last for centuries. Reading about his history is interesting: born in France in 1929, moved to the US at age 11, became an investment banker, bought a war-surplus plane and learned to fly, then invented the sport of skydiving (or “sport parachuting”), and finally created the “town” of Felicity in 1985, establishing it (via a fairy tale he wrote) as the Center of the World, and created the History of Humanity in Granite. Read that history page for details.

An interactive map:

Sundial, using a sculpture of Michelangelo’s Arm of God from the Sistine Chapel:

The official center of the world:

Selfie in front of the pyramid that encloses the Official Center of the World:

Jenn standing astride the Center of the World:

Looking from the pyramid past the Museum in Granite to the Church on the Hill:

Museum of History in Granite:

Replica half-scale Liberty Bell:

The Church on the Hill:

The Maze of Honor, where people can pay to have granite memorials (it’s mostly empty):

Stairs from the Eiffel Tower:

Certificates for visiting the Center of the World: