Center of the World
Posted by: 
beagle39z
N 32° 45.006 W 114° 45.932
11S E 709343 N 3625792
Quick Description: The Sundial at The Center of the World in Felicity, CA. was conceived and created by Jacques-André Istel, the mayor of Felicity.
Location: California, United States
Date Posted: 3/9/2007 3:33:09 PM
Waymark Code: WM19WB
Views: 115
Long Description:
The 15 foot Sundial at Felicity is a three-dimensional bronze of Michelangelo's Arm of God painted on the Sistine Chapel ceiling. The arm was sculpted and cast in bronze in New England. The rock is local but the installation required the assistance of a mining engineer and a special drill. The bronze Roman numerals give the time. A sundial is precisely accurate once a year and this was set at noon on Christmas Day. The arm points to the Hill of Prayer, site of the Church on the Hill at Felicity.
At the entrance to The Center of the World campus is a 25 ft. high section of the original stairway of the Eiffel Tower. In 1983, the Government of France removed approximately 500 ft. of the original stairway. Built with the technology of the 1860's, the weight of approximately 54,000 lbs. was causing sway at the top of the then 94 year old tower. The 6,600 lb. section serves no practical purpose, but is part of the spirit of Felicity.
The idea of making Felicity the Center of the World came to Jacques-André when he'd been mayor only a few months. Somehow he convinced Imperial County, CA, to recognize his claim. Soon he had convinced the Institut Geographique National of France, General Dynamics Corporation, and The People's Republic of China to recognize it as well. "I knew I had to build something, but I didn't know what. My wife said, 'It's a desert; why not a pyramid?' So Jacques-André had built a 21-foot-tall pink marble pyramid, its interior lined with mirrors, a plaque embedded in the floor, marking the exact spot. For a dollar, tourists can now stand on the official Center Of The World and take a picture themselves at the official "Center Of The World".
The Felicity Post Office was dedicated on 5 December 1987 at a time when thousands of small post offices were being eliminated as an economy measure. The town, whose population numbered two, saw over 2,300 letters mailed that day. The dedication ceremony was highlighted by a speech in Chinese by Consul Zhou of the People’s Republic of China who traveled 600 miles for the occasion. It is operated by the town at a cost to the Federal Government of one dollar per year. Twenty uncashed one dollar checks are on file.
Sundial Type: Horizontal - Flat base, Ground or Pedestal mounted dial plate
Related Web Site: Not listed
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Visit Instructions:
Only one log per location per person. You should log your own waymarked sundials as well.
GPS in photo optional.
