Door County, Wisconsin
There are two markers to the 45th Parallel on the Door County peninsula, both placed by the Door County Historical Society.
On the west side, along Highway 42 south of Egg Harbor, look for a county wayside picnic area where this boulder marks the position of the 45th Parallel in Door County (see Halfway to the Pole for more about markers in the area). The plaque reads:
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The 45th Parallel (45 degrees north latitude) runs through this wayside. This is the midpoint between the Equator and the North Pole. But, because the earth is slightly flattened at the poles, the distance from the 45th Parallel to the North Pole is approximately 3117 miles and to the Equator approximately 3105 miles. Polaris (North Star) is directly above the North Pole. Therefore the angle between this point and Polaris is 45 degrees. Door County Historical Society - 2000 |
On the east side of the peninsula, there is a similar marker attached to a similar boulder, in the aptly named Meridian Park in Jacksonport just north of the 45th Parallel.
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The 45th Parallel (45 degrees north latitude) runs through a point one half mile south of this wayside (intersection of Hwy. 57 and Logerquist Road). This is the geographical midpoint between the Equator and the North Pole. But, because the earth is slightly flattened at the poles, the distance from the 45th Parallel to the North Pole is approximately 3117 miles and to the Equator approximately 3105 miles. Polaris (North Star) is directly above the North Pole. Therefore the angle between this point and Polaris is 45 degrees. Door County Historical Society - 2000 |
Thanks to Mimi Meacham for sending these photos of Meridian Park.
Copyright ©2005 Matt Bergstrom - Meridian Park photos ©Mimi Meacham