How to Find the Alleged 'Center of Los Angeles'

In the comments section of the Franklin Canyon Wednesday Workout post, we were chatting about a supposed plaque that marked the center of Los Angeles. Despite my familiarity with the park, I had never seen it. So, the search was on. And it wasn't that hard as, of course, Franklin Canyon staff had it clearly marked on a free map available at the Sooky Goldman Nature Center within the park.

The late Allen Edwards worked for the USGS and was a docent at the park for the Mountains Recreation & Conservation Authority. He embarked on finding the exact center of Los Angeles and as fishy as it sounds, it happened to be where he spent a lot of his time: in Franklin Canyon where he volunteered, according to Angi Orton, Director of Volunteer Services for the MRCA. The National Parks Service has never confirmed this spot as the center (that's where calling it the "alleged" center comes into play), but to date, no one else (at least that we know of) has tried to pin point the center of LA.

Angi Orton points the way to the alleged Center of Los Angeles from Franklin Canyon's main parking lot. From here, the hike is nothing thrilling. You're looking at about 5 minutes. To find this lot and its relation to the Center of LA plaque, check out this Google Map. (Zach Behrens/LAist)