Did You Know These Maine Towns are Midway Points Between the Equator and the North Pole?

Three towns in Maine honor their place on the globe with monuments, restaurants, and gift shops. One town even has the oldest halfway north marker in the country!

The 45th Parallel north is 45 degrees north of the equator. This point is often called the northern halfway point. See more about the 45th Parallel here. You may sometimes feel like you are in the middle of nowhere in the state, but these are the actual places in the middle!

The photo above is of the oldest halfway marker in the country, it's located in Perry.

Going from east to west the next marker can be found in Dexter. The halfway point here was marked by Mim & Herbie's 45th Parallel Diner from 1967-1978 and is now an office building for Brooks Tire and Auto.

The most western markers in Maine are in the area of Rangeley. Rangeley's halfway point used to be represented at Doc Grant's Restaurant, a local favorite that closed but still is marked as a halfway point.

In the Rangeley area you will also find a place called the 45th Parallel Woodfired Grill. Even though their name says 45th Parallel they are not actually located on the halfway line.

To be honest most of these places are not exactly on the halfway line, but they are very close! Most of Maine is closer to the North Pole than to the equator. The good news is, that means we are a shorter drive for Santa!