Explore the Center of the World in Felicity, California
Story, videos and model Cassie Hepler, Photos by Delfin
Welcome to the Center of the World in Felicity, California! Located on the Yuma, Arizona border, we ended up spending a glorious day shooting around this quirky place by default as our usual beloved Buttercup Sand Dunes were overrun with weekend RV and buggy traffic. (Hint: only go to the sand dunes on early weekdays for true lost in the desert vibes). But make sure to put Center of the World on your road tripping between states bucket list! We literally drove past it and were like what is that place only to end up there frolicking and having the best time. Remember kids, a healthy brain always knows how to pivot in the moment and find joy in the most unusual places.
You can’t miss the sundial at the Center of the World after you park at Center of the World and gates wrangle you to the front walkway. A huge 3D bronze statue of Michelangelo’s Arm of God from The Creation of Adam fresco on the Sistine Chapel ceiling inside the Vatican Museums from Italy points to the Church on the Hill in Felicity, California. It is also a sun dial meaning it tells time in correlation to the sun’s shadow which there’s plenty of that on the Yuma, Arizona border. It’s very unique and muscular while telling the time through the sun’s shadows as our ancestors used to do. You’ve certainly seen naked Adam before in either replica prints or if you’re lucky, in person. Note: his finger is humungous and will not fit up your nose but does make for a funny photo! You’ll likely miss the triangular sign by the road but can’t miss the church at the top of the man-made hill while driving by. Just be cautious of GPS, ours took us down a back road. The easiest access is straight from the highway!
Welcome to The Pyramid at the Center of the World! A 21-foot granite and glass pyramid houses a bronze plaque designating the center with a bronze plaque marking precisely the Official Center of the World™. Located in Felicity, California near the Yuma, Arizona border, all around the grounds in perfect symmetry sits the History of Humanity in Granite, an outdoor museum featuring over 700 engraved granite panels designed to last over 4000 years. It’s only $10 for entrance to the grounds and pyramid paid inside the souvenir and more store with all sorts of funky things for sale. There are also indoor restrooms as well for guests during open hours which vary from weekends to weekdays. You can still poke around the grounds if closed on a payment honor system but you can’t get inside anything. Founder Jacques-André Istel came to America as an immigrant from France and for more than 30 years, he’s dedicated his life to establishing the center of the world. His goal of engraving the history of humanity in granite for future generations is very impressive by a local artist who uses galaxy etching on huge slabs of granite tile. Don’t forget to explore the Maze of Honor where you can memorialize your loved ones and the Eiffel Tower Stairs too, an original section from the original Paris landmark. It’s quite a quirky, unique place with crazy energy!
The Maze of Honor was created as an opportunity to choose a name of personal significance engraved in granite. Soon space became unavailable so in 2018, over the course of nearly a year, the 160,000-square-foot Maze of Honor was completed. From above, the structure is reminiscent of three interlocking circles, perhaps suggesting the notion of past, present, and future. Each curved reinforced concrete wall is six feet high and one foot thick, built to withstand the test of time. The Maze isn’t a literal maze as you will not lose your way but its shape certainly invites visitors to participate in the ancient practice of labyrinth walking. Employed by different faiths, labyrinths offer a peaceful space for contemplation, meditation and prayer… and maybe even David Bowie if you’re lucky!
Imagine falling in love with the Notre-Dame d’Espérance chapel in Brittany, France and your husband builds you a replica in Felicity, California! Now that’s true love. Built by founder Jacques-André Istel as part of his Center of the World monument on the Yuma, Arizona border, the Church on the Hill at Felicity is a non-denominational space used for weddings only and is accessed only by a 35-foot hill with 49 stairs to the top. Featuring a unique stained-glass window and a bell from France you may hear ringing if you’re lucky – we were fortunately. At the very top, it offers panoramic views of the entire space, including a pyramid, granite monuments and the statue sun dial which we will get to soon. The hill of prayer was created with 150,000 tons of earth and it’s the highest point in Felicity. Literally this French man said if I built it, people will come. And they do! You can literally see this church while driving by on the highway… it’s what caught our eyes that morning and drew us in. Here’s some more photos from this photoshoot in the video below.
The Center of the World is easily accessible from I-8 near Yuma. This quirky roadside attraction is a great way to spend the day. Apparently you can also get a certificate for visiting which we didn’t know until later if souvenirs are your thing! Did this travel blog post make you curious about France? Learn more about my French roots here. Or perhaps Italy sparked your interest? Learn more about Italian gems here. Whatever you do, keep exploring!
