Center of the World

Who knew the Center of the World would be found just outside Yuma in the little town of Felicity, California.  Population of Felicity: 2, Jacques-Andre Istel and his wife Felicity.  The town of Felicity was founded by this husband and wife team with a vision.  They setup everything legally, with appropriate county and state registrations, and are now officially The Center of the World!  And of course the town was named after the wife.

Steve points out the large sign in front of the curiosity.

Jacques was a dashing young man who formerly owned a parachute company and sold it to develop this Center of the World vision.  We understand that Jacques is now 92 years old and lives on the property with his younger wife Felicity.  They love sculpture and knowledge and faith, and they have incorporated these themes in their vision.

Below is the gnomon (part of the sundial that casts the shadow), pointing to the Church on the Hill, is a sculpture of  Michelango's "Arm of God" painted in the Sistine Chapel, Rome.

Gari and Janice at the sundial.

A section of stairs from the Eiffel Tower stands out front and provides passage to the clouds.

We did get to meet Felicity, who below conducted the official ceremony of our visit to The Center of the World including an Official Certificate.  This took place inside the pyramid where the survey marker of the Center of the World is installed.

The official survey marker.

A view of the grounds and the many granite panels of knowledge that lay before the Church on the Hill.

A view over the grounds below from the Church on the Hill.

Gari walks along the animals of the world panel.

We met one of the engravers that has been traveling to Felicity for years to engrave many of the granite panels.  She said at 92, Jacques was getting really ambitious in the amount of work that he wanted completed this year.  She travels from Georgia and said this was a nice distraction from engraving deer scenes.

There was days of reading and engraved pictures to inspect.

Near the center of the display, Steve found a 1/4 scale replica of the Liberty Bell, complete with crack.

The Church on the Hill sits above the Spark of Life panel.  Our friend from Georgia did this etching.

The Felicity Stone can be found at the center of the granite panels of knowledge.

The more complete story can be found at  http://www.centeroftheworld.us/  It really is amazing what this couple has accomplished with this property and their labor of love.