Edwards’ Point (The Center of Los Angeles)

Finding Edwards’ Point

Park at the main Franklin Canyon parking lot near the reservoir. The Chaparral Trail begins just beyond the parking area, heading north through oak woodland. Walk past the first few parking spaces and keep your eyes open for a small oak tree on the right side of the trail. The plaque sits low to the ground, embedded in concrete at the base of the tree. Many hikers pass right by without noticing it.

The plaque itself is unassuming. Hand-stamped letters spell out “Exact center, point of balance of the plane of the City of Los Angeles,” followed by the coordinates Edwards calculated (34° 07′ 31″ N, 118° 23′ 56″ W) and the date 12/30/1990. His name appears at the bottom: Allan E. Edwards.

The Methodology

Edwards approached the problem like a engineer solving a physics puzzle. He acquired a 4-foot by 6-foot AAA map of Los Angeles and carefully cut along the city boundaries. After gluing the cutout to foam core and trimming the edges to match, he placed it on a vertical pin and shifted it around until the entire shape balanced. That balance point, when transferred to a USGS topographic map, became the coordinates stamped on the plaque.

The coordinates on the plaque point to a location about half a mile east, which would place the “center” in someone’s backyard. Whether this discrepancy resulted from measurement limitations, continental drift, or Edwards’ desire to place the marker in an accessible public space remains unclear. The updated GPS coordinates (34.12448, -118.40778) reflect where the plaque actually sits.

The Surrounding Park

Edwards’ Point exists within Franklin Canyon Park, a 605-acre green space that feels remarkably remote despite sitting between Beverly Hills and the San Fernando Valley. The park contains oak woodlands, chaparral slopes, grasslands, a three-acre lake, and over five miles of trails. Birds traveling the Pacific Flyway stop at the reservoir and Heavenly Pond. Film crews have used the park’s varied terrain since the 1930s, with scenes appearing in everything from The Andy Griffith Show to Twin Peaks.

The Chaparral Trail continues north from Edwards’ Point toward Mulholland Drive, climbing through native plants and offering views of the canyon. Most visitors come to hike the loop around Franklin Canyon Reservoir or explore the more strenuous Hastain Trail. Edwards’ Point serves as a small detour for those interested in geographic curiosities.

The plaque marks the center of the City of Los Angeles proper, not Los Angeles County. Edwards worked both for the USGS and as a Franklin Canyon docent for the Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority. His dual roles raise questions about whether he might have favored placing the center within the park he loved. Either way, his calculation stands as the only attempt anyone has made to answer the question.

Visit early on weekends when parking fills quickly. Bring water if you plan to explore beyond Edwards’ Point. The park has restrooms near Heavenly Pond and at the nature center.