NORTH FORK — A bronze plaque that marks the exact center of California was stolen by unknown suspects sometime between Nov. 20 and Nov. 28.
The plaque was inlaid in a large piece of granite that sits just east of Italian Bar Road (Road 225) between North Fork and Redinger Lake.
Unknown suspects used a prying tool to remove the plaque from the rock, according to the Madera County Sheriff’s Office.
“I am very concerned that a monument erected by a small non-profit organization would be vandalized in this manner,” said Don Grove, member of the North Fork History Group who donated the plaque in 1998. “It was put together by the sweat of a few individuals for the benefit of local people as well as many visitors over the years.
“It makes my heart sick that someone would deliberately damage this monument. I hope those who would do such a thing will learn to use their time and energy creating something for the community instead of destroying what others have created.”
Anyone with information is asked to please call the Madera County Sheriff’s Office at 559-675-7770.
For more about the Exact Center of California monument, click here.
