University in Salt Lake City in Salt Lake County, Utah — The American Mountains (Southwest)

Orson Pratt Observatory

Salt Lake City, Utah 1869

— Replicated in 2001 —

Orson Pratt Observatory Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Connor Olson, April 17, 2021

1. Orson Pratt Observatory Marker

Inscription. On September 30, 1869, George W. Dean of the U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey established this building as an observatory for meridian line placement. Originally located on the southeast corner of Temple Square, this building also contained astronomical equipment and was used to tell time until 1897. This replica is named for pioneer scientist, Orson Pratt, who created the street grid of Salt Lake City in 1847.

Erected by This Is The Place Foundation. (Marker Number 5.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Roads & Vehicles • Science & Medicine • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1869.

Location. 40° 45.208′ N, 111° 48.958′ W. Marker is in Salt Lake City, Utah, in Salt Lake County. It is in University. It can be reached from Main Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Salt Lake City UT 84108, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Wasatch Front

and in Greater Salt Lake.

It is also in the American Mountain West

and in Colorado Plateau.

Globally, it is in North America,

the

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

Rocky Mountains,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Smoot Hall at Brigham Young Academy (a few steps from this marker); John Gardiner Cabin (a few steps from this marker); Pine Valley Chapel (within shouting distance of this marker); Pioneer Pavilion (within shouting distance of this marker); Thomas Phillip White Cabin (within shouting distance of this marker); Jewkes-Draper Home (within shouting distance of this marker); Andrus Halfway House and Farm (within shouting distance of this marker); Deseret Hospital and Quilt Museum (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Salt Lake City.

Orson Pratt Observatory image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Connor Olson, April 17, 2021

2. Orson Pratt Observatory

Credits. This page was last revised on February 16, 2023. It was originally submitted on May 18, 2021, by Connor Olson of Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 1,146 times since then and 105 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 18, 2021, by Connor Olson of Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.