Downtown Oakland in Alameda County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Chabot Observatory
Founded 1883
Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, November 14, 2021
1. Chabot Observatory Marker
The marker was unveiled at a 125th anniversary celebration of the observatory on June 21, 2008, with local politicians in attendance, and a torch-relay was run between this and the current site of the observatory, with Olympians Marilyn King, Pamela Jiles, and Eddie Hart participating.
From 1883-1915, an observatory on this site housed Chabot's first telescope, "Leah," an 8-inch refractor donated by Anthony Chabot.
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Chabot Observatory Today
"Leah," Chabot's original 8-inch refractor, is still in use today at the new Space & Science Center, located in Joaquin Miller Park in the Oakland Hills.
The Science Center hosts public viewing through the telescope on Friday and Saturday night, weather permitting.
Erected 2008.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Notable Buildings • Science & Medicine. A significant historical date for this entry is June 21, 1865.
Location. 37° 48.215′ N, 122° 16.596′ W. Marker is in Oakland, California, in Alameda County. It is in Downtown Oakland. Marker is at the intersection of Jefferson Street and 11th Street, on the right when traveling south on Jefferson Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Oakland CA 94607, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Lafayette Square Timeline (within shouting distance of this marker); The Pardee House (about 500 feet
this page online
More about this marker. The marker is located in Lafayette Park, set in a 2 1/2 foot tall cement base, located on the northern side of a very low round hill.
Regarding Chabot Observatory.
• Born in Quebec, Chabot came to California in 1849 and worked in the gold mining industry. He is credited with being the father of hydraulic mining, the technique whereby large volumes of water were directed under high pressure at hillsides to wash away the soil and separate it from the gold-bearing ore. Chabot left the mining industry in 1856, and combined his entrepreneurial and engineering skills to set up companies to supply water to a number of growing California cities.
•
Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, April 26, 2009
2. Chabot Observatory Marker - Wide Shot
• In 1885 the observatory obtained a second telescope and chronometers, and became the official local timekeeper.
• When Chabot died in 1888, the observatory was renamed in his honor.
• Increasing light pollution in the downtown area made it necessary to abandon the old site in 1915, and build a new observatory about 5 miles east of the old site, in the Oakland Hills. The original telescope was relocated to the new site, and a new 20 inch refractor was added, as well.
• Increasing light pollution and the increasing awareness of the seismic vulnerabilities of this second observatory induced the city to build yet a third observatory, in a new location, with the construction of the new facility paid for by a $17 million earmark ("Advanced Optical Services") in the Air Force's budget. The new facility opened in 2000 with the two old telescopes, plus a new 36 inch model.
Also see . . . Chabot Space & Science Center Since 1883. The Chabot Space & Science Center's (formerly Chabot Observatory) history page, includes photos and a timeline of the history of the observatory. (Submitted on May 13, 2009.)
Photographed By W. S. Jones, 1889
3. Chabot Observatory
Photo taken from Picturesque Oakland: 1889, by Britton and Rey, and provided courtesy of the Oakland History Room, Oakland Public Library.
Photographed By Isaiah West Taber, 1883
4. Anthony Chabot (b. August 13, 1813 , d. January 6, 1888)
Photo provided courtesy of the Oakland History Room, Oakland Public Library.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on May 12, 2009, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 2,130 times since then and 33 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on November 15, 2021, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. 2, 3, 4. submitted on May 12, 2009, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.
