Newlin Township near Coatesville in Chester County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Site of Mason & Dixon’s “Stargazing” Observatory
— 1764 —
Photographed By Keith S Smith, May 3, 2016
1. Site of Mason & Dixon’s “Stargazing” Observatory Marker
Mason & Dixon’s
“Stargazing” Observatory
1764
In the roadbed near this stone, a square iron spike marks the original location of the astronomical observatory used by surveyor-astronomers Charles Mason and Jeremiah Dixon in the year 1764 to determine latitude from the stars.
It was from here they began measuring 15 miles due south, to lay out the boundary between Maryland and Pennsylvania – Which came to be known as Mason and Dixon’s Line.
This plaque dedicated August 29, 2013, by Surveyors Historical Society and the Mason-Dixon Line Preservation Partnership.
Erected 2013 by Surveyors Historical Society and the Mason-Dixon Line Preservation Partnership.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Exploration • Science & Medicine. A significant historical year for this entry is 1764.
Location. 39° 56.229′ N, 75° 43.944′ W. Marker is near Coatesville, Pennsylvania, in Chester County. It is in Newlin Township. Marker is at the intersection of Stargazer
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Walking the Line (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Star Gazers' Stone (about 700 feet away); views of the past (approx. 0.2 miles away); Indian Hannah (approx. 0.3 miles away); Here Rests Indian Hannah (approx. 0.4 miles away); remnants of the past (approx. half a mile away); a different marker also named views of the past (approx. 1.6 miles away); John Beale Bordley (approx. 1.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Coatesville.
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker.
Also see . . .
1. Star Gazzers Stone ~ Wikipedia. (Submitted on May 10, 2016, by Keith S Smith of West Chester, Pennsylvania.)
2. Mason - Dixon Line ~ Wikipedia. (Submitted on May 10, 2016, by Keith S Smith of West Chester, Pennsylvania.)
3. Surveyors Historical Society. (Submitted on May 10, 2016, by Keith S Smith of West Chester, Pennsylvania.)
4. The Mason & Dixon Line Preservation Partnership. (Submitted on May 10, 2016, by Keith S Smith of West Chester, Pennsylvania.)
Photographed By Keith S Smith, May 3, 2016
2. Site of Mason & Dixon’s “Stargazing” Observatory Marker Roadside
The square spike spoken of in this marker is visible in the lower left corner of this photo. It is the imperfection in the road.
Photographed By Keith S Smith, May 3, 2016
3. Mason & Dixon’s “Stargazing” Observatory Marker
Marker is visible at the lower left of this photo
Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on May 10, 2016, by Keith S Smith of West Chester, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 806 times since then and 111 times this year. Last updated on March 8, 2022, by Carl Gordon Moore Jr. of North East, Maryland. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on May 10, 2016, by Keith S Smith of West Chester, Pennsylvania. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.
