Kingston, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)

The Kingston Observatory
⎯⎯⎯
L’Observatoire de Kingston

The Kingston Observatory Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Robert Rusaw, August 29, 2022

1. The Kingston Observatory Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

The first optical astronomical observatory in the province, the Kingston Observatory was established in 1855 after a solar eclipse aroused public interest in astronomical studies. Under the auspices of a committee of British military officers and gentleman amateurs a frame observatory was built here. It was transferred to the control of Queen's College in 1861 and within a year a new brick structure had been erected on the site. Staffed by Nathan Fellowes Dupuis, an able mathematician, the observatory, in addition to making conventional astronomical observations, produced barometric and thermal readings, fixed meridians for surveying and provided a time service. In 1881 it was moved to Queen’s and today four cylindrical stones, former supports for the telescope, are all that remain of the old observatory building.

Premier observatoire astronomique munt d'un télescope optique dans la province, l'Observatoire de Kingston fut crée en 1855 après une éclipse solaire qui éveilla l'intérêt du public pour l'astronomie. Sous les auspices d'un comité composé d'officiers de l'armée britannique et de “gentils-hommes

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dilettantes", une structure en bois fut construite sur cet emplacement. A compter de 1861, l'Observatoire releva du Collège Queen's et, moins d'un an après, on érigeait une nouvelle structure en brique. L'Observatoire retint les services d'un mathématicien de talent, Nathan Fellowes Dupuis, qui, outre les observations astronomiques d'usage, effectuait des lectures barométriques et thermiques, repérait les méridiens pour les travaux d'arpentage et donnait l'heure. En 1881, l'Observatoire fut déménagé au Collège Queen's, et il n'en reste aujourd'hui que les quatre pierres cylindriques qui servaient de support au télescope.

Erected by Ontario Heritage Foundation, Ministry of Citizenship and Culture.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Education • Science & Medicine. In addition, it is included in the Canada, Ontario Heritage Trust series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1855.

Location. 44° 13.517′ N, 76° 29.359′ W. Marker is in Kingston, Ontario. It can be reached from Barrie Street. This marker is located off a walking trail in City Park. Touch for map. Marker

L’Observatoire de Kingston Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Robert Rusaw, August 29, 2022

2. L’Observatoire de Kingston Marker

is at or near this postal address: 79 Barrie St, Kingston ON K7L K7L, Canada. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Eastern Ontario

and specifically in Southeastern Ontario.

It is also in Central Canada.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Great Lakes,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once a British colony,

the Viceroyalty of New France,

the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

and Rupert’s Land.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: War Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Militia Garrison 1837-38 (about 150 meters away, measured in a direct line); 21st Battalion CEF Cenotaph (about 180 meters away); Sir John Alexander Macdonald (about 180 meters away); Early Land Survey in Ontario / Premiers Travaux D'Arpentage en Ontario (about 210 meters away); René-Robert Cavelier De La Salle at Cataracoui (about 210 meters away); Charles Sangster (about 210 meters away); Frontenac County Court House / Palais de Justice du Comté de Frontenac (approx. 0.2 kilometers

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away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Kingston.

More about this marker. Kingston is independent from the surrounding Frontenac County.

Credits. This page was last revised on March 27, 2024. It was originally submitted on March 7, 2023, by Robert Rusaw of Massena, New York. This page has been viewed 300 times since then and 28 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 7, 2023, by Robert Rusaw of Massena, New York. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.

The Kingston Observatory⎯⎯⎯L’Observatoire de Kingston

The Kingston Observatory
⎯⎯⎯
L’Observatoire de Kingston