Phelps in Ontario County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Site of the Red House Observatory

Photographed By James Turcotte

1. Site of the Red House Observatory Marker

Inscription.
11 comets discovered here between 1881-1888 by international astronomer Dr. William R. Brooks (1844-1921)
Enterprise Grange, 1963 — Phelps Community Historical Society, 2014

In 1870, an aspiring young astronomer located to a little red house that once occupied this site. Dr. William R. Brooks (1844-1921) the village's photographer, built what was no more than a small platform and mounting post at the corner of an apple orchard just east of this spot . . . he aptly named it the Red House Observatory.

In October 1881, with the third homemade telescope he had created, Dr. Brooks discovered his first comet. Over the next 7 years, he and the Red House Observatory would become internationally renowned, with the famed award-winning astronomer discovering a total of 11 comets here alone, and 27 over his prestigious career.

Erected 2014 by Phelps Community Historical Society.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • Science & Medicine. A significant historical month for this entry is October 1881.

Location. 42° 57.073′ N, 77° 2.921′ W. Marker is in Phelps, New York, in Ontario County. Marker is on Lester Road south of New York State Route 96, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Phelps NY 14532, United States of America. Touch for directions.

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At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Phelps Historic District (approx. 0.6 miles away); Unionville (approx. 0.7 miles away); In Memory (approx. 0.7 miles away); Phelps World War Memorial (approx. 0.7 miles away); Old Stone Shop (approx. 0.8 miles away); Pioneer Cemetery (approx. 0.9 miles away); Phelps Methodist Episcopal Church (approx. 0.9 miles away); Former Railbed (approx. 2.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Phelps.

Also see . . . William Robert Brooks (Wikipedia). (Submitted on April 26, 2024, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.)

Photographed By James Turcotte

2. Site of the Red House Observatory Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on April 27, 2024. It was originally submitted on April 22, 2024, by James Turcotte of Waterloo, New York. This page has been viewed 73 times since then. Last updated on April 27, 2024, by James Turcotte of Waterloo, New York. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 22, 2024, by James Turcotte of Waterloo, New York. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.