Flagstaff in Coconino County, Arizona — The American Mountains (Southwest)

The Sundial

Photographed by Adam Margolis, May 25, 2024

1. The Sundial Marker

Inscription. Devices of this nature have been used for thousands of years to tell time, although only in a crude sense. Our division of the day into uniform hours occurred recently--in the 16th century-- while intervals of minutes and seconds were developed well after the invention of the mechanical clock. The time shown here is only an approximation---do not set your watch by it.

This sundial requires precise placement to assure some degree of accuracy. It must be level and the triangular part of the dial, the gnomon, must be aligned directly north.

The sundial you see here was a gift by Observatory staff to Percival Lowell for his 50th birthday.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Man-Made Features.

Location. 35° 12.135′ N, 111° 39.884′ W. Marker is in Flagstaff, Arizona, in Coconino County. It is on West Mars Hill Road. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1400 W Mars Hill Road, Flagstaff AZ 86001, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Flagstaff & High Country

and in Hopi.

It is also in the American Southwest,

in the Mountain West,

in Colorado Plateau,

and at the Four Corners.

Globally, it is in North America,

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: 42-Inch Reflecting Telescope (a few steps from this marker); U. S. Astronomer Percival Lowell, Specialist Of Mars, And Anamizu (within shouting distance of this marker); Clark Dome Weather Station (within shouting distance of this

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marker); Lowell Observatory (within shouting distance of this marker); Soda Acid Fire Extinguisher / Stone Water Tank (within shouting distance of this marker); The San Francisco Peaks (within shouting distance of this marker); Henry Lee Giclas (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Lawrence Lowell Telescope (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Flagstaff.

More about this marker. The sundial and marker are on the north side of the visitor center.

Photographed by Adam Margolis, May 25, 2024

2. The Sundial Marker

Photographed by Adam Margolis, May 25, 2024

3. The Sundial Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on December 18, 2024. It was originally submitted on December 18, 2024, by Adam Margolis of Mission Viejo, California. This page has been viewed 189 times since then and 16 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on December 18, 2024, by Adam Margolis of Mission Viejo, California. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.