Angell in Ann Arbor in Washtenaw County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
The Detroit Observatory
1854
Photographed by J.T. Lambrou
1. The Detroit Observatory Marker
The Detroit Observatory, named in honor of major donors from Detroit, was the centerpiece of President Henry Philip Tappan's efforts to transform the University of Michigan into one of the first research institutions in the United States. Teppan recruited Franz Brόnnow, a German astronomer, as the first director of this early scientific laboratory. The building stands today essentially as it was 1854. The dome turns manually by means of a rope pulley, and the original astronomical instruments remain intact and operational, including the meridian circle and the refracting telescopes, which in their day were among the largest in the world. In 1973, the Detroit Observatory was listed in the National Register of Historic Places for its significance in science, education, and architecture.
Erected 2004 by History and Tradition Committee. (Marker Number 2.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • Education • Science & Medicine. A significant historical year for this entry is 1854.
Location. 42° 16.915′ N, 83° 43.877′ W. Marker is in Ann Arbor, Michigan, in Washtenaw
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in Southeast Michigan and in Greater Detroit. It is also in the American Midwest and on the Great Lakes. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Northwest Territory.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Simpson Memorial Institute (within shouting distance of this marker); Old Main Hospital (within shouting distance of this marker); Forest Hill (approx. 0.3 miles away); Revolutionary War Patriot (approx. 0.3 miles away); Governor Alpheus Felch (approx. 0.3 miles away); Washtenaw County War Memorial (approx. 0.3 miles away); Michigan's First Jewish Cemetery (approx. 0.3 miles away); Redbud Grove (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Ann Arbor.
Photographed by J.T. Lambrou
2. The Detroit Observatory Marker
Photographed by J.T. Lambrou
3. The Detroit Observatory
Photographed by J.T. Lambrou
4. The Detroit Observatory
Credits. This page was last revised on December 28, 2024. It was originally submitted on December 28, 2024, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. This page has been viewed 203 times since then and 24 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on December 28, 2024, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.
Editor’s want-list for this marker. A wide view photo of the marker and the surrounding area together in context. • Can you help?
