Barnwell in Barnwell County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
“The Sundial”
Photographed By Mike Stroud, June 2008
1. " The Sundial " Marker
this sundial was presented to the citizens of Barnwell in September, 1858
The oldest known device for the measurement of time, a sundial indicates time by the position of the shadow of a gnomon cast by the sun on the face of a dial marked in hours. The gnonon is a flat piece of metal in the center of the dial with its back pointing towards the north pole when in the northern hemisphere and facing due south and with the upper edge slanting at an angle equal to the latitude of the location of the sundial.
Obtained from Mr. D.B. Haselton, Ironmonger, of Charleston, S.C. this sundial was presented to the citizens of Barnwell in September 1858, by Joseph Duncan Allen (1812-1880) benefactor and philanthropist of Barnwell, who served in the Florida Seminole Indian War, Mexican War and Confederate Army, S.C. House of Representatives and S.C. Senate.
Atop the sundial, a cannonball rests which was used in the Confederate War.
Although the adjacent courthouse was destroyed by fire in 1865, the sundial survived and is in its original location. In 1918, a concrete curbing was added as a protection against traffic hazards. The sundial was repainted, additional concrete reinforcement
this page online
Erected 1986 by Town of Barnwell.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Landmarks • Man-Made Features. A significant historical month for this entry is June 1754.
Location. 33° 14.627′ N, 81° 21.894′ W. Marker is in Barnwell, South Carolina, in Barnwell County. Marker is on Main Street ( SC-70, on the right when traveling west. At County Court house. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Barnwell SC 29812, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 10 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Barnwell County Courthouse (a few steps from this marker); Solomon Blatt, Sr. (a few steps from this marker); Edgar A. Brown (within shouting distance of this marker); Bank Of Barnwell / Edgar A. Brown Law Office (within shouting distance of this marker); Barnwell County Revolutionary War Monument (within shouting distance of this marker); To Honor the Memory of those Soldiers (within shouting distance of this marker); The Police Station (within shouting distance of this marker); To the Veterans of All The Wars (within shouting distance of this marker); Barnwell County Confederate Monument
Photographed By Mike Stroud, 2008
2. " The Sundial " Marker
Also see . . .
1. The gnomon is the part of a sundial that casts the shadow. Gnomon is an ancient Greek word meaning ". The Free Dictionary excerpt: Anaximander (610 BC-546 BC) is credited to introduce this Babylonian instrument to the Greeks. The Chinese also used the gnomon, mentioned in the 2nd century Nine Chapters on the Mathematical Art as being used much earlier by the Duke of Zhou (11th century BC). (Submitted on July 8, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina.)
2. Wikipedia entry, Barnwell. often thought to be the only remaining vertical freestanding sundial in the USA. It was surrounded by a parking lot in the 1960’s but in the 1990s the Town of Barnwell removed the parking, built a park, and made the sundial a focal point. (Submitted on July 8, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina.)
Photographed By Mike Stroud, 2008
3. " The Sundial " close up
Photographed By Mike Stroud, June 8, 2008
4. " The Sundial " at Barnwell County Court House
Photographed By Mike Stroud, June 8, 2008
5. " The Sundial " Marker
On June 22nd, the sundial is
accurate to within two (2)
minutes Eastern Standard Time.
During other season's, the
variance may be as high as
plus or minus 16 minutes.
The latitude at the sundial
is 33 degrees 14 minutes.
Photographed By Brian Scott, March 22, 2016
6. “The Sundial” Marker
Photographed By Brian Scott, March 22, 2016
7. “The Sundial” Marker
Photographed By Melissa Roberts, November 23, 2010
8. Courthouse and Sundial
Photographed By Melissa Roberts, circa December 1, 2011
9. Sundial with plaque- same as above
Photographed By Brian Scott, March 22, 2016
10. The Sundial
Credits. This page was last revised on June 23, 2016. It was originally submitted on July 8, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 1,648 times since then and 58 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 8, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 4, 5. submitted on July 9, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 6, 7. submitted on June 23, 2016, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina. 8, 9. submitted on December 20, 2011, by Melissa Roberts of Barnwell, South Carolina. 10. submitted on June 23, 2016, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina. • J. J. Prats was the editor who published this page.
