Carson City, Nevada — The American Mountains (Southwest)
Charles W. Friend House, Observatory, and Weather Station
Friend built Nevada’s first observatory located southwest of his house and east of the Nevada State Capitol. Nevada’s U.S. Senator William Stewart helped him obtain the use of a six-inch equitorial mount telescope and other instruments from the federal government.
Charles Friend also established Nevada’s first weather service. In 1887, the Nevada Legislature passed authorization for a weather service station in Carson City. Friend became its director and created volunteer weather stations throughout the state. He compiled the data into reports that are still referenced today.
Charles W. Friend died in 1907. Since his death, the Association of Weather Services has recognized him as a pioneer in weather service west of the Rockies.
State Historic Preservation Office, Nevada State Museum, the Bretzlaff Foundation,
Nevada State Library and Archives, the Carson City Preservation Coalition,
Buildings and Grounds.
Erected by State Historic Pres. Office, State Museum, Bretzlaff Foundation, Nevada State Library and Carson City Preservation Coalition. (Marker Number 258.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Science & Medicine • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1835.
Location. 39° 9.84′ N, 119° 45.84′ W. Marker is in Carson City, Nevada. Marker is on North Stewart Street, on the left when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 130 North Stewart Street, Carson City NV 89701, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. State Printing Building (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); USS Nevada BB-36 (about 400 feet away); Washington Elm (about 500 feet away); Chinatown (about 500 feet away); Abraham Van Santvoord Curry (about 600 feet away); Nevada’s Capitol (about 700 feet away); Historic Fraternal Site of Carson City (about 700 feet away); Carson City (about 800 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Carson City.
Also see . . . Charles W. Friend: Nevada's Pioneer Weatherman. (Submitted on July 18, 2009, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona.)
Credits. This page was last revised on December 10, 2020. It was originally submitted on July 18, 2009, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. This page has been viewed 1,485 times since then and 25 times this year. Last updated on December 9, 2020, by Brian Phelps of Carson City, Nevada. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 18, 2009, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona.