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Astronomical Observatories Historical Markers

Intended for markers that are primarily about an astronomical observatory. Markers for astronomers, astronomical equipment, and astronomical events will each get their own series. Observatories that are not astronomical are excluded from this series.
 
By Cosmos Mariner, May 31, 2015
Lowell Observatory Marker
1 ► Arizona, Coconino County, Flagstaff — Lowell Observatory — National Historic Landmark —
Lowell Observatory has been designated a Registered National Historic Landmark Under the provisions of the Historic Sites Act of August 21, 1935 this site possesses exceptional value in commemorating or illustrating the History of The . . . — — Map (db m149455) HM
2 ► Arizona, Pima County, Haivana Nakya — WIYN Observatory —
WIYN Visible to the south is the octagonal dome enclosure of the 3.5 meter WIYN telescope. Dedicated in 1994, the WIYN Observatory was originally operated by a consortia consisting of the University of Wisconsin, Indiana University, Yale and . . . — — Map (db m305621) HM
3 ► Arizona, Pima County, Tucson, Kitt Peak — Kitt Peak National Observatory —
Kitt Peak National Observatory Founded 1958 The observatory’s objectives are to strengthen basic research and education in astronomy throughout the United States, its territories and possessions. The observatory is available to . . . — — Map (db m102813) HM
4 ► Arizona, Pima County, Tucson, Kitt Peak — Steward Observatory —
Steward Observatory 90 inch Reflector University of Arizona Erected 1967 Board of Regents Jack Williams   Governor · George W. Chambers   President · Elwood W. Bradford · Sarah Folsom · Wesley P. Gross · Leon Levy · Norma Barr Rockfellow · . . . — — Map (db m102921) HM
5 ► Arizona, Pima County, Tucson, Kitt Peak — The WIYN Observatory —
The octagon-shaped building that you see in the distance is the enclosure for the telescope of the WIYN Observatory. Completed in 1994, WIYN is owned and operated by the University of Wisconsin, Indiana University, Yale University, and the . . . — — Map (db m102920) HM
6 ► California, Alameda County, Berkeley — Observatory Hill —
Former site of the Students' Observatory, completed in 1886 and named in 1951 for Armin Otto Leuschner (1868-1953), Director of the Observatory (1898-1938) and Chair of the Astronomy Department (1900-1938). — — Map (db m114355) HM
7 ► California, Alameda County, Oakland, Downtown Oakland — Chabot Observatory — Founded 1883 —
This marker, dedicated June 21, 2008, celebrates Chabot Space & Science Center's 125 years of inspiring Bay Area star gazers and curious minds of all ages. From 1883-1915, an observatory on this site housed Chabot's first telescope, "Leah," an . . . — — Map (db m18875) HM
8 ► California, Amador County, Volcano — 715 — Astronomical Observatory —
Here in Volcano in 1860, miner and amateur astronomer George Madeira built California's first astronomical observatory of record and operated it for two years. Using a three inch refractory telescope he studied sun and moon, stars and planets, and . . . — — Map (db m100583) HM
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9 ► California, Amador County, Volcano — 715 — Astronomical Observatory —
On the knoll behind this marker, George Madiera built the first amateur astronomical observatory of record in California and there discovered the great comet of 1861 with a three-inch refractor telescope. — — Map (db m100584) HM
10 ► California, Los Angeles County, Angeles National Forest — The Lowe Observatory — Mount Lowe Railway —
The Lowe Observatory housed an Alvan Clark 16-inch (lens) refracting telescope, one of the finest of its time. Dr Lewis Swift, the famous comet-seeker of the Warner Observatory in New York, was the first director. He and the Observatory were . . . — — Map (db m248552) HM
11 ► California, San Bernardino County, Big Bear Lake — Big Bear Solar Observatory —
BBSO is home to the world's largest aperture, and highest resolution solar telescope. The 1.6 meter primary mirror of the New Solar Telescope (NST) is housed in the first facility-class solar telescope made in the USA in a generation. The . . . — — Map (db m197808) HM
12 ► Colorado, Clear Creek County, Idaho Springs — University of Denver — Meyer Womble Observatory —
Mt. Evans, Colorado Elevation 14,125 ft. “The World’s Highest Operational Observatory” Building Dedication August 19, 1996 “...for educational purposes in astrophysics and astronomy...” — — Map (db m3364) HM
13 ► Colorado, Denver County, Denver, University Park — 220 — Chamberlin Observatory —
City and County of Denver Landmark No. 220 – 1994 Landmark Preservation Commission — — Map (db m255253) HM
14 ► Connecticut, Southeastern Region, New London — Coast Guard Academy Observatory —
The Observatory The sea and sky have long been connected. Mariners once had to rely completely on the stars to pilot their vessels. These techniques still serve as a backup to the advanced navigation technology aboard Coast Guard Cutters. Each year, . . . — — Map (db m205830) HM
15 ► Delaware, Sussex County, Lewes, Lewes-Rehoboth Hundred — SC-252 — Transit of Venus Observatory —
In 1769, an international scientific effort was organized to observe a transit of Venus in order to determine the size of the solar system. This rare event, when Venus passes in front of the Sun's disk, makes such calculations possible when measured . . . — — Map (db m228456) HM
16 ► District of Columbia, Washington, Northwest Washington, Foggy Bottom — U.S. Naval Observatory / The Prime Meridian —
[Top plaque:] U.S. Naval Observatory Designed by LT James M. Gilliss in 1842, the U.S. Naval Observatory occupied this site from 1844 to 1893. In 1894 the domed structure became home to the Naval Museum of Hygiene. Eight years later the . . . — — Map (db m128012) HM
17 ► District of Columbia, Washington, Southwest Washington, The National Mall — Phoebe Waterman Haas — Public Observatory —
This observatory is named to celebrate the spirit of Emma Phoebe Waterman Haas. In 1913 she became the first woman to earn a Ph.D. in astronomy from the University of California, Berkeley. She was the first woman to perform original research with . . . — — Map (db m114106) HM
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18 ► Florida, Gadsden County, Chattahoochee — Ellicott's Camp and Observatory — George Washington's Commissioner of Limits —
The 1795 Treaty of San Lorenzo defined the international border dividing Spanish Florida from the newly formed United States. No one who signed the treaty had ever seen it, but the point of land formed by the confluence of the Chattahoochee and . . . — — Map (db m230733) HM
19 ► Florida, Gadsden County, Chattahoochee — F-241 — Site of Ellicott's Observatory —
At the end of the American Revolutionary War in 1783, Florida was returned to Spain after twenty years of British control. Controversy soon arose over the exact location of the boundary between Spanish Florida and the state of Georgia. In 1795, . . . — — Map (db m79444) HM
20 ► Illinois, Champaign County, Urbana, Cunningham Township — The Astronomical Observatory —
This facility originally known as the Astronomical Observatory constructed in 1896 has been placed on the National Register of Historic Places by the United States Department of the Interior — — Map (db m225534) HM
21 ► Illinois, Kane County, Elgin — Elgin National Watch Co. Observatory —
Built in 1910, the observatory's purpose was to record and transmit precise time from the stars to the Elgin National Watch factory. This structure was deeded to School District U-46 in 1960. Designated a local landmark in 1992. — — Map (db m299967) HM
22 ► Illinois, Kane County, Elgin — Observatory/Planetarium —
The School District U-46 Planetarium, located at 312 Watch Street in Elgin, opened its doors in September 1963 for students to learn about astronomy under the dome. The planetarium is an addition on the back of the 1910 Elgin National Watch Company . . . — — Map (db m299945) HM
23 ► Maine, Cumberland County, Portland, East End — Portland Observatory —
Portland Observatory has been designated a National Historic Landmark This site possesses national significance in commemorating the history of the United States of America. The Observatory is the nation's only remaining . . . — — Map (db m50418) HM
24 ► Maryland, Montgomery County, Gaithersburg — History and Purpose of the Gaithersburg Latitude Observatory — Latitude Observatory Park —
The Gaithersburg Latitude Observatory was constructed in 1899 as one of the original four stations selected by the International Geodetic Association to carry out systematic observations to measure the variations in latitude cause by the Earth's . . . — — Map (db m128813) HM
25 ► Maryland, Montgomery County, Gaithersburg — Meridian Mark Pier and Geodetic Survey Monuments — Latitude Observatory Park —
The Gaithersburg International Latitude Observatory is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and has been declared a National Historic Landmark. The designation includes the Observatory, the Meridian Mark Pier, and the five monuments. . . . — — Map (db m56966) HM
26 ► Maryland, Montgomery County, Gaithersburg — The Observatory — Latitude Observatory Park —
U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey Assistant, Edwin Smith or Rockville, Maryland, was assigned to oversee construction and operations at the Gaithersburg Observatory. Original plans for the Ukiah and Gaithersburg Observatories, prepared by the Central . . . — — Map (db m128814) HM
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27 ► Michigan, Calhoun County, Albion — S0566 — The Observatory —
The Albion College Astronomical Observatory was built in 1883-84 at the urging of Dr. Samuel Dickie, who later became president of the college. Dickie helped raise $10,000 to build and equip the facility. The observatory still harbors its original . . . — — Map (db m27743) HM
28 ► Michigan, Washtenaw County, Ann Arbor, Angell — 2 — The Detroit Observatory — 1854 —
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. . . . — — Map (db m263782) HM
29 ► Mississippi, Lafayette County, University — Barnard Observatory —
Built 1857-59 by Chancellor F.A.P. Barnard, the Observatory housed the Physics and Astronomy Department until 1939 and was the home of chancellors until 1971. The West Wing, called McCain Hall, was used by the NROTC, 1947-89. The Observatory was . . . — — Map (db m102769) HM
30 ► Mississippi, Lafayette County, University — Barnard Observatory —
Frederick A. P. Barnard (1809-1889) was the third president and first chancellor of the University of Mississippi, serving from 1856 to 1861. He joined the University of Alabama's faculty in 1838, and he started a Phi Beta Kappa Chapter there. In . . . — — Map (db m219853) HM
31 ► Nevada, Carson City — 258 — Charles W. Friend House, Observatory, and Weather Station —
This is the site of the house and observatory of Nevada’s first weatherman, astronomer, and seismologist, Charles William Friend. Born in Prussia in 1835, Friend immigrated by way of South America to California during the 1849 Gold Rush. In 1867, he . . . — — Map (db m162166) HM
32 ► New Jersey, Middlesex County, New Brunswick — Daniel S. Schanck Observatory — 1866 —
Rutgers The State University of New Jersey Daniel S. Schanck Observatory 1866 The Daniel S. Schanck Observatory, a two-story edifice which includes a revolving roof and a rear wing connected by a passageway, was . . . — — Map (db m10068) HM
33 ► New York, Ontario County, Geneva, Castle Heights — Smith Observatory —
World Famous For The Discoveries Of Director Dr. William R. Brooks — — Map (db m271229) HM
34 ► New York, Ontario County, Phelps — Site of the Red House Observatory —
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 . . . — — Map (db m245570) HM
35 ► New York, Westchester County, Hastings-on-Hudson — 13 — Henry Draper and His Observatories / Henry Draper y Sus Observatiorios — Hastings-on-Hudson, New York — The Museum in the Streets® —
Henry Draper and His Observatories From 1860, when he built his first observatory on his father's estate, until his death in 1882, Henry Draper photographed the heavens from this Hastings hilltop. In this 1880s image, the . . . — — Map (db m193479) HM
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36 ► Ohio, Hamilton County, Cincinnati, Hyde Park — 23-31 — The Cincinnati Observatory — "Lighthouse of the Sky" —
Side A: Prompted by response to his popular lectures, astronomer Ormsby MacKnight Mitchel (1809-1862) founded the Cincinnati Astronomical Society (CAS) in 1842. With CAS funding, Mitchel traveled to Munich, Bavaria, to acquire the optical . . . — — Map (db m24623) HM
37 ► Ohio, Summit County, Hudson — Loomis Observatory —
Elias Loomis and Charles Augustus Young worked in this Observatory, built in 1838, the third to be erected in the United States, the second oldest standing (1926). — — Map (db m36202) HM
38 ► Pennsylvania, Allegheny County, Pittsburgh, Perry North — Allegheny Observatory —
Part of the University of Pittsburgh. Chartered 1860; located here since 1912. At the original site nearby, Professor Samuel P. Langley conducted experiments that would lead to the first sustained, mechanically powered flight in 1896. — — Map (db m42219) HM
39 ► Pennsylvania, Allegheny County, Ross Township, McKnight — First Aluminum Observatory Dome —
On the hill just west of here, the first known astronomical observatory with an aluminum dome was erected in 1930. Designed & built by Pittsburgh amateur astronomers led by Leo J. Scanlon, the Valley View Observatory stood beside his Van Buren St. . . . — — Map (db m35633) HM
40 ► Pennsylvania, Chester County, Coatesville, Newlin Township — Site of Mason & Dixon’s “Stargazing” Observatory — 1764 —
Site of Mason & Dixon’s “Stargazing” Observatory 1764 In the roadbed near this stone, a square iron spike marks the original location of the astronomical observatory used by surveyor-astronomers Charles Mason and Jeremiah Dixon in the . . . — — Map (db m193204) HM
41 ► Pennsylvania, Montgomery County, Eagleville, East Norriton Township — Rittenhouse Observatory —
700 feet N.E. of this memorial stood the log cabin from which David Rittenhouse observed the transit of Venus June 3, 1769. Permission to use this site was given by Herbert T. Ballard, owner of this property. — — Map (db m84849) HM
42 ► Pennsylvania, Northampton County, Easton — Astronomical Observatory — 1865 —
The Heavens declare the Glory of God; and the firmament sheweth His handy.work. This stone was taken from the Traill Green Observatory, the gift of Traill Green, A.M., LL.D., Trustee 1837-'41, Faculty 1837-'41, 1853-'97. Built at this site in . . . — — Map (db m136112) HM
43 ► South Carolina, Aiken County, Aiken — Transit of Venus Observatory Structure, 1882 — Reported permanently removed
Iron heliometer tower, which served as an observatory, and housing for instruments, including powerful telescopes, used in viewing the December 6, 1882, Transit of Venus in Aiken, South Carolina. The observatory was built in two sections, each . . . — — Map (db m10193) HM
44 ► Tennessee, Davidson County, Brentwood, Neighbors of Granny White — Vanderbilt Dyer Observatory —
This property has been placed on the National Register of Historic Places by the United States Department of the Interior c. 1953 — — Map (db m221504) HM
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45 ► Texas, Jeff Davis County, Fort Davis — 10480 — McDonald Observatory of the University of Texas —
Original unit in complex forming one of the great observatory centers of the world. Built in the 1930s under terms of legacy from William Johnson McDonald (1844-1926), a Paris (Texas) banker interested in the stars. A well-educated man, McDonald . . . — — Map (db m228569) HM
46 ► Utah, Salt Lake County, Salt Lake City, University — 5 — Orson Pratt Observatory — Salt Lake City, Utah 1869 — Replicated in 2001 —
On September 30, 1869, George W. Dean of the U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey established this building as an observatory for meridian line placement. Originally located on the southeast corner of Temple Square, this building also contained . . . — — Map (db m173496) HM
47 ► Vermont, Orleans County, Brownington, Orleans — Orleans County Grammar School and Prospect Hill Observatory —
The Orleans County Grammar School was built at the foot of Prospect Hill in 1823 by William Baxter, a prominent citizen of Brownington. He asked that worship services for the Congregational Church be held on the second floor until a permanent . . . — — Map (db m221755) HM
48 ► Vermont, Windsor County, Springfield — Stellafane Observatory —
Stellafane Observatory Has been Designated a National Historic landmark This Site Possesses National Significance In Commemorating the History of the United States of America 1989 National Park Service United States Department of . . . — — Map (db m75701) HM
49 ► Virginia, Bristol — Solar Observatory —
Along with several locations in eastern America this hill was chosen as an observation point from which astronomers sent from Washington, D.C. could view the great solar eclipse of August 7, 1869. For this reason the area, which had been known as . . . — — Map (db m258102) HM
50 ► Australia, Victoria, Melbourne — Observatory Building — Melbourne Observatory —
The Reliable Science of Astronomy astronomy (def): the science of celestial bodies, their motions, positions, distances, magnitudes, etc. "Every well-determined star, from the moment its place is registered becomes to the . . . — — Map (db m296520) HM
51 ► Belgium, Région Bruxelloise, Bruxelles-Capitale, Saint-Josse-ten-Noode, Sint-Joost — Ancien Observatoire / Voormalig Observatorium / Former Observatory / Ehemalige Sternwarte —
Ancien observatoire Dès 1823, l'astronome et statisticien Adolphe Quetelet (1796-1874) - qui allait en être le premier directeur - avait convaincu le gouvernement de la nécessité d'ériger à Bruxelles un observatoire. Les . . . — — Map (db m224016) HM
52 ► Nova Scotia, Cape Breton Region, Louisbourg — Canada’s First Observatory — Le premier observatoire au Canada —
Three panels are located at this site. Chabert’s Mission / La mission du marquis de Chabert English: In 1750 the Marquis de Chabert, a French astronomer, was commissioned to go to North America to correct the maps of . . . — — Map (db m142944) HM
53 ► Ontario, Kingston — The Kingston Observatory / L’Observatoire de Kingston —
The first optical astronomical observatory in the province, the Kingston Observatory was established in 1855 after a solar eclipse aroused public interest in astronomical studies. Under the auspices of a committee of British . . . — — Map (db m217693) HM
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54 ► Québec, Capitale-Nationale, Québec, Montcalm — Quebec City Astronomical Observatory — Observatoire Astronomique de Québec —
English: The Quebec City Astronomical Observatory was officially established at the Citadel in 1850 by the Department of Marine and Fisheries in order to give the exact time to sailors on the many ships anchored at the port. In 1864, an . . . — — Map (db m80920) HM
55 ► France, Île-de-France, Département de Paris, Paris, Montparnasse — L'Astronome Danois Olaus Römer —
L'astronome Danois Olaus Römer 1644-1710 à découvert la vitesse de propagation de la lumière à l'Observatoire de Paris en 1676 English translation: The Danish astronomer Olaus Römer, 1644-1710, discovered . . . — — Map (db m178552) HM
56 ► France, Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur, Bouches-du-Rhône, Marseille, Hôtel de Ville — Ancien Observatoire de Marseille —
1702 – 1861 Où Jean-Louis Pons découvrit au cours de l'été 1801 sa première planète et 17 autres de cette date à 1819. English translation: Former Marseille Observatory 1702 – 1861 Where Jean-Louis Pons . . . — — Map (db m315880) HM
57 ► Germany, Baden-Württemberg, Tübingen — 1 — Die historische Sternwarte... / The Historic Observatory... —
Die historische Sternwarte auf Schloss Hohentübingen - Ausgangspunkt der württembergischen Landesvermessung von 1818 - Nachdem Württemberg 1806 zum Königreich aufgestiegen war, ordnete König Wilhelm 1. die Vermessung und . . . — — Map (db m207387) HM
58 ► Germany, Bayern, Würzburg — Die Erste Sternwart der Universität Würzburg / The First Observatory of the University of Würzburg —
Im jahre 1757 stiftete Furstbischof Adam Friedrich von Seinsheim die erste Sternwarte der Universität Würzburg auf dem Turm der Neubaukirche. Mit der Ausstattung des Observatoriums wurde der Professor der Mathematik und Astronomie, Franz . . . — — Map (db m207326) HM
59 ► Mexico, Ciudad de México, Colonia Bosque de Chapultepec I Sección — National Astronomical Observatory of Mexico — Observatorio Astronómico Nacional —
El ciudadano Jose Lopez Portillo Presidente de la Republica Conmemora el primer centenario del Observatorio Astronomico Nacional actual Instituto de Astronomia de la Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico en donde se ha cultivado . . . — — Map (db m91253) HM
60 ► Mexico, Yucatán, Tinum, Pisté — The Observatory —
El Caracol Estructura conocida también como "El Observatorio" debido a su forma y a algunas posibles asociaciones astrales, ya que para las tres ventanas de la parte superior se han propuesto una serie de alineaciones relacionadas con eventos . . . — — Map (db m101948) HM
61 ► South Korea, Gyeongsangbuk-do, Gyeongju, Inwang-dong — Cheomseongdae Observatory, Gyeongju — 경주 첨성대 — National Treasure No. 31 —
(Korean text not transcribed) This stone structure is presumed to have been built during the reign of Queen Seondeok (r. 632-647), the 27th ruler of the Silla kingdom (57 BCE-935 CE). Its name Cheomseongdae means "Platform of Gazing . . . — — Map (db m260549) HM
62 ► Switzerland, Zürich, Bahnhofstrasse — Urania Observatory — Uraniasternwarte —
1905-1907 von Gustav Gull (1858-1942) errichtet. Bauherrschaft des wohnund geschäftshauses war die private genossenschaft << Urania >>, welche auch die volkssternwarte betrieb. Seit 1936 wird die sternwarte von der volkshochschule des kantons . . . — — Map (db m67313) HM
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63 ► United Kingdom, England, Greater London, Greenwich — The Royal Observatory —
Welcome to the Royal Observatory, the historic home of British astronomy, Greenwich Mean Time and the Prime Meridian of the world. King Charles II signed a Royal Warrant in June 1675 to authorize building the Royal Observatory on the . . . — — Map (db m117707) HM
 
 
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Nov. 9, 2026