Charles W. Friend House, Observatory, and Weather Station

"Ironically, much of my time on this quest will be spent in the building directly across the street. When it's time to head south to Clark County, or to the upper reaches of Elko, or White Pine, the funny thing is everything circles back to this very spot. #258 conquered." -- June 2007

Along Stewart Street (in between King and Musser Sts.)

Original Date Visited: 6/18/07
Revisited: 11/21/22
Signed: No

Notes: If you walk across the street through the glass doors of the State Library and Archives building you can do a double-conquering with - 250 - State Printing Building from this marker.

Street View

Here's what you'll see!

Marker 258 within sights' distance of Marker 250 Marker 258 all by its lonesome on this city block. See caption below

Exact Description:
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 moved from Folsom to Carson City where he set up his own jewelry and optical store.

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 equinoxial mount 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.

Charles W. Friend built an observatory into his house on Stewart Street, between Carson and Musser. Here you can see the V&T Railroad tracks running along Stewart Street in the foreground.

COVERED IN MY US 50 ROAD TRIP

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THE GOVERNOR'S MANSION

Related Links & Markers:

Charles Friend Observatory (Carson City Archives)

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