Selected Sundials of North America

This is a selected listing of sundials in the North American Sundial Society Registry. Click on any dial thumbnail picture or city name to display the full dial description with additional information and images.

 

Connecticut

 
New London Connecticut USA Horizontal Dial Dial 473
A horizontal dial of striking modern design about 24 inches in diameter. The dial face is granite with milled wedges, leaving hour lines from 6 am to 6 pm. Hours are represented by small round bronze markers. The gnomon is of unusual design. When installed, the gnomon had a vertical glass plate below the style. The dial doubled as a fountain - water flowed from the top of the gnomon down the glass plate. Each of the bronze hour markers also had a small spray of water. The round granite dial is slightly smaller than the octagonal pedestal and base. A small trough between them recovers water from the fountain.
 
 
New Milford Connecticut USA Equatorial Dial Dial 817
This 9-foot stainless steel equatorial is the centerpiece of "Galileo's Garden". The sundial was built and dedicated in memory of Kathleen Fischer, a sixth-grade science teacher who inspired many students to pursue science. The sundial is an open armillary, with an adjustable hour band so that both local solar time and civil time can be read. At the tip of the gnomon is a bronze and brass true-size rendering of Galileo’s first telescope, honoring the 400 years since Galileo explored the heavens. The North American Sundial Society was privileged to donate to this effort.
 
 
New Orleans Louisiana USA Horizontal Dial Dial 846
Amidst the gardens in City Park is the Bacher Sundial, an 18-foot diameter pebbled concrete horizontal sundial set flush with the ground. The gnomon is well made, with curves nicely cut, edges straight, and the weld fillet is smooth and blends the upright with the base nicely. It is set on a low circular dais set considerably south of the center of the circular dial face. The gnomon is a simple iron blade 144 inches in length along the style edge. At the base, slots for anchoring the gnomon allow adjustment of 8-10 degrees to align to true north. Currently the gnomon sits near the center of the range, but can be pushed by hand to either end of the range. With loose nuts holding the gnomon, it appears canted at the base. Tightening the nuts could restore gnomon to its necessary 30 degree angle, but deterioration of the bolt anchors may prevent full tightening.
 
 
New Orleans Louisiana USA Horizontal Dial Dial 851
The concrete dial is 32 inches in diameter with simple hour lines without any further ornamentation. The foot high gnomon is a stainless steel wedge, tapering slightly from base to top. An interesting effect of looking at the sundial and gnomon: by moving your head, the hour lines reflected in the gnomon can line up with lines on the other side of the gnomon. The dial sits on a 3 foot high concrete pedestal.
 
 
New Orleans Louisiana USA Horizontal Dial Dial 237
This large horizontal sundial sits on a slightly pink concrete egg-shaped base 24 x 17.5 feet. This dais is nearly at ground level. The gnomon is an elegant stainless steel blade approximately 8 feet high sitting at the widest part of the dais, with hours marked around the dais edge with small bronze animals at each hour from 6am to 6pm. For example the noon hour is represented by a turtle.
 
 
New Orleans Louisiana USA Equatorial Dial Dial 273
Approximately 14-inch bronze sun dial consisting of an standard equatorial hour ring. However the gnomon is a thin semi-circular disk. The top straight edge is the style casting its shadow onto the equatorial ring. All of this sites on top a low bronze metal dome base.
 
 
New York New York USA Sculpture/Artwork Dial 873
The Sun Triangle is a 50-foot sculpture of polished stainless steel set upon a leaning 20-foot stainless steel pole, creating a futuristic look. The sides of the triangle are aligned such that steepest side points to the sun at noon for the summer solstice at an altitude of 73 degrees at solar noon (12:48pm Daylight Saving Time) while the lower side of the triangle points to the winter solstice at an angle of 26 degrees. The upper side and longest side of the triangle points to the the noonday sun on the spring and fall equinoxes.
 
 
New York New York USA Vertical Dial Dial 563
A large vertical dial declining east approximately 45? and displaying fanciful furniture. Hour lines are present but are difficult to see; hour numerals are not shown. Summer and winter solstice lines are shown with the winter solstice line near the gnomon foot because of the declination. The curved line shown for the equinox should be straight. Six individual "Cultural Arcs" are positioned at specific time points on the dial face and are accompanied by upstanding dial furniture. Each "Cultural Arc" references distinct and in some cases overlapping cultural traditions and is made from 1/2" sheet aluminum, with a permanent (powder coated) color finish. Each "Cultural Arc" contains symbolic and aesthetic elements reflecting the ebb and flow of migration in the local East Harlem population.
 
 
New York New York USA Horizontal Dial Dial 603
A cast bronze horizontal dial approximately 30 inches diameter. The dial face includes the motto, astrological symbols of the ecliptic with Roman numerals. The 40-inch high cast pedestal sculpture depicts the three muses supporting the dial. This dial is visible from the street in front of the residence.
 
 
New York New York USA Sun Alignment Dial 614
A granite park bench about 30 feet diameter whose bench shelf was designed to cast a shadow indicating time on the equinoxes. Individual curved lines corresponding to the bench shadows mark 10AM, Noon and 2PM. Known as the Waldo Hutchins Bench, the bench includes a second hemicyclium dial above its backrest; refer to Dial 250. Dial alignment may not be accurate.
 
 
New York New York USA Equatorial Dial Dial 140
A 20' H x 10' W x 5' D Equatorial in Bronze and Stainless Steel. Entitled "Song to the Sun." Dial by Robert Adzema; gift of George and Annette Murphy in 1984.
 
 
New York New York USA Cylindrical Dial Dial 215
A half-cylinder equatorial dial whose body structure is exactly the same as the one (#28) at Trinity College, Hartford, CT, only the pedestal here is lower. Named ?The Camp Columbia Sundial?, a gift of Camp Columbia to memorialize Dean Hennessy (1917-1991).
 
 
New York New York USA Vertical Dial Dial 245
3 x 4 feet bronze vertical declining S 28° W, 30 feet above the street level.
 
 
New York New York USA Armillary Sphere Dial 248
The armillary dial is 30 inches in diameter, built of bronze with a cast stone pedestal. On the outside of equatorial band are golden zodiac signs. Inside the band are roman numerals for hours from 6 am to 6 pm. The dial was vandalized but was refurbished in 2000 and moved a short distance in Parks Dept. renovation. Sal Ton Landscape was the general contractor; Kenneth Lynch & Sons repaired the sundial and made a complete new cast stone fluded base in 2000.
 
 
New York New York USA Horizontal Dial Dial 249
A 10 inch diameter rough brass horizontal dial, painted brown, on a 3 foot cement pedestal. Gnomon is damaged. Roman hour numerals. Dial sits atop a cast stone pedestal about 3 feet high.
 
 
New York New York USA Globe or Hemispheric Dial 250
Granite model of old roman hemicyclium dial with beautiful horizontal bronze gnomon with figure of woman. Hour and date lines may be incorrect. Slightly vandalized and chipped. This dial is a detail of a larger park bench that itself was designed to show time on the equinoxes; refer to Dial 614. The park bench alignment is nominally north but this dial may be misaligned as the Roman hour numbers inscribed on the face run clockwise, incorrect for a south-facing dial. Dial sits atop a large stone park bench.
 
 
New York New York USA Horizontal Dial Dial 251
An 11 inch diameter bronze horizontal dial on a 3 foot pedestal. Tip of gnomon is broken.
 
 
New York New York USA Horizontal Dial Dial 252
Sheet Metal Octagonal. Built by a prisoner.
 
 
Newark Ohio USA Analemmatic Dial Dial 460
An analemmatic dial with stone markers for the hours
 
 
Newark New Jersey USA Analemmatic Dial Dial 1054
An elliptical analemmatic sundial done in a circular motif representing the sun. Dial is in colored concrete and the Zodiac walkway is a series of circles with the month's number. The time is properly marked on the ellipse with a circular marker, but the hour number is at the end of the sun's "flames" on the circumference of a large circle containing the rest of the dial
 
 
Newburyport Massachusetts USA Armillary Sphere Dial 443
This 4-foot diameter armillary sphere is made of galvanized, painted and gold leafed steel. The dial is had forged and welded by Cassidy Brothers Forge. It was "Colorgalvanized" by Duncan Industries and gold leafed. It was made to specifications from Albert Waugh's book on sundials, including latitude and longitude corrections. The sundial is mounted on a cast stone pedestal and stands about 8 foot high.
 
 
Newcastle Maine USA Horizontal Dial Dial 427
A small horizontal dial with an interesting history. In 1997 when the dial was installed, the following is quoted of designer and builder Jim Estey: "We set it by our watches," Jim said, and then glued it down to its stand. That means it cannot be reset when the sun and time changes, but visitors will have to compensate."
 
 
Newington Connecticut USA Horizontal Dial Dial 83
Bronze horizontal ring, suspended by curved semi-circles, with gnomon rising from the center toward the North. "...you can see resemblances to an anchor, a gimbal, and a mariner's compass" says designer Searle Lansing-Jones.
 
 
Newport Rhode Island USA Horizontal Dial Dial 1077
Farenholt sundial for U.S. Naval Hospital Newport Rhode Island. This cast bronze dial was designed and commissioned by RADM Farenholt for U.S. Naval Hospitals at bases where he was commanding officer, visited, or had special meaning to him. The dial is 18 inches (46cm) in diameter. The outer chapter ring has the motto, followed by a chapter ring with Arabic hours 6am to 6pm, raised hour lines that radiate from near the foot of the gnomon and short half-hour lines. The gnomon has graceful curves and a quatrefoil cut-out in the center. Below the gnomon is the naval command name, followed by the commissioning date in the southern portion of the hours chapter ring. Dial sits atop a circular stone pedestal with beveled capital.
 
 
Newport Rhode Island USA Vertical Dial Dial 671
An 8x8 foot vertical dial of carved stone with hour lines and Arabic numerals and with Zodiacal symbols around dial perimeter. Dial declines to the west and has a bronze gnomon. Access to view dial is available to all campus visitors.
 
 
Newport News Virginia USA Vertical Dial Dial 862
This vertical dial declines 28 degrees east, and was commissioned as educational artwork for the new Discover STEM Academy (Magruder Elementary School). The dial is 21 feet wide and 14 feet tall consisting of quarter inch by 3 inch aluminum planks for the hour lines and 4 inch aluminum pieces for the solstices and equinox lines. The hour lines are adjusted for longitude, with stainless steel Arabic numerals showing the time from 6am to 2pm at the bottom of each hour line. The gnomon is a 2 inch rod 40 inches long with a 6-inch nodus ball set back slightly from the rod end. The gnomon is held to the wall by an 18 inch yellow sun.
 
 
Niagara Falls Ontario Canada Armillary Sphere Dial 468
A small 18 to 24 inch armillary sphere. Has a traditional arrow marking the gnomon. It sits on a pedestal in the center of the herb garden.
 
 
Niceville Florida USA Analemmatic Dial Dial 727
An interactive analemmatic dial with 6x3 meter major and minor ellipse axes and built of precast concrete, tiles and glass with Roman hour numerals. Dial face markings include Ante Meridiem, Post Meridiem, astronomical symbols for days of week and constellations of the zodiac, compass rose, Sun face, Ursa Major bear constellation with Big Dipper asterism, Polaris solar cell visible at night beneath the noon mark, artistic analemma and artist inscription. Inspired by the analemmatic dial "Keppel Henge" located at Georgian Bay, Ontario, Canada, the dial was two years in design and construction, with financial support from Ms. Dotty Blacker of Valparaiso, Florida and the NWFSC Foundation. Dial accessories include 8 and 12 foot gnomon poles with leveling clinometers allowing the dial to be used with precision for demonstration and instruction. The dial is a focal point for geoscience instruction both in the classroom and the local community. The Science Department at NWFSC offers many courses in the geosciences that benefit from the dial, including Earth Science, Physical Science, Physical Geology, Oceanography, and Astronomy; supports baccalaureate programs in Elementary and Middle School Math & Science Education; and is frequent host to a local astronomy club.
 
 
North Little Rock Arkansas USA Horizontal Dial Dial 737
A cast bronze horizontal dial atop a concrete pedestal. The dial face includes hour lines, quarter hour marks and Roman hour numerals. The dial face includes inscribed (not in original casting) lines that indicate the sunrise and sunset times for the longest day (L-Day VI-21), shortest day (S-Day XII-21) and equinoxes (12-H Day IX-21).
 
 
Northern Bay Newfoundland Canada Armillary Sphere Dial 789
An approximately 24 inch diameter steel and aluminum armillary dial with wrought iron scrollwork base. The equatorial ring includes an aluminum plate inscribed with hour, half-hour and five minute marks showing time from 5 AM to 7 PM. A plaque on the pillar below shows combined corrections for EOT and longitude. The dial is mounted on a 10 inch fluted concrete pillar, reinforced with steel rebar.
 
 
Norwell Massachusetts USA Vertical Dial Dial 1003
This vertical declining dial is made of painted plywood with a simple white background and black hour lines and Arabic numerals. The gnomon is a brass rod without nodus. The hour lines have been adjusted for the difference between the site's longitude and the 75° W standard-time meridian. The hours are numbered as Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) instead of Standard Time, because in winter the sun is mostly low in the sky and trees in this wooded area block sunlight from reaching the sundial. Of course to obtain correct EDT, the equation of time needs to be added to the dial's time to account for the variable meridian passage of the sun. At most this amounts to -14 minutes (mid-February) or +16 minutes (early November).
 
 
Norwich Connecticut USA Horizontal Dial Dial 546
A well-patinaed horizontal dial placed atop a stone column. Dial sits atop a cast aggregate column.
 
 
Norwich Vermont USA Horizontal Dial Dial 630
A 12 inch square gray granite horizontal dial with bronze gnomon on a terracotta and stucco pedestal. Corrected for longitude to read EST. EOT corrections to nearest half-minute for the 1st and 15th of each month are engraved on edges of dial face. This is a private dial, not generally available for viewing. Dial sits atop a post of terracotta covered with stucco.
 
 
Oak Bay British Columbia Canada Horizontal Dial Dial 738
A 10 inch square brass or bronze horizontal dial atop a 22 inch square concrete base with cross-shaped plinth 42 inches high. The natural patina developed by the corrosive sea air has reduced the contrast of the markings. Stylized Arabic hour numerals are engraved in circles. Engraved scrolls add interest but some confusion to the dial face. The dial face and gnomon are only one-eighth inch thick but remain intact.
 
 
Oakland California USA Reflective Equatorial Dial 613
One of Bill Gottesman's unique-design Renaissance dials of cast and structural bronze with a 27 inch diameter helix with a celestial-north aligned axis. Time is told by a focused beam of light that moves around the helix throughout the day. The light beam is reflected from a long cylindrical unsilvered mirror in a structure that supports the helix. A sliding time scale within the helix can be adjusted for EOT and DST and includes longitude correction. Once this scale is adjusted for date, the dial shows civil, or clock, time. The dial base is cast bronze allowing adjustment for latitude and placed on a concrete pedestal.
 
 
Oakland California USA Sculpture/Artwork Dial 307
Bronze sundial sculpture by Robert Paine. The sundial was donated to University High School in 1927 by Sara Bard Field in honor of her son Albert, who was killed in 1917 in an automobile accident. Albert was the high school senior class president in 1917. His mother Sara was a leading suffragist on the West Coast. The High School has been renovated and now used by Children's Hospital Oakland Research Institute (CHORI). The sculpture is of a boy holding a shield and an arrow. The arrow casts a graceful shadow onto the level shield. The sculpture is about 30 inches high. The base is stone, probably a jade.
 
 
Oakland California USA Horizontal Dial Dial 236
Large horizontal dial, with steel gnomon 22 ft. long, 14 ft. high. It looks like a sculpture of three interlocking triangles. The triangles of 2-inch thick Cor-Ten steel plates create the dial's gnomon and supporting structure. The dial sits in a courtyard where the only hour markers are placed on the lawn and brick patio around the dial. EOT values for every 5 days are shown on the north face of the support.
 
 
Oberlin Ohio USA Sun Alignment Dial 63
When is a flag pole more than a flag pole? When it has cement walkway curved for the summer solstice, a path for the winter solstice and a distinguishing straight cement line for the spring and fall equinox. This dial has no hour markers, and is intended to show the seasons. The tip of the flag pole will follow these lines at the appropriate day of the season.
 
 
Oberlin Ohio USA Vertical Dial Dial 219
Once, high on the physics building south wall was a student made vertical dial. The 5'x8.5' resin coated particle board made by Mark Kearns in 1979 had curved hour lines to account for the equation of time, declination of wall, and offset from standard meridian. This dial has not been on display for some time. Perhaps some student would create a new dial. The brick wall is an excellent location.
 
 
Ocean Shores Washington USA Horizontal Dial Dial 842
This large horizontal dial has a gnomon in the shape of an anchor and concrete minimalist dial surface in the shape of a triangle, keeping the theme of the location "Triangle Park". Three time Arabic hour numbers of 9, 12 and 3 are embedded into the concrete slab and two other time marks of 6am and 6pm are on separate pads located outside the main dial area.
 
 
Oliver British Columbia Canada Horizontal Dial Dial 809
A lovely horizontal dial with an 8-foot high stainless steel gnomon. The hour lines are done as colorful alternating red and cream segments set in a 8-foot radius semi-circle. The gnomon is triangular in cross section with a single thin edge casting the shadow. The dial hour numbers are set for daylight, since all of the winery's 100,000 annual visitors are seasonal, coming when Pacific Daylight Time is in place.
 
 
Olympia Washington USA Horizontal Dial Dial 319
John W. Elliot, a Seattle master craftsman designed and execute the Territorial Sundial. The 6 foot dial is hand-hammered in brass with a bronze rod gnomon. The dial plate has eight bas-relief panels depicting events in Washington State's history including the discoveries of Captain George Vancouver in 1792, the Medicine Creek Treaty between the US and Puget Sound Native Americans in 1854 and the first railroad to Puget Sound, built in 1883. The dial rests on a large slab of Wilkenson sandstone, the same material used in the nearby State Library, supported by four, one foot nine inch tall piers.
 
 
Omaha Nebraska USA Horizontal Dial Dial 598
A 7.5 foot diameter horizontal dial of water jet cut sheet bronze and cast bronze side molding with a 45 inch high gnomon. Very large Roman numerals show hours from 10 AM to 5 PM in Daylight Saving Time with longitude correction. The bronze dial rests on a short concrete and brick pedestal.
 
 
Omaha Nebraska USA Equatorial Dial Dial 653
A five foot granite equatorial dial on a granite and stone pedestal with a 5 inch diameter stainless steel gnomon extending through the dial face. Arabic hour numerals for 4 AM to 9 PM are shown on the north face and for 6 AM to 7 PM on the south face. Dial is within the Henry Doorley Zoo which may require admission to see the dial, which is a memorial to Marcia Bekins Shepard. Dial sits on a granite disk atop a mortared stone pedestal.
 
 
Omaha Nebraska USA Horizontal Dial Dial 654
A cast bronze horizontal dial with Roman hour numerals and fifteen-minute marks on a pedestal in a stone courtyard. Dial face includes a depiction of an hour glass with wings and a motto, GROW OLD ALONG WITH ME THE BEST IS YET TO BE. Dial sits on a three foot high fluted circular cast pedestal.
 
 
Omaha Nebraska USA Armillary Sphere Dial 655
A five foot diameter stainless steel armillary dial with central gnomon rod and equatorial, horizon, meridian and equinoctial colure rings. CST and CDST hours are marked with Arabic numerals. The dial rests on a polished black granite base of two supporting arms. The dial is located at the center of the Robert H. Storz Family Rose Garden within Lauritzen Gardens. Dial sits atop a two-arm polished black granite base approximately 4 feet tall. Viewing the dial requires paid admission to the Gardens.
 
 
Omaha Nebraska USA Horizontal Dial Dial 665
A bronze horizontal dial with 5 AM to 7 PM hour lines and Roman numerals. Placed on a cast concrete pedestal 3 feet high in the form of a tree trunk with an image of a bird cast into the base.
 
 
Omaha Nebraska USA Analemmatic Dial Dial 667
A 20 foot square dial painted on concrete. Painted hour markers in two arcs for ST and DST include longitude correction. A nearby plaque provides instructions for use of dateline but has the hour marker arcs miss-labeled for ST and DST.
 
 
Opp Alabama USA Equatorial Dial Dial 893
This 2-foot diameter equatorial disk is of quarter-inch aluminum plate with hourly time marks cut through with slots. Shorter slots mark half our and fifteen minute intervals. The noon mark is surrounded by short holes made at five minute intervals. At the top of the dial is a cut fleur de lis.
 
 
Opp Alabama USA Equatorial Dial Dial 895
An equatorial sundial made of diesel engine parts by the students of Lureen B. Wallace Community College, under the guidance of Eddie Spann, instructor for diesel and heavy equipment and designed by the college president, Dr. Herbert Riedel. The stand is a crankshaft from a Cummins engine, while the dial base and dial faceplate are flywheels. The gnomon is a heavy duty diesel cylinder liner puller. The gear teeth on the faceplate mesh with a small gear to allow easy adjustment for the equation of time. Hours are marked by bolts, and on the winter side are painted hour numbers.