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.

 

Massachusetts

 
Orange Massachusetts USA Vertical Dial Dial 527
A vertical sundial built from Eastern White Pine local-grown timber. The dial face is 35x44 inches and the gnomon is a 3 inch long aluminum rod. Hour lines include analemmas and the spring and fall lines are painted different colors with corresponding dates identified. Solstice and equinox lines are shown.
 
 
Orlando Florida USA Obelisk or Vertical Gnomon Dial 294
Bronze, granite An obelisk which, at the noon hour, will cast a shadow on a noon mark plaque positioned on the ground.
 
 
Orlando Florida USA Horizontal Dial Dial 37
This plain dial formed on a concrete base has an elegant gnomon, designed with an interior curve and oval. But alas, don't go to Florida to find it. Sometime in 2013 as Harcourt closed its Florida office, the new tenet had no use for the sundial and had it scheduled for demolition.
 
 
Orlando Florida USA Pillar Dial Dial 89
Reconstruction of a 4-sided pillar dial.
 
 
Oro Valley Arizona USA Compound Dial Dial 713
A massive, 24 foot [7.3m] tall combination almost-vertical and calendrical dial facing southwest so that northeast bound traffic can easily view the dial. The 13 foot [4m] diameter vertical ring dial of welded, zinc-coated steel declines 45 deg west and reclines 12 deg from vertical. The 3 inch [7.6cm] diameter, 20 foot [6m] long polar-pointing gnomon rod is supported in space by a 10 inch [25cm] diameter support tube with a cone nodus on the bottom end. The vertical dial shows longitude-corrected MST with hour and half-hour marks and Arabic numerals on the outer stainless steel chapter ring.
 
 
Oro Valley Arizona USA Analemmatic Dial Dial 871
This analemmatic sundial is painted on concrete. It is similar to John Carmichael's human sundial at Flandrau Planetarium at the University of Arizona. The orange background was painted by hand with acrylic paint on top of the blue acrylic court surface. Lettering and other markings were painted with Rustoleum spray enamel using stencils from Stencilease.com. Final touch up painting was done by hand. It took a three man team ten days to paint. It's quarter hour time marks are longitude corrected and shows Standard Time when readings are adjusted using the Equation of Time. It includes a central Date Line for standing, using monthly and weekly marks. There is a Solar Noon mark, and Bailey Points to indicate the direction of sunrise and sunset.
 
 
Orosi Valley Cartago Costa Rica Obelisk or Vertical Gnomon Dial 761
A 25 foot long point-in-space or nodus dial. The horizontal dial face is cuartilla (crushed stone). The 8 AM - 4 PM hour lines are red adoquines (bricks) and the noon hour line is lodged between gray adoquines. The dial equinox line is a row of gray adoquines. Solstices are identified by the curve formed by the tips of the hour lines. The gnomon atop a 1.8 m high vertical rod is a 21 cm diameter sphere, hand carved out of gabbro, a rock formed from molten magma. It is a replica of bolas de piedra (stone balls) created a thousand years ago by the local Diquis indigenous people and discovered in 1930.
 
 
Ottawa Ontario Canada Horizontal Dial Dial 827
This sundial is a memorial for W T Macoun. The dial is a simple bronze horizontal sundial, about 12 inches in diameter. It shows solar time with hour lines from 4 am to 8 pm. Hour marks are Roman numerals. The design accounts for the thick gnomon. The stone octagonal base is about 40 inches high
 
 
Ottawa Ontario Canada Horizontal Dial Dial 833
A garden variety round horizontal sundial about 12 inches in diameter. It looks like a bronze casting with iron staining from steel bolts. Hours marks only from VI to VI (6 am to 6 pm). The dial is located in a very shaded spot close to a building and surrounded by trees. Ornamental. Dial plate has inscription "Tempus Omnia Revelat" (Time Reveals All).
 
 
Ottawa Ontario Canada Horizontal Dial Dial 10
A bronze 12 inch diameter horizontal dial with hour lines from 4 AM to 8 PM and engraved Roman hour numerals and compass rose. This restoration was donated by Thomas Ritchie who remembered from his youth that the original dial was accidentally destroyed during the construction of the Parliament Library in 1872. The restored dial was unveiled May 19, 1921 by the Governor General, Sir Victor Cavendish, Duke of Devonshire.Dial sits atop light granite pillar approximately 18 inches diameter and 40 inches high.
 
 
Ottawa Ontario Canada Vertical Dial Dial 127
Two vertical declining dials declining 58.1° west and 31.9° east on adjacent sides of the south corner of the Sisters of Charity of Ottawa Mother House. The western dial is approximately 7x8 feet and the eastern dial is approximately 7x4 feet. The dials are of gray plaster with black painted iron gnomons. The dials decline 58.1? west of south and 31.9? east of south. The western dial has hour lines from 10 AM to 7 PM and the eastern dial has hour lines from 7 AM to 3 PM. These dials predate the use of time zones and show local solar time.
 
 
Ottawa Ontario Canada Horizontal Dial Dial 230
A large horizontal floral dial approximately 20 feet in diameter. Large circular area on ground forming the dial face with gravel and flower-beds between the hour lines. The flowers are annuals, best seen in the summer blooming season. Update June 2018: The dial has been refurbished with a new, accurately placed gnomon and wonderful bright flowers.
 
 
Ottawa Ontario Canada Vertical Dial Dial 1106
A 1.2m (47 in) wide by 0.7m (28 in) high vertical sundial that declines 5 degrees to the west of south. Hour lines are longitude-corrected. The dial face was laser cut from a large 3mm (1/8 in) thick plate of steel and powder coated with white paint. The cut-out pieces of the steel sheet were beautifully assembled together and mounted near the front door of the house. A conic gnomon was selected to point to the hour lines from 9am to 6pm summer hours.
 
 
Ottawa Ontario Canada Sun Alignment Dial 739
A memorial alignment dial that illuminates the headstone of the Unknown Soldier on Remembrance Day, November 11 at 11:00 AM, commemorating the end of World War I. Remembrance Day is celebrated on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of each year.
 
 
Ottawa Ontario Canada Globe or Hemispheric Dial 449
This hemispherium dial is a dramatic modern sculpture. The 32 inch quarter hemisphere is carved into the edge of a 40 inch cube of dark granite tilted to conform to its latitude of 45.5° , and set upon a rough concrete pedestal of slightly smaller dimension. The gnomon is a
 
 
Owasso Oklahoma USA Analemmatic Dial Dial 961
This is a nicely done 12 x 6 foot analemmatic. The time ellipse is white concrete with black hour marks using Roman numerals. Time is adjusted for longitude and daylight savings time. The walkway has black month marks and an explanation plaque.
 
 
Oxford Ohio USA Armillary Sphere Dial 103
A 6 foot armillary sphere sitting on a marble column supported by a ring of turtles. The armillary has equatorial, meridian, polar and equatorial rings, plus the arctic and antarctic rings near the poles. Along the outside of the equatorial ring are golden figures, marking the houses of the zodiac. On the inside of the equatorial ring are Roman numerals marking the hours. The armillary was a gift to the university on its 50th anniversary by the Miami chapter of Delta Delta Delta sorority. The plaque given coordinates of latitude and longitude of the dial that are slightly different than those from Google Earth, which are the coordinates given here.
 
 
Oxford Michigan USA Armillary Sphere Dial 1093
This is an armillary of unusual construction, mostly of nicely prepared wood. The base has three legs set out at 120°, holding horizon ring approximately 1m (39 inches) in diameter. An adjustable meridian ring for any latitude holds a brass polar axis rod and a cylinder for reading various time scales. The horizon ring has azimuths marked at every 5° and labelled every 15°. Interior to the horizon ring is the earth's celestial equator marked in right ascension in both hours and degrees. The equatorial ring ais connected to an umbrella-like portion of the north celestial pole, showing the position of the Big Dipper and Polaris.
 
 
Palisades New York USA Equatorial Dial Dial 410
An equatorial dial in bronze. Has analemma at the noon hour mark. Lamont-Doherty Sundial Fountain.
 
 
Palm Beach Florida USA Horizontal Dial Dial 637
A bronze horizontal dial approximately 24 inches square on a painted masonry pedestal. Inner hour circle shows Arabic numerals for standard time and outer hour circle shows Roman numerals for local time. Dial face includes cardinal direction marks and coordinates. An EOT table is provided in an adjacent bronze plaque atop the pedestal. Dial is located on the entrance walkway to the Flagler Museum, formerly known as Whitehall, Henry Flagler's private home. Museum is open to the public but requires an entry fee.
 
 
Palo Alto California USA Horizontal Dial Dial 900
This horizontal bronze dial is 14.5 inches in diameter, mounted on a fluted pedestal. The gnomon angle is set for the latitude and is 5 5/8 inches tall. Graceful hour lines extend from 5am to 7pm marked by Roman numerals. It is delineated only with half-hour lines. Surrounding the dial face is a zig-zag decoration.
 
 
Palo Alto California USA Vertical Dial Dial 482
A vertical declining dial approximately 45 x 55 inches. Made of aluminum and brass. Shows the hours from 8 am to 5 pm using analemmas. Analemmas are bounded by the summer and winter solstices and a straight line through them shows the equinox. Daylight time is shown using Roman numerals, with standard time shown in Arabic. In keeping with the motto, a simple equation is written on the dial face, d/dt is not equal 0. Designer Ronald Bracewell used an oculus, a disk with a central hole, standing 8 cm in front of the dial face. The disk casts a shadow with a bright sunlight dot to indicate both time and season. Hour lines include longitude correction. This has been relocated; it was previously hanging free below a south facing wall, facing the Terman Engineering Building. Dial is now located on the wall of a covered walkway area.
 
 
Palo Pinto Texas USA Horizontal Dial Dial 890
The 21 inches in diameter sundial started as a sculpture. A call went out to the boy and girl scouts (and alum men and women) to contributed fossils, and other artifacts. This included an arrowhead found at camp. These objects were incorporated into the finished wax, with the arrowhead embedded on the style edge at the very tip of the gnomon. A mold was taken of the completed sculpture and used to create a casting wax replica of the sculpture.
 
 
Palos Verdes Estates California USA Armillary Sphere Dial 740
A 1.5 meter diameter bronze armillary sphere atop a beige stone pedestal at the center of a 9 meter diameter pond or fountain. The Armillary includes meridian, equatorial and horizon rings as well as Arctic and Antarctic circles. The equatorial ring is perforated with Roman hour numerals and Zodiacal symbols. The central gnomon rod has a ball at the north end and an arrow tail at the south end.
 
 
Paramus New Jersey USA Horizontal Dial Dial 331
A ground level horizontal dial constructed from a rim of ten interlocking concrete pieces each 33 inches long. The interior is filled with an irregular concrete pieces whose edges form the hour and half-hour lines. The gnomon is iron, 51 inches from base to tip of style. The gnomon interior has a bronze statuette in the shape of a griffin taken from George Washington's coat of arms. The dial was stolen and replaced in early 1980's.
 
 
Park City Kentucky USA Horizontal Dial Dial 314
A beautiful horizontal dial 25 inches in diameter with a 9 inch gnomon. Has hour and half hour lines from 5 am to 7pm with 10 minute marks. South of the gnomon is an intricately engraved Great Seal of The United States of America. The dial is of Coconino sandstone and sits on a brick surround.
 
 
Parma Ohio USA Armillary Sphere Dial 580
A three foot armillary sundial with equatorial ring and gnomon pointer on a stone base with dedication plaque. Dial was built by the local high school vocational welding class in 1988.
 
 
Pasadena California USA Analemmatic Dial Dial 643
A 14x8 foot analemmatic dial with an 8x2 foot gnomon-positioning calendar plinth. The dial is installed in the pebble and concrete patio of the Winnett Student Center. The hour markers and calendar line plinth are made of Granodiorite of Knowles, a muscovite-bearing biotite granodiorite rock quarried from Knowles Quarry at Raymond, California. A nearby wall plaque provides longitude and EOT correction. The dial is a gift from the Caltech Alumni Association as a sculpture, a public artwork and a scientific instrument. This dial is located on the private university campus but the public may walk on the campus grounds to view the dial.
 
 
Pearl City, Oahu Hawaii USA Horizontal Dial Dial 535
A 28 foot stone horizontal dial with 8 foot high black wood and fiberglass gnomon located in a children's Sundial Garden. Hour markers are Roman numerals cast into concrete blocks. Dial is screened by koa and lonomea trees.
 
 
Pekin Illinois USA Horizontal Dial Dial 233
Two sundials. One is a horizontal sundial 6-ft. tall with a sloping 15-ft bright aluminum gnomon. The dial is called "Sundance". Adjacent is a gnomonic sundial with a 45-ft pole projecting its shadow onto the lawn in front of it. The ground level dial face consists of seven analemmas drawn in the grass field that surrounds the dial center. The analemmas are drawn for the hours 8 am to 3 pm, However, the noon analemma is larger and corresponds to the shadow of a disk atop the vertical pole.
 
 
Pelham Manor New York US Vertical Dial Dial 901
This south facing vertical dial is 4x2 feet made of concrete, now slightly brown with age. The graceful gnomon is white-painted metal. Hour numbers in Roman numerals extend from 6am to 6pm without further delineation.
 
 
Pella Iowa USA Armillary Sphere Dial 1098
An elegant armillary sphere approximately 8 ft (2.5m) tall. Painted black with gold Roman numerals for the hour marks. On the outside of the equatorial ring at each hour are embossed zodiac figures The gnomon is a traditional arrow with gold tip and feather. The dial has traditional arctic and antarctic rings.
 
 
Pennington New Jersey USA Cylindrical Dial Dial 803
This is an adaptation of the dual cylindrical sundial design by Hoffmann Albin of Butgenback, Belgium that provides for two separate dials to be displayed. In this variation, the two dials are separately displayed after being rotated and locked into viewing position every six months on the solstices. Except for two bronze sleeve bearings, all parts are 304 stainless steel that has been glass bead blasted to reduce reflection, machined, welded or laser cut. The analemmal hour lines, equinox and month lines are laser etched into the stainless steel dial plates. The dials and their supporting cradles are 12 gauge with 12" diameters. The post is 1.75" in diameter.
 
 
Penticton British Columbia Canada Analemmatic Dial Dial 240
This analemmatic dial, the "Skaha Solar Timepiece", dates from 1984 and spans an area of 65' x 35'. At the center is a platform marked out with a steel analemma, acting as the date scale. The steel is embossed with a date scale and zodiac. The hour and cardinal direction markers are concrete posts, installed in 1998 to replace the rotted originals. The size and positioning of the analemma is somewhat mismatched to the placement of concrete markers, but overall it is a well-made piece in a pleasant setting. A nearby explanatory plaque claims, incorrectly, that this is the third-ever analemmatic sundial in the world.
 
 
Peoria Arizona USA Horizontal Dial Dial 939
This wonderful sculpture of a hummingbird serves as the gnomon for an 18 foot diameter horizontal sundial. The sundial sculpture was inspired by the beauty of the hummingbird with many species of them living and thriving in Arizona. The gnomon stands 7-feet tall with intricate aluminum frets welded together to give both depth and warmth to the hummingbird. Surrounding the gnomon are 150,000 Vetriluxe one-inch square glass mosaic tiles in bright colors depicting a flower where the bird sucks nectar. Inlaid into the tile work are Arabic hour numbers from 6am to 6pm as well as the cardinal points.
 
 
Peoria Illinois USA Horizontal Dial Dial 607
An 18 inch octagonal horizontal dial of cast bronze. The dial face includes hour lines with ten minute marks and Roman numerals. The dial is on an octagonal polished granite pedestal. The bronze gnomon is correctly set at 40? but appears to be more modern than the cast dial face. This is one of two "sister" dials ordered cast by Grant Hood; the second dial was placed at Bradley School of Horology but later disposed and now in private ownership in Lynchburg, Virginia.
 
 
Perryville Missouri USA Horizontal Dial Dial 882
The square 14.5-inch dial is made of while milk stone with graphics highlighted using lithochrome paint. The gnomon is made of stainless steel 303-alloy and has the letter P held between the base and style. The dial sits upon a square frustrum pedestal 3-feet tall, 24-inches square at the base, tapering to 17.5-inches at the top. The pedestal is supported on a 32-inch square base.
 
 
Perryville Missouri USA Vertical Dial Dial 916
The sundial is attributed to Vincentian Brother Angelo Oliva, being painted sometime in the 14 year period between 1823, when he arrived in Perryville to lead the reconstruction of the original, wooden church into the present one made of stone, and 1837 when he died. The dial has been recently repainted.
 
 
Philadelphia Pennsylvania USA Equatorial Dial Dial 741
An equatorial projection dial with a 12 inch diameter stainless steel equatorial ring incised with Arabic hour numerals that project onto a grooved central support shaft of Cipollino and Carrara marble set on a bluestone foundation. A hole near the top of the central marble shaft emits flowing water that runs down the central groove and is recirculated in the warm months. The sundial/fountain marble shaft is 7 inches wide, 36 inches high with a 24 by 55 inch wide base. The dial and nearby Cipollino marble bench rest on a 13-1/2 foot diameter foundation of bluestone pavers set on concrete. Direct sunlight on the dial is limited by two of the three nearby buildings. In summer with a high elevation sun, sunlight casts gnomon shadows mid-day and for a few hours in the afternoon. The sundial/fountain sculpture was commissioned by Society Hill Towers in honor of I. M. Pei, Architect of the Towers and was dedicated on the 40th anniversary of the Towers in 2003.
 
 
Philadelphia Pennsylvania USA Horizontal Dial Dial 146
A 10 inch diameter horizontal dial on a 40 inch tall square marble pedestal with dedication plaque. Gnomon is missing.
 
 
Philadelphia Pennsylvania USA Vertical Dial Dial 147
Evelyn Taylor Price Memorial Sundial A vertical dial within a bronze sunflower held overhead in the outstretched arms of the bronze sculpture of two children. Dial is a vertical south decliner with hour marks from 6am to 6pm in Roman numerals.
 
 
Philadelphia Pennsylvania USA Horizontal Dial Dial 148
Horizontal dial approximately one foot diameter mounted on old stone atop a 3 foot stone pedestal. It is sitting against north wall of the garden and not aligned in proper direction. Plaque at the base states "This sundial stood for over a century in the gardens of Dorchester House, Park Lane, London, England. Presented by The Soroptomist Club of Philadelphia, December 23, 1935". This may be true for the dial plate because the hour angles indicate a latitude of 51°, the London latitude. It may not be true for the gnomon, whose style angle is 40°, the Philadelphia latitude. Access by taking guided tour, $5; then ask for garden.
 
 
Philadelphia Pennsylvania USA Horizontal Dial Dial 150
A 21 inch diameter horizontal dial on three foot brick pedestal. Hour lines only. Gnomon reclined. Made in 1989 to commemorate Bicentennial of the General Assembly Presbyterian Church (USA). Visible through locked gates.
 
 
Philadelphia Pennsylvania USA Horizontal Dial Dial 156
A 1 foot diameter bronze horizontal dial in backyard garden. May be from 18th century. The gnomon is shaky for its bolts are loose. Style angle is about 51deg, an angle for London, not for Philadelphia.
 
 
Philadelphia Pennsylvania USA Horizontal Dial Dial 157
A 1 foot diameter bronze horizontal dial on a square granite pedestal 3 feet tall. Possibly made in 18th century. Beautiful engraving.
 
 
Philadelphia Pennsylvania USA Analemmatic Dial Dial 158
Analemmatic dial with bronze standing figures.
 
 
Philadelphia Pennsylvania USA Horizontal Dial Dial 160
A 1 foot diameter bronze horizontal dial. It was presented by National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors in 1991. However, the style angle is 52deg
 
 
Philadelphia Pennsylvania USA Horizontal Dial Dial 229
Bronze horizontal dial by Alexander Stirling Calder. Local Hour lines plus EoT monthly corrections and differences between 12 world cities. Tip of gnomon appears damaged. The elegant pedestal sculpture is made of white marble and depicts 4 seated young women as the four seasons holding the dial plinth on their shoulders. The plinth itself is intricately carved with the animals of the zodiac. Height 42-inches, Diameter 50-inches. The dial was a gift of Mrs. Charles P. Turner, through the Fairmount Park Art Association (now the Association for Public Art) to the City of Philadelphia
 
 
Philadelphia Pennsylvania USA Horizontal Dial Dial 1016
In a small plaza is a beautiful bronze statue of Pan with Flute. The statue is 36 x 20 x 18 inches. His should is bent to hold a 12-inch bronze sundial. Along the edge of the dial are Roman hour marks from 5am to 7pm. "In 1938, Mrs. William Stansfield presented the bronze statue, “Pan with Sundial,” to the University in memory of her husband, an alum from the class of 1902. The work is by Philadelphia native Beatrice Fenton, a figurative sculptor and portraitist who studied at the School of the Philadelphia Museum of Art and the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts. Fenton exhibited her work as the 11th member of the “Philadelphia Ten”—a group of women artists—as well as at the Art Institute of Chicago, the 1939 New York City World’s Fair and, in 1976, the Philadelphia Museum of Art. From 1942 to 1953, Fenton taught sculpture at the Moore Institute of Art.
 
 
Philadelphia Pennsylvania USA Noon Mark or Meridian Dial Dial 1017
This meridian dial titled "The Point Where Things Change" was commissioned by the Redevelopment Authority of the City of Philadelphia. It is a large 8-foot diameter hoop aligned north-south. The gray painted hoop is supported at its base, covered by a narrow steel sheet cone also painted gray. The meridian dial and cone are slightly raised above a concrete pad. During the morning the shadow climbs up the AM side of the cone, at noon it rests directly on the point, and in the afternoon it starts to descend down the PM side of the cone. The Redevelopment Authority budgeted $18,000 for the meridian dial as a public art project.