Palo Alto  

 Sundial: 900
State/Province:  California Country:  USA
Dial Type:  Horizontal Dial Condition:  Good
  Latitude and Longitude: 37° 26.383' N  122° 8.867' W
Location:
  • Elizabeth F. Gamble Garden, 1431 Waverly St, Palo Alto CA 94301. Located near the SE side of the Gamble House, in a garden walkway.
 
Description:
  • 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.

    In the center of the dial are pointers for "W" and "E". Using a watch and a camera of the sundial shadow time and comparing them to the NOAA solar calculator of time based on EOT and longitude, the dial is pointed true north.
 
General Information:Inscription:
  • Owner: Elizabeth F. Gamble Garden, City of Palo Alto
  • THE MOVING FINGER WRITES; AND HAVING WRIT MOVES ON: NOR ALL YOUR PIETY NOR WIT SHALL LURE IT BACK TO CANCEL HALF A LINE NOR ALL YOUR TEARS WASH OUT A WORD OF IT
  • Designer:
  • Builder:
 
References:
  • Elizabeth F. Gamble, granddaughter of the co-founder of Procter & Gamble, left her house and garden to the City of Palo Alto upon her death in 1981. In 1985 Gamble Garden became a public garden, entirely supported by its newly formed, non-profit, horticultural foundation.

Last Revised: 2018-02-28 23:53