Charles W Friend was a scientist and astronomer who resided in Carson City, Nevada for forty years. The site of his home honors Friend with Nevada State Historical Marker number 258.
Born in Prussia on July 7th 1835, Charles Friend migrated from the old county to Folsome, California with his father during the California gold rush. Friend apprenticed as a jeweler and optician before moving to Carson City in 1867.
Between 1875 and 1876, Friend constructed the first Observatory in Nevada at his house on Stewart street, in Carson City. Utilizing the help of Nevada’s U.S. Senator William Stewart, Friend obtained a six-inch equatorial mount telescope and other instruments from the U. S Naval Academy.
Friend outfitted his observatory with a series of weather observations instruments, including rain gauges, thermometers, barometers an anemometer to measure wind speed. He took great care to ensure that all of his scientific instruments were properly calibrated and that his observations were as accurate as possible.
“All the thermometers are placed in an instrument shelter, made of lattice blinds and projecting 20 inches from a large pane of glass in the north wall of the observatory, 12 inches from the window and at the height of the eye of the observer. The thermometers are placed on wooden bars one inch square, and while there is free access of air to the shelter, all radiant heat and rain or snow are effectually excluded.”
Friend recorded observational readings from his instruments daily at 7 am, 2 pm and 9 pm to compile a climate record of Carson City. His observations were forwarded to the U. S. Army’s Signal Office.
Nevada State Historic Marker 259 Text
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 moved from Folsom to Carson City where he set up his own jewelery 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 equatorial mount telescope 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.
STATE HISTORIC MARKER No. 258
STATE HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICE, NEVADA STATE MUSEUM, THE BRETZLAFF FOUNDATION,
NEVADA STATE LIBRARY AND ARCHIVES, THE CARSON CITY HERITAGE COALITION
BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS
Nevada State Historic Marker 259 Map
Nevada State Historic Marker 259 Summary
| Name | Charles W. Friend House, Observatory, and Weather Station |
| Location | Carson City, Nevada |
| Latitude, Longitude | 39.1642, -119.7637 |
| Nevada State Historic Marker | 258 |
Nevada State Historical Markers identify significant places of interest in Nevada’s history. The Nevada State Legislature started the program in 1967 to bring the state’s heritage to the public’s attention with on-site markers. These roadside markers bring attention to the places, people, and events that make up Nevada’s heritage. They are as diverse as the counties they are located within and range from the typical mining boom and bust town to the largest and most accessible petroglyph sites in Northern Nevada Budget cuts to the program caused the program to become dormant in 2009. Many of the markers are lost or damaged.