![[258]](http://www.nv-landmarks.com/Landmark%20Photos/cc/shl258.jpg)
| Charles W. Friend House, Observatory, and Weather Station |
39.16422, -119.76433"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." -- Journal Entry, June 2007
Along Stewart Street in between King and Musser Streets -- Carson City
* Find this one in the small green across from the Nevada State Library and Archives Building *
Original Date Visited: 6/18/07
Signed: No
Notes: From this marker you can do a double-conquering with [250] -- State Printing Building if you walk across the street through the glass doors of the State Library and Archives building.
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.
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