10/19/2011
3/1/1996
Landmark information
- Location:
Currently: NE corner of Main St and Rams Head Grade, Volcano; Formerly located at Shake Ridge Rd, 1 mi W of Rams Horn Grade, outside Volcano - Plaque:
Official State Plaque - Site:
Nothing Remains - Date First Visited:
3/1/1996 - Date Most Recently Visited:
10/19/2011 - GPS Coordinates:
N 38 26.571, W 120 37.879
About this landmark
Plaque text:
Astronomical Observatory
Here in Volcano in 1860, miner and amateur astronomer George Madeira built California's first astronomical observatory of record and operated it for two years. Using a three inch refractor telescope he studied sun and moon, stars and planets, and other glories of the heavens, including the great comet of 1861.