Gaithersburg Latitude Observatory
National Historic Landmark

Gaithersburg Latitude Observatory

Gaithersburg, Montgomery County, Maryland
Listed
July 11, 1985
Type
District
Period
Industrial
Ref No.
85001578

About this property

The Gaithersburg Latitude Observatory is a historic astronomical observatory on DeSellum Avenue in Gaithersburg, Maryland. It was established in 1899 as part of a system of six International Latitude Observatories to precisely measure the wobble of the Earth's rotating axis. The observatory building and adjacent monuments were designated a National Historic Landmark in 1989 as a testament to international scientific cooperation. The observatory was taken out of service in 1982 after automation eliminated the need for human observations; the property is now owned by the city.

Location

100 DeSellum Ave
Gaithersburg, Montgomery County, Maryland
39.13671, -77.19878

Categories

SCIENCE
National Register nomination ›
Sources

Property data from the National Register of Historic Places, National Park Service (public domain).

Description adapted from Wikipedia under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

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Nearby Historic Sites

Gaithersburg B & O Railroad Station and Freight Shed
Industrial
0.3 mi
Thomas and Company Cannery
Industrial
0.5 mi
Belt, J. A., Building
Industrial
0.5 mi
Washington Grove Historic District (Additional Documentation)
Listed
1.3 mi
West Montgomery Avenue Historic District
Listed
4.1 mi

Nearby Battles

Rockville Cavalry Skirmish (Stuart's Ride to Gettysburg via Maryland, 1863)
1863Civil War
4.5 mi

Questions about this property

When was Gaithersburg Latitude Observatory listed on the National Register?

Gaithersburg Latitude Observatory was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on July 11, 1985.

What type of historic resource is Gaithersburg Latitude Observatory?

Gaithersburg Latitude Observatory is classified as a district in the National Register of Historic Places.

Is Gaithersburg Latitude Observatory a National Historic Landmark?

Yes. Gaithersburg Latitude Observatory has been designated a National Historic Landmark (NHL), the highest level of federal recognition for historic properties in the United States.

What is the period of significance for Gaithersburg Latitude Observatory?

The period of significance for Gaithersburg Latitude Observatory is recorded as the industrial era, specifically around 1899.

Can I research the history near Gaithersburg Latitude Observatory?

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