California Historical Landmarks in Amador County
California Historical Landmark 715
Astronomical Observatory Site
Volcano
The original marker, dedicated in 1968, is located on Shake Ridge Road near Golden Hills Drive at the actual site of the observatory. A new marker was erected on Consolation Street in the township of Volcano in 2004.
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On the knoll behind this marker, George Madeira built the first amateur astronomical observatory of record in California and there discovered the Great Comet of 1861 with a three-inch refractor telescope.
California Registered Historical Landmark No 715
Plaque placed by the State Department of Parks and Recreation in cooperation with the Stockton
and Sacramento Astronomical Societies
November 17, 1968
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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 the sun and moon, stars and planets, and other glories of the heavens, including the Great Comet of 1861.
California Registered Historical Landmark No 715
Plaque placed by the State Department of Parks and Recreation in cooperation with the Astronomical Societies of Stockton and Sacramento. Plaque placed first in 1968. Revised and relocated in 2004.