Cranmer Park
Cranmer Park is a Denver city park[2] located in the Hilltop neighborhood off of Colorado Boulevard between East 1st and East 3rd Avenue. It is most famous for a large sundial, which does double duty as a climbing appliance for children.
Cranmer Park | |
 Sundial at Cranmer Park | |
   | |
| Location | Roughly bounded by E. Third Ave., Cherry St., E. First Ave., and Bellaire St., Denver, Colorado |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 39°43′10″N 104°56′6″W |
| Area | 24.3 acres (9.8 ha) |
| Built | 1919 |
| MPS | Denver Park and Parkway System TR |
| NRHP reference No. | 86002216 [1] |
| CSRHP No. | 5DV.5313 |
| Added to NRHP | September 17, 1986 |
An inscription at the base describes the axis of the gnomon as elevated 39°43' in the direction of polar north. The stone is perpendicular to the gnomon at 50°17', which makes it parallel to the equator. The south side of the stone is similarly marked for wintertime observation.
A polar chart at the base of the sundial describes the zodiac and degrees of the sun's position, and how to set a clock based on the gnomon's shadow. For winter viewing, the chart continues on the south side of the stone.
History of the Sundial
The current sundial is the second one to exist at this location in the park. The first was donated in 1941 by longtime Manager of Denver Parks George E. Cranmer, for whom the park is named. It was destroyed by vandals who exploded dynamite under it in September 1965. The replacement sundial was installed in March, 1966 after a successful citywide fundraising effort led by the Denver Junior Chamber of Commerce.[3]
References
- "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. March 13, 2009.
- Find a Denver Park Archived December 26, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
- Art Inventories Catalog, viewed June 20, 2009.