While the stone is engraved 'Ancient Chinese Type Sun Dial', this piece has European astrological signs and months engraved around the scales of this sundial. I assume the engraving refers to the first sundial (that was destroyed by vandals) and not this tremendous replacement sundial. I was unable to locate photographs of the first sundial.
"Funded by gifts of private individuals, the Denver Junior Chamber of Commerce, and the donations of several stone, masonry, and construction companies. Cost: approx. $10,000. This sundial is a replacement for the original sundial that was donated by George E. Cramner, installed in 1941, and destroyed by vandals who bombed the sundial with dynamite in September 1965. The original sundial was designed by Stephen A. Ionides, based on a small Chinese antique sundial. The replacement sundial was created by Milt Erickson and the Erickson Memorial Company. Preliminary cutting and grinding was performed by the Mack Marble & Tile Company. The stainless steel gnomon was provided by Coors Porcelain. Colorado Masonry Contractors were responsible for the installation." (from (
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The engravings surrounding this sundial are tremendous; They read as follows:
Summer top side reads:
In summer on this side, and ~
Winter side reads:
In winter here, I mark the hours.
[Engraved calculation directions at base of each side of the dial]
Read upper edge of shadow.
Add or subtract number of minutes shown here for
the current date. The result will be watch time. The
reading on the sundial shows the visible sun's time
here. Watches are set to the average time at the
105° Meridian (7 hours west of Greenwich, England),
which lies along Navajo Street, Denver, and is 17
seconds of time west of here. The 40th parallel
of north latitude, along which are Boulder, Lafay
ette and Brighton, lies 0°17' north of this site.
The axis of this sundial is elevated 39° 43'
It points now about 1° from the north
star to the pole of the heavens. The
stone is elevated at 50° 17' to be
parallel to the equator.
1941
The scales read:
Add 15 min
Add 10 min
SUNTIME
Add 5 min
WATCH TIME
Sub 5 min
Sub 10 min
Sub 15 min
DATE