The sundial in Carefree, Arizona, is noteworthy for being one of the largest sundials in the United States. Here's the story behind it.
The Carefree sundial was constructed in 1959 by architect Joe Wong and solar engineer John Yellott. It was part of the early development of the town of Carefree, envisioned by its developers, Kenyon Palmer and Tom Darlington, as a unique feature to attract residents and visitors to the area.
The sundial measures 90 feet in diameter, standing 35 feet above the plaza and pointing towards the North Star. Its massive steel frame is covered in anodized aluminum, making it both durable and visually striking. The metal gnomon, the part of the sundial that casts the shadow, extends 72 feet and is aligned at a 32 and a half degree angle to the horizontal, pointing due north.
Due to its size and precise alignment, the sundial accurately tells the time. However, like all sundials, it requires sunny weather to function and can be affected by the equation of time due to the Earth's elliptical orbit and axial tilt.
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