The K.T. Palmer Sundial
K.T. Palmer Sundial Circle · Sundial Plaza · Carefree, AZ
I'm not sure why they built it. Probably "just because." But, that's my favorite reason. I'm surprised they didn't build it in a better location, though. Somewhere more visible like the town square or the local mall. Instead, it's tucked away in a small office community, obscured from the street. But, I'll admit I do find it more rewarding when I actually have to make an effort to find something.
The timepiece was built in 1959, and at a length of 62 feet, it reigns as the Largest Sundial in the Western Hemisphere. (The world's largest is in Jaipur, India and is called Samrat Yantra, or "Supreme Instrument.") The Carefree Sundial was designed by architect Joe Wong and solar engineer John Yellot. (What exactly is a solar engineer? Is there much work in that field?) An attractive sculpture in the likeness of the sun hangs from the gnomon (Latin for pointy part), and the town has since added copper cladding to improve the dial's appearance.
It was built in honor of K.T. Palmer, the founder of Carefree. He and his partner Tom Darlington had a vision of creating a town entirely from scratch, and so they bought 2,200 acres outside of downtown Phoenix and went to work. They, and generations since, were sure to preserve the beauty of their part of the Sonoran desert. They were also sure to instill a sense of a life "free of care" which is reflected in the names they gave Carefree's streets. The sundial itself stands at the juncture of Sunshine Way, Carefree Drive, and Easy Street.
And half a block away, Ho Road and Hum Road merge into...well, you can guess.
You Got the Time, Now Get the Temperature
