Join us for the Finale @ the Historic Hoosier Theatre, December 3rd @ 4pm.
Please text Brack a picture all your keys and bring them on the 3rd.

"If you don't like the weather in Indiana, just wait 5 minutes."

True or anecdotal, the weather does seem to change quickly and suddenly in our area. Although we go through periods of extended conditions (drought, rain, etc) these quick changes in the weather affect us everyday, whether we think about it or not. Commuting, shipping, event planning, stock markets are all affected by changes in the weather. So, that's why most us do check the weather. We watch the news, we check websites or we tap on our favourite weather apps. We like the notion of being prepared for what's coming.

Did you know there was a gentleman from Vevay who played a role in building the foundations of weather observation and forecasting? I give you the story of Charles G. Boerner.

Our nation existed for 50+ years without a national scale weather database or measurable forecasting apparatus. The Farmer's Almanac began making weather predictions in 1818, and although they do get it right at times, its predictions have always been a little suspect.

There were localized weather observations found in many places; journals, college studies, even some of the founding fathers were amateur weather observers. Our own, Jean Jacques Dufour kept weather data to help aid in the growing of his grape vines. But, there was no large scale national weather database for many years.

Then necessity drove invention in 1818.

To understand how weather effects health, Joseph Lovell, the US Army Surgeon General ordered each of the army surgeons throughout the country to begin keeping a diary of "medical topography". They began making observations on climate and its effects on diseases.

Now, enter the Smithsonian Institute and its mission to "increase and diffuse knowledge among men"(ahem and women).

The Smithsonian's first secretary, Joseph Henry, appropriated monies in 1846 and the next year issued weather monitoring equipment to 150 observers throughout the country. That information was telegraphed back to the Institute and a map was displayed on the National Mall in Washington D.C. Successful enough in its mission, they garnered the support of another 500 volunteers to compile weather data.

This is where our Notable, Charles G. Boerner, enters the picture.

Charles G. Boerner's Weather Observations June 1882 Charles Boerner was born April 14, 1827 in Artern, Prussian Saxony, a town which is now considered part of Germany. He spent time in Adrian, Michigan and Cincinnati, Ohio. In 1864, Charles moved to Vevay at the behest of his brother, Frederic, and began recording and transmitting weather observations to the Smithsonian. Three times each day he would leave his office on West Main Street and walk to his home on Pearl Street. He would record his observations on a form provided by the Smithsonian and then send it by telegraph. Temperature, rainfall, barometric pressures, even meteors were recorded.

In 1870, President Grant signed into law a new national weather service within the U.S. known as the Army Signal Service's Division. This led all Smithsonian based observations to be turned over to the Army, which led Mr. Boerner, then, to begin reporting as a U.S. Army Signal Service Observer in March of 1875. He continued to fulfil his responsibilities and receive daily weather telegrams from Washington D.C. Eventually reporting fell to the U.S. Weather Bureau, and then the National Weather Service.

No matter what government agency he reported to, Charles Boerner took his observations very seriously. So passionate and dedicated to the data he was collecting, he even published the "Meteorology of Vevay, Switzerland Co., Ind." in 1872. Boerner's observations were some of the oldest and most consistent recordings in the US and because of this, Vevay became part of the "Historical Climate Network" as one of its 1200 stations.

"A knowledge of the climate and the laws which govern it, is not only essential, but absolutely indispensible to the welfare of a nation or community."

Charles G. Boerner's ad in the Vevay Reveille in 1889 Not only was Charles Boerner an important early figure in the world of weather, but he was also an important member of the community in Vevay. He worked as a watchmaker, jeweler, and optician in his office. He sold weather related instruments to his patrons. He was even entrusted with examining meat for pathogens, by looking through his microscopes. He was a member of the City Council, IOOF, Masonic Order,

Charles' tedious and selfless contributions to his city and nation in an early and emerging scientific field garner him a spot as a notable figure in Switzerland County history. He graciously provided this data for 35 years until he died in 1899.

Next time you open up your weather app, remember the name Charles G. Boerner.

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