[4] Burckhalter developed a strong interest in astronomy,[5] and by 1880 he owned a 4-1⁄2 inch (11 cm) telescope.
[3] In 1885, Burckhalter was hired to teach geography and astronomy at the Oakland High School.
[5] He became director of the Chabot Observatory in 1887,[3] which was located in central Oakland and owned by the City Board of Education.
[3] He would later serve as president of this society, in 1895–96 and 1908–09, and would retain an active interest in the association for the remainder of his life.
[10] Because of ill health, during May 1923 Burckhalter resigned from his post as head of the Department of Astronomy for the Oakland schools.
[5] Earle G. Linsley from Mills College was chosen to be his successor as director of Chabot Observatory.