Construction of Holcomb Observatory and Planetarium walls

Description:	Construction is underway on the James Irving Holcomb Observatory and Planetarium. Scaffolding has been assembled along the walls, a ladder leans against the scaffolding, and stacks of concrete blocks are piled throughout the space. Possibly written by Arthur F. Lindberg, Butler University Superintendent of Buildings and Grounds, a handwritten note on the back of the photograph describes the work. It took approximately 18 months of construction to complete the Indiana limestone building and fill dirt from the Ross Hall construction site (building opened September 12, 1954) was moved to this location, a high plot of land at the entrance to Holcomb Gardens. Dedicated on Friday, November 5, 1954, the structure was designed and planned by Lindberg; J. I. Holcomb, Vice President of the Board of Directors and Chair of the Buildings and Grounds Committee; Dr. Harry E. Crull, Professor of Mathematics and Head of the Department of Mathematics; Robert Frost Daggett, consulting architect; and the firm of Ammerman, Davis and Stout, consulting engineers. On the dedication day, morning classes were shortened, and afternoon classes were cancelled so people could attend the dedication convocation, which was a part of the Homecoming festivities and the start of the celebrations for the Universitys centennial year. Reports vary, but the estimated cost of the building and the telescope was between $325,000 and $350,000, and J. I. and Musetta Holcomb provided the funding for the project. The building includes a central tower topped with a dome housing a 38-inch Cassegrainian reflector telescope manufactured by J. W. Fecker, Inc., a planetarium in the west wing, and a lecture room in the east wing.
Source:	http://palni.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/ref/collection/BldgsGrnds/id/2684
Collection:	Butler University Buildings and Grounds Collection
Rights:	http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC-EDU/1.0/
Copyright:	In Copyright - Educational Use Permitted
Geography:	Indianapolis, Indiana, United States, 39.841474, -86.171414 39.841474 -86.171414
Subjects:	Construction projects Construction equipment Scaffolding Ladders Concrete blocks Observatories Planetariums Butler University--Buildings College buildings Butler University--History Indianapolis (Ind.)--History James Irving Holcomb Observatory and Planetarium Holcomb Observatory Fairview campus

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