Construction of the Holcomb Observatory and Planetarium, as viewed from Lake Road
| Description: |
Construction of the James Irving Holcomb Observatory and Planetarium lobby is underway, as viewed from Lake Road, and there are piles of dirt in front of the building. 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 Arthur F. Lindberg, Butler University Superintendent of Buildings and Grounds; 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. |
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| Source: |
http://palni.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/ref/collection/BldgsGrnds/id/2777 |
| 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, 39.840719, -86.171332 39.840719 -86.171332 |
| Subjects: |
Construction projects Construction equipment Streets Curbs Storm sewers Observatories Planetariums Trees Butler University--Buildings College buildings Butler University--History Indianapolis (Ind.)--History James Irving Holcomb Observatory and Planetarium Holcomb Observatory Lake Road Fairview campus |
Further information on this record can be found at its source.
This project is made possible by a grant from the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services, administered by the Indiana State Library.