Construction workers build the Holcomb Observatory and Planetarium

Description:	Construction of the James Irving Holcomb Observatory and Planetarium is underway and construction workers build the wall on the southwest side of the building. Handwriting at the bottom of the photograph, possibly created by Arthur F. Lindberg, Butler University Superintendent of Buildings and Grounds, describes the section of the building highlighted in the photograph. According to the article Holcomb Observatory to have 38-Inch Telescope, in the October 1953 issue of Butler Reports, One hundred and sixty-five tons of shot sawn Indiana limestone and 5,848 cubic feet of smooth limestone trim will form the exterior. Shot sawn stone is described by experts as being variegated (not smooth). The pieces will be of various lengths and widths and light buff, grey and blue in color (para. 14). Construction of the Indiana limestone building took approximately 18 months 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/2782
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, 39.841359, -86.171325 39.841359 -86.171325
Subjects:	Construction projects Construction equipment Construction workers Observatories Planetariums Trees Butler University--Buildings College buildings Butler University--History Indianapolis (Ind.)--History People James Irving Holcomb Observatory and Planetarium Holcomb Observatory Fairview campus

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