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“Bite-Size Bits of Local, National, and Global History”
“Bite-Size Bits of Local, National, and Global History”
McKnight in Ross Township in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
 

First Aluminum Observatory Dome

 
 
First Aluminum Observatory Dome Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Glomar, September 12, 2010
1. First Aluminum Observatory Dome Marker
Inscription. On the hill just west of here, the first known astronomical observatory with an aluminum dome was erected in 1930. Designed & built by Pittsburgh amateur astronomers led by Leo J. Scanlon, the Valley View Observatory stood beside his Van Buren St. home. In the ensuing years, many of the world's observatories were built with such domes. Scanlon's shiny metal dome became a model for the popular image of a modern observatory.
 
Erected 1998 by Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission.
 
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Air & SpaceEducationExplorationScience & Medicine. In addition, it is included in the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1930.
 
Location. 40° 29.992′ N, 80° 0.769′ W. Marker is in Ross Township, Pennsylvania, in Allegheny County. It is in McKnight. Marker is at the intersection of McKnight Road (U.S. 19) and West View Avenue, on the right when traveling south on McKnight Road. At interchange of McKnight Road and West View. Also at intersection of West View Ave and Roseland Ave. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Pittsburgh PA 15229, United States of America. Touch for directions.
 
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies
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. St. John Neumann (approx. half a mile away); History of Observatory Hill (approx. ¾ mile away); Riverview United Presbyterian Church (approx. 1.1 miles away); Allegheny Observatory (approx. 1.2 miles away); West View Memorial (approx. 1.8 miles away); In Memory of John (Jack) Brennan (approx. 2 miles away); Ross Township Fifth District World War II Memorial (approx. 2 miles away); Mount Assisi (approx. 2 miles away).
 
First Aluminum Observatory Dome Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Mike Wintermantel, July 10, 2011
2. First Aluminum Observatory Dome Marker
 
 
Credits. This page was last revised on April 17, 2023. It was originally submitted on September 12, 2010, by Glomar of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 1,884 times since then and 74 times this year. Photos:   1. submitted on September 12, 2010, by Glomar of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.   2. submitted on July 11, 2011, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.

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Mar. 29, 2024