McKnight in Ross Township in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

First Aluminum Observatory Dome

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 & Space • Education • Exploration • Science & Medicine. In addition, it is included in the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission (PHMC) 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. It 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.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater Pittsburgh.

It is also in the American Northeast,

in the Mid-Atlantic,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Northern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Viceroyalty of New France,

the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

and one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this

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marker, measured as the crow flies: 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); First School of West View (approx. 1.2 miles away); St. Luke's Evangelical Lutheran Church (approx. 1.2 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).

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 2,952 times since then and 111 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.