![]() A major earthquake in Long Beach in March 1933 - just as construction plans were being finalized - led the architects to abandon the planned terra cotta exterior in favor of strengthening and thickening the building's concrete walls. Griffith Observatory was shaped not only by the minds of scientists but also by the times in which it was built. (1934)* - The construction of Griffith Observatory in the final phases. In his will Griffith donated funds to build an observatory, exhibit hall, and planetarium on the donated land. Construction rubble is scattered around the Observatory's foundation.ģ,015 acres of land surrounding the observatory was donated to the City of Los Angeles by Colonel Griffith J. ![]() (1933) * - A man sits on a steel girder on the half-completed dome of the Griffith Observatory as other construction workers are on scaffolds on the building behind the dome. Austin based on preliminary sketches by Russell W. (1933) * - Work begins on the Griffith Observatory dome.Ĭonstruction began on June 20, 1933, using a design developed by architect John C. Griffith saw the rings of Saturn or another celestial object with the then-new 60-inch reflector telescope, but we can be sure that it inspired his vision of a world-class observatory for the people of Los Angeles, allowing the masses a glimpse of the heaven. What he saw transformed him, and would put Los Angeles at the forefront of a movement to make astronomy the people's science. Wilson about 1908, a short, powerfully built man with a handlebar mustache looked through the largest telescope in the world. Austin for a science facility. He later went on to design the iconic Griffith Observatory in Los Angeles. (1932) ^ - Sketch made by architect John C. If all mankind could look through that telescope, it would change the world." After a visit to Pasadena's giant 60-inch Hale telescope, built in 1908-then the largest in the world-Griffith's reaction to looking through the lens at the sky was: "Man's sense of values ought to be revised. Griffith, who also donated the Greek Theatre. The Observatory was the dream of the Welsh philanthropist Col. The Griffith Observatory is an Art Deco icon of Los Angeles that opened doors in 1935 and is located up on Mount Hollywood. They also didn't allow water inside the observatory, and while I understand this rule in theory, it was so hot inside that we were all getting dehydrated - all of the fragile equipment were behind glass, and we were walking around sweating and fanning each other.Griffith Observatory – Sketch by David Webb * One thing I will add is that the main/top floor didn't have AC (or at least it didn't feel like it), so it was very warm when we visited, and between the crowds and the 100F-degree weather outside, I think that more cooling stations would've been greatly appreciated. Each exhibit had a blurb that offered explanations in layman's terms, so it was easy for non-astronomers to understand. They also have a lower floor with exhibits, so be sure not to miss it. They have a Tesla Coil and a planetarium, as well as telescopes, scales of different planets and stars, and an exhibit on the Big Bang. The observatory is very well-curated, with a lot of exhibits and facts on different astronomical phenomena. Once we made it to the actual observatory, we had to show proof of vaccination (against COVID), and we had to wear masks while inside the observatory itself. We could also see the Hollywood sign clearly once we reached the entrance. It was a beautiful day, so we didn't mind the walk, and the views were beautiful. We took an Uber here, and the driver had to drop us off a third of a mile down the hill because there was so much traffic from other visitors that it was hard to drive the rest of the way up, but we were in good company walking the rest of the way up the hill. This gorgeous observatory perches atop a hill overlooking Los Angeles, and views alone are worth the schlep up the hill.
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