Observatory

The Observatory was designed by Gentil J. K. Verbeke and constructed in two phases from 1928 to 1930 for approximately $23,000. The R. J. Arrand Contracting Co. was contracted to build the Observatory Tower in 1928 for a cost of $6625. The firm completed the tower $353 under budget on 14 April, 1929, for $6,272.[1] On 20 June, 1929 R. J. Arrand was again awarded a contract by the University, this time to build the small classroom wing of the Observatory for $15,640. Work on the classroom wing was completed on 23 January, 1930 for $15,034.50. University funding for the construction of the building was supplemented by private donations.

Along with the Field Husbandry Building, the Observatory would be among the last free-standing buildings constructed on campus until after the Second World War. (An addition to the Field Husbandry Building was completed in 1937, and an extension to the west wing of the Engineering Building would be completed in 1938. The only other original construct raised during the decade was Griffiths Stadium, which was completed with the addition of spectator stands in 1936).

A sundial was added to the exterior of the Observatory during the 1940s. It read:

I am a Shadow
So art thou
I mark Time
Dost Thou
?

See also: U of S Campus Observatory: A Brief History (video)