On my way somewhere else in late August 2006, I found this amazing building at the top of a hill in East Cleveland Ohio. From a functional perspective, it was easily identified: an observatory. As a recent immigrant to the area, it wasn't as easy to figure out what, exactly, I'd stumbled into.
After some on-site snooping and with Google as my friend, I began to put together the story.
There is very little original research I can add to the conversation and so I will be content to simply post some pictures and some links.
Here are some other sites that have more to share on this incredible building:
- Case Western Reserve University has collected some facts about this site.
- Some local designers started this site while students at the Cleveland Institute of Art (CIA). At the time (2002-2005), they were interested seeing the property restored. There's a short and well-done DVD for sale with some great images and information.
- Some more images can be found here along with some information about the buyer from 2005 and what he was doing from 2007 until recently.
- There are many facilities with the Warner & Swasey Observatory name and/or that have Warner & Swasey equipment.
I would have loved to turn it into a private residence myself, so I may understand some of Nayyir Al Mahdi's desire for this place.
Can you imagine attending lectures in this auditorium?
Or how about using this entrance?
It's just a beautiful old building.
Many thanks to Bridget Callahan and her recent Warner & Swasey post (about the building where the telescopes were made) for reminding me of this trip to the Observatory.
