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Site preparation, clearing rock
Once there was a road to the top of Observatory Hill, construction on the telescope began. The first task is to prepare the site by removing trees and leveling the area.
Site preparation, broken rock being cleared by hand, water tower in background
Machines used during construction were steam-powered. This water tower was used to keep a supply of water on hand.
Site preparation for Director's House on Little Saanich Mountain
A picture of the construction of what would become the Director's house on Observatory Hill. The north pier of the telescope is visible in the background
Railcars in Victoria containing telescope parts, telescope tube and steel structures
A picture of a railcar in Victoria carrying the telescope tube and various other parts of the telescope. The Victoria Feed Co. building is in the background. The railyard was located just west of Government street
Railcars in Victoria containing telescope parts, telescope tube and steel structures
A picture of a railcar in Victoria carrying the telescope tube and various other parts of the telescope. The Victoria Feed Co. building is in the background. The railyard was located just west of Government street
Polar axis sitting on the observing floor
A picture of the polar axis sitting on the observing floor between the two piers. The telescope tube is visible in the background
Polar axis rigged for hoisting into place
A picture of the fully assembled polar axis rigged and ready to be hoisted into place on top of the two telescope piers
Polar axis ready to be hoisted from floor of dome into position on the pier
A picture of the polar axis of the telescope ready to be hoisted from the ground floor up to the observing floor. The bottom structure to which the telescope tube will be attached is in the background.
Polar axis on horse-drawn cart travelling along Glanford Avenue.
A picture of the polar axis on Glanford Avenue on its way to the observatory. The picture is taken looking northwest
Polar axis on horse-drawn cart posing for photo on Glanford Avenue
A picture of the polar axis on Glanford Avenue on its way to the observatory. The picture is taken looking northwest
Polar axis on horse-drawn cart in front of Maywood Meat Market in Victoria
A picture of the polar axis of the telescope on a wagon drawn by 8 horses. The picture is taken on Douglas Street in front of the Maywood Meat Market located at the cornerof Douglas and Alpha. Notice the street car tracks on the road and that team of…
Polar Axis on blocks, outside Warner & Swasey shop, Cleveland (side view)
A picture of the polar axis of the telescope out side of the Warner & Swasey factory. The polar axis is accurately aligned to the axis of Earth's rotation so that the telescope can properl;y track stars.
Polar Axis on blocks, outside Warner & Swasey shop, Cleveland (end view)
A picture of the partially disassembled polar axis on blocks outside the Warner & Swasey factory
Polar Axis on blocks with machinist, outside Warner & Swasey shop, Cleveland (end view)
A picture of the completed polar axis on blocks outside the Warner & Swasey factory
Polar Axis on blocks with engineer, outside Warner & Swasey shop, Cleveland (end view)
A picture of the polar axis on blocks outside the Warner & Swasey factory
Polar axis in its final position on pier
A picture of the polar axis blocked into its final position on top of the two piers
Polar axis beng removed from hauling cart
A picture of the polar axis being removed from the cart. To do this, the cart had to be dismantled
Polar axis being hoisted into place
A picture of the polar axis, drive gear and bearings assembled ready to be hoisted into place on top of the two piers. A workman is sitting on the top.
Polar axis being hauled in a horse-drawn cart along Glanford Avenue towards DAO
A picture of the polar axis on Glanford Avenue on its way to the observatory. It is followed by a cart drawn by two horses and an automobile
Polar axis being hauled in a horse-drawn cart along Glanford Avenue towards DAO
A picture of the polar axis on Glanford Avenue on its way to the observatory. It is not clear what is in the cart being hauled by two horses. The picture is taken looking south
Polar axis being chained to lifting equipment by workmen
A picture of the polar axis of the telescope being chained to a winch so that it can raised into the dome.
Polar axis and team of horses travelling up the Observatory Hill road
A picture of the polar axis being hauled by a team of 12 horses. It is near the top of the hill, just before the Director's House. The mostly completed dome is visible through the trees. Is the person standing in front of the dome J.S. Plaskett?
Polar axis and team of horses travelling up the Observatory Hill road
A picture of the polar axis being hauled by a team of 12 horses. It is near the top of the hill, at the Director's House. The mostly completed dome is visible through the trees. Is the person standing in front of the dome J.S. Plaskett waiting for…
Polar axis and team of horses at top of Observatory Hill road
A picture of the polar axis on a horse-drawn wagon at the top of Observatory Hill.
Polar axis and team of horses at hairpin turn on the Observatory Hill road
A picture of the polar axis and a team of horses at the hairpin curve on Observatory Hill road. It appears the teams of horses are being given a break before the next part of the ascent.
Polar axis and other parts sitting on the observing floor
A picture of the polar axis and other partds sitting on the observing floor between the two piers. The telescope tube is visible in the background
Pier, pile of steel for pier frame work, showing crane tower and top of pier
A picture showing the massive concrete pier under construction. The lower part of the north pier has been poured and the metal frame of the form for the upper part is visible. The structure for raising the metal frame pieces is to the left. This was…
Pier, lower half cement, upper half with wood forms, dome perimeter forms, other side
In this picture the lower parts of both the north and south piers (combined in one piece) is completed and the forms for both piers appears to be completed.
Pier, lower half cement, upper half with wood forms, dome perimeter forms started
In this picture the lower parts of both the north and south piers (combined in one piece) is completed and the forms for both piers appears to be completed. The water tower is visible in the background
Pier, front view of lower half cemented, with wood forms, top half showing steel work
A picture showing the massive concrete pier under construction. The lower part of the north pier has been poured and the metal frame of the form for the upper part is visible.
Pier, finished, low viewpoint showing dome perimeter form
A picture of the completed piers. Visible is the large concrete pad on which the pier structure sits. This is hidden below the floor in the completed building.
Pier, finished, elevated viewpoint showing pier on cement pad, workmen on pier
A picture of the completed piers with three men that gives a sense of the scale. The concrete floor of the building is also completed in this picture.
Pier, finished, distant view with tall ladder leaning against pier
A distant view of the completed piers. A long long ladded is standing against the pier.
Pier, excellent view showing wood forms, steel structure, rock pile, and cement shute
In this picture ths shute used to move concrete into the completed forms.
Pier, edge view of cement with wood forms in place, water tower and crane tower
A picture showing the massive concrete pier under construction. The lower part of the north pier has been poured and the metal frame of the form for the upper part is visible. The water tower is visible in the backgroud
Pier, edge view of cement with wood forms in place, men mixing cement
Men mixing cement are visible in this picture. The bucjets of concrete needed to be raised up and poured into the finished forms.
Pier, closeup of cement arch way
This picture provides a good view of the archway between the two pieres. This archway is a notable feature when one is inside the completed telescope and dome.
Pier, assembling steel frame work, showing crane tower and partially formed pier
A picture showing the massive concrete pier under construction. The lower part of the north pier has been poured and the metal frame of the form for the upper part is visible
Part of telescope being hauled by team of horses up the observatory road
A picture of the lower part of the telescope being hauled up the Observatory Hill road by a team of horses. The hollow tube would attach to this piece which would be attached to the polar axis. The spectrograph would hange off one end.
Original office building with landscaping
A picture of the original office building after the landscaping is complete
Observatory Road before Construction
Unpaved Observatory Road between dense forest on the Hill.
Observatory Hill road, view of tire tracks going up the hill past rock cliff
A picture of the road going up Observatory Hill. The Province of British Columbia paid for the road as their contribution to the telescope project. The Province also gave $10,000 for the purchase of the site
Observatory Hill road, view of tire tracks going up the hill
A picture of the road going up Observatory Hill. The Province of British Columbia paid for the road as their contribution to the telescope project. The Province also gave $10,000 for the purchase of the site
Observatory Hill road, view of tire tracks going up hill towards a cut in the road
A picture of the road going up Observatory Hill. The Province of British Columbia paid for the road as their contribution to the telescope project. The Province also gave $10,000 for the purchase of the site
Observatory Hill road, view of shoulder and edge of road bed
A picture of the road going up Observatory Hill. The Province of British Columbia paid for the road as their contribution to the telescope project. The Province also gave $10,000 for the purchase of the site
Observatory Hill road, view of hairpin turn from outer edge
A picture of the road going up Observatory Hill. The Province of British Columbia paid for the road as their contribution to the telescope project. The Province also gave $10,000 for the purchase of the site
Observatory Hill road, view of hairpin turn from inside edge, showing rock edging detail
A picture of the road going up Observatory Hill. The Province of British Columbia paid for the road as their contribution to the telescope project. The Province also gave $10,000 for the purchase of the site
Observatory Hill road, general view through an open area
A picture of the road going up Observatory Hill. The Province of British Columbia paid for the road as their contribution to the telescope project. The Province also gave $10,000 for the purchase of the site
Observatory Hill road, excellent detailed view of road bed and deep edging
A picture of the road going up Observatory Hill. The Province of British Columbia paid for the road as their contribution to the telescope project. The Province also gave $10,000 for the purchase of the site
Observatory Hill road, detailed view of shoulder showing edge of road bed
A picture of the road going up Observatory Hill. The Province of British Columbia paid for the road as their contribution to the telescope project. The Province also gave $10,000 for the purchase of the site