National Historic Landmark

University of Illinois Observatory

Urbana, Champaign County, Illinois
Listed
December 20, 1989
Type
Building
Period
Industrial
Ref No.
89002466

About this property

The University of Illinois Astronomical Observatory, located at 901 S. Mathews Avenue in Urbana, Illinois, on the campus of the University of Illinois Urbana–Champaign, was built in 1896, and was designed by Charles A. Gunn. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on November 6, 1986, and on December 20, 1989, was designated a National Historic Landmark. Though none of the astronomical instruments are being used for professional research today, the observatory still contains a 12" Brashear refractor. The observatory played a key role in the development of astronomy as it was home to a key innovation in the area of astronomical photometry. The facility has been directed by such noted scientists as Joel Stebbins and Robert Horace Baker. Erected at the behest of the Illinois General Assembly, the University of Illinois Observatory became important in the development of astronomy due, in large part, to pioneering research by Dr. Stebbins, from 1907 to 1922. Joel Stebbins left the University of Illinois in 1922 but left behind a legacy of discovery that helped alter the face of modern astronomy. The building served the University of Illinois astronomy department from its opening until 1979, when the department moved into a new, larger building to house its growing staff.

Location

901 S. Mathews Ave.
Urbana, Champaign County, Illinois
40.10521, -88.22618

Categories

ENGINEERINGEDUCATIONSCIENCE
National Register nomination ›
Sources

Property data from the National Register of Historic Places, National Park Service (public domain).

Description adapted from Wikipedia under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

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Nearby Historic Sites

University of Illinois Astronomical Observatory
Pre Contact
0 mi
Smith, Tina Weedon, Memorial Hall
Industrial
0 mi
Morrow Plots, University of Illinois
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0.1 mi
Unitarian Church of Urbana
Pre Contact
0.1 mi
Alpha Delta Pi Sorority House
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0.1 mi

Questions about this property

When was University of Illinois Observatory listed on the National Register?

University of Illinois Observatory was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on December 20, 1989.

What type of historic resource is University of Illinois Observatory?

University of Illinois Observatory is classified as a building in the National Register of Historic Places.

Is University of Illinois Observatory a National Historic Landmark?

Yes. University of Illinois Observatory has been designated a National Historic Landmark (NHL), the highest level of federal recognition for historic properties in the United States.

What is the period of significance for University of Illinois Observatory?

The period of significance for University of Illinois Observatory is recorded as the industrial era.

Can I research the history near University of Illinois Observatory?

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