National Register of Historic Places

McKim Observatory, DePauw University

Greencastle, Putnam County, Indiana
Listed
December 22, 1978
Type
Building
Period
Industrial
Ref No.
78000051

About this property

McKim Observatory is an astronomical observatory owned and operated by DePauw University. Built in 1884, it is located in Greencastle, Indiana, United States. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1978. The observatory is named after Robert McKim, who presented to the observatory a complete astronomical outfit at a cost of over $10,000. McKim was born in County Tyrone, Ireland, on May 24, 1816, and died in Madison, Indiana, May 9, 1887. After completing his apprenticeship as a stonemason in Ireland, he emigrated to the United States, worked for a time in Philadelphia, and moved to Madison, Indiana, in 1837. In 1855, he left stone masonry and established himself in the coal business. Income from investments in real estate enabled him to make investments in manufacturing enterprises which did well. McKim was always a lover of astronomical studies, and, after his investment income was sufficient, he purchased one of the best telescopes in the United States for a private observatory adjoining his residence. Besides De Pauw, public charities and other institutions of learning also benefited by his bequests. "McKim Observatory Homepage". McKim Observatory. Archived from the original on May 21, 2005. Retrieved December 14, 2005. Greencastle Clear Sky Clock Forecasts of observing conditions covering McKim Observatory.

Location

Greencastle, Putnam County, Indiana
39.64560, -86.85246

Categories

ARTEDUCATIONSCIENCE
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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Questions about this property

When was McKim Observatory, DePauw University listed on the National Register?

McKim Observatory, DePauw University was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on December 22, 1978.

What type of historic resource is McKim Observatory, DePauw University?

McKim Observatory, DePauw University is classified as a building in the National Register of Historic Places.

What is the period of significance for McKim Observatory, DePauw University?

The period of significance for McKim Observatory, DePauw University is recorded as the industrial era.

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