Page:A History of the University of Chicago by Thomas Wakefield Goodspeed.djvu/350

 308 A HISTORY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO which they were greatly aided by Professor George E. Hale, who was in charge of the department, the committee said: There being many conflicting opinions, it was deemed wise to confer directly with the leading astronomers of the country. A series of questions, prepared by Mr. Hale was sent to Professors Hough, Newcomb, Langley, Keeler, Pickering, Burnham, Young, and Hastings A summary of the replies has been prepared by Mr. Hale In all twenty-six places have received consideration; namely, Morgan Park, Tracy, Highland Park, Down- ers Grove, Hinsdale, Mt. Pleasant, Western Springs, La Grange, Glen Ellyn, Lake Geneva, Elmhurst, Elgin, Rockford, Peoria, Aurora, Waukegan, Belvi- dere, Sycamore, Marengo, Lena, Kankakee, Warren, Oregon, Princeton, Dixon, and Pasadena, California Of all the locations offered that one which seems to your committee to possess the greatest number of advan- tages is Lake Geneva, Wisconsin It is conceded by all concerned that no site thus far suggested combines in itself so many of the requirements, or any of the requirements to so great a degree. The site is high and beautifully located, the atmosphere is clear, without danger from the encroachment of manufactories, railroads, or electric lights. In accordance with this recommendation Lake Geneva was ultimately chosen as the site for the new Observatory. John Johnston, Jr., giving about fifty-five acres of land near Williams Bay, a site beautiful for situation, overlooking, from a lofty ele- vation, almost the entire area of the lake. The great object glass of the telescope was made by Alvan G. Clark & Sons of Boston. The telescope was made by Warner & Swasey of Cleveland, and was exhibited in the World's Fair in Chicago in 1893 m the Manufactures Building. It was not until after long delay that the plans were completed and the build- ing of the Observatory was begun in the spring of 1895. It was this delay that brought the Observatory into the second era of building. Meantime, President Harper had received from William E. Hale of Chicago, the father of Professor George E. Hale, the following letter: CHICAGO June 30, 1894 DEAR SIR: It gives me pleasure to offer to give to the University of Chicago the astro- nomical, physical, photographic, and mechanical equipment of the Kenwood Observatory, to be taken by you where it is now located on Forty-sixth Street, at such time as your Observatory buildings are prepared to receive it.