Construction Years 1967-1968
By: Bob King & Jack Betz
As early as August 1966, ASH was trying to find a suitable permanent observatory site. Mentioned in a previous article was the appeal to the public for information on possible sites.
By March 1967, ASH had obtained IRS tax-emption status, which, along with prior incorporation, enabled the Society to ask for and receive donations toward land purchase and observatory construction.
Above: Announcement of the start of the now Naylor Observatory, Sunday News, October 22, 1967
A 3.25-acre site was purchased in Fairview Township, northern York County. Ground breaking took place June 13, 1967. At this time, the Society was meeting in the old Blue Shield building on Erford Road, Camp Hill, and had 85 members, 8 of whom were from the York area. Planned were an observatory, operation room, observation platforms, lecture hall, work shop, optics shop, photo lab and library. The lecture room was to include skylights for open observation during lectures. Projected cost? $50,000 to $60,000.
A 12.5" Cassegrain 'scope had already been completed and was on display at the planetarium of the new William Penn Museum. By September of 1967, the observatory walls had been completed. The dome floor was completed the next month.
While all this was going on due to the unflagging labor of members, the Society held its 12th anniversary dinner at the Jolly Coppersmith in February 1968 with Peter Van de Kamp as guest speaker.
Above: Announcement of the dedication of the ASH Observatory to be held December 12, 1968
The culmination of all our efforts took place on December 3, 1968, when the observatory was dedicated, with Dr. John Cavanaugh of F&M as guest speaker. Jack Betz was Society president at the time, and Ed Naylor gave the dedication ceremony for the site which was to bear his name.
Above: The Program for the Dedication of the ASH Observatory
Thus, ASH finally reached a much desired plateau and could work toward the goal which has resulted in what is seen and utilized today.
