Local History: Chattanooga’s Observatory Becomes Reality

After years of anticipation and hard work, Chattanooga’s observatory, named after Clarence T. Jones, is now a reality. Certainly, Jones’ vision for this city-owned observatory garnered regional and national backing leading to its monumental completion.

The Vision for the Observatory

Back in December 1935, T.H. McMillan, Commissioner of Education, asserted that the observatory would attract as many visitors as the Chickamauga Battlefields. Chattanooga had the honor of being the first city to pay tribute to the esteemed Tennessee astronomer, Dr. Edward Emerson Barnard of Nashville. The inception of the local Barnard Astronomical Society was subsequently followed by similar initiatives in Knoxville and Nashville.

Chattanooga’s Achievement

Nashville Banner column’s ardent planetary observer, Latimer J. Wilson, honored Chattanooga’s commitment to further astronomy and develop leadership in the field. After attaining the WPA funds, using society’s technical skills to cut down on construction expenses, and designing an unmatched telescope, the city was applauded for transitioning from dream to reality.

The Construction of the Telescope

While the city enjoys national and some international recognition as a “manufacturing hub,” the formulation of a top-notch telescope marked a unique achievement. A lens cast at the renowned Corning Works was brought to Chattanooga in March 1937 to commence the making of the telescope.

Clarence Jones, working closely with his sons Bruce and Arthur, ground the lens in preparation for its integration into the colossal frame being finalized by a local foundry. The remarkable skill and expertise displayed in the merging of these efforts resulted in an extraordinary telescope that cost significantly less than the expected $10,000.

The Naming Controversy

As the observatory construction neared its end, a debate about its naming flared up among Chattanooga’s leaders. Despite Jones’ persistent proposals to name it the Barnard Observatory, the leaders decided to name the observatory after Jones.

However, this was not the end of the controversy. The city encountered an unexpected restriction: WPA funding could not be used to honor a facility for a “living person.” After a reachable intervention by Tennessee’s delegation, the ruling was rescinded.

Despite the reversal, Jones adamantly refused to have the observatory named after him. Unsurprisingly, he lost the argument, and the building bore his name. Reservation letters and telegrams poured in from “almost every state in the Union and from England, Canada, and Romania.”

The Inauguration of the Observatory

On an uninterrupted starlit evening in January 1938, reporters across the nation observed as the telescope focused on stellar spectacles like the moon, Saturn, “Sirius, the brightest of all stars, the red giants, Betelgeuse and Aldebaran,” and the colossal nebula in Orion. The inauguration was graced by hundreds of visitors across multiple evenings.

This observatory is a testament to the astronomical aspirations of Chattanooga. It not only offers a gateway to the cosmos but also celebrates the city’s commitment to scientific advancement and community development. Kudos to the city, the local astronomer, and all who played a part in turning the Chattanooga observatory dream into reality.