Ross Township, PA, United States
First Aluminum Observatory Dome. On the hill just west of here, the first known astronomical observatory with an aluminum dome was erected in 1930. Designed & built by Pittsburgh amateur astronomers led by Leo J. Scanlon, the Valley View Observatory stood beside his Van Buren St. home. In the ensuin
g years, many of the world's observatories were built with such domes. Scanlon's shiny metal dome became a model for the popular image of a modern observatory.
Listen to the audio guide for Blue plaque № 28353 Free on WIP — starts by itself when you arrive, even with the screen off