- City:
- Chattanooga, TN
- Site Type:
- Civic Facilities, Education and Health
- New Deal Agencies:
- Public Works Funding, Public Works Administration (PWA)
- Completed:
- 1936
- Designer:
- Clarence T. Jones
- Quality of Information:
- Very Good
- Site Survival:
- Extant
Description
The Clarence T. Jones Observatory was designed by its namesake, who was both and architect and amateur astronomer. Jones presented city officials with plans for an observatory and a telescope, which would be constructed almost exclusively through volunteer labor. Built on donated land, construction was mostly funded by $17,000, divided about equally between a United States Public Works Administration (PWA) grant and the City of Chattanooga. The building was completed in 1936 while the telescope was still being assembled. The observatory was officially dedicated in 1938. The 20.5-inch telescope was the largest amateur-built telescope in the world when it was completed. Although a rule had existed that PWA projects could not be named after living people, the observatory was officially named for Jones in 1947.
The Observatory was leased for one dollar for 99 years to the University of Chattanooga (now the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga) during World War II by the City of Chattanooga because the mayor at the time said it was too sophisticated for school children to use.
Source notes
History
https://www.utc.edu/chemistry-physics/jones-observatory/history/index.php
Clarence T. Jones Loved Designing, Stargazing
https://www.chattanoogan.com/2010/1/9/166376/z/Sports/Prep-Scores.aspx
After 75 years, Jones Observatory still brings Chattanooga to the heavens
https://www.timesfreepress.com/news/life/entertainment/story/2013/mar/18/after-75-years-jones-observatory-still/102603/
Site originally submitted by Larry Moore on June 21, 2018.
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Frank L. jones
Clarence T. was my grandfather’ Frank Lloyd Jones’ brother. I was not born until 59’ and never met Clarence, but knew his son’s Art and Bruce well. Frank, my name sake died when I was young. Just like Clarence he dealt with heart issues and died in his 50’s. Both were architects. My grandfather Frank was in Ft Payne, AL about 55 miles south on I-59 from Chattanooga, TN. I grew up in Montgomery, AL and still reside there. I have very fond memories of going to Chattanooga as a child and took my daughter there several times when she was young. We have about 80 7th graders visiting Chattanooga this week from Saint James School. One of the sites I have had them research in Chattanooga is the Observatory. Of course I am biased in wanting them to know about it. I hope one of these years we can add it to our list of places to take them.