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$viewFile = '/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp' $dataForView = array( 'content_for_layout' => '<div class="row twoColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail"><div class="module clearfix"><div class="ar-basic-box"> <div class="module-spacer"> <header><h1 class="article-headline">Goldendale Observatory</h1></header> <div class="row"> <div class="col-sm-6 left module-spacer"> <p> <div> <div>1602 Observatory Drive</div> <div> <span>Goldendale</span>, <span>WA</span> <span>98620</span> </div> </div> </p> <div> <i class="fa fa-external-link-square"></i> <a href="http://www.goldendaleobservatory.com/" target="_blank">Goldendale Observatory</a> </div> <div><i class="fa fa-phone-square"></i> 509-773-3141</div> </div> <div class="col-sm-6 module-spacer"> <iframe width="100%" height="220" frameborder="0" style="border:0" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed/v1/place?key=AIzaSyCU5aZylcrTOLke9e3U0F2mXovlZ4bL8yk&q=Goldendale+Observatory%2C+1602+Observatory+Drive%2C+Goldendale%2C+WA+98620" allowfullscreen> </iframe> </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer clearfix"> <p>A History of Goldendale ObservatoryBy D. HardinThe Goldendale Observatory had its beginnings not in Goldendale, but in Vancouver, Washington at Clark Community College. Four members of an amateur astronomy club began working together on a very ambitious project, the building of a 12 inch telescope on Larch Mountain for the college's astronomy department. Only one of the four had a college degree. Don Conner, the most involved of all, was a high school dropout, and apparently somewhat of a problem child. If this inauspicious beginning was not enough, Don, a retired auto parts worker, had multiple sclerosis severe enough to require his use of a wheel chair for most of the project's existence. Don had a driving interest in astronomy and making telescopes. He started out during the depression grinding mirrors from glass furniture coasters and emery dust discarded as waste from the Fuller Glass Company. He studied all the material on astronomy he could obtain. As Don became increasingly skilled he enjoyed passing on his skills to young people interested in astronomy and telescope making.Working closely with Don on the grinding, polishing, and constant testing of the observatory's twenty-four and one-half inch, 200 pound Pyrex mirror was Don's long term astronomy club buddy, Mack McConnell. Mack was a glass engraver until an allergy forced him to take a job with the Vancouver Water Department. Another member of the foursome, Omer VanVelden, usually called "Van", was an employee of Weber Machine Company. Van worked nights and weekends manufacturing all the intricate gears, shafts, and fittings needed for the new large telescope.Less involved in mirror grinding, John Marshall's role was nonetheless crucial. Marshall, a former electrician, did the work on the wiring, switches, motors, and other electrical components. One day John told Don Conner, "I think I can talk the college into financing a large mirror blank. What do you say to a twenty-four and one-half inch?" Perhaps that was the moment the telescope at Goldendale was born. Fitting action to words, John had the 200 pound, five inch thick Pyrex disk on order before the other three members of the group hardly knew what happened.</p> </div> <div class="reportthis" style="margin-bottom: 20px;"> <form method="post" action="/goldendale-wa/report/place/goldendale-observatory-goldendale-wa.html"> <button type="submit" class="btn btnregister pull-right" style="margin-bottom: 10px;">Flag This Place</button> </form> </div> <div class="report_button_message">Please use "Flag This Place" to alert us about content that is inappropriate or needs immediate attention. Nothing you submit will be shared with other site visitors. </div> <style> .report_button_message { color: #333; font-size: 12px; clear: both; } </style> </div> </div> </div><div class="module clearfix"><div class="module-spacer tout-homefit-750"> <a data-formelementid="CSN-LOCAL-HC-PLSK-02272024" href="/goldendale-wa/home-and-community/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-HC-PLSK-02272024"><img class="img-responsive" alt="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" title="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/touts/HomeFit_750x150.png"></a> </div></div></div> <div class="col-md-4 right-rail thin-rhs"><div class="module clearfix"><!--default--> <!-- module_RHS - AARP Events --> <div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer"> <header> <div class="pull-right"> <a href="/goldendale-wa/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS"> <img style="width:30px;" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/icons/aarp_event_icon.png" alt="Upcoming AARP Events" /> </a> </div> <h2 class="visible-lg">AARP Events for Goldendale</h2> <h2 class="hidden-lg">AARP Events for Goldendale</h2> </header> <div class="wrap"> <div class="ar-listing snippet"> <ul class="list"> <li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-nc-charlotte-presents-zumba-gold-for-brain-health-11132024-at-11-am-et-tqn7k5x8gwd.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-TRY-A-ZUMBA-GOLD-CLASS-FOR-FITNESS-AND-BRAIN-HEALTH">Try a Zumba Gold Class for Fitness and Brain Health</a></h2> <p class="time">Wednesday, Nov 13, 2024 at 8:00 a.m. PT</p> <p class="venue">Zoom</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/virtual-aarp-tx-grief-and-the-holidays-austin-tx-11132024-tsnx8mp7xj2.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-GRIEF-AND-THE-HOLIDAYS-COPING-WITH-LOSS-WHEN-OTHERS-ARE-JOYFUL">Grief and the Holidays: Coping With Loss When Others are Joyful</a></h2> <p class="time">Wednesday, Nov 13, 2024 at 8:30 a.m. PT</p> <p class="venue">Zoom</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-tn-whats-cookin-with-aarp-chef-donald-2024-z7nrdt97hkn.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-COOKING-CLASS-WHATS-COOKIN-WITH-CHEF-DONALD-NICHOLS">Cooking Class: What's Cookin’ with Chef Donald Nichols</a></h2> <p class="time">Wednesday, Nov 13, 2024 at 9:00 a.m. PT</p> <p class="venue">Zoom</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li> </ul> <p><a class="link-red" href="/goldendale-wa/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS">View All AARP Events<i class="ml-1 fas fa-chevron-right"></i></a></p> </div> </div> </div> <div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper"> <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_53475" data-adsize="300x250"> <script type="text/javascript"> if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){ AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_53475', size:'300x250'}); } </script> </div> </div> <div class="card-tout card-dark membership-tout" style="margin:0 0 30px 0;"> <img class="img-responsive image" title="image of two AARP membership cards" alt="image of two AARP membership cards" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/tout-two-cards.png"> <div class="title">Only $12 your first year with Automatic Renewal</div> <ul class="list"> <li>Immediate access to your <a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/">member benefits</a></li> <li>Discounts on travel and everyday savings</li> <li>Subscription to AARP The Magazine</li> <li>FREE second membership</li> </ul> <div class="action"> <a class="btn" href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/join?campaignid=UAJFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A-GOLDENDALE-WA">Join AARP</a> <div class="body">Already a member? <a href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/renew?campaignid= UARFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A-GOLDENDALE-WA">Renew</a> or <a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/my-membership/print-your-card/">Print Card</a></div> </div> </div> <style> .membership-tout {padding:16px 20px;} .membership-tout .list li { margin: 0; } </style> <div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper"> <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_93505" data-adsize="300x250"> <script type="text/javascript"> if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){ AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_93505', size:'300x250'}); } </script> </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer text-center"> <div class="fb-page" alt="Image of AARP Washington Facebook Page" title="Image of AARP Washington Facebook Page" data-href="https://www.facebook.com/AARPWA" data-tabs="timeline" width="320" height="" data-small-header="false" data-adapt-container-width="true" data-hide-cover="false" data-show-facepile="true" lazy="true"> <blockquote cite="https://www.facebook.com/AARPWA" class="fb-xfbml-parse-ignore"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/AARPWA">Facebook</a></blockquote> </div> </div> <div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer"> <header> <h2>Contact AARP<br />Washington</h2> </header> <div class="wrap"> <div class="ar-quick-list module-spacer"> <ul class="list-unstyled"> <li><i class="list-icon fa fa-envelope" alt="Email icon" title="Email icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="mailto:WAAARP@aarp.org " target="_blank" rel="noopener">WAAARP@aarp.org </a></li> <li><i class="list-icon fa fa-globe" alt="Globe icon" title="Globe icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="https://states.aarp.org/region/washington/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">AARP Washington</a></li> <li><i class="list-icon fa fa-map-marker" alt="Map Marker icon" title="Map Marker icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="https://states.aarp.org/welcome-to-aarp-washington/?intcmp=SNG-LNK-AARPLOCAL-CONTACT-20140101-GOLDENDALE-WA" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Contact Us</a></li> </ul> </div> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/AARPWA" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Facebook"><img alt="Facebook icon" title="Facebook icon" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/responsive/icons/48/facebook-dreamstale25.png"></a> <a href="https://twitter.com/AARPWA" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Twitter"><img alt="Twitter icon" title="Twitter icon" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/responsive/icons/48/x-logo-black.png"></a> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/aarpwa/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Instagram"><img src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/icon-ig.png" alt="Instagram icon" title="Instagram icon" style="height: 49px;"></a> </div> </div> </div></div> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail left-bot"></div> <div class="col-md-4 right-rail right-bot thin-rhs"></div> </div> <div class="row oneColumnLayout"> </div> <div class="row oneColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-12"><!-- script to activate navbar --> <script type="text/javascript"> jQuery(".channelBarMain ul.left li a").click(function() { window.location = jQuery(this).attr('href'); }); </script> </div> </div> ', 'scripts_for_layout' => '<title>Goldendale Observatory - Goldendale, WA</title> <meta name="page_title" content="Goldendale Observatory - Goldendale, WA"/> <meta name="robots" content="noindex, nofollow"/> <meta content="A History of Goldendale ObservatoryBy D. HardinThe Goldendale Observatory had its beginnings not in Goldendale, but in Vancouver, Washington at Clark" name="description"/> <meta content="Goldendale, Observatory, WA" name="keywords"/> <link rel="canonical" href="https://www.americantowns.com/place/goldendale-observatory-goldendale-wa.html" /> <meta property="og:url" content="https://vccstaging.local.aarp.org/place/goldendale-observatory-goldendale-wa.html"/> <meta name="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image"/> <meta name="twitter:title" content="Goldendale Observatory"/> <meta name="twitter:description" content="A History of Goldendale ObservatoryBy D. HardinThe Goldendale Observatory had its beginnings not in Goldendale, but in Vancouver, Washington at Clark"/> <meta name="twitter:image" content="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/thumbs/generic-icon.jpg"/> <meta property="og:type" content="place"/> <meta property="og:title" content="Goldendale Observatory"/> <meta property="og:description" content="A History of Goldendale ObservatoryBy D. HardinThe Goldendale Observatory had its beginnings not in Goldendale, but in Vancouver, Washington at Clark"/> <meta property="og:image" content="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/thumbs/generic-icon.jpg"/> <meta property="place:location:latitude" content="45.839001"/> <meta property="place:location:longitude" content="-120.816002"/> ', 'title_for_layout' => 'Place Detail - AARP' ) $content_for_layout = '<div class="row twoColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail"><div class="module clearfix"><div class="ar-basic-box"> <div class="module-spacer"> <header><h1 class="article-headline">Goldendale Observatory</h1></header> <div class="row"> <div class="col-sm-6 left module-spacer"> <p> <div> <div>1602 Observatory Drive</div> <div> <span>Goldendale</span>, <span>WA</span> <span>98620</span> </div> </div> </p> <div> <i class="fa fa-external-link-square"></i> <a href="http://www.goldendaleobservatory.com/" target="_blank">Goldendale Observatory</a> </div> <div><i class="fa fa-phone-square"></i> 509-773-3141</div> </div> <div class="col-sm-6 module-spacer"> <iframe width="100%" height="220" frameborder="0" style="border:0" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed/v1/place?key=AIzaSyCU5aZylcrTOLke9e3U0F2mXovlZ4bL8yk&q=Goldendale+Observatory%2C+1602+Observatory+Drive%2C+Goldendale%2C+WA+98620" allowfullscreen> </iframe> </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer clearfix"> <p>A History of Goldendale ObservatoryBy D. HardinThe Goldendale Observatory had its beginnings not in Goldendale, but in Vancouver, Washington at Clark Community College. Four members of an amateur astronomy club began working together on a very ambitious project, the building of a 12 inch telescope on Larch Mountain for the college's astronomy department. Only one of the four had a college degree. Don Conner, the most involved of all, was a high school dropout, and apparently somewhat of a problem child. If this inauspicious beginning was not enough, Don, a retired auto parts worker, had multiple sclerosis severe enough to require his use of a wheel chair for most of the project's existence. Don had a driving interest in astronomy and making telescopes. He started out during the depression grinding mirrors from glass furniture coasters and emery dust discarded as waste from the Fuller Glass Company. He studied all the material on astronomy he could obtain. As Don became increasingly skilled he enjoyed passing on his skills to young people interested in astronomy and telescope making.Working closely with Don on the grinding, polishing, and constant testing of the observatory's twenty-four and one-half inch, 200 pound Pyrex mirror was Don's long term astronomy club buddy, Mack McConnell. Mack was a glass engraver until an allergy forced him to take a job with the Vancouver Water Department. Another member of the foursome, Omer VanVelden, usually called "Van", was an employee of Weber Machine Company. Van worked nights and weekends manufacturing all the intricate gears, shafts, and fittings needed for the new large telescope.Less involved in mirror grinding, John Marshall's role was nonetheless crucial. Marshall, a former electrician, did the work on the wiring, switches, motors, and other electrical components. One day John told Don Conner, "I think I can talk the college into financing a large mirror blank. What do you say to a twenty-four and one-half inch?" Perhaps that was the moment the telescope at Goldendale was born. Fitting action to words, John had the 200 pound, five inch thick Pyrex disk on order before the other three members of the group hardly knew what happened.</p> </div> <div class="reportthis" style="margin-bottom: 20px;"> <form method="post" action="/goldendale-wa/report/place/goldendale-observatory-goldendale-wa.html"> <button type="submit" class="btn btnregister pull-right" style="margin-bottom: 10px;">Flag This Place</button> </form> </div> <div class="report_button_message">Please use "Flag This Place" to alert us about content that is inappropriate or needs immediate attention. Nothing you submit will be shared with other site visitors. </div> <style> .report_button_message { color: #333; font-size: 12px; clear: both; } </style> </div> </div> </div><div class="module clearfix"><div class="module-spacer tout-homefit-750"> <a data-formelementid="CSN-LOCAL-HC-PLSK-02272024" href="/goldendale-wa/home-and-community/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-HC-PLSK-02272024"><img class="img-responsive" alt="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" title="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/touts/HomeFit_750x150.png"></a> </div></div></div> <div class="col-md-4 right-rail thin-rhs"><div class="module clearfix"><!--default--> <!-- module_RHS - AARP Events --> <div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer"> <header> <div class="pull-right"> <a href="/goldendale-wa/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS"> <img style="width:30px;" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/icons/aarp_event_icon.png" alt="Upcoming AARP Events" /> </a> </div> <h2 class="visible-lg">AARP Events for Goldendale</h2> <h2 class="hidden-lg">AARP Events for Goldendale</h2> </header> <div class="wrap"> <div class="ar-listing snippet"> <ul class="list"> <li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-nc-charlotte-presents-zumba-gold-for-brain-health-11132024-at-11-am-et-tqn7k5x8gwd.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-TRY-A-ZUMBA-GOLD-CLASS-FOR-FITNESS-AND-BRAIN-HEALTH">Try a Zumba Gold Class for Fitness and Brain Health</a></h2> <p class="time">Wednesday, Nov 13, 2024 at 8:00 a.m. PT</p> <p class="venue">Zoom</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/virtual-aarp-tx-grief-and-the-holidays-austin-tx-11132024-tsnx8mp7xj2.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-GRIEF-AND-THE-HOLIDAYS-COPING-WITH-LOSS-WHEN-OTHERS-ARE-JOYFUL">Grief and the Holidays: Coping With Loss When Others are Joyful</a></h2> <p class="time">Wednesday, Nov 13, 2024 at 8:30 a.m. PT</p> <p class="venue">Zoom</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-tn-whats-cookin-with-aarp-chef-donald-2024-z7nrdt97hkn.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-COOKING-CLASS-WHATS-COOKIN-WITH-CHEF-DONALD-NICHOLS">Cooking Class: What's Cookin’ with Chef Donald Nichols</a></h2> <p class="time">Wednesday, Nov 13, 2024 at 9:00 a.m. PT</p> <p class="venue">Zoom</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li> </ul> <p><a class="link-red" href="/goldendale-wa/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS">View All AARP Events<i class="ml-1 fas fa-chevron-right"></i></a></p> </div> </div> </div> <div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper"> <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_53475" data-adsize="300x250"> <script type="text/javascript"> if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){ AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_53475', size:'300x250'}); } </script> </div> </div> <div class="card-tout card-dark membership-tout" style="margin:0 0 30px 0;"> <img class="img-responsive image" title="image of two AARP membership cards" alt="image of two AARP membership cards" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/tout-two-cards.png"> <div class="title">Only $12 your first year with Automatic Renewal</div> <ul class="list"> <li>Immediate access to your <a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/">member benefits</a></li> <li>Discounts on travel and everyday savings</li> <li>Subscription to AARP The Magazine</li> <li>FREE second membership</li> </ul> <div class="action"> <a class="btn" href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/join?campaignid=UAJFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A-GOLDENDALE-WA">Join AARP</a> <div class="body">Already a member? <a href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/renew?campaignid= UARFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A-GOLDENDALE-WA">Renew</a> or <a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/my-membership/print-your-card/">Print Card</a></div> </div> </div> <style> .membership-tout {padding:16px 20px;} .membership-tout .list li { margin: 0; } </style> <div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper"> <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_93505" data-adsize="300x250"> <script type="text/javascript"> if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){ AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_93505', size:'300x250'}); } </script> </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer text-center"> <div class="fb-page" alt="Image of AARP Washington Facebook Page" title="Image of AARP Washington Facebook Page" data-href="https://www.facebook.com/AARPWA" data-tabs="timeline" width="320" height="" data-small-header="false" data-adapt-container-width="true" data-hide-cover="false" data-show-facepile="true" lazy="true"> <blockquote cite="https://www.facebook.com/AARPWA" class="fb-xfbml-parse-ignore"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/AARPWA">Facebook</a></blockquote> </div> </div> <div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer"> <header> <h2>Contact AARP<br />Washington</h2> </header> <div class="wrap"> <div class="ar-quick-list module-spacer"> <ul class="list-unstyled"> <li><i class="list-icon fa fa-envelope" alt="Email icon" title="Email icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="mailto:WAAARP@aarp.org " target="_blank" rel="noopener">WAAARP@aarp.org </a></li> <li><i class="list-icon fa fa-globe" alt="Globe icon" title="Globe icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="https://states.aarp.org/region/washington/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">AARP Washington</a></li> <li><i class="list-icon fa fa-map-marker" alt="Map Marker icon" title="Map Marker icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="https://states.aarp.org/welcome-to-aarp-washington/?intcmp=SNG-LNK-AARPLOCAL-CONTACT-20140101-GOLDENDALE-WA" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Contact Us</a></li> </ul> </div> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/AARPWA" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Facebook"><img alt="Facebook icon" title="Facebook icon" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/responsive/icons/48/facebook-dreamstale25.png"></a> <a href="https://twitter.com/AARPWA" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Twitter"><img alt="Twitter icon" title="Twitter icon" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/responsive/icons/48/x-logo-black.png"></a> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/aarpwa/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Instagram"><img src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/icon-ig.png" alt="Instagram icon" title="Instagram icon" style="height: 49px;"></a> </div> </div> </div></div> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail left-bot"></div> <div class="col-md-4 right-rail right-bot thin-rhs"></div> </div> <div class="row oneColumnLayout"> </div> <div class="row oneColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-12"><!-- script to activate navbar --> <script type="text/javascript"> jQuery(".channelBarMain ul.left li a").click(function() { window.location = jQuery(this).attr('href'); }); </script> </div> </div> ' $scripts_for_layout = '<title>Goldendale Observatory - Goldendale, WA</title> <meta name="page_title" content="Goldendale Observatory - Goldendale, WA"/> <meta name="robots" content="noindex, nofollow"/> <meta content="A History of Goldendale ObservatoryBy D. HardinThe Goldendale Observatory had its beginnings not in Goldendale, but in Vancouver, Washington at Clark" name="description"/> <meta content="Goldendale, Observatory, WA" name="keywords"/> <link rel="canonical" href="https://www.americantowns.com/place/goldendale-observatory-goldendale-wa.html" /> <meta property="og:url" content="https://vccstaging.local.aarp.org/place/goldendale-observatory-goldendale-wa.html"/> <meta name="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image"/> <meta name="twitter:title" content="Goldendale Observatory"/> <meta name="twitter:description" content="A History of Goldendale ObservatoryBy D. 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$viewFile = '/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp' $dataForView = array( 'content_for_layout' => '<div class="row twoColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail"><div class="module clearfix"><div class="ar-basic-box"> <div class="module-spacer"> <header><h1 class="article-headline">Goldendale Observatory</h1></header> <div class="row"> <div class="col-sm-6 left module-spacer"> <p> <div> <div>1602 Observatory Drive</div> <div> <span>Goldendale</span>, <span>WA</span> <span>98620</span> </div> </div> </p> <div> <i class="fa fa-external-link-square"></i> <a href="http://www.goldendaleobservatory.com/" target="_blank">Goldendale Observatory</a> </div> <div><i class="fa fa-phone-square"></i> 509-773-3141</div> </div> <div class="col-sm-6 module-spacer"> <iframe width="100%" height="220" frameborder="0" style="border:0" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed/v1/place?key=AIzaSyCU5aZylcrTOLke9e3U0F2mXovlZ4bL8yk&q=Goldendale+Observatory%2C+1602+Observatory+Drive%2C+Goldendale%2C+WA+98620" allowfullscreen> </iframe> </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer clearfix"> <p>A History of Goldendale ObservatoryBy D. HardinThe Goldendale Observatory had its beginnings not in Goldendale, but in Vancouver, Washington at Clark Community College. Four members of an amateur astronomy club began working together on a very ambitious project, the building of a 12 inch telescope on Larch Mountain for the college's astronomy department. Only one of the four had a college degree. Don Conner, the most involved of all, was a high school dropout, and apparently somewhat of a problem child. If this inauspicious beginning was not enough, Don, a retired auto parts worker, had multiple sclerosis severe enough to require his use of a wheel chair for most of the project's existence. Don had a driving interest in astronomy and making telescopes. He started out during the depression grinding mirrors from glass furniture coasters and emery dust discarded as waste from the Fuller Glass Company. He studied all the material on astronomy he could obtain. As Don became increasingly skilled he enjoyed passing on his skills to young people interested in astronomy and telescope making.Working closely with Don on the grinding, polishing, and constant testing of the observatory's twenty-four and one-half inch, 200 pound Pyrex mirror was Don's long term astronomy club buddy, Mack McConnell. Mack was a glass engraver until an allergy forced him to take a job with the Vancouver Water Department. Another member of the foursome, Omer VanVelden, usually called "Van", was an employee of Weber Machine Company. Van worked nights and weekends manufacturing all the intricate gears, shafts, and fittings needed for the new large telescope.Less involved in mirror grinding, John Marshall's role was nonetheless crucial. Marshall, a former electrician, did the work on the wiring, switches, motors, and other electrical components. One day John told Don Conner, "I think I can talk the college into financing a large mirror blank. What do you say to a twenty-four and one-half inch?" Perhaps that was the moment the telescope at Goldendale was born. Fitting action to words, John had the 200 pound, five inch thick Pyrex disk on order before the other three members of the group hardly knew what happened.</p> </div> <div class="reportthis" style="margin-bottom: 20px;"> <form method="post" action="/goldendale-wa/report/place/goldendale-observatory-goldendale-wa.html"> <button type="submit" class="btn btnregister pull-right" style="margin-bottom: 10px;">Flag This Place</button> </form> </div> <div class="report_button_message">Please use "Flag This Place" to alert us about content that is inappropriate or needs immediate attention. Nothing you submit will be shared with other site visitors. </div> <style> .report_button_message { color: #333; font-size: 12px; clear: both; } </style> </div> </div> </div><div class="module clearfix"><div class="module-spacer tout-homefit-750"> <a data-formelementid="CSN-LOCAL-HC-PLSK-02272024" href="/goldendale-wa/home-and-community/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-HC-PLSK-02272024"><img class="img-responsive" alt="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" title="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/touts/HomeFit_750x150.png"></a> </div></div></div> <div class="col-md-4 right-rail thin-rhs"><div class="module clearfix"><!--default--> <!-- module_RHS - AARP Events --> <div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer"> <header> <div class="pull-right"> <a href="/goldendale-wa/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS"> <img style="width:30px;" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/icons/aarp_event_icon.png" alt="Upcoming AARP Events" /> </a> </div> <h2 class="visible-lg">AARP Events for Goldendale</h2> <h2 class="hidden-lg">AARP Events for Goldendale</h2> </header> <div class="wrap"> <div class="ar-listing snippet"> <ul class="list"> <li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-nc-charlotte-presents-zumba-gold-for-brain-health-11132024-at-11-am-et-tqn7k5x8gwd.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-TRY-A-ZUMBA-GOLD-CLASS-FOR-FITNESS-AND-BRAIN-HEALTH">Try a Zumba Gold Class for Fitness and Brain Health</a></h2> <p class="time">Wednesday, Nov 13, 2024 at 8:00 a.m. PT</p> <p class="venue">Zoom</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/virtual-aarp-tx-grief-and-the-holidays-austin-tx-11132024-tsnx8mp7xj2.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-GRIEF-AND-THE-HOLIDAYS-COPING-WITH-LOSS-WHEN-OTHERS-ARE-JOYFUL">Grief and the Holidays: Coping With Loss When Others are Joyful</a></h2> <p class="time">Wednesday, Nov 13, 2024 at 8:30 a.m. PT</p> <p class="venue">Zoom</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-tn-whats-cookin-with-aarp-chef-donald-2024-z7nrdt97hkn.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-COOKING-CLASS-WHATS-COOKIN-WITH-CHEF-DONALD-NICHOLS">Cooking Class: What's Cookin’ with Chef Donald Nichols</a></h2> <p class="time">Wednesday, Nov 13, 2024 at 9:00 a.m. PT</p> <p class="venue">Zoom</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li> </ul> <p><a class="link-red" href="/goldendale-wa/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS">View All AARP Events<i class="ml-1 fas fa-chevron-right"></i></a></p> </div> </div> </div> <div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper"> <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_53475" data-adsize="300x250"> <script type="text/javascript"> if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){ AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_53475', size:'300x250'}); } </script> </div> </div> <div class="card-tout card-dark membership-tout" style="margin:0 0 30px 0;"> <img class="img-responsive image" title="image of two AARP membership cards" alt="image of two AARP membership cards" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/tout-two-cards.png"> <div class="title">Only $12 your first year with Automatic Renewal</div> <ul class="list"> <li>Immediate access to your <a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/">member benefits</a></li> <li>Discounts on travel and everyday savings</li> <li>Subscription to AARP The Magazine</li> <li>FREE second membership</li> </ul> <div class="action"> <a class="btn" href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/join?campaignid=UAJFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A-GOLDENDALE-WA">Join AARP</a> <div class="body">Already a member? 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HardinThe Goldendale Observatory had its beginnings not in Goldendale, but in Vancouver, Washington at Clark" name="description"/> <meta content="Goldendale, Observatory, WA" name="keywords"/> <link rel="canonical" href="https://www.americantowns.com/place/goldendale-observatory-goldendale-wa.html" /> <meta property="og:url" content="https://vccstaging.local.aarp.org/place/goldendale-observatory-goldendale-wa.html"/> <meta name="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image"/> <meta name="twitter:title" content="Goldendale Observatory"/> <meta name="twitter:description" content="A History of Goldendale ObservatoryBy D. HardinThe Goldendale Observatory had its beginnings not in Goldendale, but in Vancouver, Washington at Clark"/> <meta name="twitter:image" content="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/thumbs/generic-icon.jpg"/> <meta property="og:type" content="place"/> <meta property="og:title" content="Goldendale Observatory"/> <meta property="og:description" content="A History of Goldendale ObservatoryBy D. HardinThe Goldendale Observatory had its beginnings not in Goldendale, but in Vancouver, Washington at Clark"/> <meta property="og:image" content="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/thumbs/generic-icon.jpg"/> <meta property="place:location:latitude" content="45.839001"/> <meta property="place:location:longitude" content="-120.816002"/> ', 'title_for_layout' => 'Place Detail - AARP' ) $content_for_layout = '<div class="row twoColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail"><div class="module clearfix"><div class="ar-basic-box"> <div class="module-spacer"> <header><h1 class="article-headline">Goldendale Observatory</h1></header> <div class="row"> <div class="col-sm-6 left module-spacer"> <p> <div> <div>1602 Observatory Drive</div> <div> <span>Goldendale</span>, <span>WA</span> <span>98620</span> </div> </div> </p> <div> <i class="fa fa-external-link-square"></i> <a href="http://www.goldendaleobservatory.com/" target="_blank">Goldendale Observatory</a> </div> <div><i class="fa fa-phone-square"></i> 509-773-3141</div> </div> <div class="col-sm-6 module-spacer"> <iframe width="100%" height="220" frameborder="0" style="border:0" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed/v1/place?key=AIzaSyCU5aZylcrTOLke9e3U0F2mXovlZ4bL8yk&q=Goldendale+Observatory%2C+1602+Observatory+Drive%2C+Goldendale%2C+WA+98620" allowfullscreen> </iframe> </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer clearfix"> <p>A History of Goldendale ObservatoryBy D. HardinThe Goldendale Observatory had its beginnings not in Goldendale, but in Vancouver, Washington at Clark Community College. Four members of an amateur astronomy club began working together on a very ambitious project, the building of a 12 inch telescope on Larch Mountain for the college's astronomy department. Only one of the four had a college degree. Don Conner, the most involved of all, was a high school dropout, and apparently somewhat of a problem child. If this inauspicious beginning was not enough, Don, a retired auto parts worker, had multiple sclerosis severe enough to require his use of a wheel chair for most of the project's existence. Don had a driving interest in astronomy and making telescopes. He started out during the depression grinding mirrors from glass furniture coasters and emery dust discarded as waste from the Fuller Glass Company. He studied all the material on astronomy he could obtain. As Don became increasingly skilled he enjoyed passing on his skills to young people interested in astronomy and telescope making.Working closely with Don on the grinding, polishing, and constant testing of the observatory's twenty-four and one-half inch, 200 pound Pyrex mirror was Don's long term astronomy club buddy, Mack McConnell. Mack was a glass engraver until an allergy forced him to take a job with the Vancouver Water Department. Another member of the foursome, Omer VanVelden, usually called "Van", was an employee of Weber Machine Company. Van worked nights and weekends manufacturing all the intricate gears, shafts, and fittings needed for the new large telescope.Less involved in mirror grinding, John Marshall's role was nonetheless crucial. Marshall, a former electrician, did the work on the wiring, switches, motors, and other electrical components. One day John told Don Conner, "I think I can talk the college into financing a large mirror blank. What do you say to a twenty-four and one-half inch?" Perhaps that was the moment the telescope at Goldendale was born. Fitting action to words, John had the 200 pound, five inch thick Pyrex disk on order before the other three members of the group hardly knew what happened.</p> </div> <div class="reportthis" style="margin-bottom: 20px;"> <form method="post" action="/goldendale-wa/report/place/goldendale-observatory-goldendale-wa.html"> <button type="submit" class="btn btnregister pull-right" style="margin-bottom: 10px;">Flag This Place</button> </form> </div> <div class="report_button_message">Please use "Flag This Place" to alert us about content that is inappropriate or needs immediate attention. Nothing you submit will be shared with other site visitors. </div> <style> .report_button_message { color: #333; font-size: 12px; clear: both; } </style> </div> </div> </div><div class="module clearfix"><div class="module-spacer tout-homefit-750"> <a data-formelementid="CSN-LOCAL-HC-PLSK-02272024" href="/goldendale-wa/home-and-community/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-HC-PLSK-02272024"><img class="img-responsive" alt="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" title="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/touts/HomeFit_750x150.png"></a> </div></div></div> <div class="col-md-4 right-rail thin-rhs"><div class="module clearfix"><!--default--> <!-- module_RHS - AARP Events --> <div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer"> <header> <div class="pull-right"> <a href="/goldendale-wa/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS"> <img style="width:30px;" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/icons/aarp_event_icon.png" alt="Upcoming AARP Events" /> </a> </div> <h2 class="visible-lg">AARP Events for Goldendale</h2> <h2 class="hidden-lg">AARP Events for Goldendale</h2> </header> <div class="wrap"> <div class="ar-listing snippet"> <ul class="list"> <li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-nc-charlotte-presents-zumba-gold-for-brain-health-11132024-at-11-am-et-tqn7k5x8gwd.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-TRY-A-ZUMBA-GOLD-CLASS-FOR-FITNESS-AND-BRAIN-HEALTH">Try a Zumba Gold Class for Fitness and Brain Health</a></h2> <p class="time">Wednesday, Nov 13, 2024 at 8:00 a.m. PT</p> <p class="venue">Zoom</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/virtual-aarp-tx-grief-and-the-holidays-austin-tx-11132024-tsnx8mp7xj2.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-GRIEF-AND-THE-HOLIDAYS-COPING-WITH-LOSS-WHEN-OTHERS-ARE-JOYFUL">Grief and the Holidays: Coping With Loss When Others are Joyful</a></h2> <p class="time">Wednesday, Nov 13, 2024 at 8:30 a.m. PT</p> <p class="venue">Zoom</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-tn-whats-cookin-with-aarp-chef-donald-2024-z7nrdt97hkn.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-COOKING-CLASS-WHATS-COOKIN-WITH-CHEF-DONALD-NICHOLS">Cooking Class: What's Cookin’ with Chef Donald Nichols</a></h2> <p class="time">Wednesday, Nov 13, 2024 at 9:00 a.m. PT</p> <p class="venue">Zoom</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li> </ul> <p><a class="link-red" href="/goldendale-wa/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS">View All AARP Events<i class="ml-1 fas fa-chevron-right"></i></a></p> </div> </div> </div> <div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper"> <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_53475" data-adsize="300x250"> <script type="text/javascript"> if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){ AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_53475', size:'300x250'}); } </script> </div> </div> <div class="card-tout card-dark membership-tout" style="margin:0 0 30px 0;"> <img class="img-responsive image" title="image of two AARP membership cards" alt="image of two AARP membership cards" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/tout-two-cards.png"> <div class="title">Only $12 your first year with Automatic Renewal</div> <ul class="list"> <li>Immediate access to your <a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/">member benefits</a></li> <li>Discounts on travel and everyday savings</li> <li>Subscription to AARP The Magazine</li> <li>FREE second membership</li> </ul> <div class="action"> <a class="btn" href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/join?campaignid=UAJFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A-GOLDENDALE-WA">Join AARP</a> <div class="body">Already a member? <a href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/renew?campaignid= UARFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A-GOLDENDALE-WA">Renew</a> or <a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/my-membership/print-your-card/">Print Card</a></div> </div> </div> <style> .membership-tout {padding:16px 20px;} .membership-tout .list li { margin: 0; } </style> <div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper"> <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_93505" data-adsize="300x250"> <script type="text/javascript"> if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){ AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_93505', size:'300x250'}); } </script> </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer text-center"> <div class="fb-page" alt="Image of AARP Washington Facebook Page" title="Image of AARP Washington Facebook Page" data-href="https://www.facebook.com/AARPWA" data-tabs="timeline" width="320" height="" data-small-header="false" data-adapt-container-width="true" data-hide-cover="false" data-show-facepile="true" lazy="true"> <blockquote cite="https://www.facebook.com/AARPWA" class="fb-xfbml-parse-ignore"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/AARPWA">Facebook</a></blockquote> </div> </div> <div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer"> <header> <h2>Contact AARP<br />Washington</h2> </header> <div class="wrap"> <div class="ar-quick-list module-spacer"> <ul class="list-unstyled"> <li><i class="list-icon fa fa-envelope" alt="Email icon" title="Email icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="mailto:WAAARP@aarp.org " target="_blank" rel="noopener">WAAARP@aarp.org </a></li> <li><i class="list-icon fa fa-globe" alt="Globe icon" title="Globe icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="https://states.aarp.org/region/washington/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">AARP Washington</a></li> <li><i class="list-icon fa fa-map-marker" alt="Map Marker icon" title="Map Marker icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="https://states.aarp.org/welcome-to-aarp-washington/?intcmp=SNG-LNK-AARPLOCAL-CONTACT-20140101-GOLDENDALE-WA" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Contact Us</a></li> </ul> </div> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/AARPWA" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Facebook"><img alt="Facebook icon" title="Facebook icon" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/responsive/icons/48/facebook-dreamstale25.png"></a> <a href="https://twitter.com/AARPWA" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Twitter"><img alt="Twitter icon" title="Twitter icon" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/responsive/icons/48/x-logo-black.png"></a> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/aarpwa/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Instagram"><img src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/icon-ig.png" alt="Instagram icon" title="Instagram icon" style="height: 49px;"></a> </div> </div> </div></div> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail left-bot"></div> <div class="col-md-4 right-rail right-bot thin-rhs"></div> </div> <div class="row oneColumnLayout"> </div> <div class="row oneColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-12"><!-- script to activate navbar --> <script type="text/javascript"> jQuery(".channelBarMain ul.left li a").click(function() { window.location = jQuery(this).attr('href'); }); </script> </div> </div> ' $scripts_for_layout = '<title>Goldendale Observatory - Goldendale, WA</title> <meta name="page_title" content="Goldendale Observatory - Goldendale, WA"/> <meta name="robots" content="noindex, nofollow"/> <meta content="A History of Goldendale ObservatoryBy D. HardinThe Goldendale Observatory had its beginnings not in Goldendale, but in Vancouver, Washington at Clark" name="description"/> <meta content="Goldendale, Observatory, WA" name="keywords"/> <link rel="canonical" href="https://www.americantowns.com/place/goldendale-observatory-goldendale-wa.html" /> <meta property="og:url" content="https://vccstaging.local.aarp.org/place/goldendale-observatory-goldendale-wa.html"/> <meta name="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image"/> <meta name="twitter:title" content="Goldendale Observatory"/> <meta name="twitter:description" content="A History of Goldendale ObservatoryBy D. 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$viewFile = '/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp' $dataForView = array( 'content_for_layout' => '<div class="row twoColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail"><div class="module clearfix"><div class="ar-basic-box"> <div class="module-spacer"> <header><h1 class="article-headline">Goldendale Observatory</h1></header> <div class="row"> <div class="col-sm-6 left module-spacer"> <p> <div> <div>1602 Observatory Drive</div> <div> <span>Goldendale</span>, <span>WA</span> <span>98620</span> </div> </div> </p> <div> <i class="fa fa-external-link-square"></i> <a href="http://www.goldendaleobservatory.com/" target="_blank">Goldendale Observatory</a> </div> <div><i class="fa fa-phone-square"></i> 509-773-3141</div> </div> <div class="col-sm-6 module-spacer"> <iframe width="100%" height="220" frameborder="0" style="border:0" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed/v1/place?key=AIzaSyCU5aZylcrTOLke9e3U0F2mXovlZ4bL8yk&q=Goldendale+Observatory%2C+1602+Observatory+Drive%2C+Goldendale%2C+WA+98620" allowfullscreen> </iframe> </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer clearfix"> <p>A History of Goldendale ObservatoryBy D. HardinThe Goldendale Observatory had its beginnings not in Goldendale, but in Vancouver, Washington at Clark Community College. Four members of an amateur astronomy club began working together on a very ambitious project, the building of a 12 inch telescope on Larch Mountain for the college's astronomy department. Only one of the four had a college degree. Don Conner, the most involved of all, was a high school dropout, and apparently somewhat of a problem child. If this inauspicious beginning was not enough, Don, a retired auto parts worker, had multiple sclerosis severe enough to require his use of a wheel chair for most of the project's existence. Don had a driving interest in astronomy and making telescopes. He started out during the depression grinding mirrors from glass furniture coasters and emery dust discarded as waste from the Fuller Glass Company. He studied all the material on astronomy he could obtain. As Don became increasingly skilled he enjoyed passing on his skills to young people interested in astronomy and telescope making.Working closely with Don on the grinding, polishing, and constant testing of the observatory's twenty-four and one-half inch, 200 pound Pyrex mirror was Don's long term astronomy club buddy, Mack McConnell. Mack was a glass engraver until an allergy forced him to take a job with the Vancouver Water Department. Another member of the foursome, Omer VanVelden, usually called "Van", was an employee of Weber Machine Company. Van worked nights and weekends manufacturing all the intricate gears, shafts, and fittings needed for the new large telescope.Less involved in mirror grinding, John Marshall's role was nonetheless crucial. Marshall, a former electrician, did the work on the wiring, switches, motors, and other electrical components. One day John told Don Conner, "I think I can talk the college into financing a large mirror blank. What do you say to a twenty-four and one-half inch?" Perhaps that was the moment the telescope at Goldendale was born. Fitting action to words, John had the 200 pound, five inch thick Pyrex disk on order before the other three members of the group hardly knew what happened.</p> </div> <div class="reportthis" style="margin-bottom: 20px;"> <form method="post" action="/goldendale-wa/report/place/goldendale-observatory-goldendale-wa.html"> <button type="submit" class="btn btnregister pull-right" style="margin-bottom: 10px;">Flag This Place</button> </form> </div> <div class="report_button_message">Please use "Flag This Place" to alert us about content that is inappropriate or needs immediate attention. Nothing you submit will be shared with other site visitors. </div> <style> .report_button_message { color: #333; font-size: 12px; clear: both; } </style> </div> </div> </div><div class="module clearfix"><div class="module-spacer tout-homefit-750"> <a data-formelementid="CSN-LOCAL-HC-PLSK-02272024" href="/goldendale-wa/home-and-community/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-HC-PLSK-02272024"><img class="img-responsive" alt="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" title="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/touts/HomeFit_750x150.png"></a> </div></div></div> <div class="col-md-4 right-rail thin-rhs"><div class="module clearfix"><!--default--> <!-- module_RHS - AARP Events --> <div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer"> <header> <div class="pull-right"> <a href="/goldendale-wa/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS"> <img style="width:30px;" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/icons/aarp_event_icon.png" alt="Upcoming AARP Events" /> </a> </div> <h2 class="visible-lg">AARP Events for Goldendale</h2> <h2 class="hidden-lg">AARP Events for Goldendale</h2> </header> <div class="wrap"> <div class="ar-listing snippet"> <ul class="list"> <li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-nc-charlotte-presents-zumba-gold-for-brain-health-11132024-at-11-am-et-tqn7k5x8gwd.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-TRY-A-ZUMBA-GOLD-CLASS-FOR-FITNESS-AND-BRAIN-HEALTH">Try a Zumba Gold Class for Fitness and Brain Health</a></h2> <p class="time">Wednesday, Nov 13, 2024 at 8:00 a.m. PT</p> <p class="venue">Zoom</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/virtual-aarp-tx-grief-and-the-holidays-austin-tx-11132024-tsnx8mp7xj2.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-GRIEF-AND-THE-HOLIDAYS-COPING-WITH-LOSS-WHEN-OTHERS-ARE-JOYFUL">Grief and the Holidays: Coping With Loss When Others are Joyful</a></h2> <p class="time">Wednesday, Nov 13, 2024 at 8:30 a.m. PT</p> <p class="venue">Zoom</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-tn-whats-cookin-with-aarp-chef-donald-2024-z7nrdt97hkn.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-COOKING-CLASS-WHATS-COOKIN-WITH-CHEF-DONALD-NICHOLS">Cooking Class: What's Cookin’ with Chef Donald Nichols</a></h2> <p class="time">Wednesday, Nov 13, 2024 at 9:00 a.m. PT</p> <p class="venue">Zoom</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li> </ul> <p><a class="link-red" href="/goldendale-wa/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS">View All AARP Events<i class="ml-1 fas fa-chevron-right"></i></a></p> </div> </div> </div> <div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper"> <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_53475" data-adsize="300x250"> <script type="text/javascript"> if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){ AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_53475', size:'300x250'}); } </script> </div> </div> <div class="card-tout card-dark membership-tout" style="margin:0 0 30px 0;"> <img class="img-responsive image" title="image of two AARP membership cards" alt="image of two AARP membership cards" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/tout-two-cards.png"> <div class="title">Only $12 your first year with Automatic Renewal</div> <ul class="list"> <li>Immediate access to your <a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/">member benefits</a></li> <li>Discounts on travel and everyday savings</li> <li>Subscription to AARP The Magazine</li> <li>FREE second membership</li> </ul> <div class="action"> <a class="btn" href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/join?campaignid=UAJFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A-GOLDENDALE-WA">Join AARP</a> <div class="body">Already a member? <a href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/renew?campaignid= UARFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A-GOLDENDALE-WA">Renew</a> or <a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/my-membership/print-your-card/">Print Card</a></div> </div> </div> <style> .membership-tout {padding:16px 20px;} .membership-tout .list li { margin: 0; } </style> <div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper"> <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_93505" data-adsize="300x250"> <script type="text/javascript"> if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){ AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_93505', size:'300x250'}); } </script> </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer text-center"> <div class="fb-page" alt="Image of AARP Washington Facebook Page" title="Image of AARP Washington Facebook Page" data-href="https://www.facebook.com/AARPWA" data-tabs="timeline" width="320" height="" data-small-header="false" data-adapt-container-width="true" data-hide-cover="false" data-show-facepile="true" lazy="true"> <blockquote cite="https://www.facebook.com/AARPWA" class="fb-xfbml-parse-ignore"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/AARPWA">Facebook</a></blockquote> </div> </div> <div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer"> <header> <h2>Contact AARP<br />Washington</h2> </header> <div class="wrap"> <div class="ar-quick-list module-spacer"> <ul class="list-unstyled"> <li><i class="list-icon fa fa-envelope" alt="Email icon" title="Email icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="mailto:WAAARP@aarp.org " target="_blank" rel="noopener">WAAARP@aarp.org </a></li> <li><i class="list-icon fa fa-globe" alt="Globe icon" title="Globe icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="https://states.aarp.org/region/washington/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">AARP Washington</a></li> <li><i class="list-icon fa fa-map-marker" alt="Map Marker icon" title="Map Marker icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="https://states.aarp.org/welcome-to-aarp-washington/?intcmp=SNG-LNK-AARPLOCAL-CONTACT-20140101-GOLDENDALE-WA" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Contact Us</a></li> </ul> </div> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/AARPWA" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Facebook"><img alt="Facebook icon" title="Facebook icon" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/responsive/icons/48/facebook-dreamstale25.png"></a> <a href="https://twitter.com/AARPWA" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Twitter"><img alt="Twitter icon" title="Twitter icon" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/responsive/icons/48/x-logo-black.png"></a> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/aarpwa/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Instagram"><img src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/icon-ig.png" alt="Instagram icon" title="Instagram icon" style="height: 49px;"></a> </div> </div> </div></div> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail left-bot"></div> <div class="col-md-4 right-rail right-bot thin-rhs"></div> </div> <div class="row oneColumnLayout"> </div> <div class="row oneColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-12"><!-- script to activate navbar --> <script type="text/javascript"> jQuery(".channelBarMain ul.left li a").click(function() { window.location = jQuery(this).attr('href'); }); </script> </div> </div> ', 'scripts_for_layout' => '<title>Goldendale Observatory - Goldendale, WA</title> <meta name="page_title" content="Goldendale Observatory - Goldendale, WA"/> <meta name="robots" content="noindex, nofollow"/> <meta content="A History of Goldendale ObservatoryBy D. HardinThe Goldendale Observatory had its beginnings not in Goldendale, but in Vancouver, Washington at Clark" name="description"/> <meta content="Goldendale, Observatory, WA" name="keywords"/> <link rel="canonical" href="https://www.americantowns.com/place/goldendale-observatory-goldendale-wa.html" /> <meta property="og:url" content="https://vccstaging.local.aarp.org/place/goldendale-observatory-goldendale-wa.html"/> <meta name="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image"/> <meta name="twitter:title" content="Goldendale Observatory"/> <meta name="twitter:description" content="A History of Goldendale ObservatoryBy D. HardinThe Goldendale Observatory had its beginnings not in Goldendale, but in Vancouver, Washington at Clark"/> <meta name="twitter:image" content="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/thumbs/generic-icon.jpg"/> <meta property="og:type" content="place"/> <meta property="og:title" content="Goldendale Observatory"/> <meta property="og:description" content="A History of Goldendale ObservatoryBy D. HardinThe Goldendale Observatory had its beginnings not in Goldendale, but in Vancouver, Washington at Clark"/> <meta property="og:image" content="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/thumbs/generic-icon.jpg"/> <meta property="place:location:latitude" content="45.839001"/> <meta property="place:location:longitude" content="-120.816002"/> ', 'title_for_layout' => 'Place Detail - AARP' ) $content_for_layout = '<div class="row twoColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail"><div class="module clearfix"><div class="ar-basic-box"> <div class="module-spacer"> <header><h1 class="article-headline">Goldendale Observatory</h1></header> <div class="row"> <div class="col-sm-6 left module-spacer"> <p> <div> <div>1602 Observatory Drive</div> <div> <span>Goldendale</span>, <span>WA</span> <span>98620</span> </div> </div> </p> <div> <i class="fa fa-external-link-square"></i> <a href="http://www.goldendaleobservatory.com/" target="_blank">Goldendale Observatory</a> </div> <div><i class="fa fa-phone-square"></i> 509-773-3141</div> </div> <div class="col-sm-6 module-spacer"> <iframe width="100%" height="220" frameborder="0" style="border:0" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed/v1/place?key=AIzaSyCU5aZylcrTOLke9e3U0F2mXovlZ4bL8yk&q=Goldendale+Observatory%2C+1602+Observatory+Drive%2C+Goldendale%2C+WA+98620" allowfullscreen> </iframe> </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer clearfix"> <p>A History of Goldendale ObservatoryBy D. HardinThe Goldendale Observatory had its beginnings not in Goldendale, but in Vancouver, Washington at Clark Community College. Four members of an amateur astronomy club began working together on a very ambitious project, the building of a 12 inch telescope on Larch Mountain for the college's astronomy department. Only one of the four had a college degree. Don Conner, the most involved of all, was a high school dropout, and apparently somewhat of a problem child. If this inauspicious beginning was not enough, Don, a retired auto parts worker, had multiple sclerosis severe enough to require his use of a wheel chair for most of the project's existence. Don had a driving interest in astronomy and making telescopes. He started out during the depression grinding mirrors from glass furniture coasters and emery dust discarded as waste from the Fuller Glass Company. He studied all the material on astronomy he could obtain. As Don became increasingly skilled he enjoyed passing on his skills to young people interested in astronomy and telescope making.Working closely with Don on the grinding, polishing, and constant testing of the observatory's twenty-four and one-half inch, 200 pound Pyrex mirror was Don's long term astronomy club buddy, Mack McConnell. Mack was a glass engraver until an allergy forced him to take a job with the Vancouver Water Department. Another member of the foursome, Omer VanVelden, usually called "Van", was an employee of Weber Machine Company. Van worked nights and weekends manufacturing all the intricate gears, shafts, and fittings needed for the new large telescope.Less involved in mirror grinding, John Marshall's role was nonetheless crucial. Marshall, a former electrician, did the work on the wiring, switches, motors, and other electrical components. One day John told Don Conner, "I think I can talk the college into financing a large mirror blank. What do you say to a twenty-four and one-half inch?" Perhaps that was the moment the telescope at Goldendale was born. Fitting action to words, John had the 200 pound, five inch thick Pyrex disk on order before the other three members of the group hardly knew what happened.</p> </div> <div class="reportthis" style="margin-bottom: 20px;"> <form method="post" action="/goldendale-wa/report/place/goldendale-observatory-goldendale-wa.html"> <button type="submit" class="btn btnregister pull-right" style="margin-bottom: 10px;">Flag This Place</button> </form> </div> <div class="report_button_message">Please use "Flag This Place" to alert us about content that is inappropriate or needs immediate attention. Nothing you submit will be shared with other site visitors. </div> <style> .report_button_message { color: #333; font-size: 12px; clear: both; } </style> </div> </div> </div><div class="module clearfix"><div class="module-spacer tout-homefit-750"> <a data-formelementid="CSN-LOCAL-HC-PLSK-02272024" href="/goldendale-wa/home-and-community/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-HC-PLSK-02272024"><img class="img-responsive" alt="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" title="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/touts/HomeFit_750x150.png"></a> </div></div></div> <div class="col-md-4 right-rail thin-rhs"><div class="module clearfix"><!--default--> <!-- module_RHS - AARP Events --> <div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer"> <header> <div class="pull-right"> <a href="/goldendale-wa/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS"> <img style="width:30px;" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/icons/aarp_event_icon.png" alt="Upcoming AARP Events" /> </a> </div> <h2 class="visible-lg">AARP Events for Goldendale</h2> <h2 class="hidden-lg">AARP Events for Goldendale</h2> </header> <div class="wrap"> <div class="ar-listing snippet"> <ul class="list"> <li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-nc-charlotte-presents-zumba-gold-for-brain-health-11132024-at-11-am-et-tqn7k5x8gwd.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-TRY-A-ZUMBA-GOLD-CLASS-FOR-FITNESS-AND-BRAIN-HEALTH">Try a Zumba Gold Class for Fitness and Brain Health</a></h2> <p class="time">Wednesday, Nov 13, 2024 at 8:00 a.m. PT</p> <p class="venue">Zoom</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/virtual-aarp-tx-grief-and-the-holidays-austin-tx-11132024-tsnx8mp7xj2.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-GRIEF-AND-THE-HOLIDAYS-COPING-WITH-LOSS-WHEN-OTHERS-ARE-JOYFUL">Grief and the Holidays: Coping With Loss When Others are Joyful</a></h2> <p class="time">Wednesday, Nov 13, 2024 at 8:30 a.m. PT</p> <p class="venue">Zoom</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-tn-whats-cookin-with-aarp-chef-donald-2024-z7nrdt97hkn.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-COOKING-CLASS-WHATS-COOKIN-WITH-CHEF-DONALD-NICHOLS">Cooking Class: What's Cookin’ with Chef Donald Nichols</a></h2> <p class="time">Wednesday, Nov 13, 2024 at 9:00 a.m. PT</p> <p class="venue">Zoom</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li> </ul> <p><a class="link-red" href="/goldendale-wa/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS">View All AARP Events<i class="ml-1 fas fa-chevron-right"></i></a></p> </div> </div> </div> <div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper"> <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_53475" data-adsize="300x250"> <script type="text/javascript"> if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){ AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_53475', size:'300x250'}); } </script> </div> </div> <div class="card-tout card-dark membership-tout" style="margin:0 0 30px 0;"> <img class="img-responsive image" title="image of two AARP membership cards" alt="image of two AARP membership cards" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/tout-two-cards.png"> <div class="title">Only $12 your first year with Automatic Renewal</div> <ul class="list"> <li>Immediate access to your <a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/">member benefits</a></li> <li>Discounts on travel and everyday savings</li> <li>Subscription to AARP The Magazine</li> <li>FREE second membership</li> </ul> <div class="action"> <a class="btn" href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/join?campaignid=UAJFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A-GOLDENDALE-WA">Join AARP</a> <div class="body">Already a member? <a href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/renew?campaignid= UARFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A-GOLDENDALE-WA">Renew</a> or <a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/my-membership/print-your-card/">Print Card</a></div> </div> </div> <style> .membership-tout {padding:16px 20px;} .membership-tout .list li { margin: 0; } </style> <div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper"> <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_93505" data-adsize="300x250"> <script type="text/javascript"> if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){ AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_93505', size:'300x250'}); } </script> </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer text-center"> <div class="fb-page" alt="Image of AARP Washington Facebook Page" title="Image of AARP Washington Facebook Page" data-href="https://www.facebook.com/AARPWA" data-tabs="timeline" width="320" height="" data-small-header="false" data-adapt-container-width="true" data-hide-cover="false" data-show-facepile="true" lazy="true"> <blockquote cite="https://www.facebook.com/AARPWA" class="fb-xfbml-parse-ignore"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/AARPWA">Facebook</a></blockquote> </div> </div> <div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer"> <header> <h2>Contact AARP<br />Washington</h2> </header> <div class="wrap"> <div class="ar-quick-list module-spacer"> <ul class="list-unstyled"> <li><i class="list-icon fa fa-envelope" alt="Email icon" title="Email icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="mailto:WAAARP@aarp.org " target="_blank" rel="noopener">WAAARP@aarp.org </a></li> <li><i class="list-icon fa fa-globe" alt="Globe icon" title="Globe icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="https://states.aarp.org/region/washington/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">AARP Washington</a></li> <li><i class="list-icon fa fa-map-marker" alt="Map Marker icon" title="Map Marker icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="https://states.aarp.org/welcome-to-aarp-washington/?intcmp=SNG-LNK-AARPLOCAL-CONTACT-20140101-GOLDENDALE-WA" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Contact Us</a></li> </ul> </div> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/AARPWA" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Facebook"><img alt="Facebook icon" title="Facebook icon" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/responsive/icons/48/facebook-dreamstale25.png"></a> <a href="https://twitter.com/AARPWA" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Twitter"><img alt="Twitter icon" title="Twitter icon" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/responsive/icons/48/x-logo-black.png"></a> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/aarpwa/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Instagram"><img src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/icon-ig.png" alt="Instagram icon" title="Instagram icon" style="height: 49px;"></a> </div> </div> </div></div> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail left-bot"></div> <div class="col-md-4 right-rail right-bot thin-rhs"></div> </div> <div class="row oneColumnLayout"> </div> <div class="row oneColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-12"><!-- script to activate navbar --> <script type="text/javascript"> jQuery(".channelBarMain ul.left li a").click(function() { window.location = jQuery(this).attr('href'); }); </script> </div> </div> ' $scripts_for_layout = '<title>Goldendale Observatory - Goldendale, WA</title> <meta name="page_title" content="Goldendale Observatory - Goldendale, WA"/> <meta name="robots" content="noindex, nofollow"/> <meta content="A History of Goldendale ObservatoryBy D. HardinThe Goldendale Observatory had its beginnings not in Goldendale, but in Vancouver, Washington at Clark" name="description"/> <meta content="Goldendale, Observatory, WA" name="keywords"/> <link rel="canonical" href="https://www.americantowns.com/place/goldendale-observatory-goldendale-wa.html" /> <meta property="og:url" content="https://vccstaging.local.aarp.org/place/goldendale-observatory-goldendale-wa.html"/> <meta name="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image"/> <meta name="twitter:title" content="Goldendale Observatory"/> <meta name="twitter:description" content="A History of Goldendale ObservatoryBy D. 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$viewFile = '/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp' $dataForView = array( 'content_for_layout' => '<div class="row twoColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail"><div class="module clearfix"><div class="ar-basic-box"> <div class="module-spacer"> <header><h1 class="article-headline">Goldendale Observatory</h1></header> <div class="row"> <div class="col-sm-6 left module-spacer"> <p> <div> <div>1602 Observatory Drive</div> <div> <span>Goldendale</span>, <span>WA</span> <span>98620</span> </div> </div> </p> <div> <i class="fa fa-external-link-square"></i> <a href="http://www.goldendaleobservatory.com/" target="_blank">Goldendale Observatory</a> </div> <div><i class="fa fa-phone-square"></i> 509-773-3141</div> </div> <div class="col-sm-6 module-spacer"> <iframe width="100%" height="220" frameborder="0" style="border:0" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed/v1/place?key=AIzaSyCU5aZylcrTOLke9e3U0F2mXovlZ4bL8yk&q=Goldendale+Observatory%2C+1602+Observatory+Drive%2C+Goldendale%2C+WA+98620" allowfullscreen> </iframe> </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer clearfix"> <p>A History of Goldendale ObservatoryBy D. HardinThe Goldendale Observatory had its beginnings not in Goldendale, but in Vancouver, Washington at Clark Community College. Four members of an amateur astronomy club began working together on a very ambitious project, the building of a 12 inch telescope on Larch Mountain for the college's astronomy department. Only one of the four had a college degree. Don Conner, the most involved of all, was a high school dropout, and apparently somewhat of a problem child. If this inauspicious beginning was not enough, Don, a retired auto parts worker, had multiple sclerosis severe enough to require his use of a wheel chair for most of the project's existence. Don had a driving interest in astronomy and making telescopes. He started out during the depression grinding mirrors from glass furniture coasters and emery dust discarded as waste from the Fuller Glass Company. He studied all the material on astronomy he could obtain. As Don became increasingly skilled he enjoyed passing on his skills to young people interested in astronomy and telescope making.Working closely with Don on the grinding, polishing, and constant testing of the observatory's twenty-four and one-half inch, 200 pound Pyrex mirror was Don's long term astronomy club buddy, Mack McConnell. Mack was a glass engraver until an allergy forced him to take a job with the Vancouver Water Department. Another member of the foursome, Omer VanVelden, usually called "Van", was an employee of Weber Machine Company. Van worked nights and weekends manufacturing all the intricate gears, shafts, and fittings needed for the new large telescope.Less involved in mirror grinding, John Marshall's role was nonetheless crucial. Marshall, a former electrician, did the work on the wiring, switches, motors, and other electrical components. One day John told Don Conner, "I think I can talk the college into financing a large mirror blank. What do you say to a twenty-four and one-half inch?" Perhaps that was the moment the telescope at Goldendale was born. Fitting action to words, John had the 200 pound, five inch thick Pyrex disk on order before the other three members of the group hardly knew what happened.</p> </div> <div class="reportthis" style="margin-bottom: 20px;"> <form method="post" action="/goldendale-wa/report/place/goldendale-observatory-goldendale-wa.html"> <button type="submit" class="btn btnregister pull-right" style="margin-bottom: 10px;">Flag This Place</button> </form> </div> <div class="report_button_message">Please use "Flag This Place" to alert us about content that is inappropriate or needs immediate attention. 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<a href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/renew?campaignid= UARFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A-GOLDENDALE-WA">Renew</a> or <a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/my-membership/print-your-card/">Print Card</a></div> </div> </div> <style> .membership-tout {padding:16px 20px;} .membership-tout .list li { margin: 0; } </style> <div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper"> <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_93505" data-adsize="300x250"> <script type="text/javascript"> if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){ AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_93505', size:'300x250'}); } </script> </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer text-center"> <div class="fb-page" alt="Image of AARP Washington Facebook Page" title="Image of AARP Washington Facebook Page" data-href="https://www.facebook.com/AARPWA" data-tabs="timeline" width="320" height="" data-small-header="false" data-adapt-container-width="true" data-hide-cover="false" data-show-facepile="true" lazy="true"> <blockquote cite="https://www.facebook.com/AARPWA" class="fb-xfbml-parse-ignore"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/AARPWA">Facebook</a></blockquote> </div> </div> <div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer"> <header> <h2>Contact AARP<br />Washington</h2> </header> <div class="wrap"> <div class="ar-quick-list module-spacer"> <ul class="list-unstyled"> <li><i class="list-icon fa fa-envelope" alt="Email icon" title="Email icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="mailto:WAAARP@aarp.org " target="_blank" rel="noopener">WAAARP@aarp.org </a></li> <li><i class="list-icon fa fa-globe" alt="Globe icon" title="Globe icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="https://states.aarp.org/region/washington/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">AARP Washington</a></li> <li><i class="list-icon fa fa-map-marker" alt="Map Marker icon" title="Map Marker icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="https://states.aarp.org/welcome-to-aarp-washington/?intcmp=SNG-LNK-AARPLOCAL-CONTACT-20140101-GOLDENDALE-WA" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Contact Us</a></li> </ul> </div> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/AARPWA" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Facebook"><img alt="Facebook icon" title="Facebook icon" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/responsive/icons/48/facebook-dreamstale25.png"></a> <a href="https://twitter.com/AARPWA" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Twitter"><img alt="Twitter icon" title="Twitter icon" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/responsive/icons/48/x-logo-black.png"></a> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/aarpwa/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Instagram"><img src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/icon-ig.png" alt="Instagram icon" title="Instagram icon" style="height: 49px;"></a> </div> </div> </div></div> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail left-bot"></div> <div class="col-md-4 right-rail right-bot thin-rhs"></div> </div> <div class="row oneColumnLayout"> </div> <div class="row oneColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-12"><!-- script to activate navbar --> <script type="text/javascript"> jQuery(".channelBarMain ul.left li a").click(function() { window.location = jQuery(this).attr('href'); }); </script> </div> </div> ', 'scripts_for_layout' => '<title>Goldendale Observatory - Goldendale, WA</title> <meta name="page_title" content="Goldendale Observatory - Goldendale, WA"/> <meta name="robots" content="noindex, nofollow"/> <meta content="A History of Goldendale ObservatoryBy D. HardinThe Goldendale Observatory had its beginnings not in Goldendale, but in Vancouver, Washington at Clark" name="description"/> <meta content="Goldendale, Observatory, WA" name="keywords"/> <link rel="canonical" href="https://www.americantowns.com/place/goldendale-observatory-goldendale-wa.html" /> <meta property="og:url" content="https://vccstaging.local.aarp.org/place/goldendale-observatory-goldendale-wa.html"/> <meta name="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image"/> <meta name="twitter:title" content="Goldendale Observatory"/> <meta name="twitter:description" content="A History of Goldendale ObservatoryBy D. HardinThe Goldendale Observatory had its beginnings not in Goldendale, but in Vancouver, Washington at Clark"/> <meta name="twitter:image" content="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/thumbs/generic-icon.jpg"/> <meta property="og:type" content="place"/> <meta property="og:title" content="Goldendale Observatory"/> <meta property="og:description" content="A History of Goldendale ObservatoryBy D. HardinThe Goldendale Observatory had its beginnings not in Goldendale, but in Vancouver, Washington at Clark"/> <meta property="og:image" content="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/thumbs/generic-icon.jpg"/> <meta property="place:location:latitude" content="45.839001"/> <meta property="place:location:longitude" content="-120.816002"/> ', 'title_for_layout' => 'Place Detail - AARP' ) $content_for_layout = '<div class="row twoColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail"><div class="module clearfix"><div class="ar-basic-box"> <div class="module-spacer"> <header><h1 class="article-headline">Goldendale Observatory</h1></header> <div class="row"> <div class="col-sm-6 left module-spacer"> <p> <div> <div>1602 Observatory Drive</div> <div> <span>Goldendale</span>, <span>WA</span> <span>98620</span> </div> </div> </p> <div> <i class="fa fa-external-link-square"></i> <a href="http://www.goldendaleobservatory.com/" target="_blank">Goldendale Observatory</a> </div> <div><i class="fa fa-phone-square"></i> 509-773-3141</div> </div> <div class="col-sm-6 module-spacer"> <iframe width="100%" height="220" frameborder="0" style="border:0" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed/v1/place?key=AIzaSyCU5aZylcrTOLke9e3U0F2mXovlZ4bL8yk&q=Goldendale+Observatory%2C+1602+Observatory+Drive%2C+Goldendale%2C+WA+98620" allowfullscreen> </iframe> </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer clearfix"> <p>A History of Goldendale ObservatoryBy D. HardinThe Goldendale Observatory had its beginnings not in Goldendale, but in Vancouver, Washington at Clark Community College. Four members of an amateur astronomy club began working together on a very ambitious project, the building of a 12 inch telescope on Larch Mountain for the college's astronomy department. Only one of the four had a college degree. Don Conner, the most involved of all, was a high school dropout, and apparently somewhat of a problem child. If this inauspicious beginning was not enough, Don, a retired auto parts worker, had multiple sclerosis severe enough to require his use of a wheel chair for most of the project's existence. Don had a driving interest in astronomy and making telescopes. He started out during the depression grinding mirrors from glass furniture coasters and emery dust discarded as waste from the Fuller Glass Company. He studied all the material on astronomy he could obtain. As Don became increasingly skilled he enjoyed passing on his skills to young people interested in astronomy and telescope making.Working closely with Don on the grinding, polishing, and constant testing of the observatory's twenty-four and one-half inch, 200 pound Pyrex mirror was Don's long term astronomy club buddy, Mack McConnell. Mack was a glass engraver until an allergy forced him to take a job with the Vancouver Water Department. Another member of the foursome, Omer VanVelden, usually called "Van", was an employee of Weber Machine Company. Van worked nights and weekends manufacturing all the intricate gears, shafts, and fittings needed for the new large telescope.Less involved in mirror grinding, John Marshall's role was nonetheless crucial. Marshall, a former electrician, did the work on the wiring, switches, motors, and other electrical components. One day John told Don Conner, "I think I can talk the college into financing a large mirror blank. What do you say to a twenty-four and one-half inch?" Perhaps that was the moment the telescope at Goldendale was born. Fitting action to words, John had the 200 pound, five inch thick Pyrex disk on order before the other three members of the group hardly knew what happened.</p> </div> <div class="reportthis" style="margin-bottom: 20px;"> <form method="post" action="/goldendale-wa/report/place/goldendale-observatory-goldendale-wa.html"> <button type="submit" class="btn btnregister pull-right" style="margin-bottom: 10px;">Flag This Place</button> </form> </div> <div class="report_button_message">Please use "Flag This Place" to alert us about content that is inappropriate or needs immediate attention. 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A History of Goldendale ObservatoryBy D. HardinThe Goldendale Observatory had its beginnings not in Goldendale, but in Vancouver, Washington at Clark Community College. Four members of an amateur astronomy club began working together on a very ambitious project, the building of a 12 inch telescope on Larch Mountain for the college's astronomy department. Only one of the four had a college degree. Don Conner, the most involved of all, was a high school dropout, and apparently somewhat of a problem child. If this inauspicious beginning was not enough, Don, a retired auto parts worker, had multiple sclerosis severe enough to require his use of a wheel chair for most of the project's existence. Don had a driving interest in astronomy and making telescopes. He started out during the depression grinding mirrors from glass furniture coasters and emery dust discarded as waste from the Fuller Glass Company. He studied all the material on astronomy he could obtain. As Don became increasingly skilled he enjoyed passing on his skills to young people interested in astronomy and telescope making.Working closely with Don on the grinding, polishing, and constant testing of the observatory's twenty-four and one-half inch, 200 pound Pyrex mirror was Don's long term astronomy club buddy, Mack McConnell. Mack was a glass engraver until an allergy forced him to take a job with the Vancouver Water Department. Another member of the foursome, Omer VanVelden, usually called "Van", was an employee of Weber Machine Company. Van worked nights and weekends manufacturing all the intricate gears, shafts, and fittings needed for the new large telescope.Less involved in mirror grinding, John Marshall's role was nonetheless crucial. Marshall, a former electrician, did the work on the wiring, switches, motors, and other electrical components. One day John told Don Conner, "I think I can talk the college into financing a large mirror blank. What do you say to a twenty-four and one-half inch?" Perhaps that was the moment the telescope at Goldendale was born. Fitting action to words, John had the 200 pound, five inch thick Pyrex disk on order before the other three members of the group hardly knew what happened.
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$viewFile = '/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp' $dataForView = array( 'content_for_layout' => '<div class="row twoColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail"><div class="module clearfix"><div class="ar-basic-box"> <div class="module-spacer"> <header><h1 class="article-headline">Goldendale Observatory</h1></header> <div class="row"> <div class="col-sm-6 left module-spacer"> <p> <div> <div>1602 Observatory Drive</div> <div> <span>Goldendale</span>, <span>WA</span> <span>98620</span> </div> </div> </p> <div> <i class="fa fa-external-link-square"></i> <a href="http://www.goldendaleobservatory.com/" target="_blank">Goldendale Observatory</a> </div> <div><i class="fa fa-phone-square"></i> 509-773-3141</div> </div> <div class="col-sm-6 module-spacer"> <iframe width="100%" height="220" frameborder="0" style="border:0" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed/v1/place?key=AIzaSyCU5aZylcrTOLke9e3U0F2mXovlZ4bL8yk&q=Goldendale+Observatory%2C+1602+Observatory+Drive%2C+Goldendale%2C+WA+98620" allowfullscreen> </iframe> </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer clearfix"> <p>A History of Goldendale ObservatoryBy D. HardinThe Goldendale Observatory had its beginnings not in Goldendale, but in Vancouver, Washington at Clark Community College. Four members of an amateur astronomy club began working together on a very ambitious project, the building of a 12 inch telescope on Larch Mountain for the college's astronomy department. Only one of the four had a college degree. Don Conner, the most involved of all, was a high school dropout, and apparently somewhat of a problem child. If this inauspicious beginning was not enough, Don, a retired auto parts worker, had multiple sclerosis severe enough to require his use of a wheel chair for most of the project's existence. Don had a driving interest in astronomy and making telescopes. He started out during the depression grinding mirrors from glass furniture coasters and emery dust discarded as waste from the Fuller Glass Company. He studied all the material on astronomy he could obtain. As Don became increasingly skilled he enjoyed passing on his skills to young people interested in astronomy and telescope making.Working closely with Don on the grinding, polishing, and constant testing of the observatory's twenty-four and one-half inch, 200 pound Pyrex mirror was Don's long term astronomy club buddy, Mack McConnell. Mack was a glass engraver until an allergy forced him to take a job with the Vancouver Water Department. Another member of the foursome, Omer VanVelden, usually called "Van", was an employee of Weber Machine Company. Van worked nights and weekends manufacturing all the intricate gears, shafts, and fittings needed for the new large telescope.Less involved in mirror grinding, John Marshall's role was nonetheless crucial. Marshall, a former electrician, did the work on the wiring, switches, motors, and other electrical components. One day John told Don Conner, "I think I can talk the college into financing a large mirror blank. What do you say to a twenty-four and one-half inch?" Perhaps that was the moment the telescope at Goldendale was born. Fitting action to words, John had the 200 pound, five inch thick Pyrex disk on order before the other three members of the group hardly knew what happened.</p> </div> <div class="reportthis" style="margin-bottom: 20px;"> <form method="post" action="/goldendale-wa/report/place/goldendale-observatory-goldendale-wa.html"> <button type="submit" class="btn btnregister pull-right" style="margin-bottom: 10px;">Flag This Place</button> </form> </div> <div class="report_button_message">Please use "Flag This Place" to alert us about content that is inappropriate or needs immediate attention. Nothing you submit will be shared with other site visitors. </div> <style> .report_button_message { color: #333; font-size: 12px; clear: both; } </style> </div> </div> </div><div class="module clearfix"><div class="module-spacer tout-homefit-750"> <a data-formelementid="CSN-LOCAL-HC-PLSK-02272024" href="/goldendale-wa/home-and-community/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-HC-PLSK-02272024"><img class="img-responsive" alt="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" title="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/touts/HomeFit_750x150.png"></a> </div></div></div> <div class="col-md-4 right-rail thin-rhs"><div class="module clearfix"><!--default--> <!-- module_RHS - AARP Events --> <div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer"> <header> <div class="pull-right"> <a href="/goldendale-wa/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS"> <img style="width:30px;" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/icons/aarp_event_icon.png" alt="Upcoming AARP Events" /> </a> </div> <h2 class="visible-lg">AARP Events for Goldendale</h2> <h2 class="hidden-lg">AARP Events for Goldendale</h2> </header> <div class="wrap"> <div class="ar-listing snippet"> <ul class="list"> <li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-nc-charlotte-presents-zumba-gold-for-brain-health-11132024-at-11-am-et-tqn7k5x8gwd.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-TRY-A-ZUMBA-GOLD-CLASS-FOR-FITNESS-AND-BRAIN-HEALTH">Try a Zumba Gold Class for Fitness and Brain Health</a></h2> <p class="time">Wednesday, Nov 13, 2024 at 8:00 a.m. PT</p> <p class="venue">Zoom</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/virtual-aarp-tx-grief-and-the-holidays-austin-tx-11132024-tsnx8mp7xj2.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-GRIEF-AND-THE-HOLIDAYS-COPING-WITH-LOSS-WHEN-OTHERS-ARE-JOYFUL">Grief and the Holidays: Coping With Loss When Others are Joyful</a></h2> <p class="time">Wednesday, Nov 13, 2024 at 8:30 a.m. PT</p> <p class="venue">Zoom</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-tn-whats-cookin-with-aarp-chef-donald-2024-z7nrdt97hkn.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-COOKING-CLASS-WHATS-COOKIN-WITH-CHEF-DONALD-NICHOLS">Cooking Class: What's Cookin’ with Chef Donald Nichols</a></h2> <p class="time">Wednesday, Nov 13, 2024 at 9:00 a.m. PT</p> <p class="venue">Zoom</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li> </ul> <p><a class="link-red" href="/goldendale-wa/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS">View All AARP Events<i class="ml-1 fas fa-chevron-right"></i></a></p> </div> </div> </div> <div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper"> <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_53475" data-adsize="300x250"> <script type="text/javascript"> if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){ AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_53475', size:'300x250'}); } </script> </div> </div> <div class="card-tout card-dark membership-tout" style="margin:0 0 30px 0;"> <img class="img-responsive image" title="image of two AARP membership cards" alt="image of two AARP membership cards" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/tout-two-cards.png"> <div class="title">Only $12 your first year with Automatic Renewal</div> <ul class="list"> <li>Immediate access to your <a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/">member benefits</a></li> <li>Discounts on travel and everyday savings</li> <li>Subscription to AARP The Magazine</li> <li>FREE second membership</li> </ul> <div class="action"> <a class="btn" href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/join?campaignid=UAJFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A-GOLDENDALE-WA">Join AARP</a> <div class="body">Already a member? <a href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/renew?campaignid= UARFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A-GOLDENDALE-WA">Renew</a> or <a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/my-membership/print-your-card/">Print Card</a></div> </div> </div> <style> .membership-tout {padding:16px 20px;} .membership-tout .list li { margin: 0; } </style> <div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper"> <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_93505" data-adsize="300x250"> <script type="text/javascript"> if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){ AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_93505', size:'300x250'}); } </script> </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer text-center"> <div class="fb-page" alt="Image of AARP Washington Facebook Page" title="Image of AARP Washington Facebook Page" data-href="https://www.facebook.com/AARPWA" data-tabs="timeline" width="320" height="" data-small-header="false" data-adapt-container-width="true" data-hide-cover="false" data-show-facepile="true" lazy="true"> <blockquote cite="https://www.facebook.com/AARPWA" class="fb-xfbml-parse-ignore"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/AARPWA">Facebook</a></blockquote> </div> </div> <div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer"> <header> <h2>Contact AARP<br />Washington</h2> </header> <div class="wrap"> <div class="ar-quick-list module-spacer"> <ul class="list-unstyled"> <li><i class="list-icon fa fa-envelope" alt="Email icon" title="Email icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="mailto:WAAARP@aarp.org " target="_blank" rel="noopener">WAAARP@aarp.org </a></li> <li><i class="list-icon fa fa-globe" alt="Globe icon" title="Globe icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="https://states.aarp.org/region/washington/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">AARP Washington</a></li> <li><i class="list-icon fa fa-map-marker" alt="Map Marker icon" title="Map Marker icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="https://states.aarp.org/welcome-to-aarp-washington/?intcmp=SNG-LNK-AARPLOCAL-CONTACT-20140101-GOLDENDALE-WA" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Contact Us</a></li> </ul> </div> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/AARPWA" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Facebook"><img alt="Facebook icon" title="Facebook icon" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/responsive/icons/48/facebook-dreamstale25.png"></a> <a href="https://twitter.com/AARPWA" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Twitter"><img alt="Twitter icon" title="Twitter icon" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/responsive/icons/48/x-logo-black.png"></a> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/aarpwa/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Instagram"><img src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/icon-ig.png" alt="Instagram icon" title="Instagram icon" style="height: 49px;"></a> </div> </div> </div></div> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail left-bot"></div> <div class="col-md-4 right-rail right-bot thin-rhs"></div> </div> <div class="row oneColumnLayout"> </div> <div class="row oneColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-12"><!-- script to activate navbar --> <script type="text/javascript"> jQuery(".channelBarMain ul.left li a").click(function() { window.location = jQuery(this).attr('href'); }); </script> </div> </div> ', 'scripts_for_layout' => '<title>Goldendale Observatory - Goldendale, WA</title> <meta name="page_title" content="Goldendale Observatory - Goldendale, WA"/> <meta name="robots" content="noindex, nofollow"/> <meta content="A History of Goldendale ObservatoryBy D. HardinThe Goldendale Observatory had its beginnings not in Goldendale, but in Vancouver, Washington at Clark" name="description"/> <meta content="Goldendale, Observatory, WA" name="keywords"/> <link rel="canonical" href="https://www.americantowns.com/place/goldendale-observatory-goldendale-wa.html" /> <meta property="og:url" content="https://vccstaging.local.aarp.org/place/goldendale-observatory-goldendale-wa.html"/> <meta name="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image"/> <meta name="twitter:title" content="Goldendale Observatory"/> <meta name="twitter:description" content="A History of Goldendale ObservatoryBy D. HardinThe Goldendale Observatory had its beginnings not in Goldendale, but in Vancouver, Washington at Clark"/> <meta name="twitter:image" content="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/thumbs/generic-icon.jpg"/> <meta property="og:type" content="place"/> <meta property="og:title" content="Goldendale Observatory"/> <meta property="og:description" content="A History of Goldendale ObservatoryBy D. HardinThe Goldendale Observatory had its beginnings not in Goldendale, but in Vancouver, Washington at Clark"/> <meta property="og:image" content="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/thumbs/generic-icon.jpg"/> <meta property="place:location:latitude" content="45.839001"/> <meta property="place:location:longitude" content="-120.816002"/> ', 'title_for_layout' => 'Place Detail - AARP' ) $content_for_layout = '<div class="row twoColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail"><div class="module clearfix"><div class="ar-basic-box"> <div class="module-spacer"> <header><h1 class="article-headline">Goldendale Observatory</h1></header> <div class="row"> <div class="col-sm-6 left module-spacer"> <p> <div> <div>1602 Observatory Drive</div> <div> <span>Goldendale</span>, <span>WA</span> <span>98620</span> </div> </div> </p> <div> <i class="fa fa-external-link-square"></i> <a href="http://www.goldendaleobservatory.com/" target="_blank">Goldendale Observatory</a> </div> <div><i class="fa fa-phone-square"></i> 509-773-3141</div> </div> <div class="col-sm-6 module-spacer"> <iframe width="100%" height="220" frameborder="0" style="border:0" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed/v1/place?key=AIzaSyCU5aZylcrTOLke9e3U0F2mXovlZ4bL8yk&q=Goldendale+Observatory%2C+1602+Observatory+Drive%2C+Goldendale%2C+WA+98620" allowfullscreen> </iframe> </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer clearfix"> <p>A History of Goldendale ObservatoryBy D. HardinThe Goldendale Observatory had its beginnings not in Goldendale, but in Vancouver, Washington at Clark Community College. Four members of an amateur astronomy club began working together on a very ambitious project, the building of a 12 inch telescope on Larch Mountain for the college's astronomy department. Only one of the four had a college degree. Don Conner, the most involved of all, was a high school dropout, and apparently somewhat of a problem child. If this inauspicious beginning was not enough, Don, a retired auto parts worker, had multiple sclerosis severe enough to require his use of a wheel chair for most of the project's existence. Don had a driving interest in astronomy and making telescopes. He started out during the depression grinding mirrors from glass furniture coasters and emery dust discarded as waste from the Fuller Glass Company. He studied all the material on astronomy he could obtain. As Don became increasingly skilled he enjoyed passing on his skills to young people interested in astronomy and telescope making.Working closely with Don on the grinding, polishing, and constant testing of the observatory's twenty-four and one-half inch, 200 pound Pyrex mirror was Don's long term astronomy club buddy, Mack McConnell. Mack was a glass engraver until an allergy forced him to take a job with the Vancouver Water Department. Another member of the foursome, Omer VanVelden, usually called "Van", was an employee of Weber Machine Company. Van worked nights and weekends manufacturing all the intricate gears, shafts, and fittings needed for the new large telescope.Less involved in mirror grinding, John Marshall's role was nonetheless crucial. Marshall, a former electrician, did the work on the wiring, switches, motors, and other electrical components. One day John told Don Conner, "I think I can talk the college into financing a large mirror blank. What do you say to a twenty-four and one-half inch?" Perhaps that was the moment the telescope at Goldendale was born. Fitting action to words, John had the 200 pound, five inch thick Pyrex disk on order before the other three members of the group hardly knew what happened.</p> </div> <div class="reportthis" style="margin-bottom: 20px;"> <form method="post" action="/goldendale-wa/report/place/goldendale-observatory-goldendale-wa.html"> <button type="submit" class="btn btnregister pull-right" style="margin-bottom: 10px;">Flag This Place</button> </form> </div> <div class="report_button_message">Please use "Flag This Place" to alert us about content that is inappropriate or needs immediate attention. Nothing you submit will be shared with other site visitors. </div> <style> .report_button_message { color: #333; font-size: 12px; clear: both; } </style> </div> </div> </div><div class="module clearfix"><div class="module-spacer tout-homefit-750"> <a data-formelementid="CSN-LOCAL-HC-PLSK-02272024" href="/goldendale-wa/home-and-community/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-HC-PLSK-02272024"><img class="img-responsive" alt="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" title="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/touts/HomeFit_750x150.png"></a> </div></div></div> <div class="col-md-4 right-rail thin-rhs"><div class="module clearfix"><!--default--> <!-- module_RHS - AARP Events --> <div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer"> <header> <div class="pull-right"> <a href="/goldendale-wa/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS"> <img style="width:30px;" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/icons/aarp_event_icon.png" alt="Upcoming AARP Events" /> </a> </div> <h2 class="visible-lg">AARP Events for Goldendale</h2> <h2 class="hidden-lg">AARP Events for Goldendale</h2> </header> <div class="wrap"> <div class="ar-listing snippet"> <ul class="list"> <li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-nc-charlotte-presents-zumba-gold-for-brain-health-11132024-at-11-am-et-tqn7k5x8gwd.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-TRY-A-ZUMBA-GOLD-CLASS-FOR-FITNESS-AND-BRAIN-HEALTH">Try a Zumba Gold Class for Fitness and Brain Health</a></h2> <p class="time">Wednesday, Nov 13, 2024 at 8:00 a.m. PT</p> <p class="venue">Zoom</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/virtual-aarp-tx-grief-and-the-holidays-austin-tx-11132024-tsnx8mp7xj2.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-GRIEF-AND-THE-HOLIDAYS-COPING-WITH-LOSS-WHEN-OTHERS-ARE-JOYFUL">Grief and the Holidays: Coping With Loss When Others are Joyful</a></h2> <p class="time">Wednesday, Nov 13, 2024 at 8:30 a.m. PT</p> <p class="venue">Zoom</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-tn-whats-cookin-with-aarp-chef-donald-2024-z7nrdt97hkn.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-COOKING-CLASS-WHATS-COOKIN-WITH-CHEF-DONALD-NICHOLS">Cooking Class: What's Cookin’ with Chef Donald Nichols</a></h2> <p class="time">Wednesday, Nov 13, 2024 at 9:00 a.m. PT</p> <p class="venue">Zoom</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li> </ul> <p><a class="link-red" href="/goldendale-wa/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS">View All AARP Events<i class="ml-1 fas fa-chevron-right"></i></a></p> </div> </div> </div> <div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper"> <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_53475" data-adsize="300x250"> <script type="text/javascript"> if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){ AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_53475', size:'300x250'}); } </script> </div> </div> <div class="card-tout card-dark membership-tout" style="margin:0 0 30px 0;"> <img class="img-responsive image" title="image of two AARP membership cards" alt="image of two AARP membership cards" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/tout-two-cards.png"> <div class="title">Only $12 your first year with Automatic Renewal</div> <ul class="list"> <li>Immediate access to your <a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/">member benefits</a></li> <li>Discounts on travel and everyday savings</li> <li>Subscription to AARP The Magazine</li> <li>FREE second membership</li> </ul> <div class="action"> <a class="btn" href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/join?campaignid=UAJFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A-GOLDENDALE-WA">Join AARP</a> <div class="body">Already a member? <a href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/renew?campaignid= UARFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A-GOLDENDALE-WA">Renew</a> or <a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/my-membership/print-your-card/">Print Card</a></div> </div> </div> <style> .membership-tout {padding:16px 20px;} .membership-tout .list li { margin: 0; } </style> <div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper"> <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_93505" data-adsize="300x250"> <script type="text/javascript"> if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){ AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_93505', size:'300x250'}); } </script> </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer text-center"> <div class="fb-page" alt="Image of AARP Washington Facebook Page" title="Image of AARP Washington Facebook Page" data-href="https://www.facebook.com/AARPWA" data-tabs="timeline" width="320" height="" data-small-header="false" data-adapt-container-width="true" data-hide-cover="false" data-show-facepile="true" lazy="true"> <blockquote cite="https://www.facebook.com/AARPWA" class="fb-xfbml-parse-ignore"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/AARPWA">Facebook</a></blockquote> </div> </div> <div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer"> <header> <h2>Contact AARP<br />Washington</h2> </header> <div class="wrap"> <div class="ar-quick-list module-spacer"> <ul class="list-unstyled"> <li><i class="list-icon fa fa-envelope" alt="Email icon" title="Email icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="mailto:WAAARP@aarp.org " target="_blank" rel="noopener">WAAARP@aarp.org </a></li> <li><i class="list-icon fa fa-globe" alt="Globe icon" title="Globe icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="https://states.aarp.org/region/washington/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">AARP Washington</a></li> <li><i class="list-icon fa fa-map-marker" alt="Map Marker icon" title="Map Marker icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="https://states.aarp.org/welcome-to-aarp-washington/?intcmp=SNG-LNK-AARPLOCAL-CONTACT-20140101-GOLDENDALE-WA" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Contact Us</a></li> </ul> </div> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/AARPWA" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Facebook"><img alt="Facebook icon" title="Facebook icon" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/responsive/icons/48/facebook-dreamstale25.png"></a> <a href="https://twitter.com/AARPWA" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Twitter"><img alt="Twitter icon" title="Twitter icon" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/responsive/icons/48/x-logo-black.png"></a> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/aarpwa/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Instagram"><img src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/icon-ig.png" alt="Instagram icon" title="Instagram icon" style="height: 49px;"></a> </div> </div> </div></div> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail left-bot"></div> <div class="col-md-4 right-rail right-bot thin-rhs"></div> </div> <div class="row oneColumnLayout"> </div> <div class="row oneColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-12"><!-- script to activate navbar --> <script type="text/javascript"> jQuery(".channelBarMain ul.left li a").click(function() { window.location = jQuery(this).attr('href'); }); </script> </div> </div> ' $scripts_for_layout = '<title>Goldendale Observatory - Goldendale, WA</title> <meta name="page_title" content="Goldendale Observatory - Goldendale, WA"/> <meta name="robots" content="noindex, nofollow"/> <meta content="A History of Goldendale ObservatoryBy D. 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Warning (2): include() [<a href='http://php.net/function.include'>function.include</a>]: Failed opening '/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app/Resource/aarp2_master.footer.html' for inclusion (include_path='/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/lib:.:/usr/share/pear:/usr/share/php') [APP/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp, line 242]Code Context<?php // if (!$nowrapper) (Globals::$language == 'es') ? include(APP . "/Resource/aarpe_footer_es.html") : include(APP . "/Resource/aarpe_footer.html"); ?>
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include (APP . "Resource/aarp2_master.footer.html");
$viewFile = '/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp' $dataForView = array( 'content_for_layout' => '<div class="row twoColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail"><div class="module clearfix"><div class="ar-basic-box"> <div class="module-spacer"> <header><h1 class="article-headline">Goldendale Observatory</h1></header> <div class="row"> <div class="col-sm-6 left module-spacer"> <p> <div> <div>1602 Observatory Drive</div> <div> <span>Goldendale</span>, <span>WA</span> <span>98620</span> </div> </div> </p> <div> <i class="fa fa-external-link-square"></i> <a href="http://www.goldendaleobservatory.com/" target="_blank">Goldendale Observatory</a> </div> <div><i class="fa fa-phone-square"></i> 509-773-3141</div> </div> <div class="col-sm-6 module-spacer"> <iframe width="100%" height="220" frameborder="0" style="border:0" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed/v1/place?key=AIzaSyCU5aZylcrTOLke9e3U0F2mXovlZ4bL8yk&q=Goldendale+Observatory%2C+1602+Observatory+Drive%2C+Goldendale%2C+WA+98620" allowfullscreen> </iframe> </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer clearfix"> <p>A History of Goldendale ObservatoryBy D. HardinThe Goldendale Observatory had its beginnings not in Goldendale, but in Vancouver, Washington at Clark Community College. Four members of an amateur astronomy club began working together on a very ambitious project, the building of a 12 inch telescope on Larch Mountain for the college's astronomy department. Only one of the four had a college degree. Don Conner, the most involved of all, was a high school dropout, and apparently somewhat of a problem child. If this inauspicious beginning was not enough, Don, a retired auto parts worker, had multiple sclerosis severe enough to require his use of a wheel chair for most of the project's existence. Don had a driving interest in astronomy and making telescopes. He started out during the depression grinding mirrors from glass furniture coasters and emery dust discarded as waste from the Fuller Glass Company. He studied all the material on astronomy he could obtain. As Don became increasingly skilled he enjoyed passing on his skills to young people interested in astronomy and telescope making.Working closely with Don on the grinding, polishing, and constant testing of the observatory's twenty-four and one-half inch, 200 pound Pyrex mirror was Don's long term astronomy club buddy, Mack McConnell. Mack was a glass engraver until an allergy forced him to take a job with the Vancouver Water Department. Another member of the foursome, Omer VanVelden, usually called "Van", was an employee of Weber Machine Company. Van worked nights and weekends manufacturing all the intricate gears, shafts, and fittings needed for the new large telescope.Less involved in mirror grinding, John Marshall's role was nonetheless crucial. Marshall, a former electrician, did the work on the wiring, switches, motors, and other electrical components. One day John told Don Conner, "I think I can talk the college into financing a large mirror blank. What do you say to a twenty-four and one-half inch?" Perhaps that was the moment the telescope at Goldendale was born. Fitting action to words, John had the 200 pound, five inch thick Pyrex disk on order before the other three members of the group hardly knew what happened.</p> </div> <div class="reportthis" style="margin-bottom: 20px;"> <form method="post" action="/goldendale-wa/report/place/goldendale-observatory-goldendale-wa.html"> <button type="submit" class="btn btnregister pull-right" style="margin-bottom: 10px;">Flag This Place</button> </form> </div> <div class="report_button_message">Please use "Flag This Place" to alert us about content that is inappropriate or needs immediate attention. 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HardinThe Goldendale Observatory had its beginnings not in Goldendale, but in Vancouver, Washington at Clark"/> <meta name="twitter:image" content="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/thumbs/generic-icon.jpg"/> <meta property="og:type" content="place"/> <meta property="og:title" content="Goldendale Observatory"/> <meta property="og:description" content="A History of Goldendale ObservatoryBy D. HardinThe Goldendale Observatory had its beginnings not in Goldendale, but in Vancouver, Washington at Clark"/> <meta property="og:image" content="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/thumbs/generic-icon.jpg"/> <meta property="place:location:latitude" content="45.839001"/> <meta property="place:location:longitude" content="-120.816002"/> ', 'title_for_layout' => 'Place Detail - AARP' ) $content_for_layout = '<div class="row twoColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail"><div class="module clearfix"><div class="ar-basic-box"> <div class="module-spacer"> <header><h1 class="article-headline">Goldendale Observatory</h1></header> <div class="row"> <div class="col-sm-6 left module-spacer"> <p> <div> <div>1602 Observatory Drive</div> <div> <span>Goldendale</span>, <span>WA</span> <span>98620</span> </div> </div> </p> <div> <i class="fa fa-external-link-square"></i> <a href="http://www.goldendaleobservatory.com/" target="_blank">Goldendale Observatory</a> </div> <div><i class="fa fa-phone-square"></i> 509-773-3141</div> </div> <div class="col-sm-6 module-spacer"> <iframe width="100%" height="220" frameborder="0" style="border:0" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed/v1/place?key=AIzaSyCU5aZylcrTOLke9e3U0F2mXovlZ4bL8yk&q=Goldendale+Observatory%2C+1602+Observatory+Drive%2C+Goldendale%2C+WA+98620" allowfullscreen> </iframe> </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer clearfix"> <p>A History of Goldendale ObservatoryBy D. HardinThe Goldendale Observatory had its beginnings not in Goldendale, but in Vancouver, Washington at Clark Community College. Four members of an amateur astronomy club began working together on a very ambitious project, the building of a 12 inch telescope on Larch Mountain for the college's astronomy department. Only one of the four had a college degree. Don Conner, the most involved of all, was a high school dropout, and apparently somewhat of a problem child. If this inauspicious beginning was not enough, Don, a retired auto parts worker, had multiple sclerosis severe enough to require his use of a wheel chair for most of the project's existence. Don had a driving interest in astronomy and making telescopes. He started out during the depression grinding mirrors from glass furniture coasters and emery dust discarded as waste from the Fuller Glass Company. He studied all the material on astronomy he could obtain. As Don became increasingly skilled he enjoyed passing on his skills to young people interested in astronomy and telescope making.Working closely with Don on the grinding, polishing, and constant testing of the observatory's twenty-four and one-half inch, 200 pound Pyrex mirror was Don's long term astronomy club buddy, Mack McConnell. Mack was a glass engraver until an allergy forced him to take a job with the Vancouver Water Department. Another member of the foursome, Omer VanVelden, usually called "Van", was an employee of Weber Machine Company. Van worked nights and weekends manufacturing all the intricate gears, shafts, and fittings needed for the new large telescope.Less involved in mirror grinding, John Marshall's role was nonetheless crucial. Marshall, a former electrician, did the work on the wiring, switches, motors, and other electrical components. One day John told Don Conner, "I think I can talk the college into financing a large mirror blank. What do you say to a twenty-four and one-half inch?" Perhaps that was the moment the telescope at Goldendale was born. Fitting action to words, John had the 200 pound, five inch thick Pyrex disk on order before the other three members of the group hardly knew what happened.</p> </div> <div class="reportthis" style="margin-bottom: 20px;"> <form method="post" action="/goldendale-wa/report/place/goldendale-observatory-goldendale-wa.html"> <button type="submit" class="btn btnregister pull-right" style="margin-bottom: 10px;">Flag This Place</button> </form> </div> <div class="report_button_message">Please use "Flag This Place" to alert us about content that is inappropriate or needs immediate attention. 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Warning (2): include(/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app/Resource/aarp2_master.bodyTargeting.html) [<a href='http://php.net/function.include'>function.include</a>]: failed to open stream: No such file or directory [APP/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp, line 243]Code Context<?php if (!$nowrapper): // MLW - Spanish wrappers TBD
include (APP . "Resource/aarp2_master.footer.html");
include (APP . "Resource/aarp2_master.bodyTargeting.html");
$viewFile = '/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp' $dataForView = array( 'content_for_layout' => '<div class="row twoColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail"><div class="module clearfix"><div class="ar-basic-box"> <div class="module-spacer"> <header><h1 class="article-headline">Goldendale Observatory</h1></header> <div class="row"> <div class="col-sm-6 left module-spacer"> <p> <div> <div>1602 Observatory Drive</div> <div> <span>Goldendale</span>, <span>WA</span> <span>98620</span> </div> </div> </p> <div> <i class="fa fa-external-link-square"></i> <a href="http://www.goldendaleobservatory.com/" target="_blank">Goldendale Observatory</a> </div> <div><i class="fa fa-phone-square"></i> 509-773-3141</div> </div> <div class="col-sm-6 module-spacer"> <iframe width="100%" height="220" frameborder="0" style="border:0" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed/v1/place?key=AIzaSyCU5aZylcrTOLke9e3U0F2mXovlZ4bL8yk&q=Goldendale+Observatory%2C+1602+Observatory+Drive%2C+Goldendale%2C+WA+98620" allowfullscreen> </iframe> </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer clearfix"> <p>A History of Goldendale ObservatoryBy D. HardinThe Goldendale Observatory had its beginnings not in Goldendale, but in Vancouver, Washington at Clark Community College. Four members of an amateur astronomy club began working together on a very ambitious project, the building of a 12 inch telescope on Larch Mountain for the college's astronomy department. Only one of the four had a college degree. Don Conner, the most involved of all, was a high school dropout, and apparently somewhat of a problem child. If this inauspicious beginning was not enough, Don, a retired auto parts worker, had multiple sclerosis severe enough to require his use of a wheel chair for most of the project's existence. Don had a driving interest in astronomy and making telescopes. He started out during the depression grinding mirrors from glass furniture coasters and emery dust discarded as waste from the Fuller Glass Company. He studied all the material on astronomy he could obtain. As Don became increasingly skilled he enjoyed passing on his skills to young people interested in astronomy and telescope making.Working closely with Don on the grinding, polishing, and constant testing of the observatory's twenty-four and one-half inch, 200 pound Pyrex mirror was Don's long term astronomy club buddy, Mack McConnell. Mack was a glass engraver until an allergy forced him to take a job with the Vancouver Water Department. Another member of the foursome, Omer VanVelden, usually called "Van", was an employee of Weber Machine Company. Van worked nights and weekends manufacturing all the intricate gears, shafts, and fittings needed for the new large telescope.Less involved in mirror grinding, John Marshall's role was nonetheless crucial. Marshall, a former electrician, did the work on the wiring, switches, motors, and other electrical components. One day John told Don Conner, "I think I can talk the college into financing a large mirror blank. What do you say to a twenty-four and one-half inch?" Perhaps that was the moment the telescope at Goldendale was born. Fitting action to words, John had the 200 pound, five inch thick Pyrex disk on order before the other three members of the group hardly knew what happened.</p> </div> <div class="reportthis" style="margin-bottom: 20px;"> <form method="post" action="/goldendale-wa/report/place/goldendale-observatory-goldendale-wa.html"> <button type="submit" class="btn btnregister pull-right" style="margin-bottom: 10px;">Flag This Place</button> </form> </div> <div class="report_button_message">Please use "Flag This Place" to alert us about content that is inappropriate or needs immediate attention. 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HardinThe Goldendale Observatory had its beginnings not in Goldendale, but in Vancouver, Washington at Clark" name="description"/> <meta content="Goldendale, Observatory, WA" name="keywords"/> <link rel="canonical" href="https://www.americantowns.com/place/goldendale-observatory-goldendale-wa.html" /> <meta property="og:url" content="https://vccstaging.local.aarp.org/place/goldendale-observatory-goldendale-wa.html"/> <meta name="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image"/> <meta name="twitter:title" content="Goldendale Observatory"/> <meta name="twitter:description" content="A History of Goldendale ObservatoryBy D. 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HardinThe Goldendale Observatory had its beginnings not in Goldendale, but in Vancouver, Washington at Clark"/> <meta property="og:image" content="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/thumbs/generic-icon.jpg"/> <meta property="place:location:latitude" content="45.839001"/> <meta property="place:location:longitude" content="-120.816002"/> ', 'title_for_layout' => 'Place Detail - AARP' ) $content_for_layout = '<div class="row twoColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail"><div class="module clearfix"><div class="ar-basic-box"> <div class="module-spacer"> <header><h1 class="article-headline">Goldendale Observatory</h1></header> <div class="row"> <div class="col-sm-6 left module-spacer"> <p> <div> <div>1602 Observatory Drive</div> <div> <span>Goldendale</span>, <span>WA</span> <span>98620</span> </div> </div> </p> <div> <i class="fa fa-external-link-square"></i> <a href="http://www.goldendaleobservatory.com/" target="_blank">Goldendale Observatory</a> </div> <div><i class="fa fa-phone-square"></i> 509-773-3141</div> </div> <div class="col-sm-6 module-spacer"> <iframe width="100%" height="220" frameborder="0" style="border:0" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed/v1/place?key=AIzaSyCU5aZylcrTOLke9e3U0F2mXovlZ4bL8yk&q=Goldendale+Observatory%2C+1602+Observatory+Drive%2C+Goldendale%2C+WA+98620" allowfullscreen> </iframe> </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer clearfix"> <p>A History of Goldendale ObservatoryBy D. HardinThe Goldendale Observatory had its beginnings not in Goldendale, but in Vancouver, Washington at Clark Community College. Four members of an amateur astronomy club began working together on a very ambitious project, the building of a 12 inch telescope on Larch Mountain for the college's astronomy department. Only one of the four had a college degree. Don Conner, the most involved of all, was a high school dropout, and apparently somewhat of a problem child. If this inauspicious beginning was not enough, Don, a retired auto parts worker, had multiple sclerosis severe enough to require his use of a wheel chair for most of the project's existence. Don had a driving interest in astronomy and making telescopes. He started out during the depression grinding mirrors from glass furniture coasters and emery dust discarded as waste from the Fuller Glass Company. He studied all the material on astronomy he could obtain. As Don became increasingly skilled he enjoyed passing on his skills to young people interested in astronomy and telescope making.Working closely with Don on the grinding, polishing, and constant testing of the observatory's twenty-four and one-half inch, 200 pound Pyrex mirror was Don's long term astronomy club buddy, Mack McConnell. Mack was a glass engraver until an allergy forced him to take a job with the Vancouver Water Department. Another member of the foursome, Omer VanVelden, usually called "Van", was an employee of Weber Machine Company. Van worked nights and weekends manufacturing all the intricate gears, shafts, and fittings needed for the new large telescope.Less involved in mirror grinding, John Marshall's role was nonetheless crucial. Marshall, a former electrician, did the work on the wiring, switches, motors, and other electrical components. One day John told Don Conner, "I think I can talk the college into financing a large mirror blank. What do you say to a twenty-four and one-half inch?" Perhaps that was the moment the telescope at Goldendale was born. Fitting action to words, John had the 200 pound, five inch thick Pyrex disk on order before the other three members of the group hardly knew what happened.</p> </div> <div class="reportthis" style="margin-bottom: 20px;"> <form method="post" action="/goldendale-wa/report/place/goldendale-observatory-goldendale-wa.html"> <button type="submit" class="btn btnregister pull-right" style="margin-bottom: 10px;">Flag This Place</button> </form> </div> <div class="report_button_message">Please use "Flag This Place" to alert us about content that is inappropriate or needs immediate attention. 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Warning (2): include() [<a href='http://php.net/function.include'>function.include</a>]: Failed opening '/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app/Resource/aarp2_master.bodyTargeting.html' for inclusion (include_path='/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/lib:.:/usr/share/pear:/usr/share/php') [APP/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp, line 243]Code Context<?php if (!$nowrapper): // MLW - Spanish wrappers TBD
include (APP . "Resource/aarp2_master.footer.html");
include (APP . "Resource/aarp2_master.bodyTargeting.html");
$viewFile = '/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp' $dataForView = array( 'content_for_layout' => '<div class="row twoColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail"><div class="module clearfix"><div class="ar-basic-box"> <div class="module-spacer"> <header><h1 class="article-headline">Goldendale Observatory</h1></header> <div class="row"> <div class="col-sm-6 left module-spacer"> <p> <div> <div>1602 Observatory Drive</div> <div> <span>Goldendale</span>, <span>WA</span> <span>98620</span> </div> </div> </p> <div> <i class="fa fa-external-link-square"></i> <a href="http://www.goldendaleobservatory.com/" target="_blank">Goldendale Observatory</a> </div> <div><i class="fa fa-phone-square"></i> 509-773-3141</div> </div> <div class="col-sm-6 module-spacer"> <iframe width="100%" height="220" frameborder="0" style="border:0" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed/v1/place?key=AIzaSyCU5aZylcrTOLke9e3U0F2mXovlZ4bL8yk&q=Goldendale+Observatory%2C+1602+Observatory+Drive%2C+Goldendale%2C+WA+98620" allowfullscreen> </iframe> </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer clearfix"> <p>A History of Goldendale ObservatoryBy D. HardinThe Goldendale Observatory had its beginnings not in Goldendale, but in Vancouver, Washington at Clark Community College. Four members of an amateur astronomy club began working together on a very ambitious project, the building of a 12 inch telescope on Larch Mountain for the college's astronomy department. Only one of the four had a college degree. Don Conner, the most involved of all, was a high school dropout, and apparently somewhat of a problem child. If this inauspicious beginning was not enough, Don, a retired auto parts worker, had multiple sclerosis severe enough to require his use of a wheel chair for most of the project's existence. Don had a driving interest in astronomy and making telescopes. He started out during the depression grinding mirrors from glass furniture coasters and emery dust discarded as waste from the Fuller Glass Company. He studied all the material on astronomy he could obtain. As Don became increasingly skilled he enjoyed passing on his skills to young people interested in astronomy and telescope making.Working closely with Don on the grinding, polishing, and constant testing of the observatory's twenty-four and one-half inch, 200 pound Pyrex mirror was Don's long term astronomy club buddy, Mack McConnell. Mack was a glass engraver until an allergy forced him to take a job with the Vancouver Water Department. Another member of the foursome, Omer VanVelden, usually called "Van", was an employee of Weber Machine Company. Van worked nights and weekends manufacturing all the intricate gears, shafts, and fittings needed for the new large telescope.Less involved in mirror grinding, John Marshall's role was nonetheless crucial. Marshall, a former electrician, did the work on the wiring, switches, motors, and other electrical components. One day John told Don Conner, "I think I can talk the college into financing a large mirror blank. What do you say to a twenty-four and one-half inch?" Perhaps that was the moment the telescope at Goldendale was born. Fitting action to words, John had the 200 pound, five inch thick Pyrex disk on order before the other three members of the group hardly knew what happened.</p> </div> <div class="reportthis" style="margin-bottom: 20px;"> <form method="post" action="/goldendale-wa/report/place/goldendale-observatory-goldendale-wa.html"> <button type="submit" class="btn btnregister pull-right" style="margin-bottom: 10px;">Flag This Place</button> </form> </div> <div class="report_button_message">Please use "Flag This Place" to alert us about content that is inappropriate or needs immediate attention. Nothing you submit will be shared with other site visitors. </div> <style> .report_button_message { color: #333; font-size: 12px; clear: both; } </style> </div> </div> </div><div class="module clearfix"><div class="module-spacer tout-homefit-750"> <a data-formelementid="CSN-LOCAL-HC-PLSK-02272024" href="/goldendale-wa/home-and-community/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-HC-PLSK-02272024"><img class="img-responsive" alt="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" title="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/touts/HomeFit_750x150.png"></a> </div></div></div> <div class="col-md-4 right-rail thin-rhs"><div class="module clearfix"><!--default--> <!-- module_RHS - AARP Events --> <div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer"> <header> <div class="pull-right"> <a href="/goldendale-wa/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS"> <img style="width:30px;" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/icons/aarp_event_icon.png" alt="Upcoming AARP Events" /> </a> </div> <h2 class="visible-lg">AARP Events for Goldendale</h2> <h2 class="hidden-lg">AARP Events for Goldendale</h2> </header> <div class="wrap"> <div class="ar-listing snippet"> <ul class="list"> <li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-nc-charlotte-presents-zumba-gold-for-brain-health-11132024-at-11-am-et-tqn7k5x8gwd.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-TRY-A-ZUMBA-GOLD-CLASS-FOR-FITNESS-AND-BRAIN-HEALTH">Try a Zumba Gold Class for Fitness and Brain Health</a></h2> <p class="time">Wednesday, Nov 13, 2024 at 8:00 a.m. PT</p> <p class="venue">Zoom</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/virtual-aarp-tx-grief-and-the-holidays-austin-tx-11132024-tsnx8mp7xj2.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-GRIEF-AND-THE-HOLIDAYS-COPING-WITH-LOSS-WHEN-OTHERS-ARE-JOYFUL">Grief and the Holidays: Coping With Loss When Others are Joyful</a></h2> <p class="time">Wednesday, Nov 13, 2024 at 8:30 a.m. PT</p> <p class="venue">Zoom</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-tn-whats-cookin-with-aarp-chef-donald-2024-z7nrdt97hkn.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-COOKING-CLASS-WHATS-COOKIN-WITH-CHEF-DONALD-NICHOLS">Cooking Class: What's Cookin’ with Chef Donald Nichols</a></h2> <p class="time">Wednesday, Nov 13, 2024 at 9:00 a.m. PT</p> <p class="venue">Zoom</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li> </ul> <p><a class="link-red" href="/goldendale-wa/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS">View All AARP Events<i class="ml-1 fas fa-chevron-right"></i></a></p> </div> </div> </div> <div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper"> <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_53475" data-adsize="300x250"> <script type="text/javascript"> if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){ AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_53475', size:'300x250'}); } </script> </div> </div> <div class="card-tout card-dark membership-tout" style="margin:0 0 30px 0;"> <img class="img-responsive image" title="image of two AARP membership cards" alt="image of two AARP membership cards" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/tout-two-cards.png"> <div class="title">Only $12 your first year with Automatic Renewal</div> <ul class="list"> <li>Immediate access to your <a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/">member benefits</a></li> <li>Discounts on travel and everyday savings</li> <li>Subscription to AARP The Magazine</li> <li>FREE second membership</li> </ul> <div class="action"> <a class="btn" href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/join?campaignid=UAJFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A-GOLDENDALE-WA">Join AARP</a> <div class="body">Already a member? 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HardinThe Goldendale Observatory had its beginnings not in Goldendale, but in Vancouver, Washington at Clark"/> <meta name="twitter:image" content="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/thumbs/generic-icon.jpg"/> <meta property="og:type" content="place"/> <meta property="og:title" content="Goldendale Observatory"/> <meta property="og:description" content="A History of Goldendale ObservatoryBy D. HardinThe Goldendale Observatory had its beginnings not in Goldendale, but in Vancouver, Washington at Clark"/> <meta property="og:image" content="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/thumbs/generic-icon.jpg"/> <meta property="place:location:latitude" content="45.839001"/> <meta property="place:location:longitude" content="-120.816002"/> ', 'title_for_layout' => 'Place Detail - AARP' ) $content_for_layout = '<div class="row twoColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail"><div class="module clearfix"><div class="ar-basic-box"> <div class="module-spacer"> <header><h1 class="article-headline">Goldendale Observatory</h1></header> <div class="row"> <div class="col-sm-6 left module-spacer"> <p> <div> <div>1602 Observatory Drive</div> <div> <span>Goldendale</span>, <span>WA</span> <span>98620</span> </div> </div> </p> <div> <i class="fa fa-external-link-square"></i> <a href="http://www.goldendaleobservatory.com/" target="_blank">Goldendale Observatory</a> </div> <div><i class="fa fa-phone-square"></i> 509-773-3141</div> </div> <div class="col-sm-6 module-spacer"> <iframe width="100%" height="220" frameborder="0" style="border:0" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed/v1/place?key=AIzaSyCU5aZylcrTOLke9e3U0F2mXovlZ4bL8yk&q=Goldendale+Observatory%2C+1602+Observatory+Drive%2C+Goldendale%2C+WA+98620" allowfullscreen> </iframe> </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer clearfix"> <p>A History of Goldendale ObservatoryBy D. HardinThe Goldendale Observatory had its beginnings not in Goldendale, but in Vancouver, Washington at Clark Community College. Four members of an amateur astronomy club began working together on a very ambitious project, the building of a 12 inch telescope on Larch Mountain for the college's astronomy department. Only one of the four had a college degree. Don Conner, the most involved of all, was a high school dropout, and apparently somewhat of a problem child. If this inauspicious beginning was not enough, Don, a retired auto parts worker, had multiple sclerosis severe enough to require his use of a wheel chair for most of the project's existence. Don had a driving interest in astronomy and making telescopes. He started out during the depression grinding mirrors from glass furniture coasters and emery dust discarded as waste from the Fuller Glass Company. He studied all the material on astronomy he could obtain. As Don became increasingly skilled he enjoyed passing on his skills to young people interested in astronomy and telescope making.Working closely with Don on the grinding, polishing, and constant testing of the observatory's twenty-four and one-half inch, 200 pound Pyrex mirror was Don's long term astronomy club buddy, Mack McConnell. Mack was a glass engraver until an allergy forced him to take a job with the Vancouver Water Department. Another member of the foursome, Omer VanVelden, usually called "Van", was an employee of Weber Machine Company. Van worked nights and weekends manufacturing all the intricate gears, shafts, and fittings needed for the new large telescope.Less involved in mirror grinding, John Marshall's role was nonetheless crucial. Marshall, a former electrician, did the work on the wiring, switches, motors, and other electrical components. One day John told Don Conner, "I think I can talk the college into financing a large mirror blank. What do you say to a twenty-four and one-half inch?" Perhaps that was the moment the telescope at Goldendale was born. Fitting action to words, John had the 200 pound, five inch thick Pyrex disk on order before the other three members of the group hardly knew what happened.</p> </div> <div class="reportthis" style="margin-bottom: 20px;"> <form method="post" action="/goldendale-wa/report/place/goldendale-observatory-goldendale-wa.html"> <button type="submit" class="btn btnregister pull-right" style="margin-bottom: 10px;">Flag This Place</button> </form> </div> <div class="report_button_message">Please use "Flag This Place" to alert us about content that is inappropriate or needs immediate attention. 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$viewFile = '/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp' $dataForView = array( 'content_for_layout' => '<div class="row twoColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail"><div class="module clearfix"><div class="ar-basic-box"> <div class="module-spacer"> <header><h1 class="article-headline">Goldendale Observatory</h1></header> <div class="row"> <div class="col-sm-6 left module-spacer"> <p> <div> <div>1602 Observatory Drive</div> <div> <span>Goldendale</span>, <span>WA</span> <span>98620</span> </div> </div> </p> <div> <i class="fa fa-external-link-square"></i> <a href="http://www.goldendaleobservatory.com/" target="_blank">Goldendale Observatory</a> </div> <div><i class="fa fa-phone-square"></i> 509-773-3141</div> </div> <div class="col-sm-6 module-spacer"> <iframe width="100%" height="220" frameborder="0" style="border:0" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed/v1/place?key=AIzaSyCU5aZylcrTOLke9e3U0F2mXovlZ4bL8yk&q=Goldendale+Observatory%2C+1602+Observatory+Drive%2C+Goldendale%2C+WA+98620" allowfullscreen> </iframe> </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer clearfix"> <p>A History of Goldendale ObservatoryBy D. HardinThe Goldendale Observatory had its beginnings not in Goldendale, but in Vancouver, Washington at Clark Community College. Four members of an amateur astronomy club began working together on a very ambitious project, the building of a 12 inch telescope on Larch Mountain for the college's astronomy department. Only one of the four had a college degree. Don Conner, the most involved of all, was a high school dropout, and apparently somewhat of a problem child. If this inauspicious beginning was not enough, Don, a retired auto parts worker, had multiple sclerosis severe enough to require his use of a wheel chair for most of the project's existence. Don had a driving interest in astronomy and making telescopes. He started out during the depression grinding mirrors from glass furniture coasters and emery dust discarded as waste from the Fuller Glass Company. He studied all the material on astronomy he could obtain. As Don became increasingly skilled he enjoyed passing on his skills to young people interested in astronomy and telescope making.Working closely with Don on the grinding, polishing, and constant testing of the observatory's twenty-four and one-half inch, 200 pound Pyrex mirror was Don's long term astronomy club buddy, Mack McConnell. Mack was a glass engraver until an allergy forced him to take a job with the Vancouver Water Department. Another member of the foursome, Omer VanVelden, usually called "Van", was an employee of Weber Machine Company. Van worked nights and weekends manufacturing all the intricate gears, shafts, and fittings needed for the new large telescope.Less involved in mirror grinding, John Marshall's role was nonetheless crucial. Marshall, a former electrician, did the work on the wiring, switches, motors, and other electrical components. One day John told Don Conner, "I think I can talk the college into financing a large mirror blank. What do you say to a twenty-four and one-half inch?" Perhaps that was the moment the telescope at Goldendale was born. Fitting action to words, John had the 200 pound, five inch thick Pyrex disk on order before the other three members of the group hardly knew what happened.</p> </div> <div class="reportthis" style="margin-bottom: 20px;"> <form method="post" action="/goldendale-wa/report/place/goldendale-observatory-goldendale-wa.html"> <button type="submit" class="btn btnregister pull-right" style="margin-bottom: 10px;">Flag This Place</button> </form> </div> <div class="report_button_message">Please use "Flag This Place" to alert us about content that is inappropriate or needs immediate attention. 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HardinThe Goldendale Observatory had its beginnings not in Goldendale, but in Vancouver, Washington at Clark" name="description"/> <meta content="Goldendale, Observatory, WA" name="keywords"/> <link rel="canonical" href="https://www.americantowns.com/place/goldendale-observatory-goldendale-wa.html" /> <meta property="og:url" content="https://vccstaging.local.aarp.org/place/goldendale-observatory-goldendale-wa.html"/> <meta name="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image"/> <meta name="twitter:title" content="Goldendale Observatory"/> <meta name="twitter:description" content="A History of Goldendale ObservatoryBy D. 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HardinThe Goldendale Observatory had its beginnings not in Goldendale, but in Vancouver, Washington at Clark"/> <meta property="og:image" content="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/thumbs/generic-icon.jpg"/> <meta property="place:location:latitude" content="45.839001"/> <meta property="place:location:longitude" content="-120.816002"/> ', 'title_for_layout' => 'Place Detail - AARP' ) $content_for_layout = '<div class="row twoColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail"><div class="module clearfix"><div class="ar-basic-box"> <div class="module-spacer"> <header><h1 class="article-headline">Goldendale Observatory</h1></header> <div class="row"> <div class="col-sm-6 left module-spacer"> <p> <div> <div>1602 Observatory Drive</div> <div> <span>Goldendale</span>, <span>WA</span> <span>98620</span> </div> </div> </p> <div> <i class="fa fa-external-link-square"></i> <a href="http://www.goldendaleobservatory.com/" target="_blank">Goldendale Observatory</a> </div> <div><i class="fa fa-phone-square"></i> 509-773-3141</div> </div> <div class="col-sm-6 module-spacer"> <iframe width="100%" height="220" frameborder="0" style="border:0" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed/v1/place?key=AIzaSyCU5aZylcrTOLke9e3U0F2mXovlZ4bL8yk&q=Goldendale+Observatory%2C+1602+Observatory+Drive%2C+Goldendale%2C+WA+98620" allowfullscreen> </iframe> </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer clearfix"> <p>A History of Goldendale ObservatoryBy D. HardinThe Goldendale Observatory had its beginnings not in Goldendale, but in Vancouver, Washington at Clark Community College. Four members of an amateur astronomy club began working together on a very ambitious project, the building of a 12 inch telescope on Larch Mountain for the college's astronomy department. Only one of the four had a college degree. Don Conner, the most involved of all, was a high school dropout, and apparently somewhat of a problem child. If this inauspicious beginning was not enough, Don, a retired auto parts worker, had multiple sclerosis severe enough to require his use of a wheel chair for most of the project's existence. Don had a driving interest in astronomy and making telescopes. He started out during the depression grinding mirrors from glass furniture coasters and emery dust discarded as waste from the Fuller Glass Company. He studied all the material on astronomy he could obtain. As Don became increasingly skilled he enjoyed passing on his skills to young people interested in astronomy and telescope making.Working closely with Don on the grinding, polishing, and constant testing of the observatory's twenty-four and one-half inch, 200 pound Pyrex mirror was Don's long term astronomy club buddy, Mack McConnell. Mack was a glass engraver until an allergy forced him to take a job with the Vancouver Water Department. Another member of the foursome, Omer VanVelden, usually called "Van", was an employee of Weber Machine Company. Van worked nights and weekends manufacturing all the intricate gears, shafts, and fittings needed for the new large telescope.Less involved in mirror grinding, John Marshall's role was nonetheless crucial. Marshall, a former electrician, did the work on the wiring, switches, motors, and other electrical components. One day John told Don Conner, "I think I can talk the college into financing a large mirror blank. What do you say to a twenty-four and one-half inch?" Perhaps that was the moment the telescope at Goldendale was born. Fitting action to words, John had the 200 pound, five inch thick Pyrex disk on order before the other three members of the group hardly knew what happened.</p> </div> <div class="reportthis" style="margin-bottom: 20px;"> <form method="post" action="/goldendale-wa/report/place/goldendale-observatory-goldendale-wa.html"> <button type="submit" class="btn btnregister pull-right" style="margin-bottom: 10px;">Flag This Place</button> </form> </div> <div class="report_button_message">Please use "Flag This Place" to alert us about content that is inappropriate or needs immediate attention. 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$viewFile = '/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp' $dataForView = array( 'content_for_layout' => '<div class="row twoColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail"><div class="module clearfix"><div class="ar-basic-box"> <div class="module-spacer"> <header><h1 class="article-headline">Goldendale Observatory</h1></header> <div class="row"> <div class="col-sm-6 left module-spacer"> <p> <div> <div>1602 Observatory Drive</div> <div> <span>Goldendale</span>, <span>WA</span> <span>98620</span> </div> </div> </p> <div> <i class="fa fa-external-link-square"></i> <a href="http://www.goldendaleobservatory.com/" target="_blank">Goldendale Observatory</a> </div> <div><i class="fa fa-phone-square"></i> 509-773-3141</div> </div> <div class="col-sm-6 module-spacer"> <iframe width="100%" height="220" frameborder="0" style="border:0" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed/v1/place?key=AIzaSyCU5aZylcrTOLke9e3U0F2mXovlZ4bL8yk&q=Goldendale+Observatory%2C+1602+Observatory+Drive%2C+Goldendale%2C+WA+98620" allowfullscreen> </iframe> </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer clearfix"> <p>A History of Goldendale ObservatoryBy D. HardinThe Goldendale Observatory had its beginnings not in Goldendale, but in Vancouver, Washington at Clark Community College. Four members of an amateur astronomy club began working together on a very ambitious project, the building of a 12 inch telescope on Larch Mountain for the college's astronomy department. Only one of the four had a college degree. Don Conner, the most involved of all, was a high school dropout, and apparently somewhat of a problem child. If this inauspicious beginning was not enough, Don, a retired auto parts worker, had multiple sclerosis severe enough to require his use of a wheel chair for most of the project's existence. Don had a driving interest in astronomy and making telescopes. He started out during the depression grinding mirrors from glass furniture coasters and emery dust discarded as waste from the Fuller Glass Company. He studied all the material on astronomy he could obtain. As Don became increasingly skilled he enjoyed passing on his skills to young people interested in astronomy and telescope making.Working closely with Don on the grinding, polishing, and constant testing of the observatory's twenty-four and one-half inch, 200 pound Pyrex mirror was Don's long term astronomy club buddy, Mack McConnell. Mack was a glass engraver until an allergy forced him to take a job with the Vancouver Water Department. Another member of the foursome, Omer VanVelden, usually called "Van", was an employee of Weber Machine Company. Van worked nights and weekends manufacturing all the intricate gears, shafts, and fittings needed for the new large telescope.Less involved in mirror grinding, John Marshall's role was nonetheless crucial. Marshall, a former electrician, did the work on the wiring, switches, motors, and other electrical components. One day John told Don Conner, "I think I can talk the college into financing a large mirror blank. What do you say to a twenty-four and one-half inch?" Perhaps that was the moment the telescope at Goldendale was born. Fitting action to words, John had the 200 pound, five inch thick Pyrex disk on order before the other three members of the group hardly knew what happened.</p> </div> <div class="reportthis" style="margin-bottom: 20px;"> <form method="post" action="/goldendale-wa/report/place/goldendale-observatory-goldendale-wa.html"> <button type="submit" class="btn btnregister pull-right" style="margin-bottom: 10px;">Flag This Place</button> </form> </div> <div class="report_button_message">Please use "Flag This Place" to alert us about content that is inappropriate or needs immediate attention. Nothing you submit will be shared with other site visitors. </div> <style> .report_button_message { color: #333; font-size: 12px; clear: both; } </style> </div> </div> </div><div class="module clearfix"><div class="module-spacer tout-homefit-750"> <a data-formelementid="CSN-LOCAL-HC-PLSK-02272024" href="/goldendale-wa/home-and-community/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-HC-PLSK-02272024"><img class="img-responsive" alt="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" title="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/touts/HomeFit_750x150.png"></a> </div></div></div> <div class="col-md-4 right-rail thin-rhs"><div class="module clearfix"><!--default--> <!-- module_RHS - AARP Events --> <div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer"> <header> <div class="pull-right"> <a href="/goldendale-wa/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS"> <img style="width:30px;" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/icons/aarp_event_icon.png" alt="Upcoming AARP Events" /> </a> </div> <h2 class="visible-lg">AARP Events for Goldendale</h2> <h2 class="hidden-lg">AARP Events for Goldendale</h2> </header> <div class="wrap"> <div class="ar-listing snippet"> <ul class="list"> <li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-nc-charlotte-presents-zumba-gold-for-brain-health-11132024-at-11-am-et-tqn7k5x8gwd.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-TRY-A-ZUMBA-GOLD-CLASS-FOR-FITNESS-AND-BRAIN-HEALTH">Try a Zumba Gold Class for Fitness and Brain Health</a></h2> <p class="time">Wednesday, Nov 13, 2024 at 8:00 a.m. PT</p> <p class="venue">Zoom</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/virtual-aarp-tx-grief-and-the-holidays-austin-tx-11132024-tsnx8mp7xj2.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-GRIEF-AND-THE-HOLIDAYS-COPING-WITH-LOSS-WHEN-OTHERS-ARE-JOYFUL">Grief and the Holidays: Coping With Loss When Others are Joyful</a></h2> <p class="time">Wednesday, Nov 13, 2024 at 8:30 a.m. PT</p> <p class="venue">Zoom</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-tn-whats-cookin-with-aarp-chef-donald-2024-z7nrdt97hkn.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-COOKING-CLASS-WHATS-COOKIN-WITH-CHEF-DONALD-NICHOLS">Cooking Class: What's Cookin’ with Chef Donald Nichols</a></h2> <p class="time">Wednesday, Nov 13, 2024 at 9:00 a.m. PT</p> <p class="venue">Zoom</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li> </ul> <p><a class="link-red" href="/goldendale-wa/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS">View All AARP Events<i class="ml-1 fas fa-chevron-right"></i></a></p> </div> </div> </div> <div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper"> <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_53475" data-adsize="300x250"> <script type="text/javascript"> if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){ AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_53475', size:'300x250'}); } </script> </div> </div> <div class="card-tout card-dark membership-tout" style="margin:0 0 30px 0;"> <img class="img-responsive image" title="image of two AARP membership cards" alt="image of two AARP membership cards" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/tout-two-cards.png"> <div class="title">Only $12 your first year with Automatic Renewal</div> <ul class="list"> <li>Immediate access to your <a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/">member benefits</a></li> <li>Discounts on travel and everyday savings</li> <li>Subscription to AARP The Magazine</li> <li>FREE second membership</li> </ul> <div class="action"> <a class="btn" href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/join?campaignid=UAJFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A-GOLDENDALE-WA">Join AARP</a> <div class="body">Already a member? 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HardinThe Goldendale Observatory had its beginnings not in Goldendale, but in Vancouver, Washington at Clark"/> <meta name="twitter:image" content="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/thumbs/generic-icon.jpg"/> <meta property="og:type" content="place"/> <meta property="og:title" content="Goldendale Observatory"/> <meta property="og:description" content="A History of Goldendale ObservatoryBy D. HardinThe Goldendale Observatory had its beginnings not in Goldendale, but in Vancouver, Washington at Clark"/> <meta property="og:image" content="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/thumbs/generic-icon.jpg"/> <meta property="place:location:latitude" content="45.839001"/> <meta property="place:location:longitude" content="-120.816002"/> ', 'title_for_layout' => 'Place Detail - AARP' ) $content_for_layout = '<div class="row twoColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail"><div class="module clearfix"><div class="ar-basic-box"> <div class="module-spacer"> <header><h1 class="article-headline">Goldendale Observatory</h1></header> <div class="row"> <div class="col-sm-6 left module-spacer"> <p> <div> <div>1602 Observatory Drive</div> <div> <span>Goldendale</span>, <span>WA</span> <span>98620</span> </div> </div> </p> <div> <i class="fa fa-external-link-square"></i> <a href="http://www.goldendaleobservatory.com/" target="_blank">Goldendale Observatory</a> </div> <div><i class="fa fa-phone-square"></i> 509-773-3141</div> </div> <div class="col-sm-6 module-spacer"> <iframe width="100%" height="220" frameborder="0" style="border:0" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed/v1/place?key=AIzaSyCU5aZylcrTOLke9e3U0F2mXovlZ4bL8yk&q=Goldendale+Observatory%2C+1602+Observatory+Drive%2C+Goldendale%2C+WA+98620" allowfullscreen> </iframe> </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer clearfix"> <p>A History of Goldendale ObservatoryBy D. HardinThe Goldendale Observatory had its beginnings not in Goldendale, but in Vancouver, Washington at Clark Community College. Four members of an amateur astronomy club began working together on a very ambitious project, the building of a 12 inch telescope on Larch Mountain for the college's astronomy department. Only one of the four had a college degree. Don Conner, the most involved of all, was a high school dropout, and apparently somewhat of a problem child. If this inauspicious beginning was not enough, Don, a retired auto parts worker, had multiple sclerosis severe enough to require his use of a wheel chair for most of the project's existence. Don had a driving interest in astronomy and making telescopes. He started out during the depression grinding mirrors from glass furniture coasters and emery dust discarded as waste from the Fuller Glass Company. He studied all the material on astronomy he could obtain. As Don became increasingly skilled he enjoyed passing on his skills to young people interested in astronomy and telescope making.Working closely with Don on the grinding, polishing, and constant testing of the observatory's twenty-four and one-half inch, 200 pound Pyrex mirror was Don's long term astronomy club buddy, Mack McConnell. Mack was a glass engraver until an allergy forced him to take a job with the Vancouver Water Department. Another member of the foursome, Omer VanVelden, usually called "Van", was an employee of Weber Machine Company. Van worked nights and weekends manufacturing all the intricate gears, shafts, and fittings needed for the new large telescope.Less involved in mirror grinding, John Marshall's role was nonetheless crucial. Marshall, a former electrician, did the work on the wiring, switches, motors, and other electrical components. One day John told Don Conner, "I think I can talk the college into financing a large mirror blank. What do you say to a twenty-four and one-half inch?" Perhaps that was the moment the telescope at Goldendale was born. Fitting action to words, John had the 200 pound, five inch thick Pyrex disk on order before the other three members of the group hardly knew what happened.</p> </div> <div class="reportthis" style="margin-bottom: 20px;"> <form method="post" action="/goldendale-wa/report/place/goldendale-observatory-goldendale-wa.html"> <button type="submit" class="btn btnregister pull-right" style="margin-bottom: 10px;">Flag This Place</button> </form> </div> <div class="report_button_message">Please use "Flag This Place" to alert us about content that is inappropriate or needs immediate attention. 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