Warner and Swasey Observatory

This place is on private property. Listing for informational purposes only. Please do not visit without express permission from the land owner. The Warner and Swasey Observatory is the astronomical observatory of Case Western Reserve University. Named after Worcester R. Warner and Ambrose Swasey, who built it at the beginning of the 20th century, it was initially located on Taylor Road in East Cleveland, Ohio, USA. The observatory, which at that time housed a 9.5-inch (24 cm) refractor, was donated in 1919 to the Case School of Applied Science. The newer 24-inch (61 cm) Burrell Schmidt telescope was built in 1939. The astronomical history of Case Western Reserve University can be traced back along two paths, reflecting the contributions of the Case Institute of Technology and the Western Reserve College, which became federated in 1967 to form Case Western Reserve University. The first collegiate observatory west of the Appalachians -- and the second-oldest observatory in the United States -- was built by Western Reserve College in 1837. The observatory was led at that time by the eminent astronomer Elias Loomis, who studied not only astronomy, but also meteorology, mathematics, and natural sciences. The Warner and Swasey Observatory itself had its beginning before the foundation of the Case School of Applied Science, when its founder, Leonard Case, Jr., met John Stockwell, a self-educated astronomer. The two collaborated in a number of theoretical investigations concerning the motion of the moon. When the college was organized shortly after the death of Leonard Case, John Stockwell became its first Professor of Mathematics and Astronomy. Research and instruction in astronomy began in the year 1881. About that time, two astronomical enthusiasts, Worcester R. Warner and Ambrose Swasey, moved their machine tool firm to Cleveland and began their distinguished careers in the manufacture of precision instruments and large telescopes.  They took a great interest in Case School of Applied Science; and when, after some years, they became trustees of the college, it was natural for them to take an interest in improving the astronomical equipment of the college. They encouraged Charles S. Howe, the second professor of astronomy and later president, in his work on the determination of fundamental star positions with the almuncantar. In 1919, they gave this telescope to Case together with an observatory which they built and equipped with two astronomical transits, a zenith telescope, two Riefler clocks, two chronographs, and other auxiliary instruments. The original building also included a small library, a transit room, a darkroom, bedroom and office. The observatory was located on an elevated site 270 feet above Lake Erie, on Taylor Road, in East Cleveland, some four miles east of the campus of Case Institute and the present University. Thus was founded the Warner and Swasey Observatory to further basic instruction and research in astronomy. It was dedicated on October 12, 1920 in ceremonies at which Dr. W. W. Campbell, then Director of the Lick Observatory, was the principal speaker. In the fall of 1982, the staff, library and other facilities of the astronomy department of Case Western Reserve University which had been housed in the Warner and Swasey Observatory building on Taylor Road in East Cleveland, were moved to the fourth floor of the Smith Building on the CWRU campus. With the relocation of the Burrell Schmidt to Kitt Peak and the move of the 36 inch reflector to the Nassau Astronomical Station, no further observational work was being done on Taylor Road- hence the move. However, the term Warner and Swasey Observatory continues to serve to identify the CWRU Department of Astronomy and to perpetuate the memory of those farsighted individuals who were so instrumental in the development of observational astronomy in the United States. Photo by Dan Grossman