History of the Haggart Observatory

(see how "Recycling Built the Observatory")

The Haggart Observatory is named for Harold Haggart, a long-time resident of the Oregon City area and one time professional telescope builder. As part of his life-long interest in astronomy, he constructed a personal observatory (originally called the Oregon Trail Observatory) attached to his residence which housed a sophisticated telescope of his own design and making.

Before his death in 1984 he sold the telescope to the City of Portland. In May, 1988, Mr. Haggart's widow, Darcy Haggart, completed negotiations with the ELC for the donation of the dome and dome drive assembly from her home. The dome and drive, constructed in 1948 by Mr. Haggart who hand cut and crimped each Wedge-shaped piece, was still weather tight and in perfect working order.

Coast Crane of Portland donated the use of a crane to lift the dome onto a truck for transport and literally overnight the ELC acquired the ability and motivation to build a public observatory. Construction of the Haggart Observatory began in the summer of 1988. Lee Engineering of Oregon City designed the basic structure as a public service project.

The details of the design underwent many changes even as the structure was being built. The result is an observing area 45 feet above the ground (to put it above the level of trees on the ELC grounds) reached by a circular stairway and surrounded by a 6 foot wide deck. A total of 32 steps in the stairway were "sold" for $250 each to cover construction costs. The name of each buyer is inscribed on a step riser. The deck is used during the day to observe the grounds and ponds of the ELC and occasionally for solar observing.

The Observatory was finished and opened to the public in time to view the partial solar eclipse on March 7, 1989.

In 1999, rotting timbers were discovered in the main deck structure. The observatory was subsequently closed to the public for major renovation. Nearly two years later, the observatory re-opened. Thanks to many generous donations from local businesses and individuals. Over $160,000 of donated materials and services have resulted in a new deck structure, warming hut, and stairs. Harold Haggart's original dome still rests atop the new structure.

There are really two structures nested inside each other that make up the Observatory. The main structure, comprising the dome, observation deck, and stairway, is supported on a ring of eight power poles. The second structure is the concrete column and base which is located in the center of the Observatory and supports only the telescope. These two structures never touch, keeping the telescope steady even when people are walking around and causing the main structure to vibrate or sway.