The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1896-07-23
THE LICK OBSERVATORY
he VIEWS SATURN, JUPITER, MOON
Advises All Those Contemplating IN
visit TO Fair California 10 Include
she Observatory TIA Their List of
Places 60 Visit.

person visiting the beautiful state OF
California can i'll afford to miss the OPP
portunity of seeing and viewing the far
famed Lick observatory and telescope.
1t is the greatest scientific astronomical
institution in the world, and is located
in Santa Clara county. 30 miles from San
Jose and 80 miles from San Francisco
and built upon the pinnacle point OF Mt.
Hamilton, an elevation OF 1890 feet above
sea level.
The fare from San Francisco to San
Jose by rail, is $3.50 round trip; from
San Jose to the observatory and return
by stage As also $3.50. One can leave
San Francisco any hour in the morning
so as to reach San Jose by stage leaving
time, IL 80 M, from Hotel Vendome or
the kentucky livery stables, and, after
viewing the heavenly planets to your en-
tire satisfaction be back in San Francisco
by $3.50 the next morning, feeling that
4 your time had been well spent, not only
at the observatory alone but in the jour
most beautiful mountain wagon road that
have ever had the pleasure OF travelling
lover. II is a constant switchback, very
wide, with broad turns, and as level as a
turnpike, with beautiful oak and pine
trees welcomingly interpreted along the
way, with now and then friendly little
babbling mountain brook or tiny spring
OF clear cold water to greet the eye or
quench the thirst OF the gay aud jolly
crowd that is usually to be found on an
occasion of this kind. Then, also, the
grand view one has oil the beautiful sur
roundings. You look back and see lying
below you the great fertile valley OF Santa
Clara that but few hours previous you
were In and on level with, but now
with different eye and from an elevated
position you bt hold it in all its richness.
As far as the eye can see stretches before
you fields of golden grain, hundreds Of
acres in a body; orchards with their
countless number OF fruit trees, numer-
Gus small towns dotted here and there;
the beautiful city Of San Jose, The noun
tains in the distance. and wonderful
arm of the ocean, San Francisco bay.
4 All this. with the grand view Of the set
ting sun, presents panoramic view long
4 to be remembered.
i The Lick observatory derives Its name
from it's founder. James Lick, an eccen-
tric old bachelor, who was born in Phila-
delphia in 1906 and died in 1875. The
story goes that he was disappointed in
love ut an early age by not receiving the
, consent of his intended wife's father for
the acceptance Of her hand on account Of
his position 10 life a. poor boy. His
] afIianced died with broken heart; he
, came west where he made fortune with
out known relative TO inherit 1t. Lick
gave great deal OF his wealth to chart.
, ty; he also gave TO the man whom he
, wanted to become his father-in.law, the
finest Touring mill west OF the Rockies,
located within lew miles of Jan Jose.
aud 81 100000 to the construction aud
fitting out of the observatory which bears
his name. His body is encssed in a
vault in the center Of the dome. TIE
spire that the great telescope Is piyoted
, upon stands Immediately over and around
, it, thus honorably marking the last rest.
ing place OF man that had made for
himself riches aud fame, and at his
: death, 50 distributed his wealth that the
scientific nations of the earth will honor
! and revere his name as long as time
lasts.
The building Is constructed and the
I floors laid with fine building stone, cover
ing space of several hundred feet, di-
Q vided into reception rooms, parlors,
= offices, halls, etc. The walls OF the halls
are nicely decorated with Photographic
Q pictures OF the scientific work OF the pro
. lessons on their studies OF the heavenly
J bodies, Saturn, Venus, Mars, Jupiter
the moon, etc.
The dome 10 which the large telescope
: is placed, weighs several hundred tons
l and is so mechanically and scientifically
+. constructed that when 1t Is necessary to
turn Ii ia position for the point OF the
: telescope 10 view through the aperture
In the dome, that one person can turn
: this powerful weight by aid OF small
crank so easily that it's motion cannot be
felt in the minutest. The telescope IL 81
. feet inches IN length, and weighs seven
tons. The double lens in the farther end
> of the instrument cost 10000 and were
] made In Paris and finished in Boston.
A person visiting the observatory
should go only on Saturday evening as
that is the only night that is given to
: visitors, II you desire to view through the
telescope. IS the other evenings are taken
3 up by the professors in their studies. but
on the evening mentioned you will be ex-
J tended all the couftesies that can possi-
bly, be shown as II il considered great
treat to them to have the privilege after
q busy weeks work.
Saturn is very beautiful planet. re-
sembling large white ball with dark
circle dregn across the upper half and all
ea0sseled within { circle or oblong ring,