Dominion Observatory

The Dominion Observatory is an astronomical observatory on the Central Experimental Farm in Ottawa, housed in a Romanesque Revival building from 1905. The structure originally contained a 15-inch refracting telescope that astronomers used for observations and celestial measurements.

The observatory opened in 1902 as Canada's primary center for astronomical research and timekeeping services. It provided essential coordinate measurements for national mapping projects until it closed in 1970.

The observatory was where astronomers carried out meticulous measurements that directly supported Canada's mapping and surveying efforts. Their work made it possible to establish reliable coordinates for the entire country's geographic documentation.

The building now houses offices for Natural Resources Canada and is generally not open to visitors. To see the original telescope and learn about its history, you can visit the Canada Science and Technology Museum.

The observatory managed a network of around 700 synchronized clocks across Ottawa's federal buildings to establish a unified national time standard. This system worked invisibly behind the scenes but was crucial for coordinating railways, postal service, and other operations.