Cincinnati Observatory

Cincinnati Observatory is an astronomical facility on Mount Lookout consisting of two buildings that house an 11-inch and a 16-inch refracting telescope. Both instruments are used for public observation programs and ongoing research work.

The observatory was founded in 1843 when former President John Quincy Adams attended the cornerstone ceremony and delivered a major speech. The location was renamed Mount Adams following this significant founding event.

The observatory holds an important place in the region's educational life, offering regular viewing sessions where visitors of all ages can look through historic telescopes. People come here to experience how astronomers study the night sky firsthand.

The facility opens regularly for public viewings on afternoons when weather permits, with opportunities to look through the telescopes. Wear comfortable shoes for the hillside location and check conditions before visiting, as observations depend on clear skies.

The older telescope from 1845 is still actively used for observations and may be among the longest continuously operating telescopes in the world. This extended service history makes it a remarkable example of how scientific instruments can endure across centuries.

Location: Cincinnati

Architects: Samuel Hannaford

Architectural style: Greek Revival architecture

Website: http://cincinnatiobservatory.org

GPS coordinates: 39.13861,-84.42278

Latest update: December 6, 2025 17:40