Elgin National Watch Company Observatory
Elgin National Watch Company Observatory, Scientific observatory in Elgin, United States.
The two-story observatory features concrete piers extending into the ground to provide stability for astronomical instruments and precise measurements.
Built in 1910 for the Elgin National Watch Company, the observatory helped scientists obtain timing information accurate to one-tenth of a second for watch manufacturing.
The observatory transitioned from industrial timekeeping to education when the local school district transformed it into a planetarium for astronomy programs.
Located at 312 Watch Street, the facility now operates as the Elgin U-46 Planetarium, offering regular astronomy sessions for students and visitors.
The observatory employed specialized instruments including a Riefler clock to measure sidereal time, contributing to the production of millions of watches.
Location: Illinois
Website: https://u-46.org/Domain/2920
GPS coordinates: 42.03000,-88.27333
Latest update: September 23, 2025 14:24
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