old1a.jpg

Engraving of the old Naval Observatory as it appeared about 1880. The dome housing the 9.6-inch refractor is on top of the central portion. The time ball mast can be seen above it. The dome housing the 26-inch refractor can be seen to the right center in the background, under the tree. The Superintendent's home is at the extreme left; the paviliion for the 8.5-inch transit circle is at the extreme right. The connecting wings housed various observing instruments. The central portion and the east and west wings were built in 1843, the Superintendent's quarters in 1847, the transit circle pavilion in 1868, and the 26-inch refractor portion of the south wing in 1873.