Lowell Observatory
Tucked away on top of Mars Hill, overlooking the city of Flagstaff, sits Lowell Observatory–the brainchild of Bostonian Percivil Lowell. Built in 1894 after an extensive search for a site with the clearest light, the city was delighted that Lowell settled on Flagstaff. Several other towns in the Western territories were disappointed, including Tucson, Tempe, Prescott and Ash Fork. However, Flagstaff was almost 2,000 feet higher than its competitors and had the added attraction of being situated on the trans-continental railroad line. Lowell was an interesting, eclectic and learned man who was convinced that there was intelligent life on Mars. He established his Observatory in large part to prove the above and spent his life writing books, charting the heavens and hosting scientists from around the world. For its part, Flagstaff benefitted from the international exposure Lowell Observatory brought the town.
Today, the Observatory has expanded its mission to include many educational programs in which visitors can peer into space and study the stars. The Lowell Discovery Telescope is one of the most versatile telescopes in the world and the Giovale Open Deck Observatory has six telescopes available to those wanting to explore the galaxies. Lowell Observatory still shares the vision of its founder: to bring research and education together to share the wonders of outerspace with everyone.
