Goldendale - A Free Observatory & More
Southeastern Washington remained a mystery to me for many years after I moved to Seattle.
Once I finally visited this area, I liked it well enough to return several times. The area near Goldendale has been one of my favorites to visit with lots of unique things to do, plus interesting history and activities not available elsewhere.
The Goldendale observatory was our target this summer.
I had not previously been to an observatory and when I heard they had one that was “free”, I knew my time had come. Four solar enthusiasts who were living near Longview, Washington, constructed a 24.5-inch Cassegrain telescope. In 1973 when they no longer required the use of the telescope full time for their personal use, they decided to donate it with the intent the public could use it “free”. They ran a newspaper adds and ultimately selected the City of Goldendale for the telescope location. Goldendale had minimal city nightlight to interfere with telescope operation plus with the aid of Federal grant money, they had agreed to build facilities to house and display their creation. In 1981 Goldendale turned over daily operations to Washington State Parks Department.
Currently Steve Stout with the Parks Department offers both daytime and evening programs with visitor hours available by calling 509-773-3141 or e-mail: goldendale.observatory@parks.wa.gov. Reservations are not required. Stout begins with a brief interpretive program, and then allows those attending to view selected viewings of interest from the actual large telescope. The telescope is refocused on other points of interest and those attending are allowed additional viewing after a brief explanation of what they are about to view. The typical presentation is easy to understand even for novice stargazers and well worth the trip. The length of time you can stay is somewhat flexible, so while Linda looked at the King Nebula around 11:30 PM, I entertained myself by waiting in the car, watching bats capture insects attracted by the parking lot lampposts.
The trip to Goldendale would not be complete without reviewing the accomplishments of an early pioneer to this part of the state, namely Samuel Hill.
Sam Hill was a Quaker from Minnesota and in approximately 1907 decided to build a town along the Columbia to take advantage of the railroad, nearby apple orchards, plus grain and stock raised near Goldendale. A portion of Hill’s development included a huge mansion, which was built with the planned use of being occupied by Hill and his wife Mary. Mary decided that she did not like the idea of living there and never occupied the home. Eventually the planned residence was turned into a museum, currently displaying several Rodaan sculptures as well as Native American exhibits. After World War I was fought and several residents lost their lives, Sam decided to honor them by constructing a monument overlooking the Columbia. The monument was constructed as a replica of Stonehenge in England and it remains as a popular, “free”, exhibit today. The Stonehenge replica is approximately one mile northeast of Sam Hill Memorial Bridge over the Columbia River going north from the town of Briggs. One additional accomplishment of Sam Hill was constructing the 3.6 mile Loops Road just north of Maryhill in 1913. This stretch of road was the first paved road in the State of Washington and remains in good condition today. Many overlook vantage points near the Columbia River and nearby Klickitat River make for postcard quality viewing.
