Big Bear Solar Observatory - Historical Images

Historical Images

This is a selection of historical images recently unearthed from our photo archive.

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	Construction begins at BBSO: This image from 1968 shows the beginning of the construction of the observatory building.
	First floor rebar: This image from 1968 shows the rebar for the southwest corner of what we now call the first floor, which was the original second floor. This floor is the first one above the maximum lake water level.
	Observatory under construction: This image from 1968 shows the framework beginning for what we now call the second floor, which was the original third floor.
	Observatory under construction from the east: This image was taken about the same time as the one above.
	Winter of 1969 -- Lake rises: This image from February 1969 shows the completed concrete shell of the observatory building surrounded by rising lake water. If you enlarge the photo you can see the temporary roof that was put on to cover the opening for the dome. The original causeway is under water. The rest of the construction was done using a barge.
	Completed observatory: This image from around 1973 shows the completed observatory. Note that the causeway has now been built up to the level of what we now call the first floor. The basement (the original ground floor) has been filled with sand. The basement was below the maximum high water level of the lake, and was designed to flood. This design was found to be inconvenient with the varying lake level, and so the basement was filled in and is no longer used.
	Completed observatory from shore: This image from around 1973 shows the completed observatory from the lake shore. You can also see in the foreground the platform for the original site survey telescope. This platform still exists, but is now hidden by the willow you see growing next to it.