The University of California's Lick Observatory, located in the Diablo Range east of San Jose, California, has a long and fascinating history. The legacy of the eccentric California millionaire James Lick, the Observatory was founded in 1888 and has been part of the University of California ever since. Lick Observatory has grown to keep pace with the changing demands of astronomy, and, after more than a century of operation, remains among the most productive research observatories in the world.

These pages tell the stories of James Lick, the building of the Observatory, and the first hundred years of its operation. Comments and questions may be directed to Tony Misch. (tony@ucolick.org).

JAMES LICK

The story of the man whose
bequest created Lick Observatory.

 BUILDING THE OBSERVATORY

Constructing the world's first permanently occupied mountaintop observatory.

 THE FIRST 100 YEARS

Pages in preparation.