This week's #ThrowbackThursday features a black and white photograph of the Lick Observatory on Mount Hamilton just east of San Jose. The date of the photograph unknown.
This observatory was constructed in a Classical Greek Revival Style from 1876 through 1887 from a bequest of James Lick (1796-1876). Lick was born in Pennsylvania but died in San Francisco where he lived during the last 30 years of his life. Following his arrival in the Bay Area, Lick began buying land in and around San Francisco and San Jose. He also bought land for orchards and built one of the largest flour mills California at the time on Montague Road in Santa Clara.
Following Lick's death, he left the majority of his estate to social and scientific causes including funds for the construction of an observatory. His home, the James Lick Mansion, is located in Santa Clara and is now privately owned.
Photograph part of the Campbell Historical Museum collection: 1974.01.0297
