Conception and Construction of the Observatory

Abstract

In the summer of 1884 Abbott Lawrence went through a period of restlessness following his graduation. He tried to unwind by visiting relatives and friends, fishing in New Brunswick, visiting Ottawa, and buying clothes in Montreal. On one occasion he climbed Blue Hill from his home in Milton and made special note of the good visibility. About two weeks later, perhaps with the climb still fresh in his mind, on 5 August 1884 he wrote in his diary (see figure 5), “The idea has struck me that a station might be established by me in connection with N. E. Met. Soc. (New England Meteorological Society) on Blue Hill and wrote to Prof. Niles and Mr. Teele regarding it.”¹ The blossoming of this idea would end Rotch’s unrest and set in motion a project that would carry him through the remainder of his life.