[Lvas] Old telescope and mount

[roger ivester]

All,
 
I wanted to share an interesting story about a telescope and mount from the days of my childhood. It was in the late 60's when a very large equatorial mount suddenly appeared beside a house on my way to elementary school. It was a massive mount towering at least eight or more feet in height. I was riding a school bus and everyday when we passed the mount I would press my nose against the bus window to better see it. I was using my brothers 60mm refractor at the time so you can imagine how large a 400 pound equatorial mount would have appeared to a little kid. Most of other kids on the bus never even noticed the mount....but I sure did.  
 
At the time I never knew what the OTA looked like. In the early 70's I went back to that house and inquired about the scope. I was told by a relative that the owner had died shortly after completing both the mount and scope. I was taken to the basement to see a very large  12.5-inch, f/8 reflector. The scope was suspended with ropes from the ceiling and the tube assembly was well over 10-feet long. I remember it having a 2-inch focuser which was very rare in those days. 
 
The mount never left the 60's location and eventually an apple tree grew up around it. After the passing of almost 40 years my wife, Debbie and I decided to go back and check it out.  The house is now deserted and I discovered that the mount had been knocked over by some grading equipment while clearing some brush. 

 

I have heard that the scope is still hanging in the basement. It is located out in the country only an hours ride on my bicycle. It is very close to a crossroads and the very small town of Polkville, named after President James K. Polk. It is interesting to note that he was the President that made provisions to purchase some western land, possibly even Nevada. I need to check my facts on this.   
 
I have attached a picture of the mount in it's current sad state.
 
roger 
 
 

 
    The moon and stars to govern the night.....   Psalm 136:9






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