James LICK: Envisioned and financed by James Lick in the 19th century, the observatory is operated by the University of California system and is one of the most important astronomical research facilities in the world. The telescope was built by Warner and Swasey of Cleveland, while Union Ironworks of San Francisco built the huge dome. Captain Floyed and Thomas Fraser supervised the construction. The observatory was opened in 1888, nine years after Lick's death.
