CHARLESTON — The year’s first observatory open house will take place from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday, January 31. EIU’s Astronomy Club holds an open house the last Friday of every month of EIU’s fall and spring semesters.
Additional open house dates this spring include the Fridays of February 28, March 27, and April 24, each taking place from 7 to 9 p.m. Central Standard Time.
EIU’s Observatory houses a 16-inch Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope that is computer controlled for both positioning and data acquisition. It is located in a dark field on campus which makes it both accessible and useful.
Dr. Donald Pakey, director of the observatory and physics professor, encourages any interested participants in the area to attend the open house event January 31.
“Our observatory is a great way for local children and amateur astronomers to enjoy and learn about space,” Pakey said. “It’s always a fun and educational experience every time we host this event.”
For more information and directions on how to get to the observatory, visit https://www.eiu.edu/physics/observatory.php.
For more information about EIU, or to learn more about its growing assortment of programs and services, visit the university’s website at www.eiu.edu, or call EIU’s public information office at (217) 581-7400.
Water Supply Shortage
1940: Lifted from a pool in the Embarras River east of town, this six-inch stream from an emergency pump brought from St. Louis was being depended upon by Charleston to replenish the dwindling reserve in the city's intake reservoir.
Movie theater
1983: The Will Rogers theater has movie-goers line up early at these prices. The theater reopened after several months.
High School
1928: new Charleston High School on Jan. 13, 1928.
Haunted mansion
1991: An old oval photo shows the Charleston mansion long ago. The house was builtin 19853, the Victorian mansion on Jackson Street can trace its spooky lineage to the moment the first brick was laid.
Food Pantry
1990: Volunteer Edith Roberts, chairman Mike Strader and volunteer Shirley Ensler have lots to do at the Charleston Food Pantry.
Downtown Renovations
1984: Rick Childers (left), Bruce Deitz and Mark Witt plant a tree in downtown Charleston as part of streetscape renovations.
Country Club
1952: A large brown shingled clubhouse is the center of most activity at the Charleston Country club. The club is located three miles west of Charleston on route 16 and is open the year round.
Community Memorial Hospital
1957: Open house is being held in this new Charleston Community Memorial Hospital. Patients are to move in from Montgomery Hospital. The new structure, which can hold a maximum 54 bed patients, was built at a cost of about $750,000 and was financed by gifts from the public. The fund campaign was started off by a $50,000 donation. The site was also turned over to the Chamber of Commerce which has been a leader in community efforts to obtain a new hospital.
Coles County Daily Times
1966: Coles County Daily Times near the square in Charleston.
Ashmore Estate Psychiatric Hospital
1961: Ashmore Estates Psychiatric Hospital grand opening attracted more than 3,300 persons. Tours were conducted at the facility which adjoins Illinois 16 between Charleston and Ashmore. The hospital is set up to accommodate 25 patients. Eventually it is expected to have a staff of 30 to 35 persons.
