Land for the new observatory was purchased in 1872, and was noted for having increased elevations (about 150 ft) above the city.[1] Construction started in March 1874, and it was opened with new instruments in 1877.[1] The overall design had various rooms and three main domes, one for the Grubb refractor and then two smaller domes, and some terraces.[1]
At this time there were larger aperture reflecting telescopes, and the main technologies of metal mirror and silver on glass; however they had not yet established a strong reputation for themselves and there continued a strong interest in refractors for better or worse until the 20th century.
A report published in the publication Nature in notes that the 69 cm / 27-inch Grubb observed planets, comets, and nebula between 1903 and 1906.[2] Observations with a 6-inch Fraunhofer refractor telescope of comets and planets between 1903 and 1910 was also noted.[2]
