Description
The building measures 13 feet (4.0 m) square with a small gable-roofed louvered entrance porch on the west side. There is a small shed-roofed addition on the east side. The structure rests on a mortar and fieldstone foundation. Each gable features a decorative wood five-pointed star. A metal ventilator is mounted over each half-section's roof, topped with similar metal star. A system of metal-capped wood rails allows the building to be pulled apart in the middle using ropes and pulleys. The halves operate independently. The structure is double-walled, with an inner frame of 4×4s sheathed with tongue-and-groove boards, separated by 9 inches (23 cm) from the outer, louvered wall, also framed with 4×4s.
On the interior, a double floor surrounds a pyramidal concrete pier that supported the observing instruments. A 1½ story brick caretaker's house, built in 1947, is located 70 feet (21 m) to the south; it is excluded from the landmark designation.
The site was extensively surveyed and documented to support its mission. The Meridian Mark Pier, about 200 feet (61 m) to the south, was used to align the zenith telescope. Five Coast and Geodetic Survey monuments are on the property. The RM-1 monument has been used by NOAA for testing associated with the Global Positioning Satellite system.
Read more about this topic: Gaithersburg Latitude Observatory
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