The Yerkes Observatory, the site of the largest refractor telescope in the world at the time, is dedicated on October 21, 1897. There is a meeting of the country’s astronomers during the days before the dedication, which eventually leads to the formation of the American Astronomical Society. The site is often referred to as "the birthplace of modern astrophysics."
Its long and storied history made it one of the premier sites for observatory work in the United States for over a century. After a long time of relentless dedication, the observatory reached the end of its life as a scientific site in the 21st century. Currently a preservation group has purchased the Yerkes building and its surroundings, and a 10 year refurbishing project is underway.
