1867
The Chicago Astronomical Society became a corporation. W. W. Gurnee donated money for a 40 inch diameter meridian circle employing a 6 inch telescope that became operational in 1868. Truman H. Safford became the first director. He discoverd 108 nebulae.



The Dearborn Telescope, the largest telescope in the world from 1862 to 1868. Since 1929, it has been one of the most popular exhibits at the Adler Planetarium.

The telescope has had an unusually varied career, and has recently returned from a careful, professional facelift, resuming its place in the Adler Planetarium.