Wilkinson Memorial Observatory
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The Wilkinson Memorial Observatory is an observatory located four kilometers south of Eastend, Saskatchewan.[1] Built in 1953, it is managed by the Eastend Astronomy Club.[1]
In the early 1940s, amateur astronomer Jack Wilkinson began building telescopes.[2] In 1949, Wilkinson constructed an 8-inch reflector telescope[1] with hand-crafted lenses[3] and carefully ground mirrors. Wilkinson, enthusiastic about his work, invited other locals to use his telescope to view the moon, planets, and distant galaxies.[2] He constructed mounts from repurposed industrial equipment, including the cap of a steam boiler.[1] In 1950, he built an observatory near the Livery barn which he owned.[2] Wilkinson’s original 8-inch reflector telescope is preserved at the Eastend Historical Museum.[citation needed]
After Wilkinson's death in 1953, the observatory dome, once housed atop the local school building, was relocated to its current site on land donated by the Gregory family.[2][3] The Eastend Astronomical Society was formed to honor Wilkinson's legacy and continues to oversee the observatory.[2]