Ralph A. Worley Observatory

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Ralph A. Worley Observatory is an astronomical observatory in Shreveport, Louisiana. It was built in 1964 by the Shreveport-Bossier Astronomical Society and later donated to the Caddo Parish School System. Today the observatory is owned by the school system and leased to the Shreveport-Bossier Astronomical Society.

Origin and goals
In 1959 the Worley family attended an astronomy convention in Colorado, and an astronomy club began taking shape. The club held its first public meeting on November 14, 1959, at Centenary College and was originally called the Shreveport Junior Astronomical Society. Members under 16 could vote or hold office. Dues were five dollars a year and included a subscription to Sky and Telescope. The club set two main goals: build an observatory for Shreveport and secure a planetarium for the area. They held public star parties to raise money, charging thirty cents per person.

Site, construction, and equipment
The club needed land and was offered a site by farmer L. S. “Scrib” Frierson, but the access road wouldn’t support a concrete truck. He directed them to another part of the cotton plantation, where they found an abandoned burned corn crib. Architect Joseph Schirer redesigned the plans to convert the corn crib into an observatory. Construction began in September 1963. The mount and drive for a 16-inch telescope were designed and built by United Gas Pipeline Corporation. The telescope weighed about 2,000 to 3,000 pounds and earned the nickname “The Monster.” Club members helped grind the telescope mirror. The Shreveport Observatory was officially opened on April 18, 1964, with an estimated value of $55,000. At the time, it sat about 15 miles from downtown Shreveport.

Later history and present
Today the observatory is closer to the city—less than eight miles away—and lights from the city, highways, and nearby oil and gas wells make stargazing more challenging. The Shreveport-Bossier Astronomical Society helped spearhead a city project for a planetarium.

In 1967 Lockheed donated a solar filter for the telescope, and a building to house the filter was dedicated in 1969. Ownership of the observatory was transferred to the Caddo Parish School Board in November 1969, while the Society retained an agreement to use the facility. The club reorganized in 1971 as an adult organization, though younger members could join, only those 16 and older could hold office. On March 27, 1975, the Society was incorporated as Shreveport-Bossier Astronomical Society, Inc.