This series contains biographical and historical information on James Lick and the Lick family, as well as realia, scrapbooks, diaries, and other historical materials from the construction and early operations of the Lick Observatory. Most of the materials in this series are not records directly created by the Lick Observatory, but is content associated with the history of the institution and its key figures. Information on the astronomers, funders, foremen, and families involved in the construction of the observatory is included, as well as subject files on the topics studied at the observatory, such as particular comets and astronomical phenomena. Clippings and publicity regarding the Lick Observatory and other observatories are also included.

The Lick Observatory was completed in 1888 and continues to be an active astronomy research facility at the summit of Mount Hamilton, near San Jose, California. It is named after James Lick (1796-1876), who left $700,000 in 1875 to purchase land and build a facility that would be home to "a powerful telescope, superior to and more powerful than any telescope yet made". The completion of the Great Lick Refractor in 1888 made the observatory home to the largest refracting telescope in the world for 9 years, until the completion of the 40-inch refractor at Yerkes Observatory in 1897. Since its founding in 1887, the Lick Observatory facility has provided on-site housing on Mount Hamilton for researchers, their families, and staff, making it the world's oldest residential observatory.

46.2 Linear Feet 44 boxes, 35 oversize boxes, 6 framed items, 2 flat file drawers

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Collection open for research. Audiovisual media is unavailable until reformatted. Digital files are available in the UCSC Special Collections and Archives reading room. Some files may require reformatting before they can be accessed. Technical limitations may hinder the Library's ability to provide access to some digital files. Access to digital files on original carriers is prohibited; users must request to view access copies. Contact Special Collections and Archives in advance to request access to audiovisual media and digital files.