Proposed Observatory, Vernon Park, Stockport

The style of the observatory will be the early English period of Gothic, or twelfth century. The tower will be divided into eight chambers. The first two will form rooms for the keeper, with a cellar in the basement, the remaining six being for the use of the public and in direct communication with the staircase. Each room will have windows through each side of the tower. There will be a staircase for persons ascending and leading to the various rooms; and another for persons descending, without any communication with the rooms, so that crushing in descending may be avoided. The top storey will be used for astronomical purposes. The materials of which the building is to be constructed will be the best hard red and white bricks, with Hollington stone for the windows and dressings. The staircases will be of hard Yorkshire stone. The basement will be very substantial and the ground floor fireproof. The top of the tower will be open, but protected by a light ornamental iron railing. The height of the building will be about 160 feet and the cost £1,000.Mr James Stevens of Manchester and Macclesfield is the architect. [Manchester Guardian 25 September 1860 page 3]

Site facing the entrance to the museum, and close to the upper gate of the park.  Despite a series of attempts, funds for the tower could not be raised and the 'Amalgamated Friendly Societies of Stockport' eventually had to abandon the idea.

Reference    Manchester Guardian 25 September 1860 page 3
Reference    Manchester Guardian Saturday 24 August 1861 Page 2 (Contracts)