Description

OLDHAM

SD90SW ALEXANDRA PARK
780-1/3/4

Observatory

23/01/73

II

Observatory in form of pagoda. 1899. Stone, with polished
granite plinth and slate and leaded roof. Square in plan with
double pagoda roof. Single room plan, raised up steps. Central
entrance and flanking windows, all with wrought-iron screens.
Segmental arch to door, curved angle moulding to windows.
Three low openings above string course above. Similar rhythm
repeated in other elevations, but with wide central blind
window space. Angle piers with foliate capitals in upper
section carry heavily coved overhanging roof. First tier of
roof has scrolled wrought-iron finials at angles, and
segmental blind dormers with scrolled wood decorative
panelling. Enriched timber screen above carries upper tier of
roof which is leaded and ogivally-arched with wood finials at
angles. Small onion dome above surmounted by weather vane.
Inscriptions in polished granite in return walls of base
record that the observatory was erected in commemoration of
the jubilee of the incorporation of the Borough, 1849-1899,
and list the names of members of the Sanitary Committee of the
Borough.

Listing NGR: SD9311103961

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• Wikidata Q26497403

External links are from the relevant listing authority and, where applicable, Wikidata. Wikidata IDs may be related buildings as well as this specific building. If you want to add or update a link, you will need to do so by editing the Wikidata entry.

Recommended Books

• 
  Sussex: East with Brighton and Hove (Buildings of England) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Pevsner's Architectural Glossary (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Introductions)
• 
  Gwent/Monmouthshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of Wales)
• 
  [(Cumberland and Westmorland)] [By (author) Nikolaus Pevsner] published on (January, 1967)
• 
  Specifications for Building Conservation: Volume 1: External Structure: Practical Examples v. 2
• 
  Gloucestershire 2: The Vale and The Forest of Dean: Vale and Forest of Dean Pt. 2 (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)