A small backyard Observatory Dome made from Allunimum which was once located in Pittsburghs Northside was a wonder of its day.

A small silver aluminum dome once sat upon the rear building behind a house on Ivory Ave. near US19 Perrysville Ave.
most people pass it everyday never knew it was there,  they never knew what its significance was and sadly  never knew it has since been moved and preserved. .But it played a very significant role in Astronomy History when Leo Scanlon who I knew thru the Pittsburgh Mineral and Lapidary Society he was a long time member and past president and a man of great knowledge and skilled gem polisher and had a  great wit. But his other love was Astronomy which he helped start the Amateur Astronomy society of Pittsburgh.

At the time the dome was built in 1930 by Leo and his friends of the Amateur Astronomy Society of Pittsburgh  it was the single biggest piece of aluminum construction in the world.

and even rotated at one point till it had to be sealed off due to leaks. 

I got to talk to Leo the day of the State Marker dedication in 98 and Leo still remembered me despite now being in his late 90,s and probably 30+ years since we had last meet.

http://old.post-gazette.com/regionstate/19991129scanlonobit8.asp

Leo would pass shortly after the marker was dedicated unfortunately and the area lost a great man who many never knew what he had contributed to the area.