History

Taylor Observatory is the realization of a dream of Mr. Robert Taylor. Mr. Taylor was an Educator and an avid Amateur Astronomer. 

Mr. Taylor was the Assistant Superintendent of Schools for the Lake County Office of Education in the 1970s.  He identified the funding used to build the Observatory, and it was constructed on property owned by the Elementary School in Kelseyville.

Construction began in the late 1970s and the Observatory opened to the public in 1980. A planetarium was added in 1985.

Shortly after completion of the Planetarium, Mr. Taylor moved out of the area. Evelyn Norton, his assistant and a school teacher, assumed responsibility for the operation of the facility.

Over the next 18 years, Ms. Norton thrilled thousands of people with her planetarium shows and telescope observing sessions. She also taught astronomy in the observatory classroom. Her knowledge of astronomy was exceptional.

She remained active in this role until her retirement in 2003. In 2004, the facility was renovated through the efforts of the Kelseyville Rotary Club and Amateur Astronomers from Lake County and the Ukiah Astronomical Society.

Ms. Norton passed away in 2005 and the Planetarium was named in her honor.

Current Observatory equipment was purchased through a grant and donations.