Theron Milton Ashcroft
ASHCROFT OBSERVATORY
“Remember to look up at the stars and not down at your feet. Try to make sure of what you see and wonder about what makes a universe exist. Be curious. And however different life seems there is always something you can do and succeed at. It matters that you don’t just give up.”
― Stephen Hawking
In 1976 Arthur Armbrust, a plumber from Wheaton Illinois, donated five acres of land to the College of Southern Utah. It was proposed that this land be used to build a new observatory west of Cedar City which would include a dome and a small lecture hall. Theron had taught some of the earliest astronomy classes at BAC, and when the new observatory was approved they made the decision to name it the Ashcroft Observatory.
Prior to this time, the use of the college’s telescope had taken place on the roof of the science building. In 1973 a community member had donated a 14” Casagrain telescope to the college, but the lights of the growing community interfered with star gazing and rendered the rooftop ineffective. There were no state funds available for this project, so it was funded by private donation. There were many generous donations both in money and in donated materials. The groundbreaking ceremony took place on Monday, October 10, 1977.
The Observatory was not completed until 1980, and was dedicated six months after Theron passed away. He watched its progress carefully and was very thrilled to be a part of it. The Ashcroft family donated a large portrait of Theron to be hung in the Observatory.
The dedication was held September 26, 1980. Thousands of students, community residents, and visitors have visited the Observatory since it was dedicated.