It took $2.45 million, 80 men and 18 Caterpillar tractors working with 28 engineers and others from the U.S. Bureau of Roads to build the 35-mile road to the top of Kitt Peak National Observatory in 1960. It was a treacherous job. "Make one wrong turn and you're in trouble," said a dozer operator.
Building the road to Kitt Peak National Observatory
Building the road to Kitt Peak National Observatory in May, 1960: A dozer operator tackles tree stumps and rock.
Building the road to Kitt Peak National Observatory
Building the road to Kitt Peak National Observatory in May, 1960: Bulldozers operate on treacherous, unstable material blasted from the the face of the mountain.
Building the road to Kitt Peak National Observatory
Building the road to Kitt Peak National Observatory in May, 1960: A dynamite blast helps shift the dirt and rock before the bulldozers finish the job.
Building the road to Kitt Peak National Observatory
Building the road to Kitt Peak National Observatory in May, 1960: Workers slip explosives into holes to blast away rock.
Building the road to Kitt Peak National Observatory
Building the road to Kitt Peak National Observatory in May, 1960: A truck eases down the early primitive road from near the top. The first telescope on the mountain, the 36-inch, can be seen in the background.
Building the road to Kitt Peak National Observatory
Building the road to Kitt Peak National Observatory in May, 1960: A jackhammer operator pounds away at the rock face.
Rick Wiley
Photo editor
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