Warner and Swasey Observatory

The Warner and Swasey Observatory in East Cleveland, Ohio, has been abandoned and in a state of decay for over 40 years. Originally a premier center for astronomical research, it was rendered obsolete by urban light pollution and has since become a popular, albeit hazardous, destination for urban explorers. 

Current Condition and Status

• Physical State: The building is a derelict ruin covered in graffiti and stripped of its copper-skinned domes by scroungers. While some explorers report the floors and stairs are largely solid, the interior is filled with debris, vines, and significant damage.
• Legal Status: The site is permanently closed to the public. It is privately owned but remains neglected.
• Neighborhood: Located in East Cleveland, the area is frequently cited as high-crime, making nighttime visits particularly risky. 

History of Abandonment

• Closure (1980–1983): Increasing light pollution from Cleveland made the site unusable for modern astronomy. Case Western Reserve University (CWRU) moved its staff back to the main campus and sold the property in 1983.
• Failed Restoration (2005–2007): Real estate investor Nayyir Al Mahdi purchased the building at a foreclosure auction with plans to convert it into a luxury residence. These plans collapsed when he was convicted of mortgage fraud and imprisoned in 2007.
• Recent Activity: As of early 2026, the building continues to sit on its hilltop decaying, with no active redevelopment plans currently in progress. 

What Happened to the Telescopes?

The observatory’s scientific equipment survived and was relocated to better locations: 

• 9.5-inch Refractor: Moved to a new dome on the roof of the A.W. Smith Building at Case Western Reserve University, where it is still used today.
• Burrell Schmidt Telescope: Moved first to Geauga County (now Observatory Park) and later to the Kitt Peak National Observatory in Arizona.