NATCHEZ — The Rotary Club of Natchez celebrated its100th birthday Wednesday by giving the city a new perspective.

Club members donated two new viewing scopes for the city to install on the bluff overlooking the Mississippi River.

The combination telescopes and binoculars will be installed on the bluff for locals and tourists to get a magnified view of the river and the Louisiana countryside.

Past-president Curtis Moroney said the club’s Centennial Committee wanted to give the city something lasting and useful, similar to the water fountain the club donated to the city on its 50th anniversary.

The club considered many ideas, including a sprayground on the bluff, but finally decided on the scopes to help enhance the already stunning view.

“We decided to put the viewers down on the bluff to allow people to enjoy the view even more and to see it in more detail,” Moroney said.

Similar to viewers used in observation points across the world, the binoculars sit on top of a pole that swivels, allowing a panoramic view of the landscape.

Moroney said one of the viewers would also include a second set of binoculars that will be mounted at a height that can be used by children and is wheelchair-accessible. Use of the viewers will be free, Moroney said.

“There will be a plaque on the front with the Rotary logo that says, ‘Rotary Club of Natchez Centennial’ with today’s date,” Moroney said.

The location of the viewers has yet to be determined and will require approval by the Mississippi Department of Archives and History because the bluff has been identified as a Mississippi landmark.

Moroney said he hopes one viewer will be located near the bandstand and one will be located toward the north end of the bluff.

The viewers will be installed once a location is finalized.

Club member John Holyoak said the club also plans to install one or two concrete picnic tables on the bluff as well. The tables, which will be installed in the same area of the viewers, will also include checkerboards and backgammon diagrams for people to use and play while on the bluff.

Natchez Mayor Darryl Grennell thanked the club for their donation during the unveiling Wednesday.

“The river is the primary reason this city exists. I am so thankful you have the insight to enhance the bluff area of the city,” Grennell said. “Congratulations for 100 years. Thank you for what you do for the city.”

During his remarks, Grennell said he is thankful for the fountain on the bluff and for the welcome signs at the city’s main entrances, both provided by the Rotary Club of Natchez.

“Thank you for what you do for the city,” Grennell said. “Don’t think that the work you do for the city goes unnoticed. What you do is a great thing.”