5 Iconic Lampposts That Illuminate New York City’s History

November 25, 2024

As highlighted by Untapped Cities in their article “5 Historic Lampposts in NYC,” New York City’s streets hold a hidden charm in their historic lampposts, many crafted from cast iron. While modern lighting dominates today’s urban landscape, these lampposts stand as relics of the city’s evolving history, with 62 of them being landmarked by the Landmarks Preservation Commission in 1997. 

The journey began in 1697 with lights placed in windows, progressing to wooden posts in 1762, and gas streetlighting by 1823. By the late 1800s, artistic design became a focus, leading to the ornamental lampposts of Fifth Avenue in 1892. Today, a handful of these historic treasures survive:

1. Patchin Place: Home to NYC’s oldest working gas lamp, located in Greenwich Village.
2. Centre Street: Featuring an original bishop’s crook lamppost from over a century ago.
3. 23rd Street and Madison Square Park: An 1890s ornamental lamppost intended for Fifth Avenue.
4. Thomas Edison’s Cast Iron Lamppost: NYC’s first ornamental streetlights, found today in Johnny Hartman Square.
5. Greenwich Street: Boasting a Corvington-style cast-iron lamppost with a long-reaching arm.

Click here to learn more about LampLight Decorative Lighting products and installations.

Article with all rights reserved, courtesy of Untapped Cities.