How Gas Lamps Illuminate the Charm of Poplar Street

December 16, 2024

As highlighted by Untapped Cities in their article, “How Old Are These Gas Street Lamps by the BQE?,” the flickering flames of gas lampposts on Poplar Street in Brooklyn Heights evoke the historic charm of the neighborhood. However, these fixtures are not as old as they seem. While gas lamps were first introduced to New York City in the 1820s, the ones adorning Poplar Street are modern installations inspired by 19th-century designs.

Gas-powered street lighting began on Broadway, facilitated by the New York Gas Light Company, and expanded to cover streets between the East and Hudson Rivers. Though electric street lamps replaced gas lighting by the late 19th century, two original gas lampposts remain in New York City today: one on Patchin Place in Greenwich Village and another at 211th Street and Broadway in Inwood.

The gas lamps in Brooklyn Heights emulate the design of the 1860s originals, featuring a simple shaft, eight-paned lanterns, and a perched eagle. Unlike the historic versions, the modern lamps lack the ladder rest used by lamplighters of the past. These contemporary additions pay tribute to the city’s early lighting history while enhancing the timeless ambiance of Poplar Street.

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Article with all rights reserved, courtesy of untappedcities.com.