Photo Gallery: Streetlights
 This may be the last radial
wave pinwheel streetlight left within the confines of NYC. It
was discovered at the gateway to Pier 41 on Beard St. in Red
Hook, Brooklyn, a scant block and a half from the river's edge,
by site contributor Kevin Walsh.It hangs, somewhat precariously, off a castiron straight mast, of the type I've come to call Corvingtons (after one manufacturer's model name). Almost as rare in NYC, as the pinwheelies, is the mastarm, hanging off the wall of a building. It is, or was, the gatehouse leading into the pier, which is still quite active. |
 These shots were snapped in
June 1998, on an expedition captained by Kevin Walsh. Among those
in attendance were yours truly and Highway King Steve Anderson.
I could almost hear the pinwheel cackling at us, as we had to
dodge truck after truck rumbling by the pier gate, on a street
you'd otherwise think time had forgot. It was as if the "Rade"
was making sure we knew that it was very much a living sentinel
to a very active and relevant waterfront facility.Rades were once very relevant to most New Yorkers. The outer boroughs were filled with them, hanging mostly off a myriad of utility pole masts, but also gracing many freestanding Corvs. I still remember them, in their waning days of the early 60's. They were among the longest lasting city fixtures, some dating back to the beginning of the century, and sure enough, new retro rades have actually cropped up in some places. Everything seems to come in waves, including waves. Shortly after shooting this, I came upon a whole army of Rades, in Stonington, CT. In addition, a veritable radial wave encyclopedia can be seen on Joe Maurath's Site. It would appear that the waves still pull alot of weight throughout New England. |