Thankfully, this is also "The City of Ghosts" where old public works fixtures have a way of persisting for many years.  As a result, a small but respectable number (apparently 21) of Marblelite, Econolite, and GE "streamlined" style dual-signal heads have survived until today, still carrying the abrupt but effective "WALK" and "WAIT" indicators in lieu of the annoying little pictures.  These signal heads are attractive, and do their job without being overbearing.   Those that persist appear to date from the 1950's, and have outlived some designs that have surfaced since.  May they live long and prosper!
 
 

WALK-WAIT FUN FACTS! Pedestrian signals were not all too common until 1955, when 740 WALK-WAIT lights and 115 Neon DON'T WALK units were purchased.  It appears that these were the round GE units, as these units began to appear at the same time as the GE traffic signals did. In about 1957, an additional 300 WALK-WAIT units were purchased for use.  It appears that the original curved lenses were either unavailable or didn't suit Baltimore's needs, and as a result, custom lenses from Kopp were supplied which carried the ashtray shape (known officially as a CROWN lens) that all remaining units carry. In practice, WALK WAIT lights simply switched between the cycle with the traffic lights.  The neon units, however, all featured the famed Barnes Dance setup, where traffic on all streets stopped, allowing pedestrians free reign of the intersection, even allowing to cross diagonally. In 1959, another supply of lenses was ordered, 150 of each.  It is believed that this lens order is characterized by the RED Wait lenses.  The retrofitted man and hand lenses were probably created much later. New installations of WALK-WAIT lights appears to have continued until about 1962, when the all too familiar square WALK and DON'T WALK indicators began to appear.  About 200 intersections in the city appear to have once carried the WALK WAIT indicators, which makes for some drastic attrition when you consider that only 20 known units remain! The last Neon appears to be that at the Memorial Stadium plaza, which was removed in 1989.  One young signal enthusiast tried to acquire it from the crews removing it, but was sadly unsuccessful.

This signal at St. Paul and Charcotte Place in Guilford shows off the Walk-Wait signal in its raw and beautiful form at night.	Same signal as sunset approaches.
WALK-WAIT lights are often seen hiding, which may account for their survival!  The Avenue's last W-W still stands in service, where it has served since 1959.	Pair of Walk-Waits at Saint Paul and Monument present a slightly shabby appearance, yet still do the job well.
Is it correct to call this signal a WALK-WAIT when it displays neither word.  This signal at the Southwest corner of Bloomingdale and Baker is among the few that recieved a full retrofit to the picture symbols now used, and is likely the only one surviving in this setup. While the hand light is burnt out, the figure illuminated at the time this photo was taken.	When bad things happen to good lights.  It seems that someone with too much time on their hands decided to molest this once lovely signal at the Southeast corner of Poplar Grove and Baker Streets.  Thankfully, this signal has since been fixed.
Walk-Wait Light mounted at Calvert and Biddle is fashioned in the more svelte, streamlined, GE style.  In addition, it carries Tunnel type visors.  It is the sole surviving "W/W" set at this intersection.	A lone "WW'" observes the corner of Druid Hill Avenue and Gold Street, another of the few examples of GE's craft.  This signal was installed in 1958.
Regardless of the Walking figure lens retrofitted into this signal, the short pole, combined with the fins on top and bottom make this Marbelite at the three way intersection of York Road, Bellona Avenue, and Benninghaus Road among the most lovely remaining specimens in the city.  Aside from a bumper sticker applied to a visor, this signal seems to have lived a pretty peaceful life!	A wider view of the York and Benninghaus signal.
This Walk Wait at Biddle and Washington Streets showed some signs of hard neglect.  Directly beneath the "PRR Corridor," it's stood in 2001 missing bulb, lens, and visor from it's Walk signal.  It's connection to the overpass girder does keep it well hidden however.  UPDATE!!!  At least someone carries some sympathy for this signal.  During a visit in 5/02, the signal had a replacement worded WALK lens on the bottom aspect.  Still no visor though!	Though not embellished with the fins of it's York Road sistern, this double headed pedestrian signal shows signs of a fairly peaceful life at the corner of Poplar Grove Street and Franklintown Road. Close inspection reveals a walking man lens for those crossing Poplar Grove.
This signal at Fayette and Monroe is a peculiar breed.  At last observation, it was noticed that the WAIT does not blink, but instead comes on solid with the yellow and red lights of Monroe Street.  One imagines it is an old timing pattern.	Spiffier than its Monument Street counterparts was this signal at Saint Paul and Read Streets, which showed well the opaque style lenses used in these signal, until vanishing in September of 2001.

WALK WAIT LENSES

all the remaining WALK-WAIT lights carry the flat faced, wide lettered "ash tray" or "crown" lenses, as seen in detail here. These lenses date from 1957 and later.

Many earlier units carried a curved lens with slimmer etched letters, as seen here in this one, from the collection of George Knarr, but all are believed to have been since removed or replaced.

While Baltimore once had neon tubed WALK-DON'T WALK signs up until the early-mid 1980's, these have vanished from the streets completely.  Four neon tubed pedestrian signs of a different nature exist however on Charles and 33rd/34th Streets to alert pedestrians as to which lanes of traffic on Charles are open.  In peak hours, the message is supposed to change to "ALL LANES OPEN," but this has not been seen for some time.

I THINK I'M UP TO DATE ON THESE, BUT THEN AGAIN, AM I???