Here in 2001, the area has witnessed some reversion to older designs in spots (covered on a separate page), but a handful of older designs linger.  In fact, many of the replacement designs are becoming increasingly scarce as rust begins to affect them.  Long gone are the classics such as the "Bishop's Crooks" and the like, but if you know where to look (up), you might be suprised to see a ghost or two of the area's past illuminating your way, or at least watching guard over the scene in a silent, dark reserve:

Gas Lights of yesterday...

and those of today.

Bishop's Crook (Gooseneck) lights were more common on more major thorofares, and often carried intricate design work along with them.

Incandescent Radial Wave fixtures were also quite attractive, though they were typically relinquished to side streets.

THE MOVE TOWARDS VAPOR

For most of the later conversions, the lamp of choice were the standard vapor type heads that still remain most common today.    These were supplemented by the pedestal type lights that replaced the Novalux designs.  The last of the classic designs in major service appear to be a set of "Gooseneck" lights that illuminated Mount Royal Avenue until about 1977, when they were replaced by modern (and ugly) boxy style lights.  The era of the classic streetlamp had apparently vanished, almost....

Perhaps among the most interesting, and forgotten streetlights of the city are two "Novalux" survivors from an era long gone.  This pole, and a more decrepit companion, sit outside the walls of a Naval Reverse Center at Fort McHenry.  Neither illuminate, but are still fascinating reminders of days past.	Another Novalux survivor persists at a private residence in the Evergreen community.  One would be hard pressed to guess the pole style!
Two more Novaluxes of a different pedestal design can be found on Reisterstown Road at Auchentroly Terrace, at the front of the Druid Park Apartments.  The lights, combined with the neatly trimmed hedge, give a stately feel to the place.
For a real glimpse into the past, one only need to head into Druid Hill Park, along the long winding road looping along the South lawn of the Mansion House, where numerous Novalux fixtures persist.	The diffusers have long since been replaced with translucent plastic, but still retain the vintage feel of the Novalux design.
Many of the Druid Hill Novalux lights are missing diffusers and bulbs.  However, this sole example lacks diffuser, but still proudly shows the bare bulb beneath.	Who says the city can't care for and restore vintage lights.  These entry lights at North and Mount Royal Avenues are proof that classics can persist in this day and age.
Close up of the lights at this entryway on Mount Royal.	A gem waiting to be discovered.  This light marks the entry to the 1917 vintage Ellicott Driveway at Frederick Road.  The pedestal and lamp housing are still in decent shape, and would look quite nice if given the love of the lights at Mount Royal Avenue.
Among the more interesting lights in service are these which reside in Druid Hill Park in the vicinity of the Zoo.  The interesting scalloped heads, and the Acorn shaped diffusers (complete with dead bugs inside) are a nice touch.  These may be an updated version of the spherolites.	Survival of the Spherolite.  This trooper persists in a small courtyard in St. Patrick's Church property, located on the Northeast corner of Broadway and Bank Street, and is one of the few to be found in the city.
Proving that you should never leave any stone unturned is this Spherolite found at Bayard and Hamburg Streets in Southwest Baltimore.  Interestingly, it's only 2 blocks from where I work!	A Close up of the lumiere.
Plainly visible from Druid Park Drive within the Ashburton Water Treatment Facility is this neat old Sperolite, an oddity on city property.	Upon closer glance, it turns out to be two Spherolites at Ashburton.
When the City converted the last gas fixtures to Incandescent lights in 1957, the residents of tiny Tyson Street insisited on the retention of the original fixtures - the result, three were retained and converted to incandescent power - only one still survives in original form today however.	FRANKENLIGHT: This fixture near Read Street on Tyson was one of the original preseved conversions to incandescent fixtures.  At some point near 1990, the lighting fixture was damaged or vandalized, resulting in the application of a modern "throwback" style used throughout Bolton Hill.  The pole, however, tells the true origin of the fixture.
Not necessarily survivors, but instead special lights that were reinstalled are these two gas lights gracing the front of Camden Station.	This and another lamp at Baltimore and Holliday are of the original shell design, yet use a triplicate burning wick design for the inner works.
The Baltimore and Holliday light, mounted on a Baltimore fluted pole.	Another interesting light type that sees use on the Baltimore Streetcar Museum property are these cluster lamps which once lit many terminal and carhouse properties in Baltimore.
Little is known about these old looking lamps in a BGE yard, easily visible off of Annapolis Road in Westport.  The design is certainly unique.	Something of a cross between trolley relic and streetlight relic are these fixtures on Eastern Avenue between Haven Street and Clinton Street.  Thirty-five old span wire poles were outfitted with globe lights for unique illumination.  Most of these were intact and still working, but a later visit in 2004 sees the fixtures removed.

ANOTHER ONE OF INTEREST?  SHOW ME THE LIGHT!