Among the many varieties of signals to be found at Baltimore intersections, one style in particular is often looked at as the most distinctive of these remaining goodies. Called the "Art Deco" signal by those in signal collecting circles, the signals are still found usually isolated in a few spots about town.The term "Art Deco" is something of a misnomer, in that these signals date from just after World War II until 1951 (well after the height of the Art Deco movement of the 1930's), when they were replaced by a newer model typically nicknamed "breadpans" by signal fans. Crouse Hinds simply called these signals the "Model D" and "Model DT", the difference being that older "D" types had cast reflector frames whereas newer "DT" types had stamped frames.
The nickname of "Art Deco" for these signals comes largely from the stylized channelled back, as well as the fins that adorned both the top and bottoms of the signals. Another quick distinguishing mark for Art Deco signals is the use of lever-latch door handles and inset hinges that create smooth flush edges along the sides, as opposed to the wing nuts and protruding hinges found on most other signals.
Though their numbers have certainly waned in recent years, they still can be found among Baltimore intersections. In fact, rehabbed Art Decos were still being installed as late as the late 1980's at some installations. Following is a review of the survivors....
MANY THANKS TO THE SIGNALFAN'S CLUB SITE AND KEN (ELECTOMATIC 1022) FOR THE HISTORICAL INFO!
THANKS AS WELL TO CHRIS McNALLY AND GEORGE KNARR FOR LOCAL LEADS!
SURVIVORS:
The only known intersection so far containing an uninterrupted set of Art Decos stands at Lafayette Avenue and Warwick Avenue, where 8 Art Deco signals proudly serve, though one on the South end of the installation shows trauma from a collision.
Even from afar, the strong side light renders the unmistakable profile of the Art Decos at Carey and Lexington Streets.
At Maryland Avenue and 25th Street is a sample of how most surviving Art Decos are seen these days, isolated as the orphans at the intersection. The other 5 signals at this intersection are all of newer types.
A view of the back of the Maryland Avenue signal showing the distinctive lined pattern of the Art Deco signals.
Among the "newest" Art Deco installations in the city is this one at Coldspring Lane and Keswick Road, where these guy wired specimens stand. These replaced a set of GE signals in the late 1980s.
The profile of an Art Deco signal is certainly unlike any other, as seen here at the Coldspring and Keswick installation.
Just because they have been installed rather recently does not necessarily mean that they're not endangered. The light is about to turn "red" for these specimens at Saratoga Street and Fremont Avenue, seen here on May 11, 2002.
Though one of these lacks a visor for the green aspect, the Saratoga and Fremont signals were in remarkably good shape when removed in May of 2002.
Among the neatest survivors is this two-toned beauty at Harford Road and Glendale Avenue. It is the only such signal found with GREEN fins on the top and bottom of the signal!
Clear evident as to the existence of the Art Deco signals in Baltimore before 1953 can easily be seen here as the green paint on this signal at Wicomico and Ostend Streets shows through. The arrival of Henry Barnes in 1953 signaled the change to yellow paint seen on virtually every signal since!
A few of the local Art Deco signals found are used as warning flashers, such as this one at Lexington and Frederick Streets.
The rear of the two section art deco at Lexington and Frederick.
A set of Fire House warning flashers can be found on Cross Country Boulevard at Glen Avenue, where these 4 signals reside. The interesting irony in these is that NO green paint can be seen, even though the paint has flaked off to bare metal in spots.
Though not Crouse Hinds Art Deco signals, the decorative fins on the many Marbelites seen about town do offer quite a bit of beauty to these lights. The quick glance giveaway however is the hinges and wing nut fasteners extruding from the sides!
LOCATIONS OF KNOWN CROUSE HINDS "ART DECO" SIGNALS Location: Setup: Total: Running Tab: Warwick Avenue and Lafayette Avenue 8 wired singles, two to a side 8 8 Cold Spring Lane and Keswick Road 3 wired singles, 4 guy wired singles 7 15 Carey Street and Lexington Street 7 wired singles (one replaced) 7 22 Carey Street and Lafayette Avenue 5 wired singles (3 others) 5 27 Whitelock Street and Madison Avenue 5 wired singles, including 2 moved to side to act as "ped" signals 4 32 Saratoga Street and Fremont Avenue 4 wired singles (4 others) 4 REMOVED 5/20/02 22 Edmondson Avenue and Franklintown Road 4 wired singles (4 others) 4 36 Caroline Street and Madison Street 4 wired singles (2 others) 4 40 Saratoga Street and Fulton Avenue 2 wired singles (4 others), and two pole mounted contraflow to act as "ped" signals. 4 44 Federal Street and Wolfe Street 1 wired single (5 others), and two pole mounted 3 47 Lombard Street and Eaton Street 3 wired singles (5 others) 3 50 Linwood Avenue and Fleet Street 3 wired singles (5 others) 3 53 Wicomico Street and Ostend Street 2 wired singles (6 others) 2 55 St. Paul Street and 24th Street 2 wired singles, 1 moved to side to act as "ped" signal. 2 57 Lombard Street and Caroline Street 2 wired singles (4 others) 2 59 Pratt Street and Caroline Street 2 wired singles (4 others) 2 61 Charles Street and Lee Street 2 modern mast arm mounted singles (2 others) 2 63 Belair Road and Woodlea Avenue 2 wired singles (6 others) 2 65 Cross Country Boulevard and Clarks Lane 1 wired single (7 others) 1 66 Hanover Street and Frankfurst Avenue 1 wired single (var. others) 1 67 Fallsway and Biddle Street 1 pole mounted single (others) 1 68 Maryland Avenue and 25th Street 1 wired single (5 others) 1 69 Howard Street and 23rd Street 1 wired single (5 others) 1 70 St. Paul Street and Eager Street 1 wired single (3 others) 1 71 Ensor Street and Forrest Street 1 wired single (5 others) 1 72 Aisquith Street and Federal Street 1 pole mounted light contraflow acting as a "ped" signal 1 73 Fayette Streeet and Gilmor Street 1 wired single contraflow moved to side to act as "ped" signal 1 74 Northern Parkway and Hillen Road 1 wired single (7 others) 1 75 Loch Raven Road and Gorsuch Avenue 1 wired single (7 others) 1 76 Biddle Street and Milton Avenue 1 wired single (5 others) 1 77 Gough Street and Caroline Street 1 wired single (7 others) 1 78 Eastern Avenue and Ellwood Avenue 1 wired single (5 others) 1 79 Harford Road and Lake Montebello Drive 1 wired single (5 others) 1 80 North Avenue and Smallwood Street 1 wired single (7 others) 1 81 Harford Road and Glendale Avenue 1 framed single (two-toned), (7 others) 1 82 Wilkens Avenue and Dukeland Street 1 wired single (7 others) 1 83 Pimlico Road and Oakley Avenue 1 wired single (7 others) 1 84 Belair Road and Chesterfield Avenue 1 wired single (7 others) 1 85 Harford Road and Homestead Street 1 wired single (5 others) 1 86 Cross Country Boulevard and Engine House 45 2 masted double cluster 2 aspect lights 4 90 Lexington Street and Frederick Street 1 masted flashing warning light (3 others) 1 91
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