Colonial Lampposts

 

As the city began to prosper once again, there became an increasing need to stimulate business by continuing the historic look  of the streetscapes to encourage consumers to lead into other areas.   A system was designed to help pay for additional streetlights to extend down Merrimac and Water Streets and other ‘historic areas’.    Businesses would be encouraged to sponsor the addition of lampposts.     As a memorial to their vision, I have given a few samples of these donations.

Spring City Ironworks produces the finest cast lampposts in the world and stands ready to continue Benjamin Franklin’s legacy and to sell more of them to Newburyport.      They have actually a page in their catalog that gives due honor to the city.

They are located at One South Main Street, Spring City, PA 19475, and can be contacted at 610-948-4000.   Their website is www.springcity.com and they can be reached at sales@springcity.com.

Newburyport’s historic character is closely tied to our colonial lampposts.     When people come they note our Federal architecture, the brick sidewalks, the tree-lined avenues, they see our quite distinctive Newburyport lamppost.     At the first brainstorming meeting for the new Master Plan, it was clearly noted that right along with other distinctive points, the following was noted:

 

 “Many feel that it is not enough to simply preserve the City’s historical character. Enhancement and beautification of the community must also occur. This includes ideas like burying utilities, installing brick sidewalks, and installing the “Newbury-porter” style lamp posts.”

 

Now that the city owns the streetlights (though not the Adolphus Greeley-inspired wood telegraph poles), there should be a push to expand the use of our distinctive colonial lighting symbols