The assumption by many visitors is the colonial lampposts seen arund town are just like the many design copies found at the local lighting company or hardware outlet.        Commonly seen in suburban settings in front of many Neo-colonial homes; the visitor fails to realize that what they are looking at is the real thing.

 

The history behind the lights is all about our romantic past.

These lampposts can stil be obtained and are uniquely labelled "Newburyport Street Lights".       Since the city owns the lights, it is logical that this is the way to proceed to expand heritage tourism and the appeal of our downtown.

 

It will take planning, coordination with the utilies and public hearing as to which streets be done first; but it is the wave of the future. (a future that includes something from our romantic past!)

It is already mandated in the Planning & Development Department that all new construction is to have the utilities buried.

 

But what about the pre-existing houses and streetscapes?

 

Undergrounding is a costly endeavor in which the utilities have successfully lobbied lawmakers to create hurdles to avoid it.     The businesses that run lines through the ground have to pay property tax and by sustaining them in the air; they can avoid the added expense.

 

Yet, it is crucial to have them buried for aesthetic reasons, property value reason and for safety.      Concerning Newburyport, it is vital to enhance its heritage tourism.

 

 

 

The street lights that are seen around the downtown and which stretch over to the Tannery and Federal Streets; are unique to Newburyport.        The history of their design and functionality comes from the romantic era of the city's history.       The Revolutionary War, the War of 1812 and the practice of privateeting contrtibuted to the means by which citizens lit up the night.