The last gasp of the Hollywood Specials- Aug-Sep 2005 (Glen's pics)
60 pics
RemovedChecked on "as of" date (either in person or via latest GSV available), removal happened as late as that date or before
as of Aug 2005
Hollywood Boulevard changeout Aug 12&13 2005. The original 'Specials', were 3 lamp 700W mercury originally installed in 1960-61, multiple wired with 2 circuits per fixture, so that 2 or the lamps could be turned off at 1am. There were 154 fixtures in total, on Hollywood Boulevard between Gower Street and Argyle Avenue and on Vine Street between Yucca Street and Sunset Boulevard. They were retrofitted with 400W MH at some point, and 40 years on, they are up for replacement with Holophane retro styled teardrop fixtures. In the following pics, Glen Norman has documented the changeout process for these iconic fixtures...click medium size pics above for full size.
All pictures taken by Glen Norman on the above dates.
This is his documantation of the whole process- his original comments in quotes...enjoy!
"The work begins by prying open the power box. When was the last time this was opened?"
"The assembly of the light begins."
"The Walk of Fame star is Keye Luke!"
Keye Luke was an actor who amongst other roles, played Lee Chan in the Charlie Chan series of movies in the 1930s and 40s.
Keye Luke was an actor who amongst other roles, played Lee Chan in the Charlie Chan series of movies in the 1930s and 40s.
"Arms now connected."
"Another view. Lots of wires!"
"The mounting of the lamp housing begins."
"Everything just swings into place."
"The 400W MH lamp goes in."
"...and then the teardrop globe."
"Locked into place."
"A view of the completed assembly."
"Closeup of the teardrop." These are Holophane Memphis Teardrop luminaires.
"Meanwhile the old 5 star Shoebox has to be dealt with." Isn't it dissing them, comparing them to 'ordinary' shoeboxes? ;-)
"Sparks are flying as the worker grinds away on the old bolts. (Unfortunately, I couldn't got the sparks to photograph)."
"With the bolts gone, the worker starts to pry away at the old fixture head."
"Ominously, the hook appears."
"Off with it's head!"
"The light is flown..."
"...and then lowered..."
"...into the Steiny flatbed. What will be the shoebox's fate?"
"The Headless Light Pole of the Walk of Fame."
"The new light begins its journey upwards..."
"...trailing its wires."
"From across the street. The building in the background is the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel."
"The new light is mounted into place."
"Meanwhile, assembly begins on the Pedestrian light."
"...and a few last adjustments to ensure the teardrops are plumb."
"Completed Pedestrian light ready to go."
"The worker begins drilling the pole for the Pedestrian light. I didn't see any markings- so I wonder how he knew where to drill?"
"The Pedestrian light begins its ascent."
"Going up!"
"Waiting to be lowered into place."
"The wires are retrieved and stuffed into the pole."
"The Pedestrian light is moved into place."
"...and the decorative reverse scroll is mounted."
"Completed light. The whole process takes about 4 to 5 hours per light."
"Before and after- old shoeboxes on the South side, new teardrops on the North."
"View from the balcony of the Hollywood & Highland center."
"Disney's El Capitan Theater in the background."
"Another new vs. old shot. By mid September, the South side had been converted, too."
"Grauman's Chinese Theater. Compare the light *and* the theater to..."
"...the same location shown on the BSL website."
Here are a few miscellaneous before & after shots...
"'Union Station' type light on 1st St. downtown. Highland Avenue used to have these lights (between Hollywood Bowl and Santa Monica Blvd.)"
"Some are updated with new Holophane- type luminares (on Main St.). At least these lights won't meet the same fate as their cousins on Highland."
"The new lights on Broadway in Chinatown. I was lucky enough to catch both the old and new together."
"Broadway has a nice mix of clamshells and cobraheads. Hill St. is also sceduled to receive these new lights."
"New and old. The pedestrian lights are MH; the streetlights are HPS."
"...grabbed this shot walking up the hill on Broadway from Chinatown. Little did I realise that..."
"...these would get the new Chinatown luminaires too- just a month later!"
Pic taken July 2008
At least one of these great old lights has been saved, and this gives a unique opportunity to see close up, exactly how they were put together. Looking at the pole end of the light, the first thing is to notice that these were definitely multiple wired, and the 3 lamps were split into separate circuits.
At least one of these great old lights has been saved, and this gives a unique opportunity to see close up, exactly how they were put together. Looking at the pole end of the light, the first thing is to notice that these were definitely multiple wired, and the 3 lamps were split into separate circuits.
Pic taken July 2008
The size is apparent here- it only just fits in the bed of a LWB F-150.
The size is apparent here- it only just fits in the bed of a LWB F-150.
Pic taken July 2008
A close up of the etch on one of the lenses- this is OV-35 glassware.
A close up of the etch on one of the lenses- this is OV-35 glassware.
Pic taken July 2008
You can see here how the red stars on each side of the luminaire are made to light up- spill light from the lamps through the holes in the reflectors.
You can see here how the red stars on each side of the luminaire are made to light up- spill light from the lamps through the holes in the reflectors.
Pic taken July 2008
A closeup of one of the cutouts- these look like they were all hand cut from ordinary OV-35 reflectors.
A closeup of one of the cutouts- these look like they were all hand cut from ordinary OV-35 reflectors.
Pic taken July 2008
Looking at 2 of the lamp compartments- each lens is individually hinged for lamp access.
Looking at 2 of the lamp compartments- each lens is individually hinged for lamp access.
Pic taken July 2008
A look at the pole end lampholder- the lamps were mounted base to house side- you can see the felt ring that the reflector neck bears against.
A look at the pole end lampholder- the lamps were mounted base to house side- you can see the felt ring that the reflector neck bears against.
Pic taken July 2008
A closeup of the Westinghouse logo.
A closeup of the Westinghouse logo.
Pic taken July 2008
Looking at the middle lampholder and the clip that holds the pole end reflector.
Looking at the middle lampholder and the clip that holds the pole end reflector.
Pic taken July 2008
Looking at the middle lampholder and the clip that holds the pole end reflector, you can see the two structural poles running front to back and the inside of the plastic red stars. The two end plates are cast alloy, the top and sides are sheet of some sort. Did you notice that this is a remote ballast fixture?
Looking at the middle lampholder and the clip that holds the pole end reflector, you can see the two structural poles running front to back and the inside of the plastic red stars. The two end plates are cast alloy, the top and sides are sheet of some sort. Did you notice that this is a remote ballast fixture?