RemovedChecked on "as of" date (either in person or via latest GSV available), removal happened as late as that date or before
as of Feb 2021
Pasadena, CA (pics from 2004-2013)
44 pics
08 Sep 2011
A couple of more recent night pics showing the detail of one fixture and its pole.
08 Sep 2011
21 May 2005
RemovedChecked on "as of" date (either in person or via latest GSV available), removal happened as late as that date or before
as of Feb 2021
Update June 2025: This installation was finally removed after Feb 2021, a total operating life of approaching 100 years, The replacements are multiple wired LED fixtures and arms designed to duplicate the originals reasonably closely.
This is a well known installation, but that doesn't mean it's not important- as far as I know, it's still one of the biggest incandescent radial wave systems in the US, which
considering it has survived maybe 80 years intact, is no mean feat. The pics were taken in 2004 and 2013, and they still hang on. However, the fact that in 2013 all cities are
running low on their stock of lamps means that this sight's days are numbered.
21 May 2005
This is the Arroyo Seco area, we're on S Arroyo Blvd, and these lights run from the intersection with Madeline and Grand to the south, up to (almost) where it runs under the Colorado Blvd bridge, which itself used to be lit with incandescent fixtures until they were recently changed to CFL. At the southern end they are also on a few roads leading from Arroyo Blvd to Orange Grove Ave. Bellefontaine, Madeline and Bradford are some good streets to check.
21 May 2005
The condition of these lights on the whole is good, considering their age, but some are better than others!
21 May 2005
This is the only span wire mounted fixture in the installation- hung right over the intersection.
21 May 2005
21 May 2005
21 May 2005
21 May 2005
21 May 2005
21 May 2005
21 May 2005
This is a good shot showing the series line carried on the top arm of the power pole, breaking and coming down to each side of the fixture head.
21 May 2005
21 May 2005
21 May 2005
21 May 2005
21 May 2005
21 May 2005
21 May 2005
21 May 2005
21 May 2005
21 May 2005
Here you can actually see (left- centre) the insulator which 'breaks' the series line for the drop to the fixture.
21 May 2005
21 May 2005
21 May 2005
21 May 2005
It really doesn't get any simpler than this!
21 May 2005
21 May 2005
21 May 2005
21 May 2005
21 May 2005
21 May 2005
21 May 2005
22 May 2005
These 2 pics try and give an idea of what it's like at night with these fixtures. They were taken not on Arroyo Blvd, but on Bradford of Bellefontaine I think, and show that light levels are quite good, given we're just talking about bare lamps!
22 May 2005
The glare really isn't as bad as it looks as the light sources are not so bright- I think the lamps are 2500lm...
21 Apr 2013
A few more recent dusk pics- these taken in April 2013.
This is I think, Bellefontaine at Orange Grove, with some of the globe post top fixtures.
This is I think, Bellefontaine at Orange Grove, with some of the globe post top fixtures.
21 Apr 2013
April 2013.
There are some CD803/acorn combinations too in this area, usually at intersections like this.
There are some CD803/acorn combinations too in this area, usually at intersections like this.
21 Apr 2013
April 2013.
Leading down to the Arroyo, lots more acorns on this street.
Leading down to the Arroyo, lots more acorns on this street.
21 Apr 2013
April 2013.
The radial wave fixtures are the oldest as far as I know- this sight will be disappearing pretty soon as the city finally runs out of incandescent street series lamps.
The radial wave fixtures are the oldest as far as I know- this sight will be disappearing pretty soon as the city finally runs out of incandescent street series lamps.
21 Apr 2013
April 2013.
A wider shot of the previous fixture- showing the intersection that it lights.
A wider shot of the previous fixture- showing the intersection that it lights.
21 Apr 2013
April 2013.
More radial waves in the trees, and you can see there is quite a bit of light on the street.
More radial waves in the trees, and you can see there is quite a bit of light on the street.
21 Apr 2013
April 2013.
A classic southern California and LA sight- palm trees and series incandescents.
A classic southern California and LA sight- palm trees and series incandescents.
21 Apr 2013
April 2013.
A sight soon to be gone forever, as the lamps are not being made any more, and the series systems they run on, are rapidly disappearing too.
A sight soon to be gone forever, as the lamps are not being made any more, and the series systems they run on, are rapidly disappearing too.