Old Lamp Post by Levrett Pond

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This is a non-functioning lamp post in the woods of Olmsted Park in Brookline, MA. The post sits at a fork in the walking path alongside the Muddy River. It is one of many old lampposts whose remains can be seen in the Emerald Necklace parks.

The age of the lamp is unknown, as well as whether or not it was an element in F.L. Olmsted’s original design in the park.

The lamp consists of three main parts: base, post, and crown. It appears that it was painted a dark forest green.

The base is of heavy cast metal and appears to contain remnants of electrical wiring. It is possible at one point that this was a gas lamp, though. The base is decorated with a Greek key pattern.

The post is made of wood carved to resemble a column. The main post of the other lamp in the park which still has an intact post is made of metal. It is possible that this wooden post is a replacement.

The crown is also made of metal, though it looks worked and not cast. There are no obvious receptacles for light bulbs and any glass that once sat atop it is long gone.