Old Lamp Post by Wards Pond

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Sitting perilously close to the southern waterline of Wards Pond is the most complete of several old lamp posts in Olmsted Park. It stands tilted towards the pond alongside a walking path. It is unclear if this was an original element in Olmsted’s design, or from when it dates.

The lamp by Wards Pond is made entirely of metal: the base and post seem to be cast, and the crown worked. It seems to have been painted dark green.

Electric cabling can still be seen in its base, though it’s uncertain if it was at one time a gas lamp. The base features a Greek key motif and is extremely similar, but not identical to, the Lamp by Levrett Pond.

The very foot of the lamp is marked with the joined letters “MF”. This mark seems to be unique among the old lamps in the park as is the lamp’s visible concrete footing.