Westinghouse "Victorian" Crook Street Lamps
The c. 1900 Victorian Crook Street Lamps were produced and sited in Lenox, MA by George Westinghouse and his Massachusetts Electric Company. Local legend claims that the street lamps were erected for Mrs. Westinghouse, who disliked traveling in the dark. The 1913 Town of Lenox Annual Report states that 105 street lamps were installed at a cost of $3,675, with the town's expenses being offset by a donation from Mr. Westinghouse. By 1916, forty-four additional street lamps had been installed.
In 1990, twenty street lamps remained standing. By 2003, only eleven street lamps were still standing, three of which have no electricity or are partially damaged and missing parts. Over the years, Mass Electric has removed many of the Westinghouse lamps and replaced them with modern aluminum light poles. The Lenox Historical Commission and many concerned citizens have united to study the street lamps, as they strongly believe they contribute to Lenox's character and should be restored.
Preservation on Mass - 2003 Ten Most Endangered Historic Resources