The last eighteen gas streetlights in Chicago were lit on June 4, 1954, on the east side, on Escanaba Avenue between 95th and 99th, to be precise. As recently as the 1940s, there were thousands of gas street lights in Chicago. Where gas lines were unavailable, gasoline street lights with a small reservoir inside the light. What could go wrong?
Domenico Basso |
The map indicates street lighting conditions in 1947 Chicago. |
Compiled by Dr. Neil Gale, Ph.D.