GAS LIGHTING

[sudsmaster]

When I was a teen we lived in an older three floor flat building on Stanyan Street in SF, just off the Haight Ashbury area. There were traces of old gas lines in the walls, as well as those cool old pushbutton electric light wall switches (with mother of pearl inlays).

Most of the flats we lived in also had old Wedgewood or similar type gas ranges.

 

[alr2903]

Thanks interesting

I had No idea, that ceiling medallions caught the soot from gas chandeliers and such, but it does make perfect sense. Will save the links for the weekend. I like these threads that give us a glimpse of the past.

 

[volvoguy87]

Gas lighting and 2-button light switches.

Gaslights inside buildings are old technology that, while frequently intact, can be VERY dangerous if reactivated without proper repairs. Gaslights outside have never entirely disappeared. The moldings used in buildings to seperate the upper portion of the walls and ceiling from the lower parts of the room is the picture rail. A very handy detail that is very functional, and sadly, almost forgotten. My house has tham and I do use them. You can now buy reproduction 2-button light switches and plates. Check out www.rejuvination.com for some great light fixtures.

Keep the lights burning,
Dave

 

[sudsmaster]

Yes, picture rails were a great thing. I recall some flats would have mitered and radiused corners between the walls and ceiling, and where the radius met the wall, there would be a picture rail. In a sense, they were much more needed with old plaster and lathe walls, which don't take kindly to any kind of nailing. Modern sheet rock is easier to sink a nail into, and reacts much better to mistakes.

 

[toggleswitch]

~I cannot ever remember a gas outage in my city..

We had one in NYC, (Around the teens on the east side.) But it was caused by a water-main break eroding the soil and then the gas main sagged, fell and split itself open in a number of locations.

You don't normally see electric cooking in Manhattan of NYC. In that area, you now do. I'm guessing they got tired of waiting for a restoration of service. Food-service businesses suffered a great deal. If they did get some temporary ovens etc, there was not enough electrical service into the building to heat the restaurant. *SIGH*