This is another of those interesting bits of history that can be found in York. This street light is outside the south door of York Minster, and it is still powered by gas.
Gas lighting was first used in the UK in the early 1800s, and gradually replaced candles since it was far cheaper to use and gave a brighter light. By the late 1800s gas street lighting had become widespread in urban areas, but there were already experiments with electric lighting. The use of gas lighting declined as electric lighting developed.
After the Second World War the rate of change increased rapidly, since so much damage had been done to gas pipes supplying the street lights, and by 1968 the large scale transition was complete. I actually remember the street lights where I lived then being changed, in the late 1950s.
The transition to electricity might have been virtually complete by 1968, but there are a few survivors, like this one, which as can be seen are still in use. Some of the lights around the Minster have been converted to LEDs, but not those closest to the Minster.
This shot was taken back in February after one of my visits to the Colour and Light display on the outside of the Art Gallery.
My first 9 years were spent in a gas and candle lit house with gas street lights. We bought things called I think mantles to fit on the gas lights. I remember the excitement of the change to “the electric” Mr &Mr Stocks bought a telly in anticipation, to my knowledge the first in the village (West Riding, mining). We were fortunate, we had running water - cold of course, and a proper outside loo, not the night soil toilets of the other end of the village. It’s interesting that a little bit of ordinary history remains in a very historically important city.
Thank you all for your lovely comments and favs, they are very much appreciated.
I presume that this gas light and a few others beside the Minster survived as a feature to enhance the conservation area. The ones a little further away have been converted to electric and more recently with LED bulbs. However, the gas does give a nicer warmer glow. I did wonder how they were turned on and off, so I had a look when I passed the Minster this morning - it seems that the gas lights are on all the time!
Thank you Jesika. I clearly remember the street lights being converted to electric, and I have a very vague memory from a very early age of visiting someone with my parents who still had gas lighting in their home, but I have no memory of who it was. The mantles that you mention enhanced the brightness of the gas flame. They can be seen in the reflections on the glass in my photo.
Thank you all for your lovely comments and favs, they are very much appreciated.
I presume that this gas light and a few others beside the Minster survived as a feature to enhance the conservation area. The ones a little further away have been converted to electric and more recently with LED bulbs. However, the gas does give a nicer warmer glow. I did wonder how they were turned on and off, so I had a look when I passed the Minster this morning - it seems that the gas lights are on all the time!
Ian
Thank you Jesika. I clearly remember the street lights being converted to electric, and I have a very vague memory from a very early age of visiting someone with my parents who still had gas lighting in their home, but I have no memory of who it was. The mantles that you mention enhanced the brightness of the gas flame. They can be seen in the reflections on the glass in my photo.
Ian
Thank you Vesna, it gives lovely warm light.
Ian