In the late 1800's, dozens of wooden arches spanned the main street of a nearby city. The city thus became known as 'Arch City'. These arches were used to light the road for a number of years before becoming the power source for the streetcars. They were removed in 1914 to make way for progress and technology and were replaced by cluster lights.
In an attempt to recreate the nostalgia and antiquity of the area, a movement was started in 1997 to replace the old arches across the road. By 2002, 17 of these beautiful arches were once again in place across this long stretch of roadway.
Hold the switch flipping ceremony...there is a problem...a big problem! For more than three years the lights on the arches failed to light. Due to a poor design from the beginning 'Arch City' once again had arches but the street was still dark.
Fast forward three years, a lawsuit and judgement against the design company, and a new engineer firm, 1.25 million (yes I said million) dollars in repair, Arch City has 17 fully functioning arches with lights that pulse, flicker, change colors and change patterns.
So when the sky is dark...at least Arch City will have the light of seventeen beautiful arches. You need only look upward to see them.
15 comments:
I love the photograph at the top of your blog. It is a Sky Watch in itself.
Very neat!! Interesting too! Street lights in Michigan are one lone light hanging every few yards down the middle of the road. It's dark! Your arch lights would be much brighter!
What a great tid-bit of information. I can just imagine those arches. I may never see them but I'm still glad they were saved.
Great photo, interesting history.
Beautiful photo and some interesting facts.
Nice catch..... Great job! Reminds me the saying,,,, We never know how high we are, till we are called to ris; and then, if we are true to plan, our statures touch the sky... Happy Skywatch! Hope you can visit my SWF entry too...
An interesting story with a nice photo ... I hope to see a view of these 17 arches all together ... a picture which you will maybe have the opportunity to make on a hill from outside the city ... Well I'm speaking theoretically ... Have a nice Friday and week-end and Take care!
Great idea for sw.
A bit of a hassle, it seems (a bit?), but beautiful results. How wonderful it must be to walk there on a warm, breezy evening!
Wonderful picture and a intersting story!
cool picture
I love night pictures!
I wish I could sit and stare at this photo for a very long time, and just get lost in the night-beauty of it! The angle you photographed it at make it all the more inviting. And the charming backstory to go with it is completes the experience. Great SWF!
Lovely shot and interesting information.
arch city what a cool name. love the lights on the arch, really sets the scene
thanks for stopping by my sw :)
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