Skip to main content
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 10

Vintage Adlake RR Lantern, 1945-1965

About the Item

Presented is a vintage Adlake railroad kerosene lantern, with a red glass globe and wire caging. The lantern was manufactured by the Adams & Westlake Company of Chicago, Illinois, sometime between 1945-1965. It was originally used on the Chicago and Western Indiana Railroad, and is stamped "C & WI" along the dome's base. Kerosene lanterns just like this one were used daily by railroad workers. They were not only a source of light, but also the best means of communication when operating and directing trains, as the noisy working environments and the distance involved in train operations negated communication by speaking or yelling. Railroad lanterns were portable and were an effective light source that could be easily seen at night from a distance. As a method of communication, the railroad worker would swing and move the lantern in different ways according to what message he wanted to send. For instance, to give a stop signal, the lantern would be swung back and forth horizontally across the tracks and the signal to proceed was to move the lantern up and down vertically. At the turn of the 20th century, railroad operators used colored globe lanterns for illumination and signaling at night. The meanings of the colors were the precursors to our modern traffic light system. White was used to indicate that it was safe to proceed, green signaled caution, and red indicated "Stop" or "Danger." The Chicago & Western Indiana Railroad was a short line running 16 miles from downtown Chicago to Dolton, Illinois, the first suburb south of Chicago, with another line running southeast from Eighty-First Street to the Indiana state line. Built in the 1880s, it was owned by five trunk line railroads that used it as an efficient and inexpensive route into downtown Chicago. Like many 19th-century railroads, the C&WI reached its traffic peak in the middle of the 20th century. CONDITION: Good condition overall. Railroad lantern, with red glass globe, surrounded by a metal frame. Used kerosene as a fuel source . Scuffs and scratches to metal and metal coating. Small areas of tarnish and rust present. Glass globe intact. Top stamped "Adlake" and "kero." Stamped "C & WI" on the dome's base. Stamped "USA / 1415633/ 1415634-1415635/ 1660194" and "CANADA 921-19." Sold as décor item, it has not been tested. Dimensions: (relaxed handle) 9 1/4" H x 7" W x 6 1/4" D. Dimensions: (with wire handle completely extended) 12" H x 7" W x 6 1/4" D.
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 9.25 in (23.5 cm)Width: 7 in (17.78 cm)Depth: 6.25 in (15.88 cm)
  • Style:
    Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
  • Materials and Techniques:
  • Place of Origin:
  • Period:
  • Date of Manufacture:
    1945-1965
  • Condition:
    Wear consistent with age and use. Minor structural damages. Minor fading.
  • Seller Location:
    Colorado Springs, CO
  • Reference Number:
    Seller: OT6161stDibs: LU909736662012

More From This Seller

View All
Vintage Rayo Pony No. 21 Lantern
By Standard Oil Company
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
Presented is a vintage Rayo Pony No. 21 lantern, from the early 20th century. This metal and glass lantern was manufactured by Standard Oil for their Rayo l...
Category

Early 20th Century American Lanterns

Materials

Metal

1923 "Washington, The Beautiful Capital of the Nation" Baltimore and Ohio RR Map
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
This is a fabulous 1923 bird's eye map of Washington, DC that shows the city in amazing detail. Every building is individually drawn and all major roads in the city are shown. The vi...
Category

Vintage 1920s American Art Deco Maps

Materials

Paper

Army Air Forces Poster, "See the Job Through" by Baskerville, WWII Poster, 1945
By Charles Baskerville
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
This 1945 color poster features an American pilot and a ground crew Staff Sergeant shaking hands and the words “Seeing the Job Through! Enlist in the Regular Army Air...
Category

Vintage 1940s American Historical Memorabilia

Materials

Paper

The Man With the Golden Gun by Ian Fleming, First Edition, in Original DJ, 1965
By Ian Fleming
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
Fleming, Ian. The Man with the Golden Gun. London: Jonathan Cape, 1965. First edition, second state printing. Octavo printing. In the original publisher’s black cloth boards with gil...
Category

Vintage 1960s English Mid-Century Modern Books

Materials

Paper

"Congress and the Nation 1946-1964" First Edition Two-Volume Set, Published 1965
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
Congress and the Nation 1945-1964: A Review of Government and Politics in the Postwar Years. District of Columbia: Congressional Quarterly Service, 1965. First edition, two-volume se...
Category

Vintage 1960s American Books

Materials

Leather, Paper

Vintage Union Jack, Circa 1950s
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
This is a beautiful Union Jack parade flag, dating from the early 1950s, during the early years of Queen Elizabeth II's reign. The flag is printed on cotton, with machine-sewn hemmed...
Category

Vintage 1950s English Mid-Century Modern Political and Patriotic Memorab...

Materials

Cotton

You May Also Like

Vintage Retrofitted Kerosene Lantern
Located in Tarrytown, NY
Vintage metal kerosene lantern with central glass shade retrofitted for electrified home use.
Category

Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Lanterns

Materials

Metal

A Vintage Italian Lantern
Located in New York, NY
A circa 1960's Italian lantern with faceted body and 4 interior lights. Measurements: Drop: 19" Diameter: 9"
Category

Vintage 1960s Italian Lanterns

Materials

Metal

Vintage Gilt Metal Lantern
Located in Tarrytown, NY
Vintage gilt metal lantern with gold and patinated mixed finishes and glass shade.
Category

Vintage 1960s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants

Materials

Metal

Vintage Brass Ships Lantern
Located in west palm beach, FL
Presenting our Vintage Brass Ship's Lantern, a stunning piece that captures the spirit of American nautical heritage. Crafted from solid brass with ...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Lanterns

Materials

Brass

Vintage Capiz Lantern
Located in New York, NY
A circa 1960's capiz lantern with an interior Edison light. Measurements: Height: 25.5" Diameter: 8.5".
Category

Vintage 1960s French Lanterns

Materials

Resin

French Vintage Lantern, 1960s Bronze & Glass lantern
Located in Bastogne, BE
Vintage Five Sided Forged Bronze and glass ceiling lantern. France, Circa 1960s. Decorate your ceiling with Bronze Pentagonal Lantern of Mid 20th century. This lantern is fully bronze with gilt decor and would be perfect for a hallway or staircase, but also as a chandelier. The 5 sides have 5 transparent glass windows. There 2 Light bulbs in the form of faux candlestick. Lamps in the form of a lantern always look interesting in the interior and create a romantic and mysterious atmosphere. Beautiful Vintage Lantern...
Category

Vintage 1960s French Lanterns

Materials

Bronze

Recently Viewed

View All