Willis or Sears Tower 1974 Crouse Hinds Beacon Light

This is the original beacon light from 1974 on the top of Chicago's Sears Tower, now the Willis Tower. Signed "Crouse Hinds Beacon," this remarkable lamp was removed from the world's tallest building at the time and donated by the Chicago electric utility, "Commonwealth Edison," to a charity auction.

There is no bulb inside, it requires an exotic double end 250 volt 500 watt bulb that was blindingly bright and was seen for tens of miles. It could be rewired for something with lower wattage. Crouse Hinds is an important American maker of airport, traffic and street lighting.

Metal parts appear to be an aluminum alloy and the ribbed heavy glass lenses are intact on this architectural salvage. The tower has been altered several times, most recently with new broadcast towers in 2012. There is no written documentation for this artifact.

Size is 16" diameter and 32" tall.

See 24 photos on Harp Gallery website that enlarge to full screen size.

Item # S-17860