Harrington-Seaberg #1

I was tipped off about this signal from a fellow collector (who by the way, has some great looking signals). He spotted it on Craigslist. I contacted the seller, made arrangements to take a look at it (I already had my mind set that I was coming home with it. Trust me!) and we took a ride to see it. There were 3 photos of it on Craigslist. We both thought it was a Darley Signal like the one I got from Cleveland.

Much to our surprise, when we looked at the signal in person,  we both looked at each other. It was a Harrington-Seaberg. Welcome to the gang. May 2018.

A little bit about the company:

The Harrington-Seaberg Corporation was founded in Moline, IL in 1920 by Fred Harrington and Severin Seaberg. The original company was known as the Harrington Machine and Electric Company and they primarily manufactured fire alarm boxes.

In 1923 the company changed its name to the Harrington-Seaberg and produced a line of traffic signals and beacons. Harrington-Seaberg was bought out by the Gamewell Corporation in 1929. Gamewell also owned Eagle Signal, and Eagle distributed Harrington-Seaberg signals until it introduced the Eaglelux in the early 1930s.

Now a little bit about the signal. This signal was from Seneca Falls, NY. The original owner of it worked for the Village of Seneca Falls. He somehow came into possession of the signal in the 1950’s. I assume he got it when they replaced it with a more
“modern signal” He had it until 2018 when a friend of his bought it from him. He put it up for sale and I purchased it.

It is a beautiful green color. Has 4 yellow command lenses (the “Caution” lenses) and 1 Stop command. Everything else in there is Crouse Hinds Smiley lenses.

It is in very good shape for being around 90 years old. There is a crack on the bottom of 1 corner and a small home in one side. The insides, besides being a bit dirty is in great shape. All the original cloth wiring looks intact. The reflectors are all glass with what looks like a copper coating with the mirror coating on top of it.

The sockets are really neat. There’s a metal band the holds them and the reflector sits against it. Very unique design.

Like I said, this was not what I expected but was happy to be able to save another part of history.

This light is a favorite of my grandson. He always wants his papa to turn it on and let it cycle. I have a controller board in it currently.