An ancient fire alarm enjoys forced retirement on 8th Avenue and West 29th Street in Chelsea.
How ancient? Slope-roofed alarms like this one were only produced in 1912 and 1913. Some carried a lamp-bearing shaft at the top, while some bore a torch motif, or “ice cream cone.” After alarms began production again in 1921, the tops became flat.
Therefore we can say this one was made somewhere between 1912 and 1921 — and everything surrounding it has changed beyond comprehension.
8/7/13