DRESSER HYDRANT, Gowanus

by Kevin Walsh

JUST across 3rd Avenue from the ancient high pressure fire hydrant featured on February 2nd, 2022, I spotted this Dresser hydrant, which is actually the one on duty on this block. It was covered in goo of some kind that looked like flame retardant material used when water isn’t a good idea. Though the familiar black, silver capped O’Brien hydrants, in use since 1904, are still NYC standard issue, the Dresser model, introduced in 1984 and with a more streamlined design, can be seen here and there.

This one is mounted very high, with a great deal of the pipe connecting it to the underground water supply in full view. I haven’t featured fire hydrants as often as I should in Forgotten New York as I haven’t gleaned much background info on them. Years ago, I did feature those pumps that still sported their 1976 Bicentennial paint jobs.

8 comments

William Mangahas February 4, 2022 - 7:25 am

Why is that hydrant mounted so high ?

Reply
Bill February 5, 2022 - 2:29 pm

To deter dogs from pissing on the caps?

Reply
chris February 4, 2022 - 11:35 am

When it gets hot out can the children with their pipe wrenches open
up these newer style hydrants?

Reply
Sunnysider February 4, 2022 - 11:37 am

Darn! I thought the streets had sunk beneaththese kind of hydrants.

Reply
Tama Harbor February 4, 2022 - 1:18 pm

I would assume that mounting high like that will defeat the breakaway feature?

Reply
mkeit February 4, 2022 - 10:38 pm

What you call ” O’Brien” hydrants are called ” Smith” hydrants by the DEP.

Reply
chris February 6, 2022 - 9:01 am

Dont everyone answer me at once now.One at a time please.
You’ll get your turn.Just be patient

Reply
Bill February 8, 2022 - 11:24 am

In Brooklyn, we used to call them “Johnny pumps”. Is that a common term anywhere else?

Reply

Leave a Comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.