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.