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Q: There is a great deal of interest in revitalizing downtown areas and also developing "village" concepts in communities that incorporate reproduction vintage streetlights, benches, signs and paver sidewalks to create that old-fashioned look. I was thinking it would be great to incorporate a similar style hydrant that would blend in and help to enhance this look. Do you know of a manufacturer who markets such a product? I am interested more in new rather than reconditioned. Thanks for any help you can provide, ~Dan Preston |
| Photo © 2001 Jeff Kaminski |
A: Canada and Europe have both produced compression type hydrants specifically for preservation districts. Clow Canada markets a Heritage Series with two distinct designs that replicate the look of earlier McAvity models. German hydrant makers produce new models that are outwardly nearly identical to a Bopp & Reuther hydrant design from 1885. The Swiss firm vonRoll hydro produces a highly decorative hydrant based on their model from 1896. Italy, Poland, France, all have "old part of town" hydrants. In the USA there are a few hydrants in production that have changed little in outward appearance since their introduction in the earlier part of the 1900s. Although some of these designs are not particularly ornate, they may be historically correct for a given area.
Below are shown some hydrant models available today with links to their manufacturers. We have no business connections with any of the manufacturers listed. Compression Type Hydrants |
 | Series S Vintage: 1902 A common sight since the early 1900s in many cities, this model was designed by Denis O'Brien, an early innovator in the hydrant making craft. The hydrant shown here was produced by A.P. Smith, but an updated version is available today from Terminal City Iron Works, of Vancouver, BC For sales information, contact: Terminal City Iron Works. |
| Photo © 2001 Bob Green |
| Eddy Hydrant Vintage: 1880s The modern Clow Valve "Eddy" model retains the look of the original Eddy Valve hydrant, patented in 1889. For sales information, contact: Clow Valve Corp. |  |
| Photo © 2001 Ethan Kennedy |
 | Clow Canada Heritage Brigadier Vintage: early 1900s This model is a replica of the McAvity #2 hydrant of the early 1900s. For sales information, contact Clow Canada |
| Photo © 2001 Clow Canada |
| Clow Canada Heritage Brigadier Vintage: 1930s This design is a replica of the octagonal hydrant originally produced by T. McAvity & Sons, ca. 1930. It is similar in appearance to the Ludlow List 90 model, but is a compression type hydrant. For sales information, contact Clow Canada |  |
| Photo © 2001 Clow Canada |
Slide gate mainvalve hydrants |
 | Terminal City Iron Works Vintage: early 1900s Terminal City Iron Works produces this slide gate design which has changed very little over the years. For sales information, contact Terminal City Iron Works. |
| Photo © 2001 Geof Glass |
| Ludlow-Rensselaer List 75-0 Vintage: late 1800s This Ludlow slide-gate design is available today from Ludlow-Rensselaer division of Trumbull Industries. For sales information, contact: |
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| Photo © 2001 Trumbull Industries |
 | Ludlow-Rensselaer List 90-0 Vintage: 1930s This Ludlow slide-gate design is available today from Ludlow-Rensselaer division of Trumbull Industries. Ludlow was assigned a design patent in 1932 for this hydrant which covered the external appearance only. The design was also picked up by McAvity in Canada. For sales information, contact: |
| Photo © 2001 Trumbull Industries |
Continue to Part 2 |
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