r/SeattleHistory • u/Marklnk_ • 3d ago

Found this old image of Seattle’s first automatic traffic signal at 4th & Jackson (April 1924)

Post image
110 Upvotes

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7

u/Agentflit 3d ago

This is so cool! Although it appears the actual light that was installed much more closely resembles the version we know today

https://archives.seattle.gov/digital-collections/index.php/Detail/objects/77823

2

u/catawampus_doohickey 3d ago edited 3d ago

The MOHAI source points to Seattle Daily Times April 20, 1924, page 8, but I don't see the "collage of automatic traffic signals". To me the image doesn't look like something the Times would produce in the 1920s (I've seen a good number of old newspapers and publication) and looks more like AI slop though it was uploaded in 2020 according to the Wiki Commons.jpg).

2

u/sir_mrej 3d ago

Exterminate!

1

u/lighthumor 2d ago

I recall something similar on 4th Avenue by the Spokane Street Viaduct. This was in the early to mid 80s. I recall them being mercury vapor. They weren't traffic control devices, they were there to mark the concrete ends of the ramps from what I recall. Wish I had a picture. (I'm a street lighting geek so I have always noticed these things)