Lighting the Way: Nick Mulvehill’s Effort to Preserve Belmont Avenue’s Historic Lampposts

By Amy Haeseler

Belmont Avenue carries a unique historical charm, much of which can be attributed to its lampposts. The intricate globes, distinctive bulbs, and decorative elements transport you back to the early 20^th century. They’re a tangible connection to our community’s past, and a dedicated young resident, Nick Mulvehill, is leading an ambitious project to secure their future. 

These 39 metal lampposts, stretching between Livingston and Third Street, have illuminated Belmont Avenue since 1923. Mr. H.M. Porteous of 264 Belmont Avenue advocated for the initial installation and paving of the street. In 1971, when the city planned to replace them, resident Ed Sheridan defended their presence. More recently, in 2010, the neighborhood came together to repaint the posts. However, time and the elements have taken their toll. A few months ago, two lampposts—one hit by a car, another succumbed to rust—were removed by the city. The remaining 37 lampposts, while still operational, are showing significant signs of rust. 

For Nick, who has lived on Belmont Avenue since he was three, these lampposts are a part of his everyday landscape and hold personal value. The recent loss of two lampposts served as a powerful catalyst, igniting his determination to protect their historical significance and the unique ambiance they bring to the neighborhood. 

As a rising 9^th grader and Boy Scout in Troop 658, Nick is dedicating his Eagle Scout project to the restoration of these historic fixtures. His goals are clear: 

• Replace the 2 missing lampposts: Nick has been working closely with Mark Roberts, acting manager for Traffic Operations at Public Works, to ensure the replacements are metal and closely match the original design. 

• Restore the 37 existing lampposts: This involves removing old paint and rust, followed by a fresh coat of paint. Nick envisions an ongoing maintenance plan, ideally with city support or an annual community day of service, to ensure these lampposts remain vibrant for generations to come. 

City Councilwoman Kristina Duggan and her Chief of Staff, Nick Kaspar, have expressed strong support for Nick’s initiative and are facilitating communication with Public Works. 

Nick’s project is a fantastic opportunity for our community to come together and preserve a piece of our shared heritage. We encourage everyone to take a walk down Belmont Avenue to appreciate the unique beauty of these lampposts. We’re excited to learn more about Nick’s next steps with preserving our past and how we can support him. We’ll share updates, including ways to help, as his project progresses.