FIRE ALARM BELL AND SPRINKLER VALVE

SPRING STREET, DOWNTOWN LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS

Located near Spring and Seventh streets, the bell is one of many like it (but all are different) to be found while exploring the alleys of most downtowns. Probably unused, it is quite beautifully designed. It was made by the Globe Company in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

 

On the boulevard between the sidewalk and street curb sits this thing. I assume (please correct me if I'm wrong) that it is a valve to turn said sprinkler on, though if there is an alarm, you'd think the sprinkler would be automatic. But the date on the thing is 1928, so it may predate automatic sprinklers entirely. There is an embossed set of letters reading "SV" so I lean the way of it being a sprinkler valve. It was made by the Columbian Ironworks of Chattanooga, Tennessee, and has a glass window with the word "OPEN" barely readable inside. It is unlikely that it is active. The handle, once unlocked, could be fit onto the nut at the top to turn it on. I hope the fire chief had the key.