The Illuminating Legacy of Fairfield’s Historic Light Tower
Nestled in the heart of Central Park, Fairfield, Iowa once boasted an engineering marvel, a light tower, that left it's mark in history. The Fairfield Light Tower, erected in 1882, was not just a beacon for the town; it was a pioneering symbol of innovation and progress. Let's journey back to explore the story behind this historic landmark, its impact, and how it continues to shine through art and memory.
A Beacon of Innovation
In the summer of 1882, Fairfield became the stage for a groundbreaking experiment in municipal lighting. Standing 180 feet tall, the Light Tower was a towering achievement in its time, making it one of the first electric streetlights in the nation. Its installation came just weeks after Thomas Edison's own electric streetlights illuminated ten blocks of New York City. The tower's six arc lamps could light up the night for up to 40 miles—a feat that drew spectators from far and wide.
The motivation for this ambitious project was as much practical as it was symbolic. Faced with a rise in rates by the local coal gas company, a group of determined Fairfield citizens decided to champion the cause of electricity. Their vision was not only to outshine the competition but to demonstrate the potential of this new technology. In addition to its remarkable impact on the town's illumination, the Fairfield Light Tower also sparked a unique form of community engagement. Each day, the task of changing the tower’s bulbs, a crucial maintenance chore, became a highly anticipated event for local children. Eager to be part of this grand spectacle, youngsters would volunteer to climb the 180 foot tower, relishing the opportunity for a unique adventure and probably much to the chagrin of their mothers.
A New Dawn and Its Shadows
While the Light Tower dazzled and intrigued, it also cast a shadow over local wildlife. Its intense glow, the only artificial light within hundreds of miles, proved fatal for many night-flying migratory birds. Disoriented by the bright light, they would often crash into the tower. Bird lovers William and Carrie Ross could be seen fending off the local cat population as they filled wheelbarrows with dead birds. In 1907. William Ross noted "There must have been quite a migration last night. A large number of birds were dead in the park this morning, killed by the light tower."
A Legacy Preserved in Art and History
The story of the Light Tower is preserved not just in historical records but through the art of Mark Shafer. His original painting, crafted with both reverence and a touch of whimsy, brings to life the light and shadow of this historical landmark. Shafer's painting poignantly captures the tragic bird phenomenon, portraying birds caught in a fatal dance with the light. Below, a flock of cats eagerly awaited their unintended feast, adding a stark and somber note to the narrative. Shafer’s work is a visual homage to the tower's impact on both technology and natural history. It also serves as a reminder of Fairfield's vibrant bird-watching history, immortalized in the Carnegie museum’s extensive bird collection.
The Carnegie Historical Museum, home to over 400 taxidermied birds—including many collected by the notable bird-watchers William and Carrie Ross—continues to celebrate this avian heritage. In fact, the Ross's are depicted in Shafer's painting, making their rounds every morning to pick up the dead and dying birds who had been disoriented by the light. The museum's efforts to refurbish and revitalize its bird collection are inspired by the legacy of the Light Tower and the bird diaries of the Ross family. Their detailed observations of around 190 bird species offer a glimpse into the rich avian life of the region, now showcased alongside artifacts of the tower’s history.
An Enduring Influence
Light Tower was dismantled in 1910 after it became a safety hazard. But it had become Fairfield’s beacon of modernity, a testament to the town's role in pioneering municipal electric lighting.
Although the Fairfield Light Tower is no longer standing, its legacy endures through the stories captured in old photographs and the evocative art it continues to inspire. The tower remains a vivid symbol of innovation, community spirit, and the sometimes tragic consequences of progress. Its history, preserved in the Carnegie Historical Museum and through local narratives, highlights how groundbreaking advancements can have unforeseen impacts on nature. Shafer's painting, William & Carrie Ross's birding journals, and displays of birds are all part of the tower's exhibit at the Carnegie historical Museum.
