This smooth-top fire hydrant "catches some rays" while steadfastly awaiting a call to duty.
Showing posts with label sidewalk. Show all posts
Showing posts with label sidewalk. Show all posts
Saturday, July 25, 2026
Friday, January 2, 2026
Ess see em
This cast iron 15 x 15 cross diamond pattern utility cover is seen in the street beneath our feet.
This is a Model SCM-5 cover made by Fairfield Industries of Georgetown, South Carolina. It is part of a spill containment manhole that contains any spills that may happen while filling underground storage tanks.
Seen to the left is a 5 x 'lots of holes' cover for a rain drainage system.
Wednesday, December 31, 2025
Across the great divide
This seamy scene was seen in the street beneath our feet.
The sidewalk seam did not prevent the crack from spreading; it just moved over a bit and continued.
Wednesday, December 17, 2025
Just relaxing
The sidewalk in front of a closed and shuttered 99 cent store is good place to stop for a rest on a hot and sunny day.
Saturday, December 6, 2025
Rain drain
This multi-hole drain cover features the venerable 1 x 6 x 12 x 18 x 24 hole pattern, resulting in 61 holes to drain rain. Set in the sidewalk and out of the path of foot traffic, it has acquired a rusty patina.
The more unusual 1 x 5 x 12 x 18 x 24 x 30 pattern can be seen here.
Do you have '5' or '6' second ring drain covers?
Friday, November 21, 2025
Sidewalk cutout
A piece of this sidewalk was neatly cut out and removed, then in-filled with an asphalt mix.
What was there? why was it removed? was anything removed? why asphalt mix and not concrete? was something supposed to be added? the blue markings - was that a water utility?
So many questions... no answers.
Wednesday, November 12, 2025
One water
This "NO. 1 WATER" utility cover was seen in the street beneath our feet. It has a horseshoe ("U") protecting the pentagon shaped bolt head, known as a "penta bolt" or "penta screw".
Labels:
bolts,
cover,
manhole,
sewer cover,
sidewalk,
tsbof,
water,
water cover
Wednesday, November 5, 2025
Sidewalk circle
It is not clear what this metal ring is for or from. When the new sidewalk was put in, it was left in place. Filling in the center makes makes it no longer usable; protruding out of the street makes it foot catching.
Any comments on this scene in the street beneath our feet?
Labels:
cover,
manhole cover,
ring,
rings,
sewer cover,
sidewalk,
tsbof
Friday, October 31, 2025
Sidewalk circles
![]() |
| 6 or 7 x 9 or 10 layout |
These cast iron sidewalk panels are seen in the street beneath our feet. The panels have many dings and damages and some edges are sealed with mastic tape. There is no indication of their original use: the cover of a sidewalk vault, a coal chute cover, a cover for a stairwell, or to provide a non-slip surface in front of the doorway.
A closer look reveals some of the details.
Each rondel is surrounded by six pointy ovals; those interlock with the ovals of the neighboring rondels. The panels have alternating columns of 6 or 7 rondels and alternating rows of 9 or 10 rondels, the total being 123. Screws along the edges hold the panels to the framework.
A mysterioso SB CL CO is inscribed in the concrete next to these panels.
Tuesday, March 25, 2025
Light at night
This night scene of a light lit door is presented as a relaxed view 3d stereograph.
Labels:
3d,
bricks,
door,
light fixture,
night,
sidewalk,
stereogram,
stereograph
Friday, January 31, 2025
Thistle last
This arrangement of L's, raised buttons, and a topping of five dots makes for a sidewalk crossing plate that will last and is durable.
This Duralast branded product sporting the EJ company logo was seen in the street beneath our feet.
Monday, April 15, 2024
Green water
Dog paw prints, the pour date, more "something" impressions, a partially scratched in name, partial wipe-outs, other unidentified markings - this small concrete sidewalk slab is covered with them. The bright green water utility cover ensures that this feat in the street beneath our feet catches the eye of the casual passer-by.
Thursday, March 14, 2024
All by itself
A survey marker in the sidewalk bears little notice but performs an important duty when called to do so.
Wednesday, April 5, 2023
Peanut in cement
The recent rainfall reveals the signature of a sidewalk signatory in the street beneath our feet: "PEANUt", with graffito below it.
Wednesday, March 29, 2023
Signpost circle
The remnants of removed signposts remain in the cement circle seen in the sidewalk of the street beneath our feet.
Tuesday, March 14, 2023
Rusty red hydrant
Resembling the Downtown Charlottesville fire hydrant that is located some 460 miles away, this one has a white body, red bonnet and outlet caps, and, rust stains.
Friday, October 21, 2022
Shado-ramic
![]() |
Shadow selfie |
The shadow cast by the setting sun can make a person seem just a bit taller than they really are. This shadow panoramic was created from two images of the street beneath our feet.
Saturday, October 1, 2022
Blue vee
While the blue directional arrow marking the underground utility infrastructure is fading, the paint on the "V" of the water cover remains, brightly pointing the way.
Sunday, September 25, 2022
Friday, July 22, 2022
Ginkgo glow
Fallen onto the sidewalk of the street beneath our feet, this ginkgo biloba leaf glows neon green.
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