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Canajoharie's Dummy Light
As automobile traffic in Canajoharie increased, by 1926 it became necessary to move the General Clinton Memorial out of busy Wagner Square and install an automatic electric traffic light. A novelty at the time, traffic instructions were published in the Canajoharie Courier, telling motorists to blow their horns when making a left turn or a right on red. In those days, an amber light followed a red light. At the conclusion of the instructions, the article advises: "Cut out this summary and paste in your hat."
The colors of traffic signals were borrowed from the railroad signal system which had been in use since the 1890's. Canajoharie's dummy light is one of only a few such lights still in use. The next nearest dummy light is in Beacon, New York.
The Dummy Light, Information Booth and Memorial Clock
are all in close proximity, facing onto Wagner Square.
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From the Canajoharie Courier, July 7, 1926:
(Thanks to Barbara Spraker)
Automatic electric traffic signals, presented to the village by Mr. F. E. Barbour and Mr. W. Clark Arkell, now installed in Church Street, will be a decided aid to both motorists and pedestrians.
The following instructions are based on the color shown on signal as it is approached, head on. Both signals work in harmony.
For through traffic (turns not considered) go ahead on GREEN and stop on RED. Amber denotes a change to get ready to move promptly.
In making turns to right or left on GREEN, using extreme care on left turn, easing your car toward the center of the street, blow horn, give signal by pointing index finger to the left; by moving car toward the center of street in this manner will permit cars following to go ahead easily.
Under no conditions turn on RED.
A right hand turn may be made on RED providing no car is ahead of you to the corner where you desire to make the turn. In making this turn on red blow horn and ease your car carefully to the right into the traffic going right.
Pedestrians MUST NOT CROSS THE STREET EXCEPT AT REGULAR CROSSWALKS because motor cars have the right of way on the green signal and must move along promptly in order to clear the block. People on foot should clear cross walks promptly when AMBER shows,
Little Mohawk street
will hereafter be a ONE-WAY street for east bound traffic only.
Summary
GO on GREEN
STOP on RED
AMBER means GET READY TO MOVE
TURN RIGHT or LEFT on GREEN, using CARE ON LEFT TURN.
TURN RIGHT on RED if NO CAR IS AHEAD of you, USING CARE.
DO NOT TURN LEFT ON RED UNDER ANY CONDITIONS.
Cut out this summary and paste in your hat.
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"The world's first three-color, four-direction, elec. traffic lamp, was installed at the intersection of Woodward Ave. and Fort Street, Detroit, Michigan in October, 1920. It was designed by Superintendent (then inspector) William L. Potts of the Signal Bureau, Detroit Police Department. Basic design remains practically unchanged today. The signal remained in use until 1924 and became a part of the world's first synchronized signal system. This system extended from Jefferson to Adams on Woodward Avenue and was controlled manually from a tower at Woodward and Michigan."
Museum archives, Henry Ford Museum & Greenfield Village
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