A Field Guide to New York City Manhole Covers


1957 Campbell Foundry Co

8 vent holes

cover image

Looks like: An 8-eyed fish

Sometime in the mid-20th century, the Campbell Foundry in Harrison New Jersey started producing utility covers with this basic design (which in a later catalog is called pattern number 1049). There are slight variations from year to year, this one has 8 vent holes.
Can I see other years you ask? How about 1949 1953 1954 1956 1958 1972 1983 1986 1992 1993 1994 1996 1997 1998 ...and maybe more!

DESIGN:

A 12 spoke wagon wheel design with 2 spokes 'covered' by two bars creating a center badge. The 4 numbers and the foundry name, Campbell Foundry, Harrison N.J., are the only inscriptions. 8 straight vents circle the center. Unlike earlier variants the foundry name is not on the rim but on the middle of the three rings.

UTILITY:

This type cover is often associated with parks, highways or NYC housing projects This is one of the rare examples of this type with 8 vents, needed at times to prevent the build-up of explosive sewer gases.

RANGE:

This type of cover is found throughout the city, often in parks or near housing projects. This one is south of LaSalle Street between Broadway and Amsterdam Ave.

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Don Burmeister -- Photographs