An obscure Cincinnati oddity are yellow, acorn shaped street lamps that dot many intersections & traffic islands throughout the city. Known as Cincinnati Yellow Lamps, they made their appearance in the 1940’s, marking streetcar stops of the Cincinnati Street Railway (whose streetcars were painted a similar shade of yellow). When the CSR ceased streetcar operations in 1951, the lamps continued to be maintained as a caution signal to motorists, warning of raised traffic islands & bus stops at busy intersections.

Over 60 yellow lamps were documented ca. 2010, but only 36 are currently in use. According to the Cincinnati Department of Transportation, the lamps are not currently being maintained and are being phased out during planned street lighting upgrades.