Reality Checkpoint, Cast-iron streetlight at Parker's Piece, Cambridge, England
The Reality Checkpoint is a four-sided cast-iron lamppost standing where diagonal paths meet across the Parker's Piece green space. The structure is decorated with four intertwined heraldic dolphins, while scrolled wrought iron stays support four pendant lamps positioned around the post.
Installed in 1894 by George Smith & Company's Sun Foundry in Glasgow, this lamppost was Cambridge's first electrical lighting structure. This early installation made it a notable example of Victorian engineering and urban development.
The name emerged in the early 1970s as a playful marker of where the academic world of the university met everyday town life. Locals and students still use this spot as a symbolic crossing point between two different parts of Cambridge.
The lamppost stands at the central meeting point on Parker's Piece and serves as a useful landmark for finding your way across the green space. It is easily reached on foot and located in an open, clearly visible spot that is recognizable in both daylight and after dark.
While many people know the name, they often overlook the elaborate heraldic dolphins adorning the four sides of the post, which show the skill of Victorian casting. These ornamental details transform the structure beyond mere function into a work of craftsmanship and artistry.
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