Quite a few of the streets in the neighborhood where I stayed in Dana Point had “lantern” in their names: Blue, Golden, Ruby, Port, Crystal lanterns were all represented. And there was Lantern Bay Park adjacent to my hotel.

What’s up with that?

The original plan for Dana Point was for a Spanish-style town with wide streets named after “Lanterns,” and when the streets were laid out, there were actual lanterns for street lights, modeled on the old sailor’s kerosene lanterns. This is still part of the community, in street names like Street of the Golden Lantern, Street of the Blue Lantern, and even a recent newcomer, Street of the Crystal Lantern.*

And, here’s one of those “actual lanterns”, though this one doesn’t appear to be workable.

(On a completely unrelated note, my photograph “Where the Wind Gallops” has been shortlisted on the current Digital Lightroom competition. I’d appreciate your vote, but a vote for any of the images would be appreciated!)

Dana Point, California
photographed 1.7.2015

*I found this information here.