Dragon And Onion Lamp Post Opposite Stamford House

The 'Dragon and Onion' lamp post, located opposite Stamford House on Regent Street in Cheltenham, was first lit on 16 November 1869. It was designed by Joseph Hall, the Borough Engineer, and cast by McDowall, Stevens and Co Ltd of London and Glasgow. This lamp post is made of cast iron and features a bollard with half-bollards adorned with shields and the town's motto 'Salubritas et Erudito'. It has an arched lamp holder and a dragon motif with a crowning onion finial. Designed for electricity, it is an early and highly elaborate example of its type. The design motif is derived from the coat of arms of the borough, which was granted to the town 11 years after its incorporation in 1876. Similar lamp posts can be found in Cambray Place, St Mary's Churchyard, Church Street, and Trafalgar Street. The historical cost of the lamp post was £9.15s.0d.