“What else is he telling us?” That’s the question posed by the artists behind the Lantern Man Milemarkers. These unique artworks grace the Interurban Trail. Let’s delve into the story behind these intriguing figures.
The Lantern Man Milemarkers are part of the City of Shoreline’s Public Art Collection. You’ll find them along the Interurban Trail in quarter-mile increments. The markers start at N 145th Street.
Unearth Collective created the Lantern Man Milemarkers. These artists used steel and paint to bring their vision to life. The project won a CleanSpaces award. The City of Shoreline Parks Department recognized it in 2012.
The artists drew inspiration from the trail’s history as a train line. They replicated drawings from a 1904 manual. This manual showed hand signals used by railroad workers. In the past signalmen used hand and lantern positions to communicate. They sent visual messages across distances. Today the Lantern Man announces the miles.
The artists’ statement poses a thought-provoking question. What else is the signalman telling us? The manual drawings offer more than just instructions. The signalman gazes diagonally. His posture, uniform, and expression all add layers to the message.
The diagrams show sequential arm motion. Yet they reveal nothing about speed or delivery. The artists invite us to imagine the tone of each signal. Was the message urgent like “APPLY AIR BRAKES?” Or was it delivered with gravity like “GO BACK?” Perhaps it was a regretful “TRAIN HAS PARTED.”
The artists question what industrialization has gained and lost. They digitally redrew an old image. They used the trompe l’oeil technique, an old tradition of etching. Modern fonts, color palettes, and materials add to the mix. All these elements reference the shifts in modern production.
These figures maintain a voice by announcing the miles. The Lantern Man’s presence prompts reflection. By propelling this historical figure into the present day, we question what has been lost. We also ponder what has been gained in the workplace, and how it all entangles us. So as you walk or bike the Interurban Trail, take a moment. Consider the messages these Lantern Man Milemarkers convey. What do they tell you?