Bevolo Gas and Electric Lights

Bevolo Gas & Electric Lights
IndustryLight fixture
Founded1945 (1945) by Andrew Bevolo, Sr.
HeadquartersNew Orleans, Louisiana, United States
Area served
Worldwide
ProductsLight fixtures
Websitewww.bevolo.com

Bevolo Gas and Electric Lights is the oldest and largest manufacturer of handmade, hand-riveted copper lanterns in the United States.[1]

Andrew Bevolo, Sr. in 1945 founded Bevolo and remains a family business, currently operated by Andrew Bevolo, III.[1] Andrew Bevolo, Sr. founded the company with experience working for Ford, Igor Sikorsky and Andrew Higgins. The company revolutionized gas lighting by utilizing hand-riveting, which is a technique superior to soldering that guarantees the lantern's continuous pristine condition.[2] As a result, their lights are featured prominently in the New Orleans French Quarter and on the mansions in the historic Garden District.[3][4]

History

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In the 20th century, A. Hays Town worked with Andrew Bevolo, Sr. to produce the trademark French Quarter Lamp.[5] After Hurricane Katrina, Bevolo opened a manufacturing location in Covington, Louisiana, and a retail location in Mandeville.[6] In 2009, Bevolo opened another retail location on the famous Royal Street in the French Quarter.[7] In addition to showcasing the historic gas and electric lanterns, the retail locations sell antiques and other products manufactured by the company, including interior lighting and furniture.[8]

Historic gas lamp at Bourbon Orleans Hotel

The company caters to high income customers and has a wide variety of restaurant, commercial, residential clients.[3] Bevolo products appear frequently on television and in movies.[1][9]

Product

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All Bevolo gas and electric lights are manufactured in the New Orleans area and fabricated by hand using antiqued copper.[1] Bevolo offers complementary design services to ensure lighting is the correct size and architecturally appropriate.[10] The company has over 500 light and bracket combinations variations and offers custom made lighting. Bevolo lighting is ETL (Edison Testing Laboratories) approved.[11]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d New Orleans-based Bevolo Gas and Electric Lights expands its light fixture business worldwide ‘’New Orleans City Business’’ via NewsLibrary.com “A tiny French Quarter shop is at the forefront of worldwide demand for authentic gas light fixtures. Since the company was founded in 1945, Bevolo Gas and Electric Lights has seen its business expand worldwide. It is now the largest manufacturer of handmade copper lanterns in the country. Light fixtures made by the company are in service in all 50 states and 28 foreign countries.” March 15, 2004
  2. ^ “Traditional Building”
  3. ^ a b “The Backyard in New York City: An Urban Oasis” Ralph Blumenthal- 2008
  4. ^ "Vibrant Variances". March 2011.
  5. ^ "New Orleans Traditional and Antique Gas and Electric Lighting | Bevolo Lights". Archived from the original on 2011-09-08. Retrieved 2011-08-31.
  6. ^ French Quarter lighting company expands to Northshore Archived 2012-10-19 at the Wayback Machine The Times-Picayune. May 12, 2008
  7. ^ ”New Orleans, Royal Street Archived September 5, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
  8. ^ “Bevolo Collection”
  9. ^ “Bevolo Clients”
  10. ^ Bevolo Gas and Electric Lights: Gas From the Past Archived October 6, 2011, at the Wayback Machine Marissa Frayer- 2010
  11. ^ Architectural Heritage ArchitecturalHeritage.com - 2011
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