The North Tama Veterinary Clinic located in downtown Traer in the Star-Clipper-Canfield Building pictured on Sunday, Dec. 1. The transom windows above the clinic’s main windows feature prism glass, a form of window glass arranged so as to gather light from the sky and project it to all parts of the dark interiors. Many of the older buildings along Second Street feature such glass, particularly on the north side of the street. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

TRAER – Many of the older buildings on Second Street in Traer have prism glass in the transom windows, above the main windows. Some of the glass is from the 3-Way Prism Company in Chicago, Ill. The 3-Way prisms are a form of window glass, scientifically arranged so as to gather light from the sky and project it to all parts of the dark interiors. The prism glass increases the quantity of light by reflection or scattering the light to the greatest possible extent. The 3-Way company claimed their prism glass increased light 25-30%.

Prism glass was patented in 1881 by James Pennycuick of Boston, Mass. Much of the early glass was used for skylights and vault lighting.

In 1896, Mr. Pennycuick founded the Radiating Light Company in Chicago to commercialize an improvement on his original patent. The improvement was the addition of horizontal prisms to the back side of square glass tiles to redirect sunlight deep into rooms, reducing the need for artificial light. The company later became the American Luxfer Prism Company and propelled to the forefront of the prismatic glass market.

In 1897, Frank Loyd Wright patented a style of prismatic glass tile. It became widely used in storefront transom windows above the plate glass display windows. The magnified natural light combined with the highly decorated store ceilings at the time made the stores brighter and more appealing. Wright went on to patent 41 designs for the American Luxfer Prism Company.

The Traer Historical Museum has a framed portion of the prismatic tile window from the Boettcher Furniture Store, installed in the 1920s. The museum obtained the window from Dreamland Productions, which owned the building and operated a business there for several years.

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

Be sure to plan a visit to downtown Traer this holiday season to not only take in the holiday lights but also the historic prism glass.

George Kadrmas is president of the Traer Historical Museum located in downtown Traer.

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER