Keep An Eye Out For: Vintage Hurricane Lamps

Growing up in the South, hurricane season was something we were forced to prepare for every year. We vividly remember (with surprising fondness) hunkering down with our family while waiting out the eye of the storm. Once the sun went down, we used hurricane lamps to keep our darkened home lit--making us feel safe and warm.

Beautiful and functional, the hurricane lamps shape makes it almost impossible for wind to extinguish its flame. With a twist of the knob, you can turn the flame up to light up an entire room, or cast a warm glow for a romantic evening in. Striking on its own or charming in a group, the vintage hurricane lamp is a unique addition to your homes decor.

Shown above, left to right:
1. Hurricane Lamp photo by emilyonasunday
2. Antique Miniature Teal Glass Hurricane Lamp; Bonnie's Antiques
3. 60s Vintage White and Blue Oil Hurricane Lamp Lantern with Reflector; Ophelia Vintage
4. Vintage Milk Glass Oil Lamp; Three Sugars Please
5. Green Diamond, Vintage Hurricane Oil Lamp; lightinawormhole

Comments (10)

A grouping of them all lit looks best.

And now you live in Los Angeles, where earthquakes make these a tiny bit risky.

My mom has a few hurricane lamps - we used to light them every time the power went out. I love the look of them.

I have two miniature ones from my grandmother that I used to play with when I was little. Finally, I have a trendy something first, LOL.

They look like the ones in the second photo, but one is turquoise blue and the other is olive green.

@FantasticMrFaux: yes, but she's avoiding the common AT commenter mistake of assuming that everyone lives in CA just because she does. Can we not finally freaking grasp the fact that pointing out the earthquake vulnerability of any design is pointless, because if the person we're pointing it out to were in an earthquake-prone region, he or she wouldn't have done it in the first place? Enough already.

Ahem. Beth, I appreciate your reminiscence (both because it wasn't LA/NY-centered and) because it reminded me, a Yankee transplanted southward, that I need to make sure my grandma, er, knows I'd like her hurricane lamps when she's...no longer in a position to use them.

These have such a neat look to them! I love the light that they bring with them....it's such a softer feel.

Please forgive me for the following stupid question; What do you use for fuel in these lamps? Nobody uses kerosene anymore, do they...? and I won't burn down my apartment, correct?
I have a set just like #4 and a few other oil lamps from my grandma and great grandma, but have never actually used them for anything other than decoration (with the exception of one my grandpa converted into an electric lamp in the 60's.)
I'd love to use the rest though so please share! Thanks in advance... :)

You can get lamp oil easily at Walmart, Target or any hardware store. You can find lamp oils that are smokeless and odorless. You can check online, also.