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In the early days of traffic signals, box type fixed face signals were most commonly used in span-wire installations. Box signals were generally lighter than clusters of single faced signals, all of the wiring was in one location, and in the days before cherry pickers and High Rangers (bucket trucks,) it was easier to service a box type signal than reposition a ladder several times to change lamps and service an array of single face signals.
In situations where intersecting streets joined at odd angles and those angles were too sharp for motorists to view conventional single face signals, adapters were available at various angles so that the signal displays could more accurately face approaching traffic.
Adapters like the one used in this beacon simply fit between the box frame and the door, generally also supporting the reflector at the offset angle.
A birds-eye view of the beacon with offset angle adapter.
This particular beacon is believed to be the one that hung over the intersection of Industrial Way and 3rd Avenue in Longview, WA. Industrial Way actually went straight but State Route 432 jogged northeast up 3rd Avenue. As such the easterly leg of Industrial Way was actually a minor street to the highway that turned up 3rd Avenue. The beacon was hung so that motorists traveling westbound on Industrial Way didn't pull into much heavier highway traffic without stopping.
The Google Street View shown below has been marked up to show how the original intersection looked before the highway was widened and the easterly leg of Industrial Way was curved to meet the highway at a 90 degree angle.
View of Industrial Way and 3rd Ave. The standard indications faced east-west. The offset adapter faced 3rd Ave.
The yellow and red dashes show which indications were likely displayed.
Offset adapters added weight to the sides of signals and beacons. 3-way signals and beacons that had offset adapters tended to hang a little crookedly. Later model signals came with gooseneck hangers that had multiple balance points. Earlier beacons and signals having single eye hangers could be somewhat balanced by placing counterweights inside the signal opposite from the offset angle adapter.
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