Monongahela Lantern. Coal-hauling roads were noted for their frugality and generally did not spend money on fancy lanterns. So this tall-globe, bellbottom lantern made by the Star Headlight & Lantern Company for the Monongahela Railway may represent a rare moment of extravagance. The lantern has a clear cast globe and likely dates to the period between 1915 and the World War One era when short-globe lanterns were developed. The Monongahela Railway Company was formed in 1915 from a couple of predecessor lines, and business prospects at the time were particularly promising. Perhaps this explains the expenditure on some nicely marked lanterns. Photo by permission. Click on the image for a larger version. See more featured items. Also see pictures from the recent Gaithersburg show where this lantern was photographed.