In the early days of the automobile, before automated streetlights were common, traffic at intersections was directed by an attendant in a control tower. This attendant would manually switch the familiar red, yellow, and green lights in a regulated pattern. 

In 1925, one such tower was installed at a high traffic crossroads in Meriden, Connecticut. The distinctive structure quickly became a popular landmark and often appeared on postcards from the city. The Meriden Daily News Journal even ran a news column in its paper titled The Traffic Tower in honor of the structure. During World War II, soldiers from Meriden stationed overseas would receive regular bulletins that featured a photo of the tower on the front page as a reminder of their town.

Though the traffic control tower was finally retired in 1967 and replaced with an automated light, fond memories remained. In 1975, the tower was purchased by a local company and relocated to a new spot a few blocks away from its original location. In 2019, the tower was restored to its former glory