The latter were among the first type of commercial arc lights, placed in service in the 1880's for street lighting. They required daily arc trimming which was done by lowering the entire fixture to ground level via a pulley and winch mechanism affixed to the pole its wires came from. By the late 1890s enclosed arc lights were introduced. These were more energy-efficient, provided a steadier light and required arc-rod maintenance once every 7 to 10 days. FYI the visual color of these old arc lights (both types) was a very sharp and intense bright bluish-white and provided the illumination of (very roughly) one of today's 100 to 300 watt standard lightbulbs.

Electric utility lines probably were upon the pole on the left with telephone openwire strung high above them as we enjoy seeing in the background. Also note the Bell sign on the far left ;-)