You cannot smoke a pipe after sunset.

The Law Explained

In early American cities with predominantly wooden architecture, fire was a constant, terrifying threat. This ordinance likely existed to prevent careless pipe-smokers from accidentally dropping embers in the dark and burning down the entire block. Even with modern fire departments and brick buildings, the quirky rule remained on the books for decades. It is a charming reminder of how nightlife used to be regulated by candlelight.