Electrically operated draperies?

Yes, that is to enable motorization.

Interesting! If that was its original intended use (house built in 1969), the prior owners never installed them.

Thanks!

Also may have been for a swag fixture, popular in the era.

However, since in the photo, it's near the floor.................

"However, since in the photo, it's near the floor.... "

I thought the picture was posted upside down due to the drapery rods being at the bottom, and the orientation of the trees outside of the window!

I agree with Snooby. Perfect location and period for a swag outlet. I'd keep. But I like cheesy light fixtures. Remember the beauty of a swag lamp is that the light is one or two swags from the plug so you could use it to light something a distance away. You wouldn't want to swag across a beam though...and you probably couldn't get too odd with the placement on that ceiling...

Another concern would be the trip hazard.........

RChicago:

You may remove the duplex receptacle, cap the wires, and place a blank cover over the box, but unless the wire inside the wall is properly terminated, the box must remain accessible per code.

This post was edited by Trebruchet on Tue, Nov 18, 14 at 7:18

Agree. You can't just "remove" it. It needs to be properly "removed".

It's called "safeing off."