Historic Construction Sites

Black and white images of early 20th-century construction projects, showcasing men working on waterworks, railroads, and navy facilities with tools and machinery.

Distribution Department, Weston Aqueduct Supply Mains, Section 6, laying 60-inch main in Commonwealth Avenue east of Sumner Street, Newton, Mass., Jul. 27, 1910 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites

Distribution Department, Weston Aqueduct Supply Mains, Section 6, laying 60-inch main in Commonwealth Avenue east of Sumner Street, Newton, Mass., Jul. 27, 1910 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites

Dry Dock Number 4, Looking Southwest. Glass Plate Negatives of the Construction and Repair of Buildings, Facilities, and Vessels at the New York Navy Yard.

Distribution Department, supply pipe lines, Section 4, Commonwealth Avenue, excavating 48-inch pipe trench with traveling machine, Boston, Mass., Sep. 15, 1902 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites, trolley cars

Wachusett Reservoir, Boylston Street, Section 2, north approach to Oak Street, from the northwest, Clinton, Mass., Nov. 20, 1899 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, construction sites

Monthly Progress Photo, New Railroad Track in Park Avenue Along Timber Shed, Building 15 (20), Looking South, Yard Labor. Glass Plate Negatives of the Construction and Repair of Buildings, Facilities, and Vessels at the New York Navy Yard.

Distribution Department, Weston Aqueduct Supply Mains, excavating rock for 60-inch main, Commonwealth Avenue at Chestnut Hill Avenue, Brighton, Mass., May 7, 1910 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites

Monthly Progress Photo, Repairs to Conduit, Chauncey Avenue Near 1st Street Looking Southeast, Yard Labor. Glass Plate Negatives of the Construction and Repair of Buildings, Facilities, and Vessels at the New York Navy Yard.

Distribution Department, Weston Aqueduct Supply Mains, Section 5, condition of work in Commonwealth Avenue at Washington Street, Newton, Mass., Jan. 7, 1916 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites

Distribution Department, supply pipe lines, Section 8, Commonwealth Avenue, resurfacing 60-inch pipe trench near South Street, Brighton, Mass., Nov. 18, 1909 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites

Distribution Department, Northern High Service Pipe Lines, Section 33, Arlington from Ferry Street, condition of street during construction of 24-inch water main, Everett, Mass., Nov. 27, 1909 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites

Distribution Department, Low Service Pipe Lines, raising 48-inch main Webster Avenue; house on crib-work in middle ground, right, Somerville, Mass., Jun. 14, 1911 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites

Distribution Department, Hyde Park Pumping Station, coal pocket and boiler room, Hyde Park, Mass., Dec. 20, 1911 , waterworks, pumping stations, construction sites

Monthly Progress Photo, Wood Block Paving, Warrington Avenue and 4th Street Looking Northeast, Mack Brothers, Contractor. Glass Plate Negatives of the Construction and Repair of Buildings, Facilities, and Vessels at the New York Navy Yard.

Distribution Department, Southern High Service Pipe Lines, Section 47, excavating 20-inch pipe trench, Commonwealth Avenue at Newton-Brighton line, Brighton; Newton, Mass., Jun. 5, 1918 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites, trolley cars

Monthly Progress Photo, Round House, Concrete Foundation for Wall on Southwest Side, Looking Northwest, Yard Labor. Glass Plate Negatives of the Construction and Repair of Buildings, Facilities, and Vessels at the New York Navy Yard.

Distribution Department, supply pipe lines, Chestnut Hill Avenue, after accident; note--this pipe delivered after accident, Brighton, Mass., Oct. 9, 1909 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites, trolley cars

Distribution Department, Southern High Service Pipe Lines, Section 47, looking southwesterly from corner of Lake and Kenrick Streets, Brighton, Mass., Jun. 24, 1918 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites

African American men, prisoners, with two mules working on roadbed() between electrical and telephone poles in Georgia African American Photographs Assembled for 1900 Paris Exposition.

Distribution Department, Low Service Pipe Lines, Section 46, Essex and Shawmut Streets, Chelsea, Mass., Nov. 13, 1919 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites, streetscapes

Distribution Department, Southern Extra High Service Pipe Lines, Section 40, 20-inch pipe trench in Hyde Park Avenue, Hyde Park, Mass., Jul. 25, 1911 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites, streetscapes

Distribution Department, Low Service Pipe Lines, 48-inch pipe, relocation of Brookline Water Works 6-inch pipe line in Longwood Avenue east of St. Paul Street, Brookline, Mass., Oct. 28, 1908 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites

Distribution Department, Southern High Service Pipe Lines, Section 43, completed work, corner of Adams Street and Granite Avenue, East Milton, Milton, Mass., Sep. 8, 1914 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites, streetscapes

Distribution Department, Southern High Service Pipe Lines, Section 39, 24-inch pipe trench, Washington Street, West Roxbury, Mass., Oct. 9, 1911 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites, streetscapes

Distribution Department, Southern Extra High Service Pipe Lines, Section 40, 20-inch pipe trench in rock, Hyde Park Avenue, south from Harvard Avenue, Hyde Park, Mass., Aug. 10, 1911 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites, streetscapes

Distribution Department, Northern High Service Pipe Lines, 24-inch pipe trench, Washington Avenue near Murray Street, showing Chelsea Water Works 10-inch pipe, Chelsea, Mass., Oct. 13, 1909 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites

Wachusett Reservoir, building Quinapoxet Arches, Oakdale, West Boylston, Mass., Nov. 9, 1903 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, construction sites, arch bridges

Distribution Department, Northern High Service Pipe Lines, Section 35, Ocean and New Ocean Streets, trench for 16-inch main, Lynn, Mass., May 6, 1910 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites, streetscapes

Distribution Department, Weston Aqueduct Supply Mains, Section 5, lowering 24-inch drain, Commonwealth Avenue at Prince Street, Newton, Mass., May 27, 1915 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites

Track Changes on Fifth Street Near Building 28, Looking Northeast. Glass Plate Negatives of the Construction and Repair of Buildings, Facilities, and Vessels at the New York Navy Yard.

Distribution Department, Low Service Pipe Lines, raising 48-inch main, Webster Avenue, Somerville, Mass., Jun. 20, 1911 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites

Distribution Department, Southern High Service Pipe Lines, Section 47, looking north from station 22+30, Lake Street, Brighton, Mass., Jul. 3, 1918 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites

Distribution Department, supply pipe lines, Section 8, Chestnut Hill Avenue, trench for 60-inch water main in rock, showing Boston Water Works 16-inch main relocated, Brighton, Mass., Nov. 5, 1909 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites

Building and Materials. Glass Plate Negatives of the Construction and Repair of Buildings, Facilities, and Vessels at the New York Navy Yard.

Distribution Department, Low Service Pipe Lines, Section 37, 30-inch pipe line, Shawmut Street from Marginal Street, Chelsea, Mass., Nov. 18, 1910 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites

Distribution Department, Southern High Service Pipe Lines, Section 47, backfilling 20-inch pipe trench, Lake Street, 750 feet southwest of Kenrick Street, Brighton, Mass., Jun. 24, 1918 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites

Distribution Department, High and Low Service Pipe Lines, Section 18, north abutment of bridge over the Mystic River, between South Street Court and High Street, station 106+85, Medford, Mass., Nov. 16, 1897 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites

Distribution Department, Low Service Pipe Lines, Section 6, siphon under Spot Pond Brook, station 460+, Jackson Street, from the west, Malden, Mass., Aug. 14, 1897 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites

Distribution Department, supply pipe lines, Section 2, trench in third ledge west of Valentine Street, Newton, Mass., Aug. 28, 1902 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites

Distribution Department, Southern High Service Pipe Line, Section 21, Adams Street, two 16-inch pipes over New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad, Dorchester, Mass., Jun. 21, 1898 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites, streetscapes

Distribution Department, Northern High Service Pipe Lines, 24-inch pipe trench, Washington Avenue near Murray Street, showing Chelsea Water Works 10-inch pipe, Chelsea, Mass., Oct. 13, 1909 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites

Progress Photo, Hot Water Heating System, Looking Along Chauncey Avenue toward Second Street. Glass Plate Negatives of the Construction and Repair of Buildings, Facilities, and Vessels at the New York Navy Yard.

Distribution Department, Low Service Pipe Lines, 48-inch pipe, corner of Beacon and Harvard Streets, Brookline, Mass., Nov. 12, 1908 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites, streetscapes

Arborway tree roots , Excavation, Machinery, Trees. Leon Abdalian Collection

Distribution Department, Southern High Service Pipe Lines, removing temporary 24-inch pipe, Walk Hill Street, West Roxbury, Mass., May 2, 1913 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites

Wachusett Dam, dam and waste weir, from the west, Clinton, Mass., Dec. 3, 1904 , waterworks, dams, construction sites, spillways

Historic photographs of the Norfolk Naval shipyard located in the Fifth Naval District. Operating under the Department of Defense and the Department of the Navy.

Distribution Department, Northern High Service Pipe Lines, 16-inch pipe trench, Winthrop Avenue east of Summer Street, Revere, Mass., Aug. 31, 1909 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites

Distribution Department, Northern High Service Pipe Line, Section 27, station 270+00, Summer Street near Blossom Street, Lynn, Mass., Oct. 20, 1898 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites, streetscapes

Distribution Department, Northern High Service Pipe Line, Section 27, station 270+00, Summer Street near Blossom Street, Lynn, Mass., Oct. 20, 1898 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites, streetscapes

Distribution Department, Southern High Service Pipe Lines, Section 47, excavating 20-inch pipe trench, Commonwealth Avenue at Newton-Brighton line, Brighton; Newton, Mass., Jun. 5, 1918 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites, trolley cars, billboards site elements

Distribution Department, supply pipe lines, Section 8, excavating rock in 60-inch pipe trench, Commonwealth Avenue, west of Chestnut Hill Avenue, Brighton, Mass., Oct. 7, 1909 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites

Distribution Department, Northern High Service Pipe Line, Section 26, station 41+50, Broadway, 16-inch pipe at Lynn & Boston Car Station, Revere, Mass., Oct. 20, 1898 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites, trolley cars

Distribution Department, Southern High Service Pipe Lines, Section 47, excavating 20-inch pipe trench, Commonwealth Avenue at Newton-Brighton line, Brighton; Newton, Mass., Jun. 5, 1918 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites, trolley cars, billboards site elements

Distribution Department, Weston Aqueduct Supply Mains, Section 6, excavating 60-inch pipe trench, Commonwealth Avenue near Irving Street, Newton, Mass., Jul. 16, 1910 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites

Distribution Department, Hyde Park Pumping Station, foundation walls, Hyde Park, Mass., Dec. 20, 1911 , waterworks, pumping stations, construction sites

Distribution Department, Southern High Service Pipe Lines, Section 39, 24-inch pipe line, Hyde Park Avenue, West Roxbury, Mass., Sep. 13, 1911 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites, billboards site elements

Distribution Department, Low Service Pipe Lines, pipe bridge over Boston & Maine Railroad at Webster Avenue, before laying pipe, Somerville, Mass., Apr. 29, 1911 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites, trolley cars

Distribution Department, Southern High Service Pipe Lines, Section 47, Fairbanks Street, looking south, station 68+50, Brighton, Mass., Aug. 5, 1918 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites

Distribution Department, Northern High Service Pipe Lines, abolishing grade crossing, burning lead joints in 30-inch pipe, Pleasant Street, Malden, Mass., Aug. 10, 1909 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites, streetscapes

Distribution Department, Low Service Pipe Lines, relocation of 48-inch main over subway in Harvard Square, Cambridge, Mass., Oct. 11, 1910 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites

Distribution Department, Low and High Service Pipe Line, Sections 12 and 18, south abutment of bridge over Mystic River, between South Street Court and High Street, from the east, Medford, Mass., Dec. 28, 1897 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites

Dry Dock Number 4. Glass Plate Negatives of the Construction and Repair of Buildings, Facilities, and Vessels at the New York Navy Yard.

Distribution Department, Low Service Pipe Lines, break, looking north, near corner of Bradbury and Franklin Streets, Allston, Mass., May 25, 1909 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites

Distribution Department, break, condition of Clinton Road, resulting from break in 48-inch main, Brookline, Mass., Dec. 4, 1913 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites, streetscapes

Distribution Department, Weston Aqueduct Supply Mains, Section 8, refilling 60-inch pipe trench in Commonwealth Avenue near Newton-Boston boundary line, Boston; Newton, Mass., Jul. 7, 1910 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites

Distribution Department, Chestnut Hill Low Service Pumping Station, engine room basement, Brighton, Mass., Dec. 23, 1898 , waterworks, pumping stations, construction sites

Distribution Department, Northern High Service Pipe Lines, laying 16-inch pipe on Winthrop Avenue, west of Endicott Avenue, Revere, Mass., Aug. 31, 1909 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites

Railroad Track at Head of Dry Dock Number 4, Ready for Concreting, Looking Southeast, Yard Labor. Glass Plate Negatives of the Construction and Repair of Buildings, Facilities, and Vessels at the New York Navy Yard.

Monthly Progress Photo, Wood Block Pavement, Morris Avenue Looking Northwest from East Gate, Franklin Contracting Company, Contractor. Glass Plate Negatives of the Construction and Repair of Buildings, Facilities, and Vessels at the New York Navy Yard.

Monthly Progress Photo, Hot Water Heating System, Looking Southeast along McDonough Avenue from Building 11 (34), Yard Labor. Glass Plate Negatives of the Construction and Repair of Buildings, Facilities, and Vessels at the New York Navy Yard.

Site for Relocation of Building 121, Pay Office, Looking South, Yard Labor. Glass Plate Negatives of the Construction and Repair of Buildings, Facilities, and Vessels at the New York Navy Yard.

Historic photographs of the Norfolk Naval shipyard located in the Fifth Naval District. Operating under the Department of Defense and the Department of the Navy.

Distribution Department, Low Service Pipe Lines, Section 46, laying 36-inch pipe in Park Street from Park Square, Chelsea, Mass., Sep. 13, 1919 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites, streetscapes

Historic photographs of the Norfolk Naval shipyard located in the Fifth Naval District. Operating under the Department of Defense and the Department of the Navy.

Distribution Department, Hyde Park Pumping Station, site, Hyde Park Avenue, Hyde Park, Mass., Nov. 14, 1911 , waterworks, pumping stations, construction sites

Distribution Department, Southern High Service Pipe Lines, Section 43, laying 24-inch pipe at Washington and River Streets, Dorchester, Mass., Jun. 23, 1915 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites, streetscapes

Distribution Department, Weston Aqueduct Supply Mains, Section 8, resurfacing 60-inch pipe trench in Commonwealth Avenue near Lake Street, Brighton, Mass., Jul. 7, 1910 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites

Building 219 Disinfecting Plant, Looking Northeast, Yard Labor. Glass Plate Negatives of the Construction and Repair of Buildings, Facilities, and Vessels at the New York Navy Yard.

Distribution Department, Low Service Pipe Lines, Chelsea Creek Tunnel, laying 36-inch pipe on pile foundation, Chelsea shore, Chelsea, Mass., Jun. 3, 1914 , waterworks, water tunnels, construction sites

Distribution Department, Low Service Pipe Lines, 48-inch pipe, excavating trench, Beacon Street at Washington Street, Brookline, Mass., Apr. 6, 1909 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites, trolley cars

Distribution Department, Northern High Service Pipe Line, Section 27, station 246+00, Summer Street, 16-inch pipe, Lynn, Mass., Oct. 20, 1898 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites, streetscapes

Distribution Department, Low Service Pipe Lines, Sections 12 and 18, trench in South Street Court, station 109+, from the south; Mystic River Pipe Bridge construction in background, Medford, Mass., Dec. 28, 1897 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites

Distribution Department, Weston Aqueduct Supply Mains, Section 5, unloading 60-inch pipe near bridge in Commonwealth Avenue over the Boston & Albany Railroad, Newton, Mass., Jul. 13, 1915 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites

Distribution Department, Low Service Pipe Lines, Section 46, 36-inch pipe in Essex Street, looking west, Chelsea, Mass., Nov. 13, 1919 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites

Distribution Department, Northern High Service Pipe Lines, break in 30-inch main in Cross Street, looking towards Main Street; general view of street, Malden, Mass., Sep. 15, 1918 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites, streetscapes

Distribution Department, Low Service Pipe Lines, Section 37, 30-inch pipe trench, Marginal Street, Chelsea, Mass., Nov. 18, 1910 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites, streetscapes

Distribution Department, Southern High Service Pipe Lines, Section 43, 24-inch pipe trench after heavy rain, Adams Street, East Milton, Milton, Mass., Aug. 19, 1914 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites

Distribution Department, Hyde Park Pumping Station, foundations and grading, Hyde Park, Mass., May 1, 1912 , waterworks, pumping stations, construction sites

Distribution Department, Weston Aqueduct Supply Mains, Section 5, trench for 60-inch steel pipe under Boston & Albany Railroad at Commonwealth Avenue, Newton, Mass., May 3, 1915 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites

Distribution Department, Southern High Service Pipe Lines, pipe bridge over Boston & Albany Railroad, Chestnut Hill Avenue, showing bridge after making repairs (compare with No. 7042), Brookline, Mass., Feb. 26, 1915 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites

Distribution Department, Northern Extra High Service Pipe Lines, Section 45, 16-inch pipe trench, corner of Massachusetts Avenue and Paul Revere Road, Arlington, Mass., Sep. 15, 1919 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites, streetscapes

Distribution Department, Low Service Pipe Lines, relaying 48-inch main damaged by electrolysis, Boylston Street near Eliot Street, Cambridge, Mass., Nov. 23, 1910 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites, trolley cars

Monthly Progress Photo, Railroad Track Repairs 4th Street Near Morris Avenue, Looking Southwest, Yard Labor. Glass Plate Negatives of the Construction and Repair of Buildings, Facilities, and Vessels at the New York Navy Yard.

Distribution Department, Weston Aqueduct Supply Mains, Section 5, unloading 60-inch pipe near bridge in Commonwealth Avenue over the Boston & Albany Railroad, Newton, Mass., Jul. 13, 1915 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites

Distribution Department, Northern High Service Pipe Lines, break in 30-inch main in Cross Street; condition under Boston Elevated Railway Company's tracks, Malden, Mass., Sep. 15, 1918 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites

Distribution Department, Low Service Pipe Lines, raising 48-inch main Webster Avenue, Somerville, Mass., Jun. 14, 1911 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites

Historic photographs of the Norfolk Naval shipyard located in the Fifth Naval District. Operating under the Department of Defense and the Department of the Navy.

Distribution Department, Low Service Pipe Lines, raising 48-inch main Webster Avenue, Somerville, Mass., Jun. 14, 1911 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites

Distribution Department, Comparative test of 4-inch Crown and 12-inch Venturi meters, Milton, Mass., Mar. 27, 1906 , waterworks, flowmeters, streetscapes, Crown Meters, Venturi Meters

Capstan, Head Dry Dock Number 3, Looking East, Monthly Progress Photo, Yard Labor. Glass Plate Negatives of the Construction and Repair of Buildings, Facilities, and Vessels at the New York Navy Yard.

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