Early 1900s Waterworks Projects

Historical photographs of the Wachusett Reservoir construction sites, illustrating early water distribution structures and surrounding environments.

Wachusett Reservoir, site of Roman Catholic Cemetery, (similar to No. 3347), Clinton, Mass., Dec. 12, 1900 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, construction sites, cemeteries

Wachusett Reservoir, North Dike, easterly portion, westerly from station 6, Clinton, Mass., Jul. 13, 1901 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, construction sites

Wachusett Dam, the gravel pit, from the north, Clinton, Mass., Sep. 3, 1901 , waterworks, dams, construction sites

Wachusett Reservoir, site of Roman Catholic Cemetery, (similar to No. 3347), Clinton, Mass., Dec. 12, 1900 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, construction sites, cemeteries

Wachusett Reservoir, stripping on Section 6, below South Clinton, looking northwesterly, Clinton, Mass., Sep. 9, 1901 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, construction sites

Wachusett Reservoir, stripping on Section 6, below South Clinton, looking northwesterly, Clinton, Mass., Sep. 9, 1901 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, construction sites

Wachusett Reservoir, North Dike, easterly portion, main cut-off, looking westerly (compare with No. 3554), Clinton, Mass., Dec. 11, 1900 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, construction sites

Wachusett Reservoir, North Dike, easterly portion, main cut-off, looking westerly (compare with No. 3554), Clinton, Mass., Dec. 11, 1900 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, construction sites

Wachusett Reservoir, stripping on Section 7, looking northeasterly, Boylston, Mass., Jun. 10, 1901 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, construction sites

Wachusett Reservoir, North Dike, westerly portion, cut-off trench, station 60; from the south, Sterling, Mass., Jul. 12, 1899 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, construction sites

Wachusett Reservoir, South Dike, northeasterly from State Road, Boylston; Clinton, Mass., Oct. 4, 1904 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, construction sites

Wachusett Reservoir, Edward Houghton's pasture, sod stripped off by freshets, Lancaster, Mass., Apr. 15, 1900 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, watershed sanitary improvement

Wachusett Reservoir, North Dike, easterly portion, tracks in Coachlace Pond, from the top of the dike (similar to No. 3556), Clinton, Mass., Dec. 11, 1900 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, construction sites

Wachusett Reservoir, Worcester Street crossing, from the south, West Boylston, Mass., Nov. 23, 1904 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, construction sites, Old Stone Church

Wachusett Reservoir, site of Roman Catholic Cemetery, (compare with No. 1039), Clinton, Mass., Apr. 17, 1901 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, construction sites, cemeteries

Wachusett Reservoir, North Dike, westerly portion, southwest of station 5, Clinton, Mass., Jun. 12, 1901 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, construction sites

Wachusett Reservoir, North Dike, westerly portion, near old Catholic Cemetery, Clinton, Mass., Nov. 12, 1900 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, construction sites

Wachusett Reservoir, stripping by dumping station No. 19, Section 6, Boylston, Mass., Aug. 9, 1901 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, construction sites

Wachusett Reservoir, North Dike, easterly portion, west of station 7, Clinton, Mass., Oct. 12, 1900 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, construction sites

Wachusett Dam, dam site, from the east, Clinton, Mass., Oct. 5, 1900 , waterworks, dams, construction sites

Wachusett Reservoir, Road Contract No. 269, east of station 126, West Boylston, Mass., Sep. 9, 1903 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, construction sites

Wachusett Reservoir, Dumping Platform No. 13, Section 6, Boylston, Mass., Jun. 12, 1901 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, construction sites

Wachusett Reservoir, swamp improvement on Felix Defoe land, Boylston, Mass., Dec. 15, 1900 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, swamps, construction sites, watershed sanitary improvement

Sudbury Reservoir, Section M, from the south, Marlborough, Mass., Sep. 21, 1897 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, construction sites

Wachusett Reservoir, railroad spiral in kettle hole, square 805, Section 7, Clinton, Mass., Aug. 9, 1902 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, construction sites

Wachusett Reservoir, view of reservoir at Boylston Common, (compare with No. 94), Boylston, Mass., Dec. 2, 1904 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, construction sites

Wachusett Reservoir, North Dike, easterly portion, easterly from station 35 (compare with No. 4336), Clinton, Mass., Jun. 17, 1902 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, construction sites

Wachusett Reservoir, South Dike, northerly from station 14, Boylston; Clinton, Mass., Aug. 3, 1904 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, construction sites

Wachusett Reservoir, North Dike, westerly portion, from near O'Connor's, Sterling, Mass., Jun. 26, 1903 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, construction sites

Wachusett Reservoir, North Dike, westerly portion, easterly from station 30±, Clinton, Mass., Sep. 9, 1901 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, construction sites

Wachusett Reservoir, stripping in Oakdale mill pond, Oakdale, West Boylston, Mass., Nov. 22, 1902 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, construction sites

Wachusett Reservoir, Dumping Platform No. 20, Section 6, Boylston, Mass., Oct. 7, 1901 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, construction sites

Wachusett Reservoir, North Dike, westerly portion, easterly from station 30±, Clinton, Mass., Sep. 9, 1901 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, construction sites

Wachusett Reservoir, Dumping Platform No. 17, Section 6, Boylston, Mass., Aug. 9, 1901 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, construction sites

Wachusett Reservoir, South Dike, northerly from State Road, Boylston; Clinton, Mass., Jun. 1, 1904 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, construction sites

Sudbury Reservoir, Marlborough Brook Filters, natural Filter-bed No. 25, Marlborough, Mass., Aug. 28, 1899 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, construction sites, filter beds, watershed sanitary improvement

Wachusett Reservoir, North Dike, westerly portion, cut-off trench, station 59+50; from the west, Sterling, Mass., Oct. 30, 1899 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, construction sites

Wachusett Reservoir, clearing by Clarendon Mills' mill pond, West Boylston, Mass., Mar. 12, 1902 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, construction sites

Wachusett Reservoir, stumps and muck excavation, Section 5, Sterling, Mass., Jun. 13, 1900 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, construction sites

Wachusett Reservoir, North Dike, westerly portion, rock uncovered, stations 16 to 19, main cut-off trench, Clinton, Mass., Dec. 1899 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, construction sites

Wachusett Reservoir, stripping near Dumping Platform No. 7, Section 6, Boylston, Mass., Aug. 6, 1900 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, construction sites

Wachusett Reservoir, Dumping Platform No. 13, Section 6, Boylston, Mass., Jun. 12, 1901 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, construction sites

Wachusett Reservoir, shallow flowage embankment, Oakdale, West Boylston, Mass., Oct. 17, 1904 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, construction sites

Sudbury Reservoir, removing muck by carts in westerly part of Section I, from the southwest, Southborough, Mass., Sep. 24, 1896 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, construction sites

Wachusett Reservoir, North Dike, easterly portion, west of station 7; from the east (similar to No. 3552), Clinton, Mass., Dec. 11, 1900 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, construction sites

Wachusett Reservoir, North Dike, easterly portion, west of station 12±, Clinton, Mass., Aug. 8, 1901 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, construction sites

Wachusett Reservoir, stripping north end of Dover Pond, Section 6, Boylston, Mass., Sep. 9, 1901 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, construction sites

Wachusett Reservoir, North Dike, easterly portion, riprapping the dike, Clinton, Mass., Nov. 20, 1902 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, construction sites

Wachusett Reservoir, westerly from near Murman's, (compare with No. 743), Boylston, Mass., May 14, 1901 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, construction sites

Sudbury Reservoir, boulders in Section C, just below Bagley Road, from the south (taken from same point as No. 687), Southborough, Mass., Oct. 8, 1896 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, construction sites

Wachusett Reservoir, North Dike, westerly portion, rock uncovered, stations 16 to 19, main cut-off trench, Clinton, Mass., Dec. 1899 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, construction sites

Wachusett Reservoir, Filter-bed No. 3, looking north, Sterling, Mass., Nov. 23, 1906 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, filter beds, watershed sanitary improvement

Wachusett Dam, excavating at dam site, looking upstream, Clinton, Mass., Oct. 5, 1900 , waterworks, dams, construction sites

Wachusett Reservoir, stripping in Tucker's ravine, Section 6, Boylston, Mass., Nov. 13, 1900 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, construction sites

Wachusett Reservoir, North Dike, westerly portion, from the west (compare with No. 4135), Sterling, Mass., Nov. 9, 1901 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, construction sites

Wachusett Dam, gravel pit and power-screen, Clinton, Mass., Nov. 2, 1901 , waterworks, dams, construction sites

Wachusett Reservoir, grading Worcester, Nashua & Portland Division embankment, Oakdale, West Boylston, Mass., Jun. 27, 1903 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, construction sites, railroads infrastructure

Wachusett Dam, gravel pit and power-screen, Clinton, Mass., Nov. 2, 1901 , waterworks, dams, construction sites

Wachusett Reservoir, Worcester Street relocation, site of West Boylston crossing, looking northwesterly, West Boylston, Mass., Oct. 17, 1902 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, construction sites, Old Stone Church

Wachusett Reservoir, North Dike, easterly portion, main cut-off west of soil stripping railroad (compare with No. 3555), Clinton, Mass., Dec. 11, 1900 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, construction sites

Sudbury Reservoir, west side of Section G, showing stripping, from the east, Southborough, Mass., Sep. 26, 1896 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, construction sites

Sudbury Reservoir, graveling slope on east side of Section G, from the west, Southborough, Mass., Sep. 26, 1896 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, construction sites

Wachusett Reservoir, stripping north end of Dover Pond, Section 6, Boylston, Mass., Sep. 9, 1901 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, construction sites

Wachusett Reservoir, North Dike, easterly portion, west of station 7; from the east (similar to No. 3552), Clinton, Mass., Dec. 11, 1900 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, construction sites

Wachusett Reservoir, Kettle Pond, southwest of Sandy Pond, Clinton, Mass., Jun. 13, 1899 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, construction sites

Wachusett Reservoir, slope paving, station 173, Shrewsbury Road, Boylston, Mass., May 24, 1900 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, construction sites, roads

Wachusett Reservoir, relocation of Worcester, Nashua & Portland Division of Boston & Maine Railroad, slope paving north of station 29, Oakdale, West Boylston, Mass., Aug. 26, 1902 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, railroads infrastructure, construction sites

Wachusett Reservoir, stripped area on Section 4, just above the dam site; looking westerly, Clinton, Mass., Dec. 15, 1900 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, construction sites

Wachusett Reservoir, Section 10, looking southeasterly from square 14, Oakdale, West Boylston, Mass., Jun. 27, 1903 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, construction sites, railroads infrastructure

Wachusett Reservoir, shallow flowage embankment, Oakdale, West Boylston, Mass., Oct. 17, 1904 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, construction sites

Distribution Department, Low Service Spot Pond Reservoir, Section 1 (compare with No. 2897), Stoneham, Mass., Jul. 21, 1900 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, construction sites

Wachusett Reservoir, Dumping Platform No. 8, Section 8, Boylston, Mass., May 11, 1903 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, construction sites

Wachusett Reservoir, North Dike, quarry, looking north, Clinton, Mass., Oct. 14, 1907 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, construction sites, quarries extracting complexes

Wachusett Reservoir, paving highway embankment, Contract No. 257, Oakdale, West Boylston, Mass., Nov. 30, 1903 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, construction sites

Wachusett Reservoir, paving highway embankment, Contract No. 257, Oakdale, West Boylston, Mass., Nov. 30, 1903 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, construction sites

Wachusett Reservoir, North Dike, easterly portion, main cut-off, east of station 14+00, Clinton, Mass., Sep. 12, 1898 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, construction sites

Wachusett Reservoir, Worcester Street crossing, West Boylston, Mass., Aug. 9, 1904 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, construction sites

Wachusett Reservoir, stripping soil, Section 10, West Boylston, Mass., Sep. 18, 1904 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, construction sites

Wachusett Reservoir, North Dike, easterly portion, riprap, Clinton, Mass., Apr. 2, 1903 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, construction sites

Wachusett Reservoir, steam shovel in borrow pit, Boylston, Mass., Oct. 4, 1904 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, construction sites

Wachusett Dam, from the viaduct, Clinton, Mass., Jul. 1, 1903 , waterworks, dams, construction sites

Wachusett Reservoir, Section 6, looking towards Dumping Platform No. 7 (compare with No. 3237), Boylston, Mass., Dec. 15, 1900 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, construction sites

Wachusett Reservoir, steam shovel in borrow pit, Boylston, Mass., Oct. 4, 1904 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, construction sites

Sudbury Reservoir, Section K, stump pulling machine, from the west in road, Southborough, Mass., Sep. 25, 1896 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, construction sites

Wachusett Reservoir, North Dike, westerly portion, rolling earth in main cut-off, west of station 20, Clinton, Mass., Oct. 12, 1900 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, construction sites

Sudbury Reservoir, removing muck in northwestern part of Section I, from the south, Southborough, Mass., Sep. 24, 1896 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, construction sites

Distribution Department, Low Service Spot Pond Reservoir, Section 1 (compare with No. 2897), Stoneham, Mass., Jul. 21, 1900 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, construction sites

Wachusett Reservoir, loading cars in ravine, Section 6, square 201, West Boylston, Mass., Sep. 23, 1902 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, construction sites

Wachusett Reservoir, Dumping Platform No. 7, Section 6, Boylston, Mass., Jun. 11, 1900 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, construction sites

Wachusett Reservoir, South Dike, fill near Winston's Shanty, Boylston; Clinton, Mass., Apr. 2, 1904 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, construction sites

Wachusett Dam, from the northwest, Clinton, Mass., Oct. 1, 1903 , waterworks, dams, construction sites

Distribution Department, Low Service Spot Pond Reservoir, Hammer Neck, Section 4, from the south, Stoneham, Mass., Nov. 29, 1899 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, construction sites

Wachusett Reservoir, stumps drying, Section 5, Sterling, Mass., May 16, 1900 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, construction sites

Wachusett Reservoir, South Dike, southerly from station 14, Boylston; Clinton, Mass., Aug. 3, 1904 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, construction sites

Wachusett Reservoir, Dumping Platform No. 14, Section 6, near Dover Pond, Boylston, Mass., May 14, 1901 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, construction sites

Distribution Department, Low Service Spot Pond Reservoir, Dam No. 2, Section 2, from the southwest on Hammer Neck, Stoneham, Mass., Nov. 29, 1899 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, construction sites

Wachusett Reservoir, North Dike, earth slide, station 17+50 to 26+25, Clinton, Mass., Apr. 12, 1907 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, construction sites

Sudbury Reservoir, slope paving (riprap) on south end of dam, from the west, Southborough, Mass., Aug. 4, 1896 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, construction sites

Wachusett Reservoir, Site of South Dike, south end (compare with No. 742), Boylston, Mass., Apr. 12, 1901 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, construction sites

Sudbury Reservoir, removing muck in western part of Section P, from the south, Marlborough, Mass., Sep. 26, 1896 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, construction sites

Wachusett Dam, Lidgerwood cableway, from the west on Burditt Hill, Clinton, Mass., Jan. 3, 1901 , waterworks, dams, construction sites

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