Historic Water Pipeline Construction

Black and white images of early 1900s waterworks projects, featuring workers and trenches for large pipes in urban settings.

Distribution Department, Northern High Service Pipe Lines, 24-inch pipe trench in Fenno Street at the Chelsea-Revere line, Chelsea; Revere, Mass., Jul. 27, 1909 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites

Distribution Department, Northern High Service Pipe Lines, 24-inch pipe trench in Fenno Street at the Chelsea-Revere line, Chelsea; Revere, Mass., Jul. 27, 1909 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites

Distribution Department, Weston Aqueduct Supply Mains, Sections 6 and 7, building embankment over 60-inch pipe, Commonwealth Avenue near Grant Avenue, Newton, Mass., Jun. 15, 1910 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites

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

Distribution Department, Weston Aqueduct Supply Mains, Sections 6, excavating 60-inch pipe trench in Commonwealth Avenue near Westbourne Road, Newton, Mass., Jun. 24, 1910 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites

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

Distribution Department, Northern Extra High Service Pipe Lines, Section 45, Massachusetts Avenue near Dundee Road, Arlington, Mass., Nov. 4, 1919 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites, billboards site elements

Distribution Department, Southern Extra High Service Pipe Lines, Section 42, laying 20-inch pipes, Beech Street, West Roxbury, Mass., Aug. 19, 1914 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites

Distribution Department, Weston Aqueduct Supply Mains, Section 5, 60-inch pipe trench in Commonwealth Avenue near Fuller Street, Newton, Mass., Dec. 16, 1915 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites

Distribution Department, Northern High Service Pipe Lines, 24-inch pipe trench in Washington Avenue near Garfield Avenue, Chelsea, Mass., Jul. 27, 1909 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites

Distribution Department, Weston Aqueduct Supply Mains, Section 6, 60-inch main in Commonwealth Avenue near Lowell Avenue, Newton, Mass., Oct. 19, 1910 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites, trolley cars

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

Distribution Department, Weston Aqueduct Supply Mains, Section 7, trench at westerly end of tunnel, Newton, Mass., Jul. 7, 1910 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites

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

Distribution Department, Weston Aqueduct Supply Mains, Section 5, pipe trench at ledge in Commonwealth Avenue near Exeter Street, Newton, Mass., Aug. 12, 1915 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites

Distribution Department, Northern High Service Pipe Lines, Section 35, New Ocean Street, trench for 16-inch main, Lynn, Mass., May 6, 1910 , 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

Distribution Department, supply pipe lines, Section 8, excavating rock in Commonwealth Avenue near Evergreen Cemetery, Brighton, Mass., Oct. 7, 1909 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites

Distribution Department, Southern High Service Pipe Lines, Section 43, crossing over New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad at Adams Street, Milton, Mass., Aug. 16, 1915 , 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, 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

Distribution Department, Arlington Pumping Station, excavation for foundations, Arlington, Mass., Sep. 17, 1906 , waterworks, pumping stations, construction sites

Distribution Department, Southern High Service Pipe Lines, Section 43, 22-inch steel pipes on bridge at Adams Street over New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad, Milton, Mass., Sep. 7, 1915 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites, streetscapes

Distribution Department, Low Service Pipe Lines, Section 4, Walnut Street Bridge (over Boston & Maine Railroad), station 281+, south end, from the south, Somerville, Mass., Jun. 12, 1897 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites

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

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.

Sudbury Department, improvement of Lake Cochituate, trench, county road, Natick, Mass., Sep. 22, 1910 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, watershed sanitary improvement

Distribution Department, Mystic Reservoir, showing method of handling material when cleaning reservoir; Tufts College buildings in background, Medford, Mass., Sep. 29, 1905 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, construction sites, Tufts College

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 Lines, Section 43, old and new 24-inch pipe lines, Adams Street, East Milton, Milton, Mass., Aug. 19, 1914 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites

Distribution Department, Hyde Park Pumping Station, coal pocket and side track, Hyde Park, Mass., May 24, 1912 , waterworks, pumping stations, construction sites

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, supply pipe lines, Section 2, 48-inch pipes in trench west of Dartmouth Street, Newton, Mass., Aug. 28, 1902 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites

Distribution Department, supply pipe lines, Section 2, 48-inch pipes in trench west of Dartmouth Street, Newton, Mass., Aug. 28, 1902 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites

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

Distribution Department, Weston Aqueduct Supply Mains, Section 6, removing surfacing material, 60-inch pipe line, corner of Commonwealth Avenue and Sumner Street, Newton, Mass., Jul. 27, 1910 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites

Distribution Department, Weston Aqueduct Supply Mains, Section 5, laying 60-inch pipe in Commonwealth Avenue east of Lexington Street, Newton, Mass., Aug. 12, 1915 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites

Distribution Department, supply pipe lines, Section 8, Chestnut Hill Avenue, laying 60-inch pipe in rock cut, Brighton, Mass., Nov. 18, 1909 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites

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

Wachusett Dam, Waste Weir, from the west, Clinton, Mass., May 1, 1905 , waterworks, dams, construction sites, spillways

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, 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

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

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

Distribution Department, Low Service Pipe Lines, Section 4, Walnut Street Bridge, station 281+, north end, from the north, Somerville, Mass., Jun. 12, 1897 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites

Distribution Department, Northern Extra High Service Pipe Lines, Section 45, 16-inch pipe trench, Massachusetts Avenue from Lexington line, Arlington, Mass., Sep. 15, 1919 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites

Distribution Department, Weston Aqueduct Supply Mains, Section 6, removing surfacing material, 60-inch pipe line, corner of Commonwealth Avenue and Sumner Street, Newton, Mass., Jul. 27, 1910 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites

Distribution Department, Southern High Service Pipe Lines, Section 39, trench for temporary 24-inch pipe under Boston Elevated Railway tracks, Walk Hill Street, West Roxbury, Mass., Nov. 14, 1911 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites

Distribution Department, Northern Extra High Service Pipe Lines, Section 45, backfilling trench in Park Avenue near Appleton Street, Arlington, Mass., Nov. 4, 1919 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites

Distribution Department, Low Service Pipe Lines, Section 9, station 167+50, North Harvard Street near Western Avenue, from the south, Brighton, Mass., Oct. 7, 1898 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites

Distribution Department, Northern High Service Pipe Lines, 24-inch pipe trench in Fenno Street east of Garfield Avenue, Chelsea, Mass., Jul. 27, 1909 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites

Sudbury Department, Lake Cochituate Outlet, dam destroyed, Framingham, Mass., May 9, 1912 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, dams

Distribution Department, Low Service Pipe Lines, Section 46, Park Street from Winnisimmet Square, Chelsea, Mass., Sep. 13, 1919 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites, streetscapes

Distribution Department, Southern High Service Pipe Lines, Section 47, laying 16-inch pipe at North Beacon Street Bridge, Brighton, Mass., Aug. 20, 1918 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites

Monthly Progress Photo, Hot Water Heating System, Looking Southeast Along Chauncey Avenue from Second Street Towards Third Street. 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 7, installing plant near Grant Avenue, Newton, Mass., Jun. 15, 1910 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites

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

Distribution Department, Southern High Service Pipe Lines, Section 47, corner of Brooks and Faneuil Streets, looking northwest, Brighton, Mass., Aug. 12, 1918 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites

Distribution Department, Northern Extra High Service Pipe Lines, Section 45, drilling trench in Massachusetts Avenue near Dundee Road, Arlington, Mass., Nov. 4, 1919 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites

Distribution Department, Weston Aqueduct Supply Mains, Section 7, excavating trench at westerly end of tunnel, near Grant Avenue, Newton, Mass., Jun. 24, 1910 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites

Chemical Laboratory Extension, From Near Building Number 33. Glass Plate Negatives of the Construction and Repair of Buildings, Facilities, and Vessels at the New York Navy Yard.

Distribution Department, Northern High Service Pipe Lines, Section 33, Broadway at High Street, relaying 15-inch surface water drain to provide for 24-inch main, Everett, Mass., Dec. 11, 1909 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites, trolley cars

Distribution Department, Weston Aqueduct Supply Mains, Section 5, laying 60-inch pipe in Commonwealth Avenue east of Lexington Street, Newton, Mass., Aug. 12, 1915 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites

Distribution Department, Arlington Pumping Station, extension of coal pocket, Arlington, Mass., Aug. 13, 1918 , waterworks, pumping stations, construction sites

Distribution Department, Low Service Pipe Lines, installing 16-inch valve and 10-inch meter on 24-inch main, Broadway, Somerville-Boston line, Boston; Somerville, Mass., Jun. 12, 1917 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites, streetscapes

Distribution Department, Southern Extra High Service Pipe Lines, Section 41, 20-inch pipe trench, Dale Street near Burley Street, West Roxbury, Mass., Sep. 13, 1911 , 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, steamrollers

Distribution Department, Low Service Pipe Lines, Section 8, laying pipe in Bell Rock Street, station 0, from the north, near the southwest corner of Medford and Bell Rock Streets, Malden, Mass., Apr. 22, 1897 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites

Distribution Department, Weston Aqueduct Supply Mains, Sections 6, laying 60-inch main in Commonwealth Avenue near Westbourne Road, Newton, Mass., Jun. 24, 1910 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites

Distribution Department, Northern High Service Pipe Lines, Section 33, Broadway at High Street, relaying 15-inch surface water drain to provide for 24-inch main, Everett, Mass., Dec. 11, 1909 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites, trolley cars

Naval Hospital Road Repairs, Looking North from Near Boiler Room. 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 43, 24-inch pipe trench, Washington Street, Dorchester, Mass., Jun. 3, 1915 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites, streetscapes

Distribution Department, Weston Aqueduct Supply Mains, Section 5, excavating 60-inch pipe trench at Wauwinet Farm, Commonwealth Avenue, Newton, Mass., May 27, 1915 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites

Distribution Department, Weston Aqueduct Supply Mains, Section 5, excavating 60-inch pipe trench at Commonwealth Avenue and Windemere Road, Newton, Mass., Dec. 16, 1915 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites

Progress Photo, Hot Water Heating System, Sewer Diversion, Chauncey Avenue and Fourth Street, 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, lowering 20-inch main for dredging Mystic River near High and Medford Streets, Arlington; Medford, Mass., Sep. 30, 1910 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites

Distribution Department, Weston Aqueduct Supply Mains, break in 48-inch main, excavation in Auburn Street west of Commonwealth Avenue, Newton, Mass., Nov. 6, 1915 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites

Distribution Department, Weston Aqueduct Supply Mains, Section 5, excavating 60-inch pipe trench in Commonwealth Avenue at Windemere Road, Newton, Mass., Dec. 16, 1915 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites

Distribution Department, Low Service Pipe Lines, Section 6, trench work on Highland Avenue, near Wellington, on south side of hill, from the south, Medford, Mass., Sep. 15, 1896 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites

Distribution Department, Southern High Service Pipe Line, Section 20, station 110, Morton Street, Dorchester, Mass., Aug. 3, 1896 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites

Track Scales, 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.

Distribution Department, supply pipe lines, Section 3, laying pipe at Colby Street, Newton, Mass., May 26, 1903 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites

Distribution Department, Weston Aqueduct Supply Mains, Section 5, trench for 60-inch pipe, Commonwealth Avenue at Auburn Street, Newton, Mass., Jun. 11, 1915 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites

Distribution Department, Weston Aqueduct Supply Mains, Section 7, trench and embankment at westerly end of tunnel, Newton, Mass., Jul. 7, 1910 , 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, Low Service Pipe Lines, temporary 36-inch main to allow for subway construction, Harvard Square, Cambridge, Mass., May 18, 1910 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites

Weston Aqueduct, Section 4, trench excavation, station 165, looking easterly, Framingham, Mass., Jul. 18, 1901 , waterworks, aqueducts, construction sites

Distribution Department, Southern Extra High Service Bellevue Reservoir, foundation for steel tank and masonry tower, Bellevue Hill, West Roxbury, Mass., Sep. 15, 1914 , waterworks, water towers, construction sites

Wallabout Market. 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 46, Park Street from Winnisimmet Square, Chelsea, Mass., Sep. 18, 1919 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites, streetscapes

Distribution Department, Low Service Pipe Lines, Section 46, 36-inch pipe line east of Ellsworth Street in Essex Street, Chelsea, Mass., Oct. 16, 1919 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites

Arborway tree roots , Excavation, Machinery, Tree stumps. Leon Abdalian Collection

Distribution Department, Northern High Service Pipe Line, Section 26, station 22+00, Broadway, Revere, Mass., Oct. 20, 1898 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites

Distribution Department, Northern High Service Pipe Lines, Section 29, laying 20-inch pipe in Main Street, Stoneham, Mass., Aug. 2, 1901 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites

Distribution Department, Weston Aqueduct Supply Mains, Section 6, excavating trench for 60-inch main, Commonwealth Avenue near Kenwood Avenue, Newton, Mass., Sep. 14, 1910 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites, billboards site elements

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

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

Distribution Department, Weston Aqueduct Supply Mains, Section 5, lowering 24-inch drain, Commonwealth Avenue at Prince Street, Newton, Mass., May 20, 1915 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites

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, Northern High Service Pipe Line, Section 18, laying pipe on Valley Street, station 34, from the west, Medford, Mass., Apr. 22, 1897 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites

Distribution Department, Low Service Pipe Lines, 48-inch pipe, Longwood Avenue, west of Marshall Street, Brookline, Mass., Oct. 8, 1908 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites

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