Historical Waterworks Construction

Images of early waterworks construction sites, featuring excavation, roads, and infrastructure related to reservoirs and pumping stations in Massachusetts, from the late 1800s.

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, slope paving Section 3 Road No. 7, Station 110+00; looking southeast from station 111+00, Clinton, Mass., Aug. 3, 1898 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, construction sites, roads

Wachusett Reservoir, Stillwater Arch and slope paving, Oakdale, West Boylston, Mass., Apr. 22, 1904 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, construction sites, arch bridges

Distribution Department, Chestnut Hill Low Service Pumping Station, fill for pipe yard and coal track, Brighton, Mass., Sep. 16, 1898 , waterworks, pumping stations, 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

Distribution Department, Low Service Spot Pond Reservoir, excavating near Bold Point, from the south, Stoneham, Mass., Aug. 14, 1899 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, construction sites

Wachusett Reservoir, North Dike, westerly portion, looking southwesterly from ledge near station 5, Clinton, Mass., Jul. 13, 1901 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, construction sites

Distribution Department, Low Service Spot Pond Reservoir, unfinished riprap at Hammer Neck, Section 4, Stoneham, Mass., Apr. 9, 1900 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, construction sites

Wachusett Reservoir, North Dike, easterly portion, riprap, Clinton, Mass., Apr. 9, 1903 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, construction sites

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, Dumping Platform No. 15, Section 6, Boylston, Mass., Jul. 15, 1901 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, construction sites

Wachusett Reservoir, excavating in Roman Catholic Cemetery, Clinton, Mass., May 11, 1900 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, construction sites, cemeteries

Distribution Department, Low Service Spot Pond Reservoir, changing road at Porter Cove, Section 5, from the north, Stoneham, Mass., Oct. 3, 1899 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, construction sites

Weston Aqueduct, Weston Reservoir, Sections 1 and 14, steam shovel excavation looking westerly, Weston, Mass., May 13, 1903 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, construction sites

Wachusett Aqueduct, stripping at Charles F. Choate's road crossing, Section 11, from the east, Southborough, Mass., Mar. 29, 1897 , waterworks, aqueducts, construction sites

Wachusett Reservoir, North Dike, easterly portion, easterly from station 35±, Clinton, Mass., Jul. 13, 1901 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, construction sites

Distribution Department, Northern High Service Bear Hill Reservoir, rock excavation on east slope, Stoneham, Mass., Aug. 29, 1901 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, construction sites

Distribution Department, Northern High Service Middlesex Fells Reservoir, core wall trench, Dam No. 3, Stoneham, Mass., Sep. 20, 1898 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, construction sites

Distribution Department, Low Service Spot Pond Reservoir, sanding on Section 1, from the south, Stoneham, Mass., Sep. 27, 1899 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, construction sites

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

Distribution Department, Northern High Service Middlesex Fells Reservoir, east end of Dam No. 1, from the north, looking through West Basin towards outlet; site of reservoir, Stoneham, Mass., Nov. 16, 1897 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, construction sites

Distribution Department, Low Service Pipe Lines, part of Section 1, trench partly backfilled, near Beacon Street, station 0+50, from the east, Brighton, Mass., Dec. 3, 1897 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites

Distribution Department, Northern High Service Middlesex Fells Reservoir, site of gate chamber from the north, Stoneham, Mass., Aug. 23, 1898 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, construction sites

Wachusett Reservoir, Section 10, looking southeasterly from square 14, Oakdale, West Boylston, Mass., Jul. 15, 1903 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, construction sites

Wachusett Reservoir, North Dike, easterly portion, secondary cut-off trench, station 24+50; from the east, Clinton, Mass., Jul. 13, 1899 , 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

Sudbury Reservoir, Marlborough Brook Filters, artificial Filter-beds, Marlborough, Mass., Aug. 28, 1899 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, construction sites, filter beds, watershed sanitary improvement

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

Contract No. 80, High Level Distribution Reservoir, Weston, looking east from left side of Sta. 882+75+/- showing upper invert, high level distribution reservoir, Weston, Mass., Apr. 17, 1940

Distribution Department, Northern High Service Middlesex Fells Reservoir, east end of Dam No. 1, from the north, looking through West Basin towards outlet; site of reservoir, Stoneham, Mass., Nov. 16, 1897 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, construction sites

Wachusett Reservoir, South Dike, northerly from State Road, Boylston; Clinton, Mass., Apr. 2, 1904 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, construction sites

Wachusett Reservoir, North Dike, easterly portion, east of station 35, Clinton, Mass., Jun. 12, 1901 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, construction sites

Wachusett Reservoir, relocation of Worcester, Nashua & Portland Division of Boston & Maine Railroad, slope paving, looking westerly, Oakdale, West Boylston, Mass., Sep. 8, 1902 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, railroads infrastructure, construction sites

Wachusett Reservoir, soilstripping above Sawyer's Mills, Section 6, Boylston, Mass., Jun. 4, 1900 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, construction sites

Weston Aqueduct, Section 11, reexcavating on embankment, station 442+, Wayland, Mass., Jun. 23, 1902 , waterworks, aqueducts, construction sites, surveying instruments, surveyors

Wachusett Reservoir, Quinapoxet River channel during improvement, Oakdale, West Boylston, Mass., Jun. 2, 1905 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, river beds, construction sites

Wachusett Reservoir, relocation Central Massachusetts Railroad, abutments near South Meadow Road, Clinton, Mass., Nov. 20, 1902 , waterworks, railroads infrastructure, construction sites

Wachusett Reservoir, stripping near Dumping Platform No. 5, Section 6, Boylston, Mass., Sep. 7, 1900 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, construction sites

Wachusett Reservoir, filter-beds, small slides of March 25, 1909, in embankment of Bed No. 3, Sterling, Mass., Apr. 1, 1909 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, filter beds, watershed sanitary improvement

Sudbury Reservoir, Section P, dump and cars, from the south, Marlborough, Mass., Sep. 26, 1896 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, construction sites

Wachusett Reservoir, South Dike, treated ledge at station 17, Boylston; Clinton, Mass., May 2, 1902 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, construction sites

Wachusett Reservoir, piling stumps, Section 4, from the west, Clinton, Mass., Aug. 25, 1899 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, construction sites

Weston Aqueduct, Weston Reservoir, Section 2, point of rocks, north shore, Weston, Mass., Dec. 11, 1903 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, construction sites

Clinton Sewerage, reservoir, Section 2, Clinton, Mass., May 17, 1899 , waterworks, sewage treatment, reservoirs water distribution structures, construction sites, watershed sanitary improvement

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

View of dam and foundation of gate chamber Basin 6 , Construction, Dams Edgar Sutton Dorr Photograph Collection

Wachusett Reservoir, North Dike, easterly portion, filling in Coachlace Pond, Clinton, Mass., Jul. 10, 1900 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, construction sites

Distribution Department, Northern High Service Middlesex Fells Reservoir, west basin, from the west, Stoneham, Mass., Sep. 5, 1899 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, construction sites, pipes conduits

Distribution Department, Northern High Service Middlesex Fells Reservoir, core wall, Dam No. 4; and partially constructed embankment, Stoneham, Mass., Sep. 20, 1898 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, construction sites, surveying

Distribution Department, Hyde Park Pumping Station, site, Hyde Park Avenue, Hyde Park, Mass., Nov. 2, 1911 , waterworks, pumping stations, construction sites

Sudbury Reservoir, Section J, removing muck, from the south, Southborough, Mass., Sep. 25, 1896 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, construction sites

Distribution Department, Low Service Spot Pond Reservoir, point south of Old Pepe's Cove, Section 1 (compare with Landscape Architects' photograph No. 1), Stoneham, Mass., Jul. 19, 1900 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, construction sites

Wachusett Reservoir, North Dike, easterly portion, plant for driving 6-inch sheeting, Clinton, Mass., Dec. 1899 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, construction sites

Wachusett Dam, excavating at main dam site, looking southerly from small dam, Clinton, Mass., Jul. 25, 1900 , waterworks, dams, construction sites

Distribution Department, Low Service Spot Pond Reservoir, western part, panoramic view of Spot Pond from the 'Island of the Two Trees', Stoneham, Mass., Aug. 17, 1900 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, construction sites

Wachusett Reservoir, North Dike, easterly portion, main cut-off trench, with piles for wales, station 20+50; from the east, Clinton, Mass., Jul. 13, 1899 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, construction sites

Wachusett Reservoir, North Dike, easterly portion, filling in Coachlace Pond, Clinton, Mass., Jul. 10, 1900 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, construction sites

Weston Aqueduct, Weston Reservoir, Sections 1 and 14, steam shovel excavation looking westerly, Weston, Mass., May 13, 1903 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, construction sites

Wachusett Reservoir, cart work on slopes, Section 6, square 184, West Boylston, Mass., Sep. 23, 1902 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, construction sites

Wachusett Reservoir, Dumping Platform No. 11, Section 6, Boylston, Mass., Oct. 12, 1900 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, construction sites

Wachusett Reservoir, building embankment on northerly side of Quinapoxet River, looking south, Oakdale, West Boylston, Mass., Jul. 13, 1904 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, construction sites

Distribution Department, Low Service Spot Pond Reservoir, excavating and grading part of Section 1, near Pond Street and Woodlawn Avenue, from the east, Stoneham, Mass., Aug. 14, 1899 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, 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 trench, with piles for wales, station 20+50; from the east, Clinton, Mass., Jul. 13, 1899 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, construction sites

Distribution Department, Northern High Service Middlesex Fells Reservoir, Dam No. 5, Stoneham, Mass., May 25, 1899 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, construction sites

Distribution Department, Weston Aqueduct Supply Mains, Section 7, easterly end of tunnel; Cochituate Aqueduct, ventilator in background, center, Newton, Mass., Jun. 15, 1910 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites

Sudbury Department, improvement of Lake Cochituate, Pegan Brook Meadow, Natick, Mass., Nov. 3, 1902 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, watershed sanitary improvement

Sudbury Department, improvement of Lake Cochituate, Snake Brook at Main Street, looking east, Natick, Mass., Oct. 26, 1906 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, brooks, watershed sanitary improvement

Weston Aqueduct, Section 9, 7 1/2-foot diameter steel pipe, easterly from station 354; visit by members of New England Water Works Association, Wayland, Mass., Sep. 12, 1902 , waterworks, aqueducts, construction sites

Wachusett Dam, Central Massachusetts Railroad over waste channel, looking east, Clinton, Mass., Nov. 14, 1905 , waterworks, dams, construction sites, railroads infrastructure

Wachusett Reservoir, Dumping Platform No. 9, Section 6, Sawyer's Mills, Boylston, Mass., Aug. 6, 1900 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, construction sites

Weston Aqueduct, Weston Reservoir, Sections 1 and 14, steam shovel excavation looking westerly, Weston, Mass., May 13, 1903 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, construction sites

Distribution Department, Northern High Service Middlesex Fells Reservoir, concrete slope of Dam No. 4, from the south, Stoneham, Mass., Jul. 21, 1899 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, construction sites

Wachusett Reservoir, Worcester Street crossing, West Boylston, Mass., Oct. 17, 1904 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, construction sites

Relocation Central Massachusetts Railroad, excavating west of station 89, Clinton, Mass., Jun. 2, 1902 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, construction sites, railroads infrastructure

Weston Aqueduct, Weston Reservoir, Section 2, shore at point south of island, Weston, Mass., Sep. 25, 1903 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, construction sites

Distribution Department, Northern High Service Middlesex Fells Reservoir, trench for force mains near Dam No. 2, from the south, Stoneham, Mass., Jul. 15, 1899 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, construction sites

Clinton Sewerage, reservoir, Section 2, Clinton, Mass., Apr. 18, 1899 , waterworks, sewage treatment, reservoirs water distribution structures, construction sites, watershed sanitary improvement

Distribution Department, Hyde Park Pumping Station, excavating for coal pocket foundations, Hyde Park, Mass., Nov. 14, 1911 , waterworks, pumping stations, construction sites

Distribution Department, Hyde Park Pumping Station, coal pocket and boiler room foundation walls, Hyde Park, Mass., Jan. 20, 1912 , waterworks, pumping stations, construction sites, billboards site elements

Distribution Department, Low Service Pipe Lines, 16-inch siphon removed at Chelsea North Bridge, Mystic River; Charlestown; Chelsea, Mass., Nov. 6, 1900 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites

Relocation Central Massachusetts Railroad, excavating west of station 89, Clinton, Mass., Jun. 2, 1902 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, construction sites, railroads infrastructure

Distribution Department, Southern High Service Forbes Hill Reservoir, scrapers building a berm on the north side, Quincy, Mass., Aug. 2, 1900 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, construction sites

Distribution Department, Low Service Spot Pond Reservoir, grading and core trench excavation, Section 3, Stoneham, Mass., Apr. 9, 1900 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, construction sites

Distribution Department, Hyde Park Pumping Station, excavating, Hyde Park, Mass., Nov. 2, 1911 , waterworks, pumping stations, construction sites

Wachusett Reservoir, soil stripping in big kettle hole, Section 6, Boylston, Mass., May 29, 1900 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, construction sites

Wachusett Reservoir, South Dike, fill near Winston's Shanty, Boylston; Clinton, Mass., Mar. 9, 1904 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, construction sites

Sudbury Reservoir, Section C, riprap at the outlet of the Bagley channel, from the east, Southborough, Mass., May 4, 1897 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, construction sites

Distribution Department, Southern High Service Forbes Hill Reservoir, scrapers building a berm on the north side, Quincy, Mass., Aug. 2, 1900 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, construction sites

Wachusett Reservoir, experiment tank and filter-bed, south side of road, looking near Sandy Pond, Clinton, Mass., Oct. 1, 1896 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, construction sites

Distribution Department, Southern High Service Forbes Hill Reservoir, Standpipe (compare with No. 3513), Quincy, Mass., Nov. 28, 1900 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, water towers, construction sites

Sudbury Department, improvement of Lake Cochituate, Open Channel at Bell's Mill Pond, Framingham, Mass., Jul. 29, 1910 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, watershed sanitary improvement

Distribution Department, Low Service Spot Pond Reservoir, filling on Great Island, Section 5, from the south, Stoneham, Mass., Nov. 9, 1899 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, construction sites

Relocation Central Massachusetts Railroad, Ivers H. Sawyer's house and barn, Berlin, Mass., May 14, 1902 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, real estate

Distribution Department, Hyde Park Pumping Station, south wall, Hyde Park, Mass., May 24, 1912 , waterworks, pumping stations, construction sites

Weston Aqueduct, Weston Reservoir, Sections 1 and 14, looking south from Ash Street Bridge, Weston, Mass., May 11, 1903 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, construction sites

Sudbury Department, Hopkinton Reservoir, Section C, Ashland; Hopkinton, Mass., 1892 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, construction sites

Relocation Central Massachusetts Railroad, easterly from station 80+50, Clinton, Mass., Feb. 3, 1903 , waterworks, railroads infrastructure, construction sites, surveying instruments, surveyors

Naval Hospital Road Repairs, Looking Northeast Over Circle Near Quarters 4, 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 Spot Pond Reservoir, core trench of Dam No. 8, Section 3, north of station 1, Stoneham, Mass., Jun. 26, 1900 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, construction sites

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

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