Historical Waterworks Projects

Black and white images of early 20th-century waterworks projects, featuring pipe installations, excavations, and water distribution improvements.

Sudbury Department, improvement of Lake Cochituate, invert of Open Channel in Nelson's Field, Framingham, Mass., Jul. 29, 1910 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, watershed sanitary improvement

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

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

Distribution Department, Weston Aqueduct Supply Mains, Section 7, laying 60-inch pipe and excavating trench near Commonwealth Avenue, Newton, Mass., Jun. 8, 1910 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites

Distribution Department, Weston Aqueduct Supply Mains, Section 7, excavation at easterly end of tunnel; Cochituate Aqueduct, ventilator in background, center, Newton, Mass., Jun. 29, 1910 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites

Distribution Department, Weston Aqueduct Supply Mains, Section 7, excavating 60-inch pipe trench, land of the Commonwealth; Cochituate Aqueduct, ventilator in background, center, Newton, Mass., Jun. 15, 1910 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites

Distribution Department, Low Service Spot Pond Reservoir, surface water drains, south from station 10+50 before construction, Stoneham, Mass., Oct. 11, 1915 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites

Sudbury Department, improvement of Lake Cochituate, invert of Open Channel in Nelson's Field, Framingham, Mass., Jul. 29, 1910 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, watershed sanitary improvement

Distribution Department, supply pipe lines, Section 3, Colby Street, Newton, Mass., May 14, 1903 , waterworks, pipes conduits, 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

Wachusett Department, Wachusett-Sudbury power transmission line, Boylston and Wilson Street crossing near Wachusett Dam, steel towers 48 feet high, span 176 feet, Clinton, Mass., Aug. 1, 1918 , waterworks, power lines, construction completed

Wachusett Reservoir, slope paving, about station 67+00, Section 1; from the west, Boylston, Mass., Sep. 10, 1898 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, construction sites

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

Distribution Department, Low Service Spot Pond Reservoir, Main Street and Bear Hill Road, looking southerly, Stoneham, Mass., Oct. 4, 1900 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures

Distribution Department, Southern Extra High Service Pipe Lines, Section 41, laying 20-inch pipe, Mansur Street, West Roxbury, Mass., Oct. 9, 1911 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites

Distribution Department, Northern Extra High Service Pipe Lines, 12-inch pipe line in Park Avenue, Arlington, Mass., Sep. 1, 1909 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites

Distribution Department, Weston Aqueduct Supply Mains, Section 7, Nehemiah W. Rice's lands, Newton, Mass., May 26, 1910 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites

Wachusett Aqueduct, Crane Swamp improved, station 25, A Line, Northborough, Mass., Oct. 24, 1899 , waterworks, aqueducts, swamps, watershed sanitary improvement

Wachusett Department, Wachusett Watershed, Gates Brook Improvement, preliminary ditch at state highway culvert, lower end of settlement, West Boylston, Mass., Apr. 5, 1916 , waterworks, brooks, drainage, watershed sanitary improvement

Distribution Department, Northern High Service Middlesex Fells Reservoir, road near west side of west basin, from the south, Stoneham, Mass., Sep. 27, 1899 , 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

Wachusett Reservoir, relocation Central Massachusetts Railroad, fill and cut southeast of station 196, Clinton, Mass., Feb. 6, 1903 , waterworks, railroads infrastructure, construction sites

Wachusett Reservoir, relocation of Worcester Street, west side of fill at station 3+, northerly, West Boylston, Mass., Aug. 26, 1902 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, construction sites

Wachusett Reservoir, tree nursery at Lamson's, Boylston, Mass., Nov. 13, 1900 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, forestry, nurseries horticulture

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

Wachusett Aqueduct, Little Crane Swamp, drainage ditch, station 7+67, H Line, Northborough, Mass., Mar. 19, 1902 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, swamps, watershed sanitary improvement

Distribution Department, supply pipe lines, Section 3, Colby Street, Newton, Mass., May 14, 1903 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites

Wachusett Reservoir, Shrewsbury Road, Section 3, west of station 219, Boylston, Mass., Jul. 10, 1900 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, construction sites, roads

Distribution Department, Low Service Spot Pond Reservoir, surface water drains, Woodland Road north from station 19, building catch basins, Stoneham, Mass., Oct. 26, 1915 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites

Distribution Department, supply pipe lines, Section 3, Colby Street, Newton, Mass., May 14, 1903 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites

Wachusett Reservoir, Shrewsbury Road, Section 1, west of station 95, West Boylston, Mass., Jul. 9, 1900 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, construction sites, roads

Distribution Department, Low Service Spot Pond Reservoir, east shore, Section 7, near Botume Estate, Stoneham, Mass., Aug. 2, 1900 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, construction sites

Wachusett Reservoir, relocation of brook south of Filter-bed No. 4, Sterling, Mass., Nov. 23, 1906 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, filter beds, watershed sanitary improvement

Distribution Department, Southern High Service Pipe Lines, Section 43, corner of Babcock and Adams Streets, Milton, Mass., Sep. 8, 1914 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites

Wachusett Reservoir, Shrewsbury Road, Section 3, east of station 203, Boylston, Mass., Jul. 10, 1900 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, construction sites, roads

Wachusett Reservoir, Shrewsbury Road, Section 3, west of station 219, Boylston, Mass., Jul. 10, 1900 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, construction sites, roads

Wachusett Reservoir, Quinapoxet River channel and dam, Oakdale, West Boylston, Mass., Sep. 29, 1905 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, river beds, construction sites

Sudbury Department, improvement of Lake Cochituate, Bell's Mill Pond, before constructing drain, Framingham, Mass., Jul. 13, 1910 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, watershed sanitary improvement

Wachusett Reservoir, channel change on Mason and Thomas properties, Oakdale, West Boylston, Mass., Apr. 10, 1903 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, river beds

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

Wachusett Reservoir, relocation of Worcester, Nashua & Portland Division of Boston & Maine Railroad, slope paving south of Oakdale depot, Oakdale, West Boylston, Mass., Nov. 22, 1902 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, railroads infrastructure, construction sites

Distribution Department, Southern High Service Pipe Lines, Section 47, taking from Washington Street to Lake Street, before laying 20-inch pipe, Brighton, Mass., May 20, 1918 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites

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

Wachusett Reservoir, Shrewsbury Road, Section 3, east of station 203, Boylston, Mass., Jul. 10, 1900 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, construction sites, roads

Wachusett Reservoir, filter-beds, bottom of bed, Sterling Junction, Sterling, Mass., Nov. 14, 1907 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, filter beds, watershed sanitary improvement

Collection Dutch Heidematschappij. Venneekensloop. undated. Limburg, Venray

Distribution Department, Low Service Spot Pond Reservoir, looking easterly near Southern Gatehouse, Stoneham, Mass., Dec. 9, 1904 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, swamps, forestry

Sudbury Department, Sudbury Dam Hydroelectric Power Plant, plant for construction of surge tanks and wheel pits, Southborough, Mass., Jun. 30, 1915 , waterworks, hydroelectric power plants, construction sites

Sudbury Department, improvement of Lake Cochituate, south from culvert in county road, before constructing drain, Framingham, Mass., Jul. 13, 1910 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, watershed sanitary improvement

Distribution Department, Southern High Service Pipe Line, Section 19, station 11, Reservoir Lane; Webber's Waste Weir (Cochituate Aqueduct), in middle ground, right, Brookline, Mass., Nov. 26, 1898 , waterworks, aqueducts, roadways, gatehouses

Wachusett Reservoir, Filter-bed No. 1, looking north, Sterling, Mass., Nov. 23, 1906 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, filter beds, watershed sanitary improvement

Wachusett Department, Wachusett-Sudbury power transmission line, transposition poles, Wachusett Aqueduct, covered portion, Northborough, Mass., Aug. 1, 1918 , waterworks, power lines, aqueducts, construction completed

Distribution Department, Low Service Spot Pond Reservoir, Dam No. 4, Section 6, from the east, Stoneham, Mass., Nov. 9, 1899 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, dams, construction sites

Distribution Department, supply pipe lines, Chestnut Hill Avenue, after accident, Brighton, Mass., Oct. 9, 1909 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites

Wachusett Reservoir, Shrewsbury Road, Section 1, south of station 118, West Boylston, Mass., Jul. 10, 1900 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, construction sites, roads

Weston Aqueduct, Section 11, side hill embankment and excavation, easterly from station 436, Wayland, Mass., Jun. 23, 1902 , waterworks, aqueducts, construction sites

Wachusett Reservoir, new highway across North Dike, looking easterly, Clinton, Mass., Sep. 9, 1903 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, construction sites

Distribution Department, Southern Extra High Service Bellevue Reservoir, looking southeast, reservoir site, Bellevue Hill, West Roxbury, Mass., Aug. 4, 1914 , waterworks, water towers, construction sites, pre-construction site

Distribution Department, Weston Aqueduct Supply Mains, Section 5, 60-inch pipe line laid, street not resurfaced on Commonwealth Avenue from Brae Burn Road, Newton, Mass., Dec. 23, 1915 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites

Distribution Department, Weston Aqueduct Supply Mains, east of Commonwealth Avenue and south of Auburn Street (compare with No. 7198), Newton, Mass., Jul. 18, 1916 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites

Wachusett Reservoir, Shrewsbury Road, Section 3, west of station 247, flushing and rolling, Boylston, Mass., Sep. 6, 1900 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, construction sites, steamrollers

Wachusett Reservoir, ledge uncovered on Scar Bridge Road, Section 6, glacier groove, Boylston, Mass., Oct. 29, 1901 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, construction sites, glacial landforms

Distribution Department, supply pipe lines, Section 2, Commonwealth Avenue, trench in rock, first ledge west of Valentine Street, Newton, Mass., Jun. 27, 1902 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites

Distribution Department, Southern High Service Pipe Line, Section 20, station 131+50, Morton Street near Fuller Street, Dorchester, Mass., Jun. 21, 1898 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites

Wachusett Dam, Wachusett Waste Channel, Clinton, Mass., Sep. 8, 1900 , waterworks, dams, construction sites

Sudbury Department, Whitney's Swamp, drainage ditch, station 2, G Line, Ashland, Mass., Dec. 6, 1899 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, swamps, construction sites, watershed sanitary improvement

Distribution Department, Weston Aqueduct Supply Mains, Section 7, general view of east end of tunnel after explosion, Newton, Mass., Dec. 6, 1910 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites

Wachusett Reservoir, Shrewsbury Road, Section 3, west of station 247, flushing and rolling, Boylston, Mass., Sep. 6, 1900 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, construction sites, steamrollers

FIRST GRADING OF 100-INCH TELESCOPE SITE.

Distribution Department, Southern High Service Pipe Line, Section 25, station 243+00, Common Street, Watertown, Mass., Aug. 20, 1898 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites

Distribution Department, supply pipe lines, Section 3, Colby Street, Newton, Mass., May 14, 1903 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites

Distribution Department, Northern High Service Middlesex Fells Reservoir, Dam No. 2, Stoneham, Mass., May 25, 1899 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, construction sites

Wachusett Aqueduct, Little Crane Swamp, drainage ditch, station 25, F Line, Northborough, Mass., Mar. 19, 1902 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, swamps, watershed sanitary improvement

Distribution Department, Northern High Service Middlesex Fells Reservoir, disposal area at Dam No. 4, after clearing, Stoneham, Mass., Jun. 1898 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, construction sites

Distribution Department, Low Service Spot Pond Reservoir, view from junction of Woodland Road and Pond Street, Stoneham, Mass., Jul. 19, 1900 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, construction sites

Wachusett Reservoir, filter-beds, looking northeast, Sterling, Mass., Nov. 23, 1906 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, filter beds, watershed sanitary improvement

Wachusett Reservoir, School Street, Section 3, east of station 233, Boylston, Mass., Aug. 9, 1900 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, construction sites, roads

Sudbury Department, improvement of Lake Cochituate, Open Channel excavation near county road, Natick, Mass., Jul. 29, 1910 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, watershed sanitary improvement

Wachusett Reservoir, transplanted 2-year-old pines, Flagg nursery, Boylston, Mass., Jul. 7, 1902 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, forestry, nurseries horticulture

Sudbury Department, Angellico Swamp, main ditch in Parmenter's Meadow, Southborough, Mass., Dec. 7, 1899 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, swamps, construction sites, watershed sanitary improvement

Wachusett Reservoir, Filter-beds Nos. 3 and 4, on brook emptying into Waushacum Pond, Sterling, Mass., Nov. 23, 1906 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, filter beds, watershed sanitary improvement

Sudbury Department, improvement of Lake Cochituate, trench in Pond Street, Wayland, Mass., Sep. 22, 1910 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, watershed sanitary improvement

Distribution Department, Southern High Service Pipe Lines, Section 47, looking south from station 27+60, Lake Street, Brighton, Mass., Jul. 3, 1918 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites

Distribution Department, Low Service Spot Pond Reservoir, surface water drains, north from station 16+00 before construction, Stoneham, Mass., Oct. 11, 1915 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites

Wachusett Reservoir, Quinapoxet River concrete dam, Oakdale, West Boylston, Mass., Nov. 13, 1905 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, rivers, dams

Distribution Department, Low Service Spot Pond Reservoir, southern side of Basket Cove, Stoneham, Mass., Aug. 17, 1900 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, construction sites

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

Distribution Department, Low Service Spot Pond Reservoir, Half Mile Road Extension, looking northerly from near the Gatehouse, Stoneham, Mass., Jul. 19, 1900 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, 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.

Wachusett Reservoir, filter-beds and drainage ditch, Sterling Junction, Sterling, Mass., Nov. 14, 1907 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, filter beds, watershed sanitary improvement

Distribution Department, Southern Extra High Service Pipe Lines, blow-out on 20-inch force main to Bellevue Reservoir, rear of Hyde Park Pumping Station, Hyde Park, Mass., Jul. 14, 1920 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites

Wachusett Aqueduct, Crane Swamp improved, station 25, A Line, Northborough, Mass., Oct. 24, 1899 , waterworks, aqueducts, swamps, watershed sanitary improvement

Distribution Department, supply pipe lines, Section 4, work completed, looking westerly, Newton, Mass., May 14, 1903 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites

Wachusett Reservoir, relocation of Worcester, Nashua & Portland Division of Boston & Maine Railroad, slope paving north of Oakdale depot, Oakdale, West Boylston, Mass., Nov. 22, 1902 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, railroads infrastructure, construction sites

Distribution Department, supply pipe lines, Section 1, clearing for 60-inch pipe line west of Loring Street, Weston, Mass., Aug. 28, 1902 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites

Wachusett Aqueduct, Crane Swamp Settling Basin, Marlborough, Mass., Apr. 24, 1899 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, swamps, settling basins, watershed sanitary improvement

Wachusett Reservoir, Shrewsbury Road, east end of Section 2, Boylston, Mass., Sep. 6, 1900 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, construction sites, steamrollers

Wachusett Department, Wachusett Reservoir, Berlin Road, looking south, Boylston, Mass., Apr. 17, 1918 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, forestry

Distribution Department, Southern High Service Pipe Lines, Section 47, taking from Lake Street to Washington Street, before laying 20-inch pipe, Brighton, Mass., May 20, 1918 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites

Wachusett Reservoir, relocation of Worcester, Nashua & Portland Division of Boston & Maine Railroad, slope paving north of Oakdale depot, Oakdale, West Boylston, Mass., Nov. 22, 1902 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, railroads infrastructure, construction sites

Wachusett Reservoir, filter-beds and drainage ditch, Sterling Junction, Sterling, Mass., Nov. 14, 1907 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, filter beds, watershed sanitary improvement

of 3