Boston, Hartford and Erie Railroad Depot, Federal Street, ca. 1872
Unknown
1872
- Street-level view looking toward the Boston, Hartford and Erie Railroad Depot on Federal Street at the foot of Summer Street. This photograph was taken a few weeks after the Great Fire of 1872. This view shows tracks and platforms in place and workmen who have gathered. In the foreground is a horse-drawn vehicle belonging to a laborer. Written on back, Site of the first Boston, Hartford and Erie ... read moreRailroad Depot, Federal, foot of Summer Street. Boston, destroyed in the great fire, November 1872. This photograph was taken a few weeks after the fire, shows spur tracks and platforms of the new depot already in place, a contractor's horse and wagon, and a number of workmen who have posed for the picture. A study of the photograph reveals many interesting features. Twisted gas and water pipes amid the scarred and shattered granite blocks, and a fallen ornamental column, indicative of buildings razed by the fire, are seen in the foreground. These buildings were located immediately across the street from the Boston, Hartford and Erie Depot. The car tracks are those of the Old South Boston Railway Company. An ordinary freight car lettered Boston and Maine is seen at the left, behind which appears the dim outlines of a temporary bridge. Six Harnden Crates on a flat car such as were run on the New York Steamboat Express trains out of Boston on the Boston and Worcester, Boston and Providence, Old Colony, and Boston, Hartford and Erie Railroads, with a tongue attached to each by means of which the crates, which were on wheels, were hauled from the flat car into the hold of the steamboats, are seen on the left. The train of cars in the distance is made up of freight and baggage cars, and an old type passenger coach with a monitor top (long since obsolete). The railroad tracks leading from the depot platforms may be traced to a drawbridge which spans Fort Point Channel, where a locomotive appears dimly visible. It may be noted with interest that two large wooden wharf sheds at the right in the photograph escaped the fury of the flames which swept Summer Street and reduced the old depot building adjoining them to ashes. Lumber vessels are to be seen moored on either side of the larger building. The Boston, Hartford and Erie was, in later years, the New York and New England Railroad, and is now know as the Midland division of the New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad. The site of the old depot is now covered by a part of the Boston Terminal. 10 3/4 x 13 1/2 overall 13 3/4 x 16 3/8 Photographsread less
- ID:
- p5548134h
- Component ID:
- tufts:TBS.VW0001.002589
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