Historical Construction Projects

Black and white images showcasing historical infrastructure construction sites in Massachusetts, featuring roads, reservoirs, and dams from the 1930s.

Contract No. 66, Regulating Dams, Middle Branch (New Salem), and East Branch of the Swift River, Hardwick and Petersham (formerly Dana), looking westerly at dam 4, middle branch regulating dam, Hardwick, Mass., Nov. 10, 1939

Contract No. 60, Access Roads to Shaft 12, Quabbin Aqueduct, Hardwick and Greenwich, looking ahead from Sta. 11+45, Greenwich and Hardwick, Mass., Jul. 7, 1938

Contract No. 60, Access Roads to Shaft 12, Quabbin Aqueduct, Hardwick and Greenwich, looking at south Baffle and Baffle Road from Sta. 18+25 on Shaft 12 Access Rd., Greenwich and Hardwick, Mass., May 2, 1938

Double track building between Alingsås - Olskroken. The folding bake first sinking.

Contract No. 51, East Branch Baffle, Site of Quabbin Reservoir, Greenwich, Hardwick, looking southeast from Sta. 15+50 along center line of east branch baffle, Hardwick, Mass., Jul. 8, 1936

Contract No. 66, Regulating Dams, Middle Branch (New Salem), and East Branch of the Swift River, Hardwick and Petersham (formerly Dana), looking easterly at Access Road from Sta. 18+20, east branch regulating dam, Hardwick, Mass., Jun. 5, 1939

Ware River at Powder Mill dam, Barre, Mass., Oct. 11, 1938 , New England Hurricane, 1938, waterworks, real estate, rivers, watershed sanitary conditions, floods natural events, dams hydraulic structures

Contract No. 99, Enlargement of Fells High Level Distribution Reservoir, Stoneham, Malden, Melrose, looking north from Sta. 1+00 showing basin 3, enlargement of Fells Reservoir, Stoneham, Mass., Aug. 27, 1940

Contract No. 106, Improvement of Access Roads, Middle and East Branch Regulating Dams, and Quabbin Reservoir Area, Hardwick, Petersham, New Salem, Belchertown, looking ahead from Sta. 34+50, access road to Middle Branch Regulating Dam, Belchertown, Mass., Jun. 19, 1940

Looking northwesterly at channel from Boston & Maine Railroad trestle, Wachusett Reservoir, Oakdale, West Boylston, Mass., Sep. 15, 1941 , Water levels, waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, engineering

Looking easterly towards bridge over channel between Middle Branch and East Branch of Swift River, Quabbin Reservoir, Mass., Apr. 2, 1940 : Parcel no. 431-- , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, engineering, artificial water channels, bridges built works

Mining - Idaho. Photographs Relating to National Forests, Resource Management Practices, Personnel, and Cultural and Economic History

Barre Wool Combing Co., pool at lagoon outlet, Barre, Mass., 2:10 PM, Jul. 5, 1935 , waterworks, real estate, rivers, watershed sanitary conditions

Washed out canal at Boston Duck Co., Bondsville, Palmer, Mass., 10:20 AM, Oct. 1, 1938 : Swift River , New England Hurricane, 1938, waterworks, real estate, rivers, watershed sanitary conditions, floods natural events, mills buildings, damage condition

Contract No. 66, Regulating Dams, Middle Branch (New Salem), and East Branch of the Swift River, Hardwick and Petersham (formerly Dana), looking westerly at dam 3 from Sta. 43+85, middle branch regulating dam, Hardwick, Mass., Jun. 7, 1939

Contract No. 80, High Level Distribution Reservoir, Weston, photo no. 2 of panoramic view looking southwest from point 'A', high level distribution reservoir, Weston, Mass., Oct. 24, 1939

Contract No. 19, Dam and Substructure of Ware River Intake Works at Shaft 8, Wachusett-Coldbrook Tunnel, Barre, looking southwest from top of fill, Barre, Mass., Aug. 12, 1929

Contract No. 82, Constructing Quabbin Hill Road, Ware, looking ahead from Sta. 102+60, Ware, Mass., Jun. 21, 1939

Eknäs mine, Herräng.

Contract No. 19, Dam and Substructure of Ware River Intake Works at Shaft 8, Wachusett-Coldbrook Tunnel, Barre, culvert under Boston and Albany Railroad near Shaft 8, Barre, Mass., Aug. 5, 1932

Contract No. 80, High Level Distribution Reservoir, Weston, photo no. 3 of panoramic view looking west from point 'C' at site of high level distribution reservoir, Weston, Mass., Aug. 23, 1939

Contract No. 99, Enlargement of Fells High Level Distribution Reservoir, Stoneham, Malden, Melrose, looking east from Sta. 0+60 showing site of dam 10, enlargement of Fells Reservoir, Stoneham, Mass., Apr. 25, 1940

Contract No. 80, High Level Distribution Reservoir, Weston, looking southwest from 30 feet east of Sta. 52+50 showing dam 3, high level distribution reservoir, Weston, Mass., Jan. 5, 1940

Looking northwesterly at channel from Boston & Maine Railroad trestle, Wachusett Reservoir, Oakdale, West Boylston, Mass., Sep. 15, 1941 , Water levels, waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, engineering

Contract No. 96, Chlorine Storage House and Equipment and Chlorinating Equipment for Gate House at Norumbega Reservoir, Weston, looking northwest showing pipe trench location and Contract 80 gatehouse site, chlorinator house, Weston, Mass., Jan. 30, 1940

Water from Ware River at outlet of shaft 11A, Enfield, Mass., Apr. 1, 1940 : Parcel no. 352-- , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, engineering

Contract No. 88, Furnishing and Storing Top Soil, Quabbin Dike and Quabbin Park Cemetery, Ware, loam storage pile at Quabbin Park Cemetery, looking northerly, Ware, Mass., Jun. 13, 1939

Contract No. 52, Main Dam Embankment, Quabbin Reservoir, Belchertown, Enfield, Ware, walkway at north end of spillway weir, Winsor Dam, Belchertown, Mass., Apr. 10, 1940

Looking northwesterly at channel below Shaft #1 from bridge on Route #140, Wachusett Reservoir, Oakdale, West Boylston, Mass., Sep. 15, 1941 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, engineering

Spillway end of earthen dam from small hill in basin. Martin County Development Project, Indiana. 1937. Photographs. The Miriam and Ira D. Wallach Division of Art, Prints and Photographs: Photography Collection. Indiana , Martin County

Contract No. 60, Access Roads to Shaft 12, Quabbin Aqueduct, Hardwick and Greenwich, looking ahead from Sta. 4+85, Greenwich and Hardwick, Mass., Jul. 7, 1938

Contract No. 85, Manufacture and Delivery of Precast Concrete Steel Cylinder Pipe, Southborough, Framingham, Wayland, Natick, Weston, Generazio Sand and Gravel Plant, supplying Lock Joint Pipe Co., looking south west, near Saxonville, Framingham, Mass., Aug. 24, 1939

Contract No. 80, High Level Distribution Reservoir, Weston, east of Sta. 27+00+/- looking south showing dam 1, high level distribution reservoir, Weston, Mass., Nov. 28, 1939

Contract No. 20, Coldbrook-Swift Tunnel, Barre, Hardwick, Greenwich, view of plant at Shaft 11A, Quabbin Aqueduct, Hardwick, Mass., May 13, 1935

John A. Carter, tailrace of sawmill near west end of dam on Upper Mill Pond, Petersham, Mass., May 19, 1932 : Parcel no. 454-5, John A. Carter , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, real estate, sawmills factories, tailraces, people agents

Contract No. 80, High Level Distribution Reservoir, Weston, dam 4 looking east from Sta. 79+50, high level distribution reservoir, Weston, Mass., Nov. 28, 1939

Contract No. 60, Access Roads to Shaft 12, Quabbin Aqueduct, Hardwick and Greenwich, looking ahead (north) from Sta. 11+45, Greenwich and Hardwick, Mass., Apr. 5, 1938

Ware River, Ware Mills, Otis Co., dam, looking upstream, flow 757 cubic feet per second, Ware, Mass., 4:45 PM, Oct. 20, 1932 , waterworks, real estate, rivers, watershed sanitary conditions, floods natural events, dams hydraulic structures

Contract No. 80, High Level Distribution Reservoir, Weston, looking west showing general view of gatehouse parking area, high level distribution reservoir, Weston, Mass., Aug. 12, 1940

Gaging station on Beaver Brook below Peppers Mill Pond, gage Reading 5.55, Ware, Mass., 10:00 AM, Mar. 19, 1936 , Stream-gaging stations, waterworks, real estate, brooks, watershed sanitary conditions, floods natural events, dams hydraulic structures

Contract No. 20, Coldbrook-Swift Tunnel, Barre, Hardwick, Greenwich, general view of Shaft 11, looking easterly, Quabbin Aqueduct, Hardwick, Mass., May 13, 1935

Contract No. 49, Excavating Diversion Channels, Site of Quabbin Reservoir, Dana, Hardwick, Greenwich, looking west at area north of Shaft 11A, Hardwick, Mass., Aug. 26, 1936

Contract No. 80, High Level Distribution Reservoir, Weston, looking south from 20 feet left of Sta. 10+00, showing borrow area, high level distribution reservoir, Weston, Mass., Nov. 13, 1939

Contract No. 80, High Level Distribution Reservoir, Weston, photo no. 4 of panoramic view, looking east from point 'A' at site of high level distribution reservoir, Weston, Mass., Aug. 23, 1939

Looking northwesterly at Middle Branch regulating dam, Quabbin Reservoir, Mass., Apr. 1, 1940 : Parcel no. 570-- , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, engineering, dams hydraulic structures

Contract No. 30, Stream Control Works at Main Dam, Swift River Reservoir, Belchertown, Enfield, Ware, outlet channel, looking southeast from top of ledge above portal location, Belchertown, Mass., Oct. 9, 1931

Panorama from below Outlet Works at Shaft #1, looking northerly, Wachusett Reservoir, West Boylston, Mass., Sep. 15, 1941 , Water levels, waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, engineering

Contract No. 52, Main Dam Embankment, Quabbin Reservoir, Belchertown, Enfield, Ware, spillway weir, looking northwesterly from triangulation station B, Winsor Dam, Ware, Mass., Nov. 16, 1939

Contract No. 8, Sinking Shafts 6 and 7 for Wachusett-Coldbrook Tunnel, Rutland, muck pile, Shaft 7, Rutland, Mass., Jan. 5, 1928

Contract No. 49, Excavating Diversion Channels, Site of Quabbin Reservoir, Dana, Hardwick, Greenwich, outlet channel at Shaft 11A, looking north on east side of channel, Hardwick, Mass., May 20, 1936

Contract No. 39, Trunk Line Sewer, Rutland, Holden, Martin Trulson property, looking northwest near Sta. 438, Rutland-Holden Sewer, Holden, Mass., Apr. 27, 1934

Trash sluiceway at Red Bridge hydroelectric station of Ludlow Manufacturing Associates, Ludlow, Mass., 1:45 PM, Mar. 13, 1936 , waterworks, real estate, rivers, watershed sanitary conditions, floods natural events, dams hydraulic structures

Contract No. 60, Access Roads to Shaft 12, Quabbin Aqueduct, Hardwick and Greenwich, looking west from Sta. 109+70, showing peat excavation, Greenwich and Hardwick, Mass., Mar. 19, 1938

Contract No. 71, WPA Sewer Construction, Holden, commission property at Parker's Pond, Holden, used as pipe and sand storage, looking southerly from Main Street, Holden Sewer, Holden, Mass., Dec. 5, 1939

Chicopee River, dam at United Electric Co. hydroelectric station at Bircham Bend, Springfield, Mass., 3:00 PM, Mar. 13, 1936 , waterworks, real estate, rivers, watershed sanitary conditions, hydroelectric power plants, dams hydraulic structures, floods natural events

Distribution Department, Low Service Spot Pond Reservoir, eastern part, from the top of the chimney of the Northern High Service Pumping Station, Stoneham, Mass., Nov. 22, 1899 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, construction sites

Ware River, washout on Boston and Maine Railroad, and Sullivan Road, looking west from covered bridge, Gilbertville, Hardwick, Mass., Oct. 12, 1938 , New England Hurricane, 1938, waterworks, real estate, rivers, watershed sanitary conditions, floods natural events, railroads infrastructure, damage condition

Contract No. 80, High Level Distribution Reservoir, Weston, south end of dam 3, looking north showing relocation of dam 3, high level distribution reservoir, Weston, Mass., Nov. 13, 1939

Contract No. 66, Regulating Dams, Middle Branch (New Salem), and East Branch of the Swift River, Hardwick and Petersham (formerly Dana), looking northwesterly at fill from Sta. 18+20, east branch regulating dam, Hardwick, Mass., Jun. 5, 1939

Contract No. 80, High Level Distribution Reservoir, Weston, looking east showing pipe trenches and pipe from the chlorinator storage house to the gatehouse, high level distribution reservoir, Weston, Mass., Jul. 23, 1940

Contract No. 39, Trunk Line Sewer, Rutland, Holden, looking back at sheeted trench from Sta. 479+00, Rutland-Holden Sewer, Rutland, Mass., Sep. 6, 1934

Contract No. 57, Portion of Petersham-New Salem Highway, New Salem, Franklin County, culvert site at Sta. 177+15, New Salem, Mass., Oct. 27, 1936

Washout on Route #32 between Barre Plains and Wheelwright, Hardwick, Mass., 4:50 PM, Sep. 16, 1933 , waterworks, real estate, brooks, watershed sanitary conditions, floods natural events, roads, people agents

Contract No. 49, Excavating Diversion Channels, Site of Quabbin Reservoir, Dana, Hardwick, Greenwich, looking downstream from bridge at Sta. 10+00, middle-east channel, Hardwick, Mass., Jul. 8, 1936

Contract No. 99, Enlargement of Fells High Level Distribution Reservoir, Stoneham, Malden, Melrose, cutting for power line looking northwest, enlargement of Fells Reservoir, Stoneham, Mass., Feb. 12, 1940

Contract No. 39, Trunk Line Sewer, Rutland, Holden, laying 12 in. pipe in ledge, looking northwest from near manhole 9, Rutland-Holden Sewer, Holden, Mass., Oct. 10, 1933

Contract No. 82, Constructing Quabbin Hill Road, Ware, looking southeasterly from Sta. 16+35 on parking circle road, Ware, Mass., Aug. 29, 1939

Contract No. 60, Access Roads to Shaft 12, Quabbin Aqueduct, Hardwick and Greenwich, looking back (southwest) from Sta. 47+35, Greenwich and Hardwick, Mass., Apr. 5, 1938

Contract No. 108, Utility Wharves, Quabbin Reservoir, Ware, looking westerly from end of turning space, showing guard rail, retaining wall, trap rock surfacing, Ware, Mass., Dec. 10, 1940

Contract No. 14, East Portion, Wachusett-Coldbrook Tunnel, West Boylston, Holden, Rutland, abandoned filter bed, Shaft 2, Holden, Mass., Aug. 31, 1931

Contract No. 30, Stream Control Works at Main Dam, Swift River Reservoir, Belchertown, Enfield, Ware, upstream portal of diversion tunnel, Belchertown, Mass., Jul. 11, 1932

Contract No. 60, Access Roads to Shaft 12, Quabbin Aqueduct, Hardwick and Greenwich, looking ahead (east) from Sta. 40+75, Greenwich and Hardwick, Mass., Apr. 5, 1938

Washout in road below Wachusett Nail Co. dam, Hubbardston, Mass., Oct. 11, 1938 , New England Hurricane, 1938, waterworks, real estate, rivers, watershed sanitary conditions, floods natural events, roads

Contract No. 80, High Level Distribution Reservoir, Weston, looking southeast from a point 200 feet west of Sta. 111+/-, dam 5, showing Schenck's Pond and dam 5, high level distribution reservoir, Weston, Mass., May 29, 1940

Contract No. 54, Highway in Towns of Dana, Petersham, Worcester County, upstream side of culvert at Sta. 79+05, from Sta. 79+55, Dana and Petersham, Mass., Sep. 28, 1938

Contract No. 30, Stream Control Works at Main Dam, Swift River Reservoir, Belchertown, Enfield, Ware, general view of approach channel and plant, diversion tunnel, Belchertown, Mass., Jul. 11, 1932

Contract No. 80, High Level Distribution Reservoir, Weston, excavation at site of gatehouse dam 1 looking east from center line aqueduct, high level distribution reservoir, Weston, Mass., Nov. 28, 1939

Contract No. 20, Coldbrook-Swift Tunnel, Barre, Hardwick, Greenwich, view of cut and shaft at Shaft 11A, Quabbin Aqueduct, Hardwick, Mass., May 13, 1935

Contract No. 54, Highway in Towns of Dana, Petersham, Worcester County, culvert at Sta. 73+00, Dana and Petersham, Mass., Jul. 23, 1936

Contract No. 20, Coldbrook-Swift Tunnel, Barre, Hardwick, Greenwich, ruins of crusher plant at Shaft 10, destroyed by fire July 23, 1934, Quabbin Aqueduct, Hardwick, Mass., Jul. 24, 1934

Placer mining for gold. Old Virginia City, Placer County, California 1940. still image. Photographs. The Miriam and Ira D. Wallach Division of Art, Prints and Photographs: Photography Collection. California , Placer County

Contract No. 112, Spillway at Shaft 2 of Quabbin Aqueduct, Holden, water being discharged at Shaft 2 at 11:15 am, looking downstream from west bank, Holden, Mass., May 13, 1943

Logging: Fluming - All States. Photographs Relating to National Forests, Resource Management Practices, Personnel, and Cultural and Economic History

Contract No. 44, Extension of Belchertown-Pelham Highway, New Salem, Orange, culvert on middle branch of the Swift River at Sta. 1045+50, New Salem, Mass., Jun. 30, 1934

Contract No. 66, Regulating Dams, Middle Branch (New Salem), and East Branch of the Swift River, Hardwick and Petersham (formerly Dana), looking northwesterly at east branch regulating dam, Hardwick, Mass., Oct. 9, 1939

Ware River, George W. Wheelwright Paper Co. dam, drainage area - 130 square miles, flow - 1460 cubic feet per second - 11.2 cubic feet per second per square mile, Hardwick, Mass., 2:15 PM, Apr. 13, 1934 , waterworks, real estate, rivers, watershed sanitary conditions, dams hydraulic structures, floods natural events

Contract No. 66, Regulating Dams, Middle Branch (New Salem), and East Branch of the Swift River, Hardwick and Petersham (formerly Dana), looking northwesterly at riprap and paving, dam 4, middle branch regulating dams, Hardwick, Mass., Sep. 12, 1939

Contract No. 80, High Level Distribution Reservoir, Weston, looking south from the left side of Sta. 883+80 showing overburden, clay over gravel and sand, high level distribution reservoir, Weston, Mass., Apr. 16, 1940

Contract No. 80, High Level Distribution Reservoir, Weston, looking east from right side of Sta. 890+50+/- showing pervious fill, dam 1 around gatehouse, high level distribution reservoir, Weston, Mass., Apr. 30, 1940

Contract No. 51, East Branch Baffle, Site of Quabbin Reservoir, Greenwich, Hardwick, riprap on the south baffle, looking southerly from near Sta. 1+40, Hardwick, Mass., Dec. 21, 1936

Contract No. 51, East Branch Baffle, Site of Quabbin Reservoir, Greenwich, Hardwick, looking northerly at quarry at the east branch baffle, Hardwick, Mass., Oct. 8, 1936

Contract No. 56, Administration Buildings, Main Dam, Belchertown, excavation for hangar, looking easterly, Belchertown, Mass., Aug. 30, 1937

Contract No. 30, Stream Control Works at Main Dam, Swift River Reservoir, Belchertown, Enfield, Ware, ledge uncovered at downstream portal, Belchertown, Mass., Nov. 23, 1931

Contract No. 30, Stream Control Works at Main Dam, Swift River Reservoir, Belchertown, Enfield, Ware, cement shed and aggremeter at diversion tunnel, Belchertown, Mass., Jul. 11, 1932

Looking westerly from just below Outlet Works Building at Shaft #1, West Boylston, Mass., 11:10 AM, Sep. 17, 1941 , Water levels, waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, engineering, milestone event, dams hydraulic structures

Contract No. 71, WPA Sewer Construction, Holden, Main Street looking back from manhole 6B4-31, showing excavation on line of sidewalk, Holden Sewer, Holden, Mass., Jan. 9, 1941

William C. Edwards, looking westerly from east end of pit, showing present excavation, Oakham, Mass., May 21, 1941 : Purchased Oct. 2, 1941, Parcel no. 105-26 , waterworks, real estate, watershed sanitary conditions, sand areas, gravel pits

Prince River, Allen's Foundry dam, flow 12 cubic feet per second, Barre, Mass., Dec. 8, 1932 , waterworks, real estate, rivers, watershed sanitary conditions, dams hydraulic structures, factories structures

Looking northerly at dam on property formerly of the Robert M. Woods estate, Enfield, Mass., Nov. 24, 1939 : Parcel no. 248-61 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, real estate, dams hydraulic structures

Contract No. 82, Constructing Quabbin Hill Road, Ware, looking southerly at Winsor Dam from Sta. 33+25, Ware, Mass., May 2, 1939

Contract No. 80, High Level Distribution Reservoir, Weston, looking west from Sta. 21+50 showing swamp 3, high level distribution reservoir, Weston, Mass., Jun. 21, 1940

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