Monthly Archives: August 2012

Dorchester Illustration of the Day no. 1850 During the research for the structural improvements to its barn, the Dorchester Historical Society discovered that the ell of the barn had a basement door that had been hidden on the outside.  There … Continue reading →

Dorchester Illustration of the Day no. 1849 Another in the series of metal plates in the street.  I was thinking this is for tv cable, but I have seen mention that the cable companies do not have their own designs.  … Continue reading →

Join the Dorchester Historical Society for its Gala Fundraiser on October 12th at the Venezia Waterfront Restaurant.  Buy tickets by clicking on the big green Gala words on the home page of the website at the top right of the … Continue reading →

Dorchester Illustration of the Day no. 1848 Francis Russell was a Dorchester native who became a published historian.  Here is his obituary published in the NY Times, March 22, 1989 [Photo is courtesy of Bowdoin College Archives, Brunswick, Maine]. Francis … Continue reading →

Dorchester Illustration of the Day no. 1847 Today we return to the metal plates in the streets of the city.  I believe that the manhole covers with holes are vents, and the ones in today’s illustration are Boston Edison vents … Continue reading →

Dorchester Illustration of the Day no. 1846 I just received an advanced reader’s edition of Live By Night, the new novel by Dorchester author Dennis Lehane.  Although it mentions Dorchester only once or twice, the novel is a real page-turner … Continue reading →

Dorchester Illustration of the Day no. 1845 Comments on the last couple of days images  Doug Wynne: Years ago, when I worked for Associated Industries of Massachusetts, someone from AT&T told me that the pattern on these manholes represented a … Continue reading →

Dorchester Illustration of the Day no. 1843 Yesterday I asked:   Does anyone know what EEI stands for?  There were lots of responses including a reference to this site: http://forgotten-boston.com/lights%26utilities/boston.electric/utilities.html and another reply from Doug Wynne: Good morning, Earl. My memory … Continue reading →

Dorchester Illustration of the Day no. 1843 And here is one response from many regarding the BWWstreet covers. Good morning, Earl. Assuming these are a foot or so square, I think they are street shutoff valve access hatches for water … Continue reading →

Dorchester Illustration of the Day no. 1842 A friend encouraged me to look down to see what’s under my feet.  Today we have four metal covers embedded in the pavement.  Does anyone know what the letters stand for?  These have … Continue reading →