Workers Were Installing Poles For Electric Wires

The latest  historical photo feature shows workers installing wire poles in anticipation of the arrival of electric streetcars along Main Street in Wenham.

The photo was taken on May 27, 1886. The first electric streetcar rolled up Main Street in 1897.

Both the “old” photo and the “new” photo are attached to this story. The exact location of the old photo may not match the new photo, but a home just out of view in the new photo matches the home in the old photo.

There's a new historical photo posted every Tuesday. Check the site next Tuesday for the latest one.

Special thanks to  and the Hamilton Historical Society and the  for providing the photos we use for this feature.

Plus, if you have a picture that was taken somewhere it Hamilton and Wenham more than 50 years ago that you want to submit for use in Then and Now, e-mail it to  at hamilton-wenham@patch.com or contact him to arrange pickup so that it can be electronically scanned for use on the website.