Historical Neighborhood Photo: Boston Elevated Railway

This week’s photo shows a 1920 Lechmere Branch car on the Boston Elevated Railway – a streetcar and rapid transit railroad constructed during a time of major growth in Boston.

With more and more people coming to live in the city, the need for efficient public transportation options became a necessity. Thus, the very first elevated tracks were put into service in 1901 between Charlestown and Dudley Square.

In later years, the tracks were further developed to offer several different routes. In fact, today’s MBTA system operates with some of the infrastructure created at this time.