Many of the utility poles installed by this utility upon its purchasing of customers and lines, etc. from the Weymouth (MA) Light and Power Company in 1894 (see: www.hmlp.com) (Please refer to the "About Us" menu on the far left of the utility's home page and scroll down to "History") were square heavy-duty chestnut poles. These beefy poles were intended to last forever! The last one was removed from service in the early 1980s and other than being weathered on the outside, the inside showed no sign of rot. Given the severity of the changes of seasons here in the Northeast, any poles that last over 50 years are a testimonial! I was a long-time employee for HMLP as well as their historian. Very few other utilities here in the Boston area installed chestnut (or square poles) for that matter. It is known that a few square ones may be standing in the municipal light plant territories of Holyoke, MA (near Springfield, MA) and very particularly Belmont, MA (about 10 miles west of Boston, MA). Belmont alsi is a municipally-owned utility. Added note: 02/20/07: Please see a different street scene also in Hingham Square c. 1900 with a much better view of the forementioned square utility poles, etc.