In this rare photo we see a myriad of telephone, telegraph and lighting service lines traversing in what looks like in all directions! This was a pretty common sight for cities back in the 1890s. Brockton was very well known for its shoe industries and maintained that stately helm until the 1960s when cheaper imports took over (sound familiar?). The overhead lines that you see pretty much remained in place through the early 1920s. At that time underground lines and ornamental upright streetlights were installed.

Thomas Edison experimented with electric lighting generation in Brockton (less than a mile from where this photo was taken) commencing in 1880. In 1881 the Brockton Edison Company was formed. Thomas Edison has also been credited for development of the first underground three-phase distribution circuits. These pioneer installations were installed near where this photo was taken.

How come I know so much about Brockton, MA? I was born and grew up there. I dilegently followed the B.E. Co. line crews around on my bike in the early to mid-1960s as I made great friends with them while pursuing my insulator and related "go-with" adventures.

The city is about 20 miles south of Boston.