Here is a superb example of what early electric distribution looked like long the left. Note the small transformer as well. Keep in mind that in those days (around 1910) electric lighting was what electric companies were primarily selling. Soon thereafter, the conveniences of electric appliances such as irons, water heaters, etc., increased load. In response to this, utilities built upgraded lines, often with higher primary voltages. The primary voltage here to the transformer that you see probably is either 1,110V or 2,200V with a 100 or 110V secondary. Upgrades eventually generally were in the 4kv range.

Along the right is an asbsolutely neat 6-pin telephone line witn three crossarms. Lines built like this were among Ma Bell's first ones here in the Northeast. They often had two lag-screws diagionally located on the crossarm's center for mounting with a "pencil topped" pole. The subsequent (c.1910 and later) 10-pin telephone crossarms (at least here in New England) had center-bolt mounting and many were creosoted (like their poles) for long service life (which really worked!)