This community is about 10 miles SE of Boston and founded its own municipal lighting system in 1894. Today it serves over 10,000 customers.

In the early 1900s it was discovered that the hard pine poles on the utility's system were starting to decay and rot at ground level. This was problemsome for most other electric and communications companies across New England, even though the pine poles were only a few years old.

The Hingham Municipal Light Board and General Manager decided to implement a town-wide program in replacing these poles with square chestnut ones. It was found at that time that they were far more durable with a life expectancy of at least 25 years.

Shown is one of the light plant's linemen atop one of Hingham's recently installed chestnut poles. Click "Next" for a close view.