Boston Terminal Company construction views: South Station, Boston, Mass.

Description

Bound in hard cover, stamped on the front "John C. Sanborn" though inscribed inside "R.G. Baker". Consists entirely of cyanotype (blue print) views of the building of South Station. A title page is inscribed: "The Boston Terminal Company Construction Views, Southern Station, Boston," suggesting it to have been an official presentation volume, rather than a casual compilation of views. Plates are numbered, with a total of 304. Dates are given on the plates, beginning with August, 1896, terminating with 1900. First plate shows pre-existing freight yards followed by view of original staiton with stick-style gable, views of surrounding streets and general area are also included. Actual construction views begin wtih Feb 1897. These tend to be panoramic in nature, with photographic sequences spaced--typically--at weekly internvals, with photographer generally positoned at the same vantage point. Atlantic Avenue is prominently documented, as is Federal St., though detailed views of individual buildings are relatively rare. Scenes following a heavy snow storm are documented in plates 97-108. Construction views also document various types of storage, heavy equipment, and carting systems. While workers are shown, they are often too distant to be useful for interpreting labor routines or relationships. However, when shown, they usually are at work:, rather than posed, as is the case in other public work documents of this type. Of some interest is a close-up view, plate 216, of the model of the station clock. Plates 224-235 are diagrams, showing track layout, fill, etc. 239 beings a series that documents Kneeland St. station in considerable detail and from several vantage points. 263 are copies of photos taken in 1897 of office space, located at 180 Summer St. showing drafting team, and setting. New Kneeland St. station appears in plate 270, together with Park Square station in 271. 273 shows first Boston and Albany train to enter station, followed by views of rolling lift bridge ( Old Colony line). 284-5 are panoramas of the Midway, followed (with interruptions) by views of train shed interior. Concludes with views of train boards, announcing routes and various diagrams.