Historic Images

Historic images from the beginning of the Cambridge Water Department (formerly Cambridge Water Works in the 1800s) to the 1950s.

  • Ice Houses at Fresh Pond, mid 18th century.

    Ice Houses at Fresh Pond, mid 18th century.

  • Map of the Cambridge Water Works from 1877.

    Map of the Cambridge Water Works from 1877.

  • Map of the Cambridge Water works from 1878.

    Map of the Cambridge Water works from 1878.

  • Picture of the railroad tracks along Fresh Pond, 1882.

    Picture of the railroad tracks along Fresh Pond, 1882.

  • Map of the Cambridge Water Works, 1886.

    Map of the Cambridge Water Works, 1886.

  • Bank along Cushin Street from location of new road, 1895.

    Bank along Cushing Street from location of new road. Photo taken by NL Stebbins on October 15, 1895.

  • Hemlock Point viewed from location near inlet, 1895.

    Hemlock point viewed from location near inlet. Photo taken by NL Stebbins on October 15, 1895.

  • North bank from Shore Drive, 1895

    North Bank viewed from shore Drive. Photo taken by NL Stebbins on October 15, 1895.

  • Fresh Pond Hotel at Kingsley Park, ~ 1896.

    Fresh Pond Hotel at Kingsley Park, ~ 1896.

  • Historic Overlook at Kingsley Park, ~1896.

    Historic Overlook at Kingsley Park, ~1896.

  • General Plan of Fresh Pond, 1897.

    General Plan of Fresh Pond, 1897.

  • Drawing of the Olmsted pathway along Fresh Pond, Early 1900s.

    Drawing of the Olmsted pathway along Fresh Pond, Early 1900s.

  • Concord Avenue entrance, 1899.

    1899 00047-01 Concord Ave

    "Eastermost Concord Avenue Entrance." Photo taken June 19, 1989 by Mr. S. Pray for the Olmsted Brothers.

  • East shore of Fresh Pond, photo taken in 1899.

    1899 00047-02 Pumping Station

    "East shore looking towards Pumping Station." Photo taken by Mr. S. Pray on June 19, 1899 for the Olmsted Brothers.

  • 1899 photo past Black's Nook looking east.

    1899 00047-10 East Blacks Nook

    "Just East of Black's Nook Looking East." Photo taken on June 19, 1899 by Mr. S. Pray for the Olmsted Brothers.

  • 1899 Photo of Fresh Pond Grove under railroad bridge.

    1899 00047-11 40 Artificial Bank

    "The artificial bank just south of Huron Avenue entrance under the railroad bridge looking south. Fresh Pond Grove in Distance." Photo taken by Mr. S. Pray on June 19, 1899 for the Olmsted Brothers.

  • Bank west of Adams Street 1899.

    "The raw bank just west of the Adams Street entrance from the drive." Photo taken by Mr. S. Pray on June 19, 1899 for the Olmsted Brothers.

  • Bank near Adams Street, 1899.

    "The westermost raw bank near Adams Street from midway between in and the old covered well on the drive." Photo taken by Mr. S. Pray on June 19, 1899 for the Olmsted Brothers.

  • Black's Nook, 1899.

    "Black's Nook and the site of the Tudor Estate." Photo taken by Mr. S. Pray on June 19, 1899 for the Olmsted Brothers.

  • Fresh Pond Drive, 1899.

    "From west of Pumping Station looking west." Photo taken by Mr. S. Pray on June 19, 1899 for the Olmsted Brothers.

  • Fresh Pond Grove from South Shore, 1899.

    "Fresh Pond Grove from South Shore." Photo taken by Mr. S Pray on June 19, 1899 for the Olmsted Brothers.

  • Wyeth Point, 1899.

    "The cut and sharp turn at Wyeth Point." Photo taken by Mr. S. Pray on June 19, 1899 for the Olmsted Brothers.

  • Photo of Fresh Pond Reservation from 1901.

    1901 00047-12 Refrectory

    "Fresh Pond Reservation. Oak close by and north of proposed refrectory showing result of lowering the grade around it." Photo taken by Mr. Wyman on September 27, 1901 for the Olmsted Brothers.

  • Photo of Fresh Pond Park taken in 1901.

    1901 00047-13 Bank

    "Fresh Pond Park. Bank planted by us this spring. Near inlet gate house." Photo taken by Mr. J.C.O. on June 8, 1901 for the Olmsted Brothers.

  • Photo of Fresh Pond Park taken in 1901.

    1901 00047-14 Fresh Pond Park

    "Fresh Pond Park. Bank near inlet Gate House just planted," Photo taken by Mr. J.C.O. on June 8, 1901 for the Olmsted Brothers.

  • Photo of the view from bank near inlet Gate House taken in 1901.

    1901 00047-15 Fresh Pond

    "Fresh Pond Park. View from bank from Inlet Gate House." Photo taken by Mr. J.C.O. on June 8, 1901 for the Olmsted Brothers.

  • Photo of Kingsley Park from 1901.

    1901 00047-16 Pergola

    "Kingsley Park. Site for pergola and for carriage sheds from road over bridge over R.R."

  • Photo of Kingsley Park taken in 1901.

    1901 00047-17 Kingsley Park

    "Kingsley Park. Site of old nunnery, from road near bridge over R.R."

  • Photo of Kingsley Park from 1901.

    1901 00047-18 KP Nunnery

    "Kingsley Park. Bridge over R.R. from site of old Nunnery"

  • Photo of Kingsley Park from 1901.

    1901 00047-19 Kingsley Park

    "Kingsley Park. Carriage shed site and bridge over R.R. from site of pergola."

  • Picture of the Cambridge standpipe, date unknown.

    Picture of the Cambridge standpipe, date unknown.

  • Bank along Cushing Street from Huron Ave, 1890s.

    Bank along Cushing Street from Huron Ave, ~ early 1900s.

  • Fresh Pond Drive Way, date unknown.

    Fresh Pond Drive Way, date unknown.

  • Kingsley Park, date unknown.

    Kingsley Park, date unknown.

  • Photo of the former Water Treatment Plant, 1922.

    Photo of the former Water Treatment Plant, 1922.

  • Cambridge Plant & Garden Club Restoration of Black's Nook, 1963. Photo Source: Patricia Pratt

    Cambridge Plant & Garden Club Restoration of Black's Nook, 1963. Photo Source: Patricia Pratt

  • Photo of sledders at Kingsley Park, ~1950s.

    Photo of sledders at Kingsley Park, ~1950s.