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5000/5010. Bridge and Ferry Division

 Record Group Term
Identifier: 5000/5010
The ordinance creating the Public Works Department took effect February 1, 1911. The Bridge and Ferry Division was one of three divisions established within the Public Works Department. The Division Engineer for the Bridge and Ferry Division had charge of the design, construction and maintenance of the highway bridges within the limits of the City, whether constructed over navigable waters or railroads, also of the care and maintenance of the ferries operated by the City. Work pertaining to the abolishment of grade crossings was attended to by this division, as well as special engineering work for other City departments.

Found in 6 Collections and/or Records:

Bridge and Ferry Division photographs

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: 5010.004
Scope and Contents

Photographs and negatives of bridges and ferries. Subjects include views of City bridge, ferry, and pier facilities before, during, and after repairs, views of fire boats and ferry boats moored at these facilities, and views of motor vehicles involved in accidents damaging these facilities.

Dates: circa 1926-1947, 1971-1977
Found in: City of Boston Archives / Bridge and Ferry Division photographs

Bridge and Ferry Division plans

 Collection
Identifier: 5010.001
Scope and Contents Obsolete and superseded architectural and engineering drawings of the Bridge and Ferry Division for the following facilities: public ways such as bridges, streets, tunnels, navigable water bodies, ferries and ferry facilities, and miscellaneous city facilities such as cemeteries, garages, piers, sewage and rubbish facilities, parks and other open spaces, monuments, development plans, bulkheads, hospitals, penal facilities, MBTA facilities and vehicles, schools, bathhouses, Harbor islands,...
Dates: circa 1849-1959
Found in: City of Boston Archives / Bridge and Ferry Division plans

Bridge and Ferry Division records

 Collection
Identifier: 5010.006
Scope and Contents

Subject files and miscellaneous records documenting the work of the Bridge and Ferry Division of the Public Works Department. Also includes a sampling of log books for three bridges.

Dates: circa 1910-1975
Found in: City of Boston Archives / Bridge and Ferry Division records

Bridge history cards

 Series
Identifier: 5010.003
Scope and Contents note

Constitutes a historical summary of each structure at the time compiled, with the earliest and latest construction work being 1839-1922. Composed on 5"x8" cards and alphabetically arranged by geographic name, usually a street or water body associated with the structure. Base information was derived from research done in the City Documents and City Council Minutes, and annotated as alterations and repairs were made.

Dates: circa 1900-1922
Found in: City of Boston Archives / Bridge history cards

Bridge survey reports

 Series
Identifier: 5010.002
Scope and Contents note

Bridge inspection reports completed as part of a Federal Emergency Relief project in 1935.

Dates: 1935
Found in: City of Boston Archives / Bridge survey reports

Meridian Street Bridge photographs

 Collection — Box SB - 036: Series XV
Identifier: 5010.007
Scope and Contents

This set of photographs was most likely taken by members of the United States Army Corps of Engineers. The photographs shows various cargo ships and other vessels transiting the Chelsea Creek (aka Chelsea River) and passing through the Meridian Street Bridge in East Boston.

Dates: circa 1930-1946
Found in: City of Boston Archives / Meridian Street Bridge photographs

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