This photo is from 1949 taken in downtown Hingham, MA. The town had intention to place all of the utility lines within their main business district underground. Postwar electric demand was increasing at a nearly unprecedented pace and additional lines, poles, transformers and cables were needed to meet this requirement. Rather than put up more overhead gear it was decided to do so beneath the streets...underground. This situation was very similar across postwar America since many communities were tired of seeing the "blight" of pole lines through their downtowns and the issue was more sensitive when it came to adding more to it.

Plans in Hingham, Massachusetts initially were to widen the two main roads through downtown that were approximately a half-mile in length (North Street and South Street). This also meant "it will be necessary to change present construction which will require a sizable expenditure of department funds" stated by the Light Board Commissioners during 1948. They also added (in their year-end report) "the department constructed underground conduits, cables and manholes and put them into operation. New street light poles and fixtures of the modern mercury vapor type were also installed..." One of the latter is seen on the right in the above photo. These employed 400-watt bulbs and were twice as energy efficient than the previous incandescent ones and lasted much longer. Hingham was among the first communities in Massachusetts to employ mercury vapor street lighting. Work on the underground project continued through all of 1949 whereby more street light poles were erected. Ongoing progress with placing all cables and wires underground in these areas was making it possible to remove all of the overhead wires and wooden poles in downtown Hingham by 1950. Thus, the utility pole in the photo above (1949) was on death row. Please keep in mind that this is a historic community founded in 1635. With many period buildings and structures throughout town, very especially in its downtown area, the forementioned improvements were a delight to the townspeople and those who visited this historic Massachusetts community.

The fire alarm call box system also placed their wires within underground conduit. Note the new fire box pole on the left with a red ball globe atop it. On the utility pole is an old fire box location indicator light. These had an upwards "J" shaped pipe bracket with a ruby red glass globe on top.

FYI and other.....if you are familiar with this area or if you would like a Google Streetview look, this is on North Street opposite Fearing Road, looking north. The building in the photo was a famous hotel. It was torn down in the early 1960s to make way for the present Hingham Post Office building. Community-based power systems have been neighborhood-like and quite neighborly. And may I say with old-school, respected customs especially with those who have dedicated their lives to them. During 1946 Hingham-born (the late) Miss Mary Gorman commenced as the Hingham Light Plant's billing and customer service clerk and continued until 1994. (The late) James E. Morrison was hired as accountant/office manager in 1950 and continued through 1999...49 years of community service! He replaced Mr. Harold Murch who was hired in 1926. What tradition!