Boston Elevated Ry. Tower C

Tower C was a switching tower on the elevated rapid transit line at the intersection of Causeway and North Washington Streets in Boston near North Station. From its erection in 1901 until 1938, the tower controlled movements of "El" trains at a busy three-way intersection. Trains coming from the subway under downtown Boston passed the tower en route to Charlestown and Everett. Trains from South Station passed via Atlantic Avenue on their way to North Station, and other trains originating in Roxbury also swung past the tower when leaving Atlantic Avenue and heading for Charlestown. A switchman stationed on the upper level of Tower C would observe the configuration of marker lights on an approaching train to determine the direction desired. He would then operate levers which operated pneumatic lines which aligned the track switches. Once aligned and the way was clear, he sounded two blasts on the tower whistle to signal the train was safe to proceed. After the Atlantic Avenue Elevated was abandoned in 1938, the tower remained, but largely without function as the remaining trains simply curved past the tower. In 1975 when the Orange Line was diverted to a new subway, the Charlestown El was slated for demolition. The Museum obtained the tower, then moved it to Maine by sea. A giant crane lifted the tower to a trailer which carried it to the middle of the nearby Charlestown bridge, from which it was lowered onto a barge. A tug brought it to Kennebunkport Harbor, where it was cut horizontally, then driven to the Museum on two trailers. Once here it was craned off and reassembled. The design and construction of the tower represents the architectural style employed throughout the Elevated lines built by the Boston Elevated Railway Company. The design was the product of architect Alexander Wadsworth Longfellow, a nephew of the famed poet. All stations and service structures featured copper sheathing seen on Tower C, with the finely detailed decoration and distinctive peaked roofs. The care nd expense with these structures were built demonstrated the pride taken by turn of the century builders in this advanced form of transportation. Northampton Station from the Roxbury elevated in Boston is also at the Museum and shares the same architectural design.