Full Trolley Ride Through Boston 1903

[@wacoflyer]

Every person seems so full of life and intent on some important task. And now...they're all dead and memories of them have long since faded away. Think of them and how fleeting your life also is.....

[@fr6313]

Yes, it's amazing . I thought the exact same thing and then saw your post. The amazing thing about a photograph or film is that it captures a fleeting moment in time and holds that for an eternity .

[@MarcGopin]

yes, exactly.

[@robmeyers8792]

L

[@marcinna8553]

We can still see their shadows on film.

[@rebesyo]

wacoflyer beautifully put.

[@notsure6187]

This is the Boston Elevated Railroad (at grade and subway sections only) . This ride starts on Tremont St and turns on to Boylston St at 0:30 then, makes a left on to Washington St. At 2:40, the streetcar is approaching North Station with the Main Line Elevated heavy rail on the right. At 5:40, it banks left from Boylston St on to Huntington Ave, passing the Public Library. At 7:15 it emerges from the Canal St Incline in front of North Station, under the Main Line El again.

[@Joseph-wy2mq]

I was wondering and trying to figure it out without much luck. Sounds like you know what you're talking about. Thanks!

[@henryadamsjr.9527]

Good job!

[@paulevers9334]

Thanks. I got most of the parts until the last one. We can be thankful that Boston has not totally been turn up due to urban renewal. However, couldn't tell the tunnel the car was emerging from in the last segment.

[@JoeyLovesTrains]

Took me a little bit before I realized this was prior to thr Washington street tunnel

[@JimDorman]

1 Tremont Street to Washington Street and Downtown Crossing 2. North Station and Causeway Street 3. Boylston Street and Copley Plaza

[@ramblingrose6967]

I got it right !

[@petec2022]

Looks like there were more people walking in the streets back then than now.

[@aubreygraham5821]

This was before cars were popularized

[@MarcGopin]

Makes me treasure all of life as precious and fleeting. I love Boston, past and present, I love its people, I love how different we all are and still love the same streets. yes, my great grandparents were somewhere on those streets, perhaps walking by. yes we are the walking DNA left over from then, and that is beautiful too.

[@DorkofCork]

All these people are gone and without knowing it they are captured forever in this footage. Nice tender music...

[@fr6313]

That's the beauty of film and photo. It captures a brief flicker in time for all of eternity

[@samarthadhikary7962]

That's deep

[@julesbos1]

I just love this. My Great Grand Father was a coachman at this time, this could be him! It puts me in the hustle and bustle of the time, makes me feel emotional.

[@kelseymariel2127]

My great grandparents raising their families in Boston at the time. Probably part of this very scene. Thank you.

[@wendylynn7605]

I love it! This is the Boston my grandparents and great grandparents knew.

[@joandeluca6846]

This is a wonderful glimpse of olde Boston. My grandparents had just arrived and it is lovely to see life as it was. I never imagined Boston as this heavily populated and am astonished to see the crowds. Thank you for this marvelous video.

[@vanzarockin]

Thank you for posting this beautiful and otherworldly footage. I would always think about my great grandparents' lives whenever I would take the T. The old stations seemed to inspire me to imagine what their lives must have been like and how they had once gazed at the same buildings as I. Watching this brought me right back to thinking about my great grandfather the harbor pilot and his life in the Back Bay!

[@fredsawyer9845]

Film is so amazing . It captures a moment in time for all of eternity ....Amazing that all these people are long gone today but are now alive in film

[@gretchengraham8416]

Thank you Jim Dorman for posting this, and the information on Northeast Historic Film Company.

[@janinecorwin9414]

This footage is in the genre called Phantom Ride. It was very poplular when film was first developing. People were well aware of film making, and you can see those young men jostling for the benefit of the camera. There were many small companies producing films. I like the name of this one, American Mutoscope.

[@likepatsandGTOs]

Thanks so much....indeed a treasure! EVERY single person captured in that film is long gone....staggering to think.

[@evasivy855]

I enjoyed this, but I must reflect in the same vein as some of the commenters below. My dad was born 21 years after this video was shot, and he died last year at age 94. So all of the people in this video are long gone, and it makes many of us wonder what it all means, and why we struggle so in this life. Why do we fight so hard to get ahead when it all just comes to an end and there is no more?

[@fr6313]

It certainly puts a perspective on things. I once heard when I was kid someone say "we're only on this earth for a flicker in time "....And I remember being 15 and hearing my Dad say to my aunt and cousins one summer that "I'm going to be 50 in August and it seems like only yesterday I was 25.". I scoffed at him and thought the remark was silly . Now being 50 I know exactly what he meant ...I wonder what people 100 years from now will think when they watch this video and when they watch a video from 2017?

[@markbirchall2060]

I can find only one answer to your question. We are here to be tested. All the hardships are a test from the Creator to see who will bless Him and who will curse Him. It is explained in the book of Enoch rather well and also the Bible. But it takes effort and study to see into the fabric of this world and how it was designed. I hope you will look into it and find the answer as I have. Otherwise life seems entirely hopeless and empty. There is a great purpose for All this.

[@petergunn9149]

Our lives are gifts given to us by God to love him all our lives unconditionally always ☦️ He came into the world in the flesh as man to show us the way to everlasting life☦️ May Our Lord Jesus Christ Son Of God Have Mercy Upon Us☦️ Ancient Faith Radio ☦️

[@TomDevaney65]

Vomit.

[@chumley307]

Or there's not and that's just wishful thinking.

[@cat46723]

I'm old enough to remember seeing electric cars, my mother used to take me into Haymarket Square for fresh goods in the 60's

[@MrCrowebobby]

And you could go to the other end of the streetcar and pretend to be driving it.

[@MrImperial67]

My Grandfather used to take me here and he always spoke of the street cars and how he would be there as a boy to shine shoes. He seemed sad when he thought about how poor he was. I wish he was alive to see this video

[@benjaminrobles2708]

So much of our early architecture gone...just depressing.

[@alfredroberthogan5426]

So sorry y of course to see abused horses--and know that all these people in my hometown of Boston are now already gone. Wonderful to see people dressed and shod so nicely. Thank you Jim Dorman for posting this historic footage.

[@MINGXI-r9b]

The horses were not abused. They are made to be ridden you dumb city fool.

[@patdugdale9444]

Wow! This is a treasure! Cool to see Jordan Marsh! Wish it had afforded a glimpse of Fenway, which would have been only a year old at this time!

[@notsure6187]

Pat Dugdale yeah your off by 10 years.

[@henryadamsjr.9527]

Yeah Fenway Park wasn't born yet 😆. Lol. Nice thought though😘.

[@johnshields6852]

My city, born at St. Margaret's hospital in 1960, I can't believe it's 2022, as a kid I remember thinking 1984 was the future.lol, it's funny, now that I'm older I realize that these images really weren't that long ago, you'll see what I mean when you get old. Still a great city, a mix of every culture and all races living together. 🙏🇺🇸

[@vinnycriss8907]

Haunting when you about everything that has happened between then and now that these people didn't know about.....

[@MarcGopin]

no idea that the world war one was coming, the crash, world war 2. so busy and intent on life. it is beautiful.

[@ddivincenzo1194]

Think of Americans pre 9/11.

[@ymatktpk11]

They had no idea that Dunks would take over.

[@losangelesangel2888]

It looked a lot like New York. Busy and crowded.

[@elombard39]

Made me inexplicably sad. Thank you for sharing..

[@elombard39]

"Haunting" is exactly the right word. I see the streets and recognize them (some of them.) Boston is a "small" ciuty as major cities go, It wouldn't surprise me if my own people are on there, caught forever living a little piece of their daily lives. TY;

[@notsure6187]

E Lombard well if you went by combined statistical area, Bostons actually the 6th largest in the US. but it isn't even 50 square miles.

[@GrandmasterBeef]

thanks for the upload, this looks like a completely different world, it's nuts

[@Northatlantic2012]

Great footage!!

[@dannymac6305]

Fantastic! Thank You for sharing it.

[@JimDorman]

Thanks Pat; I agree! I'm afraid Fenway was a few years down the line. It opened in 1912, the same year the Titanic sank.

[@matcummings4626]

when buildings were pretty.

[@aubreygraham5821]

Boston still has a lot of pretty buildings

[@kathrynbellerose3925]

Just imagine every single person here is no longer on this earth. I am a Bostonian and don’t recognize where these particular streets are in downtown Boston. Our city has changed so very much. This is the same year my dad was born. Wow

[@JimDorman]

I think Tremont, Washington and Beacon Streets are unmistakable. You can see Downtown crossing, Jordan Marsh, the old South Church the Boston Public Library and South Station.

[@kathrynbellerose3925]

@@JimDorman I could make out the Old South Meeting House and l saw the Jordan Marsh sign. Your eye may be better than mine because many of those downtown building s were torn down.

[@religion-of-logic8708]

1ST PUNCH THROWN ON FILM AT 2:18

[@russison]

damn...the accuracy...

[@paramedivmso4]

I saw that too. I was wondering who he was scrappin` with.

[@LavLab]

Great footage, thanks! 👍

[@tommytrinder.1226]

It went past JJ Foleys on Kingston street?.

[@sixsixxsixxxx]

pretty cool! seems cities just as crowded then...nice slide blues around 4:30 on

[@lensuber1740]

Great video!

[@leoroys9683]

this is so great

[@kvernon1]

At 5:15, does that sign advertise "hot soda"? I never knew that was fashionable in Boston or anywhere else!

[@siervadejesus7798]

Just beautiful, the way people get dressed, nothing comparing today! ☹️.

[@jblucas70]

the best video!

[@jblucas70]

Nice ride!

[@bfvinyl]

At one point it looked like they went by the Boston Public Library in Copley Square..

[@thor1964]

bpl online has a few of these early boston films

[@MrDrmpilot365]

At 2:08 I wonder what kind of car that was?

[@SevenFootPelican]

This is a jewel! Where did you get thisssssss.

[@esotronica]

Thanks for posting this...like watching another person's dream. What is the music, if you don't mind my asking?

[@JimDorman]

+Burning Snowman Productions I like the music too. Unfortunately, I didn't find out. It was on the DVD that came with "The Rooters" which I filmed this from - see above.

[@sjesty]

Awesome! What's the name of the 2nd song please?

[@TigerofRobare]

Any idea what the route was? I recognized Jordan Marsh, the McKim Building and maybe old North Station.

[@2048boots]

+Matthew Robare That looks like South Station. They used to have above ground rail lines coming from there.

[@JimDorman]

+Matthew Robare I think it starts out on Tremont St, takes a right on West St and then a left on Washington St past Downtown Crossing. Then, I'm not sure totally. It definitely gets to the South Station area, and then there is a clip coming down Beacon until you get the public library. Then it takes a left onto Dartmouth headed towards the South End. The last bit looks like one of the portals used to enter the subway. The portals no longer exist, but I read that there were three - on near the Public Garden, one near North Station and one near Pleasant St (South End). It might be the last one, because I see a building with a tower that looks like the Pine St Inn or close by.

[@shawmutfinlay]

there is definitely some pieces/time chopped out. But the bit you mention with the library begins coming down Bolylston St. (the wrong way today) and bears left before the library right through the park of Copley Square down Huntington Ave. I believe Huntington Ave. went straight through to Boylston then.

[@user-oz3tz2nf1r]

It's true these people are gone, but many of you seem sad about that. I am not, because without even knowing it, they became a part of history. Also, there is no reason to fear death when you believe in an afterlife. I know some day, I won't be here so I am living my best life and when my time is up, hopefully, I have given someone or some people a piece of myself that will live on. Just like these people.

[@Jup2com]

Fear of death does not prevent it, it only prevents living.

[@davidpoirier2504]

My goodness, the Red Sox were in their 2nd or 3rd season and there was no Fenway Park!

[@donaldsexton1305]

Nice how everybody cared about their appearance back then. Men always had a coat and tie and women in dresses. Unlike today with people wearing cargo shorts and backwards ball caps.

[@inkey2]

I was born in the 1950s and I can remember even small retail store owners wore a suit and tie

[@FUCKINGENIOUS]

You want everyone to walk around all the time in suits? lol

[@aubreygraham5821]

Fym, when I walk around downtown Boston everybody is wearing $1000+ Canada goose jackets

[@djb-illy8471]

Donald Sexton that was all they had bud . No major “style “ available besides suits and ties.

[@nokomarie1963]

How they dashed across the street, willy-nilly.

[@MM-ry1ev]

Nokomarie Exactly, the human consciousness did not perceive danger or death in the street and did not have the awareness to always look both ways since no automobiles existed and nothing moved faster than their reflexes would sense. 🙂

[@Lucius_Chiaraviglio]

@@MM-ry1ev I have heard of people sometimes getting run over by horse-drawn carriages as early as the 1700s (probably happened long before that), so the streets weren't completely safe even back then.

[@bfvinyl]

I saw Jordan Marsh going down Washington Street heading north then the Old South Meeting House on the corner of Milk and Washington Streets

[@gordonrobbins5843]

THANK YOU. VERY NICE.

[@jhonesmith8642]

I saw the public library where I used to set next to GUBRAN KHALIL GUBRAN memorial,, my fellow Lebanese and my mentor. In 1903 he was alive and kicking his house was in china town where Merry hisckell used to visit him to assist in translation. If I die before living in Boston again it will be like I never were born

[@divacdiva01]

so many people walking around

[@dennisleporte2327]

@Ned M it is pretty amazing to think is'nt it? In another 100 yrs..........

[@khalidalahbabi3394]

These people didn’t know that after more than 100 years , people will watch them 3:00 o’clock in the morning

[@sauroid1]

Awesome!!! I really love this though it makes me wicked home sick.

[@kidddee544]

Love the music.

[@paramedivmso4]

I wonder if people got as angry and frustrated at each other for getting in one another`s way and cutting each other off as we do today? I would say no. A completely different mind set back then. But the organized chaos of that day is clear. But it didnt seem to matter as much. Perhaps we can learn from the past to change the future. One can hope.

[@sandrasoares3311]

The good old days.

[@btcbob11392]

I grew up in Boston in the 1950's it was such a busy vibrant town back then. Now it's a disgusting dirty place, especially downtown or what's left of it.

[@bigpaulie806]

Where's Charlie?

[@ddivincenzo1194]

Stuck on the horse drawn version of the MTA. He can't get off b/c he doesn't have the fee to disembark.

[@JimDorman]

Both the music and the images are a bit haunting; don't you think?

[@fr6313]

Imagine ...No TV , no radio, no internet

[@jblucas70]

Sonic Youth Love!

[@MacEstelle]

amazing

[@michaelmaciejewicz7534]

Omg What kind of phone is this being used to record this

[@JimDorman]

Haha. It wasn't a phone. And it was a tube tv. And the car and truck noise is from my street.

[@BallymurphyBabe]

And I thought driving was bad now. It looks like people are walking and buggying right in front of the trolley

[@jblucas70]

got more?

[@merccadoosis8847]

How I wish I had a time machine!

[@thubgen1]

Can you tell me what piece of music this is/

[@wingwalker27]

I believe it from Sonic Youth

[@erickcordero3927]

Was it illegal not to wear a hat?

[@notsure6187]

Erick Cordero yes until JFK made it not fashionable anymore 😆

[@ddivincenzo1194]

I miss Jordan Marsh and Filenes.

[@fredwojick3190]

I wish I owned stock in black suites and hats back then !! haha

[@ricosuave3708]

Doesn't anybody work ?

[@GrowthruGod]

peds were twice the hazard

[@bionicbigfoot2790]

Creepy to think that Jack the Ripper stalked these same streets some 2 years henceforth

[@MarcGopin]

saints and criminals are always on the same streets to this day

[@notsure6187]

in Boston?

[@henryadamsjr.9527]

Wasn't that London silly😒?

[@cathedral94]

I wonder where all those people are now?

[@maryrutkowski7195]

Dead Cathedral - all dead like we will be someday. Even a baby born in 1903 would be well over 100.

[@kathleenburkly8525]

every one of them must be dead, unless people live to be 130 years old!

[@giovanniserafino1731]

I once heard of a tombstone that read : The way you are, I once was. The way I am, you will one day be!

[@Deathisbeautiful.231]

Giovanni Serafino you wrote this about a year ago but damn that quote hit me hard

[@SUPD100]

It's crazy to think that just about everyone in that video is dead now.

[@kvernon1]

Just about everyone? Even if someone was born on the day this video was made, this person would be 115 years old today. Trust me, everyone you see is no longer with us.

[@johnanimex.1334]

even the guy we never saw ,the guy filming this ...

[@notsure6187]

john animex that is a crazy thought huh? well I suppose there COULD be 115 year old people in Boston. 🤔☺

[@ymatktpk11]

Littleton resident Hazel Plummer, born in my home town of Somerville in 1908, is 114. She is MA's oldest resident.

[@russison]

Before there was a such thing as a term "World War"...

[@freemanz4051]

Another Boston Dorman... en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dale_Dorman

[@josephlaffey4744]

Linder Disc

[@josephlaffey4744]

CD

[@josephlaffey4744]

Elmo world dancing music and books DVD

[@Craigellisshow]

Really? You're videoing it off a CRT (tube) TV? Yikes! How about a tripod! ouy vey..

[@JimDorman]

+Craig Ellis I'm sorry this offends you as a photographer, but people seem to like it. I did use a tripod. Here is a link to a better version without the nice music. kzbin.info/www/bejne/n4alpKiLmqh9qJo

[@michaelmaciejewicz7534]

Yes I was kidding

[@josephlaffey4744]

WNET VCR VHS

[@josephlaffey4744]

VHS

[@DeFySniping]

I SEE MYSELF AT 0:69 !!!!

[@henryadamsjr.9527]

You must be a time traveller-can I go back to the 80's😳?

[@josephlaffey4744]

PHILIPS DVD VIDEO

[@josephlaffey4744]

NBC NEWS VCR

[@TrumpDesantis-zm3kg]

Boston was getting flooded by European immigrants at this time.. Wish I was around 100 yrs before this film, would have went with lewis and clark and did some exploring

[@josephlaffey4744]

UK

[@josephlaffey4744]

Australia

[@davidwayne68]

FAF!

[@josephlaffey4744]

Jeep car

[@josephlaffey4744]

Milk

[@josephlaffey4744]

Roblox