Life Before the Traffic Jam

Strawbery Banke Presents
HISTORIC PORTSMOUTH #225

As the early heart of the city moved inland from the waterfront, Market Square (formerly The Parade) became the bustling hub that it is today. This turn of the century image offers a more peaceful time – perhaps a Sunday in spring. (Continued below) 

 

 

 

HISTORIC PHOTOS of the Greater Portsmouth Area appear here week

Rich with detail, the photo shows a massive telephone pole, deeply rutted streets, an electric trolley, but scarcely any motorized vehicles. The few people on the street are well dressed. The North Church steeple has yet to be painted white. The 18^th century wooden building beside the church, long obscured by the garish Eagle Photo sign, was demolished along with the last of the Colonial Theatre to make way for the modern Congress Street block.

BONUS CLOSE-UPS

 

 

 This image from the book STRAWBERY BANKE:
A Seaport Museum 400 Years in the Making
by J. Dennis Robinson
(c) Strawbery Banke Museum Collection