Bostoners — 165 Kneeland St.

[Oeditpus Rex]

A friend who's originally from the Boston area e-mailed me this:


I have attached a photo of my TV screen — the red brick building on the right, with the two tall stacks, is 165 Kneeland Street. Built by Edison, it has provided power to Boston — by coal, oil and now gas — for more than 70 years.

In 1926, when my mother was just 5 years old, her father — my grandfather — was killed in an accident during the construction of that building. I have visited the building, and they were very nice, letting us in to look around and see some of the original plans and photos.

Still there, still providing power, and now on "Boston Legal".

[Gormy Cuss]

1. The Edison plant is still used as a landmark

I know just where it is and have walked by it many times

It's odd how such accidents fade into history for all but the families involved. Today marks the 25th anniversary of the Caldecott tunnel fire. I didn't live out here then and don't even remember reading about it, but it was a major event recalled in local news stories today. One man whose mother died in the tunnel fire commutes through the tunnel every weekday.

[Oeditpus Rex]

3. The one on 24?

I'd forgotten there was a fire. Been through that sucker a few times, especially en route to Walnut Creek before 680 existed.

[Gormy Cuss]

4. Yep.

Around midnight, a drunk driver skidded out of control in the north bore,the oil tank truck behind it had a minor crash into the car but the fuel tank had ruptured, and along came an empty AC transit bus that swerved around it, slamming into the opposing wall and igniting the fuel fire. That's why there are signs prohibiting hazardous loads from entering the tunnel most of the time.
There's a story in the Contra Costa Times today.

[graywarrior]

2. Let's not forget the molasses accident in the North End.

I swear you can still smell molasses today.