Bostons Lost Iron Highway Above Ground

For seventy-four years, Boston trains soared high above the city streets on a massive iron bridge. This elevated railway completely transformed Charlestown until it was replaced by underground tunnels.

The Charlestown Elevated was a towering landmark that defined the local skyline from 1901 until the mid-seventies. It allowed commuters to glide over busy intersections rather than navigating through congested city traffic. While noisy, it served as a vital artery that shaped the development of the neighborhood for generations. When the line finally moved underground, it marked the end of an era for elevated transit in the city.