The Greenbush Line in Weymouth

The Greenbush Line in Weymouth. . , Weymouth had three railroad stations on the Greenbush Line: Weymouth, North Weymouth (also known as Weymouth Heights), and East Weymouth. In addition to the main line, after 1870, the Weymouth Branch Freight Railroad was incorporated to provide service to factories, mills and the Weymouth Iron Company in the East Weymouth area. The line interchanged with the South Shore Line near East Weymouth Station and curved southeast across Commercial, Broad, and Shawmut Streets to service industries on the north end of Whitman's Pond., Railroads had an enormous impact on Weymouth's industrial, manufacturing, and residential growth. Shoemaking expanded out of small shops known as "ten footers" into huge factories along Main Street in South Weymouth and Commercial Street in East Weymouth. By the 1850s, more than 1,000 Weymouth men and women worked making shoes. Shipbuilding along the Fore River in Weymouth was hampered by the railway's construction, but continued to thrive in North Weymouth, where the most prominent yard was that of N. Porter Keen at Hunt's Hill. Other industries supplied the shipbuilders and shoemakers. The Weymouth Iron Company manufactured nails, tacks, anchors, and chains on the banks of the Back River in East Weymouth, where it owned a wharf, storehouse, and tenements. The Boston Ice Company harvested ice from Whitman's and Great Ponds and used railroad spurs to move the heavy blocks to the main line. Hundreds of quarrymen drilled, cut and blasted Weymouth granite, which was shipped from East Weymouth rail yard to more than 25 states., Easy Railroad access also made Weymouth a haven for commuters and tourists. Summer cottages and hotels were built for vacationers and beach-goers in North Weymouth. From the 1890's to 1920's, large subdivisions for suburban developments of oceanfront property were constructed., ( photo captions ) , , North Weymouth Station , The ornate North Weymouth station was located at the intersection of North and Green Streets. This images comes from the Old Colony Line's publication. "Suburban Homes on the Old Colony" (1889) that promoted the towns served by the railroad as commuter locations. , , East Weymouth Station , The East Weymouth Station about 1952. The station was built around 1870 on Station Street, near East and Wharf Streets and the west end of the new East Weymouth Platform. A small freight yard for the interchange with the Weymouth Branch Freight Railroad was also at this location.