This is now the "Western Housing Court". A front street view is not available as it faces a new Court Square closed off to traffic. Sadly, the gables above the second floor have been removed, probably due to the cost of heating and maintenance. The ceilings and windows up there made for probably the best offices in the building!

The future car of radio and TV humorist Jack Benny, who laughed all the way to the bank portraying the cheapest man in the world.

My daughter, who lives in Charlestown, sent a photo the other day of the new streetlights the city was installing. They look a lot like the units seen in this photo. Iron scrollwork brackets, hat on top and bulb (light) hanging out the bottom. What's old is retro I guess. They replace the not-so-old rectangular LED panels probably installed just a few years ago.

[The "bulb" here is the globe enclosing a carbon arc lamp. - Dave]

So small in front of that massive building, the car is a 1907 Maxwell RS two cylinder runabout. Maxwell was a popular car for many years with an all metal body. Maxwell's slogan was "Simply Perfect - Perfectly Simple". There are still a good number of these early Maxwells on the road today.

Looks like a 1906 Maxwell.

Hope the driver of the vehicle doesn't approach from behind and not see that bicycle!

Maxwell circa 1906.

This architectural style is called Richardsonian Romanesque and this one was designed by Henry Hobson Richardson himself. I have become a fan of his style because of Shorpy. The building still stands and it is made of grey granite masonry which is as beautiful in colour as it is here in black and white.

Btw, does anyone know if that is a Model T? I love the way that car is shown against the backdrop of that courthouse. It has the effect of making me feel like I can experience life in a time before I was even born just by looking at a photograph.

Heavy stone was the material of choice back then. Glassy, airy building technology had several decades yet to develop. Nice little balcony for the corner office holder.