Horse drawn carriage, Peabody Square, Circa 1900
Snow roller image, Lowell Street area, Circa 1890

Today, many of us will be out with our shovels, snow blowers or plows.
In looking at the snow roller image above, we wondered how our ancestors managed big snow storms before today’s technology.

Short answer, they didn’t need to clear the snow. Before the invention and widespread use of the automobile, it was easier for horse drawn vehicles and pedestrians if large amounts of snow were simply flattened.

If you are interested in knowing more – here is a link to a fascinating article by Sara Morrison “Conquering Winter: Snow Removal from Boston’s Streets from the Colonial Period to the Present”.