Dan Antion

Slow Travel – More Doors

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The best thing about traveling during retirement is not being on a tight schedule.

As I mentioned in replies to a few comments, I had driven by Worcester and seen the towers of Union Station from the highway, many times. I once spent six months working in Lowell, Massachusetts on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, driving through Worcester each day. Of course, that was in 1985—before the restoration—so maybe it’s good I didn’t stop.

Before leaving for Burlington, MA, I searched for historic train stations I might find along the way. Google has a curious concept of “near me” and suggested stations that were well beyond a quick detour. I decided to find the historic stations in Newton and Waltham Massachusetts. The station in Waltham doesn’t rise to the level of Worcester Station, and is currently occupied by an insurance agency, but it’s always good to see a train station still standing.

The station in Newton—let’s just say Google and I got our wires crossed. I might save that for next week, but don’t let your anticipation build. I was able to snap photos of other doors and buildings. I may also be sharing these photos again next week, as I think I have more than enough for one week.

Most of these were taken from my car while at the curb in a no parking zone. Finding parking in Massachusetts is not easy. I was able to park for a few minutes opposite the fire station and the museum.

What I know of the buildings in the pictures is in the captions. As always, if you want to see the entire caption, click on any photo, open the slide show and click the little ‘i’ in the circle. You only have to click that once. Then you can scroll down a bit and see the entire caption.

This is the old Waltham train station. Currently in use as an insurance agency.
West end of the old Waltham Station
Track side of the original train station
The Prospect House
The Prospect House – Built in 1839 as a tavern and hotel. This was on the road between Boston and Hartford.
Prospect House plaque
Random building across from the chapel
This old church is now a chapel for a private school
Stone chapel
Moody Street Fire Station
Moody Street Fire Station is a historic fire station at 533 Moody Street in Waltham, Massachusetts. Built in 1890
Waltham Museum
Line side building behind the current train station in Waltham
Waltham Museum
Garage along side of museum
Current train station in Waltham

If you are in a hurry and don’t wish to scroll through the comments, click to Jump to the comment form.


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115 comments

    • I had that same thought about the doors on the chapel. Perhaps they’ve recently been replaced and are awaiting final prep. Probably not, but a boy can hope.

      Thanks for squeezing us in before work!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

    • I have the same question about the chapel door. I was wondering if it was a recent replacement and they added a clear protective coat for winter. I might have to return if I head to Boston in the fall.

      Thanks for the curious collection of ghost doors (maybe) and entrances (maybe).

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

    • I was hoping to find some photos of the Prospect House being moved. I’m sure it’s listed in our national registry, but the documents containing this area of Massachusetts aren’t available yet.

      You found a lovely house that certainly will never be rotated.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  16. Slow travel — my kind of speed! I like the part about how you were snapping photos from no-parking zones. That train station might not be Union, but it makes a tidy-looking office. Are those storm cellar doors in the ground there? Those are doors not often seen! I do like all the windows in these buildings, and of course windows are a kind of door.

    Liked by 1 person

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    • You have a good eye, Maureen. Those are cellar doors. I hadn’t even noticed them when I prepared and posted the photo. Street parking anywhere near Boston is a significant challenge. My favorite spot is near a fire hydrant, but of course I don’t dare leave my car. When I was opposite the fire station, I had the last real legal parking spot, but a deliver van driver wanted it, and I motioned that I’d leave after one more picture. I’d love to work in a restored train station.

      Liked by 1 person

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  19. Love the Prospect House. Handsome building. But the street, sidewalk and driveway need sone TLC,

    The stone chapel is a beauty. The door is a beauty too, but unusual to see on a church.

    The red doors on the firehouse are grand. No mistaking what this building is!

    You sure have a knack for finding interesting doors/buildings Dan. Thanks for the tour.
    Ginger

    Liked by 1 person

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    • Thanks Ginger. I am hoping that the door on the chapel is not finished yet. That stands out a little too much. The entrance to the parking lot for the Prospect House needs a bigger curb cut. I’m guessing people drive over that cracked portion all the time. Boston isn’t known for patient drivers.

      No mistaking that firehouse at all. If you look close, you can see three large red firetrucks, one behind each door.

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  24. Wonderful pictures! My husband would have fussed about the roof of the museum. “Look at how that roof is cut up! Why would they want to do that?” He hated laying shingles on a roof that had any features on it. Of course, he was primarily an English/Humanities teacher, so he was understandably limited in his building expertise. I’m back in Corydon for my doors today: https://marianallen.com/2023/03/thursday-doors-corydoors-february-2023/#Corydon#Indiana#cat#mailbox

    Liked by 2 people

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    • I always look at buildings with an eye to how hard they would be to maintain. 65 multi-pane windows? No thank you. 12 dormers? Nope.

      I liked your doors today, although an “item” in one window caught my attention.

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      Reply

  31. Dan, these are the most charming train stations I’ve ever seen. All the other buildings are too.
    In my post today, I’ve featured some of the photos you did for “Brother Love, a Crossroad” because they also worked for Atonement, TN. I hope all of your friends will click over and “get aboard” for my new blog serial, which is set in that fictional town. Hugs.

    #ThursdayDoors — To a New Interactive Serial

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  35. The Prospect House “rotation” was very interesting. Those red doors on the Moody Street fire station…we have a couple stations here that can rival that shade of red, but neither are as classic-looking of a station as that historic venue. Nice to see the old Waltham station repurposed.

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  37. Slow travel is my favorite kind! I love the red doors on the fire station. I spent some time exploring Union Station in Los Angeles a couple of weeks ago. It has been restored to its original art deco beauty and updated to add a metro hub. I’m so happy when gorgeous old buildings are preserved rather than removed for something more modern and, often, boring.

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    • I am always happy when I see a train station that is no longer being used repurposed, preserved and maintained. They are important and unique reminders of our transportation history.

      I enjoyed your post today, very much.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  44. Oh, if only those buildings could tell their secrets, what fun it would be to hear the conversations that have occurred within their walls. Whenever I see a building demolished to build something new, I feel a sense of loss. Thank you for your “Doors” posts.

    Liked by 1 person

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    • I am glad you enjoy these, Rebecca. The fire station in the gallery has been in use for over 125 years. We can only imagine what those crews talked about. I am so glad that building (and it’s twin across town) are still in use. I am also happy to see that the railroad station has been given a new lease on life. Thanks for visiting.

      Liked by 1 person

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  45. I love to see old buildings carefully re-purposed. It extends their lives. And their history. Interesting about that stone church, it is a beautiful building but a rather strange roof. Is there a story there? Love the buildings.

    Liked by 1 person

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    • I wish I knew more about that chapel, Pam. It has passed into private hands. I think the door needs to be stained or painted, but I’m glad the building has been preserved. Same with the train station.

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    • Thanks Brenda. I don’t know what that building is. I got tangled up trying to get out of the church parking lot and wasn’t able to visit that parking lot as I had planned. Sometimes, traffic wins.

      I loved your photos today!

      Liked by 1 person

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  51. Some great buildings Dan. I love the old train station. The firehouse also looks pretty cool. No doors for me this week sadly, I was just too tired from work yesterday. See you next week 😊

    Liked by 1 person

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  52. Hi Dan – yes time out … to look around – making a change for you. I’m pleased that history is being remembered – even if whole buildings are moved! Cheers Hilary

    Liked by 1 person

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    • I’ll take it any way we can get it, Hilary. We have a number of historic homes in New England that have been, moved, restored and preserved. If they hadn’t been, they would have been torn down. We barely have 400 years of history to work with. Some people don’t think it’s enough to bother about.

      Liked by 1 person

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  53. Between other events and circumstances I somehow missed yesterday’s doors. Just like the reason for rotating and moving Prospect house puzzled me my explanations of the error of ADD item to the Reader’s List continues to puzzle the Happiness Engineers. Nice doors Dan !

    Liked by 1 person

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    • We never close, John. I’m not sure why they rotated the house. I mean, it’s huge and that had to be a tremendous undertaking. The Happiness Engineers must have some sore puzzlers (credit to Dr, Seuss on that one).

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  58. What an interesting post! I like all the buildings here. The red fire station doors win, and I really like the second, west end photo. I’m glad that you’re going around door-hunting, I will have to do it soon too.

    My post brings the last doors of 2022 worth showing, mostly gates and some interesting finds. There is even a 100-word story. https://manjameximexcessive6.wordpress.com/2023/03/03/thursday-doors-2-3-23-last-of-2022-doors/#Tuscany#gate#story

    Liked by 1 person

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