The 39-Brookline trolley at the Fleming Stop near the corner of West Liberty Avenue and Brookline Boulevard in a photo dated September 3, 1928. At this time, this stretch of track is a Pittsburgh Railways right of way, and there was no vehicle traffic except for the trolleys. Automobiles and wagons took the present Bodkin Street, which at the time was considered part of Brookline Boulevard. Later, in the 1930s, this section was widened and paved for vehicular traffic.

Note the callbox at the trolley stop. The conductors were required to get out and flip a switch every time they passed one of these stops to signal their location to the main switching network. That must have been fun in the wintertime or during a rainstorm. Today, bus drivers just make a note on their timecards.

It is interesting to compare this photo with one taken in 1966  at approximately the same location. Note the wider, paved street.

One last note: The Fleming Stop was named after one of the early Brookline pioneer farming families, whose farm was located on, and surrounding, the land where present-day St. Pius X church and school now stands. The Flemings farmed many acres in this location, and present day Aidly Avenue is named after their daughter Lydia.

Click on image for a larger picture.