Comments on: Hot Spells of Long Ago – Lowell, Massachusetts, 1910

By: Karen K

Karen K — Sun, 08 Jul 2012 14:51:03 +0000

We complain about hot weather now, but back then, with no AC, it must have been much worse– and consider also that deodorant and antiperspirants weren’t in use at that time, ugh!

I remember a few years ago, my AC broke down in the middle of August, and it was a few days before it could get fixed. It was miserable…

I didn’t know that the fire dept would wet down streets and houses, though– that must have helped a bit.

By: Forgotten New England

Forgotten New England — Wed, 04 Jul 2012 17:31:05 +0000

Maybe they were – not sure if I’ll be trying it soon, though!

By: Bill

Bill — Wed, 04 Jul 2012 13:21:15 +0000

I knew an old timer who worked on the roads way back when. He was almost 95 when he died and drank “oatmeal water” when the temps rose. Maybe they were on to something??

By: Forgotten New England

Forgotten New England — Tue, 03 Jul 2012 10:14:20 +0000

The details were interesting to come across as I wrote this post. I hadn’t thought of so many people spending nights on their fire escapes and in the city’s parks due to the excessive heat inside their homes.

By: poorirish

poorirish — Mon, 02 Jul 2012 14:02:10 +0000

Love the details…the moths, the cabbage leaves, – and the word picture of Lowellians following the water trucks for a bit of relief!