In the spring of 1891 an unusual vehicle appeared on the streets of Brookline. 

It had body built by local carriage maker Michael Quinlan, with two seats up front and an enclosed wooded box behind. Inside the wooden box was a battery-powered electric motor that had been built at the Holtzer Cabot Electric Company factory on Station Street.See the full blog at http://brooklinehistory.blogspot.com

Brookline's rich history can now take a virtual walking tour of the town via our new online map. The map presents pictures and descriptions (with links for more information) about homes, commercial buildings, churches and synagogues, schools, neighborhoods, parks, and other parts of the town.

Most of the sites marked on the map are in Brookline Village, Coolidge Corner, Longwood, and the area around the First Parish Church and the old Village Green. Other sites and other areas of Brookline are being added, helping to bring to light stories behind familiar and not-so-familiar places in town.

• Start the tour