In the late 1800s Brookline hosted an annual parade on the Fourth of July with elaborate and sometimes outlandish floats and costumes for which prizes were awarded. Some of those gathered here in front of town hall after the parade were float participants. The photo was one of a group of photos published in The Suburban newspaper, July 8, 1899, pg. 2. This one was labeled “The Old Timers, July Fourth, 1899”.

[Courtesy of the Digital Commonwealth (CC BY-NC-ND). From the Brookline Photograph Collection published by the Public Library of Brookline]