People of Brookline


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The Firemen of Station D, 1905
Station D was located at 827 Boylston St. just east of Reservoir Rd. and remains in service today as Fire Station #4. The location of this photo is not evident as the building in the photo does not appear to match the building at 827 Boylston St.

Rear row left to right:
  • William Francis Norris, hose man (identified in 2022 by a grandson). He emigrated from Ireland and worked for the fire department from 1903 to 1941. In early 1905, he was transferred from Station E in Coolidge Corner to Station D (ref. Brookline Press Jan. 27, 1905, pg. 5). He remained living on today’s Leverett St. in Brookline Village despite the remove from Station D.
  • James Brutcher, Jr., Driver
  • Martin J. Dasey, driver
Front row left to right:
  • Daniel G. McNamara, Lieutenant
  • William J. Stitt, Captain
  • James Christopher Lyons, Engineer of the steam engine. He started as a hose man at the new fire station in Washington Square when it opened in late 1899. By 1901, he was working as an engineer for steam engine #1 at Station D. After living at several locations near the fire station, he, his wife, and four children settled at 771a Boylston St. He died from nephritis, at age 42.


From the collection of the James Christopher Lyons Family