New Bedford's Pride + Joy

8/27/2009 Uncategorized

If you make the (highly worthwhile) trip to New Bedford, be sure to take a ride in the City Hall elevator—apparently the oldest continually operating elevator in the United States.  It was custom designed and installed in 1912 by Otis Brothers & Co. (yes, that Otis: the guy who made the skyscraper possible with the design of the safety elevator).  But beyond the historical wow-factor is the thing itself: a graceful semi-circular steel and wrought iron cage—with plush seating for six—that rides within the building’s main wrap-around marble staircase.  There is a full-time operator who’s thrilled to tell you the history as you ascend the very few floors to the top floor of the building.

-Christina

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