{"items": [{"author": "Jean", "source_link": "https://www.facebook.com/jefftk/posts/417533784923382?comment_id=417540268256067", "anchor": "fb-417540268256067", "service": "fb", "text": "There are some very detailed old maps & plans out there.  John Stilgoe at Harvard, a historian of the built environment, researches this sort of question all the time. http://www.people.fas.harvard.edu/~stilgoe/01frame_book.html", "timestamp": "1335493098"}, {"author": "opted out", "source_link": "#", "anchor": "unknown", "service": "unknown", "text": "this user has requested that their comments not be shown here", "timestamp": "1335499280"}, {"author": "Maxwell", "source_link": "https://www.facebook.com/jefftk/posts/417533784923382?comment_id=417634371579990", "anchor": "fb-417634371579990", "service": "fb", "text": "I've always wondered this. I wonder if streets were more of a public forum for people to walk around, drive horses, sell goods, play, talk, etc. all in a shared space?", "timestamp": "1335500009"}, {"author": "Rob", "source_link": "https://www.facebook.com/jefftk/posts/417533784923382?comment_id=417648281578599", "anchor": "fb-417648281578599", "service": "fb", "text": "My understanding is that most of the streets were widened in the 20th century to accommodate maximum vehicle capacity and parking. Prior to this, streets were narrower, though main roads accommodated streetcars, etc.", "timestamp": "1335502331"}, {"author": "Chris", "source_link": "https://www.facebook.com/jefftk/posts/417533784923382?comment_id=417652938244800", "anchor": "fb-417652938244800", "service": "fb", "text": "HISTORY", "timestamp": "1335503189"}, {"author": "Phillip", "source_link": "https://www.facebook.com/jefftk/posts/417533784923382?comment_id=417843234892437", "anchor": "fb-417843234892437", "service": "fb", "text": "I suggest you look at downtown NOorthampton, very wide, olld buildings on both side. It was done as indication of wealth and grandeur. Many streets are wide for that reason, and to allow commerc (loading and unloading used ot be a lot slower).", "timestamp": "1335528349"}, {"author": "Wendell", "source_link": "https://www.facebook.com/jefftk/posts/417533784923382?comment_id=417856628224431", "anchor": "fb-417856628224431", "service": "fb", "text": "Seems like horse drawn coaches and delivery carts would have been needed to support city living.  If they needed to pass in the street and sometimes stop for loading/unloading, that street width sounds reasonable. ?", "timestamp": "1335529481"}, {"author": "Josh", "source_link": "https://plus.google.com/118273920476267337216", "anchor": "gp-1335618153233", "service": "gp", "text": "Wagons, carts, or other pre-car wheeled vehicles?", "timestamp": 1335618153}]}