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History Cambridge

1 day ago

Michael M. is the newest member of our #HCHistoryHive. He adds to the collective memories of Ms. McCartney, our mystery mechanic: "I didn't know she was a mechanic, but it was obvious that she spent alot [sic] of time in, under, and around cars because her trademark white coat was always dirty with grease. She obviously knew everything there was to know about cars. And she seemed to enjoy what she was doing. You could always get a laugh out of her, when she wasn't coughing.

I don't know if she smoked, but I think the chemicals in the gas station did a number on her lungs. That is what got her, in April of 1980. My father used to get mad when he saw her bills, ("Your damn bills,'" and she just laughed at him). She was a fixture in Harvard Square, and a character. It was never quite the same when she moved the garage to the corner of Bay St. and Mass. Ave."

Read all about Ms. McCartney:

#localhistory #womenshistory #cambma ... See MoreSee Less

History Hive: Mrs. McCartney | History Cambridge

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#HCHistoryHive, you did it! We asked you to help us find the identity of a well known female mechanic who may have run a Gulf gas station in Brattle Square. This mechanical whiz was able to fix a car ...

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History Cambridge

2 days ago

More from our #HCHistoryHive! #ICYMI We asked you to help us find the identity of a well known female mechanic who ran a gas station in Brattle Square. She was able to fix a car by hammering and/or kicking the motor. When asked if her fee was too much for simply roughing up the motor, she said it wasn’t just for kicking, but for knowing where to kick.

From Liz J.: "I remember seeing her lying on her back under our car when my dad took it down for service sometime in the 40's. This fascinated and surprised me to see a woman working as a mechanic!"

Liz also sent this fascinating account: buff.ly/3EkLj2S
#localhistory #womenshistory #cambma
Cambridge Office for Tourism, Cambridge Historical Commission ... See MoreSee Less

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