35-542: The Ames Shovel Shops , also known as Ames Shovel Works or Ames Shovel Shop , is a historic 19th century industrial complex located in North Easton, Massachusetts . It is part of the North Easton Historic District , and consists of several granite buildings constructed between 1852 and 1885, along with several newer additions and outbuildings dating to about 1928. The site is adjacent to
70-824: A headquarters for his troops. There was no legal parish in Easton until 1722, when the East Precinct of Norton was recognized. In 1725, the area was incorporated as the Town of Easton; it was so named because it was formerly called the "East End" of the Taunton North Purchase and was shortened by pronunciation to Easton. During the Revolutionary War, General George Washington stayed at the Benjamin Williams Tavern on Bay Road, which
105-646: A key figure in the Crédit Mobilier of America scandal , and Oliver Ames (R), governor of Massachusetts from 1887 to 1890. The Ames family shaped the town's economy, and was responsible for the presence of a number of landmark buildings in the town designed by H. H. Richardson , originator of the Richardsonian Romanesque style and designer of Trinity Church in Boston. Richardson buildings in Easton include: Though this school complex
140-538: A variety of small businesses. The Ames brand is now part of the Ames True Temper Company, headquartered in Camp Hill, Pennsylvania As of early 2009, the main shop complex was the subject of a redevelopment proposal that would significantly alter the site with the demolition of several historic structures and the construction of new residential buildings. In 2008, the site was designated as one of
175-571: Is a town in Bristol County, Massachusetts , United States. The population was 25,058 at the 2020 census. It is part of the Greater Boston area . Easton is governed by an elected Select Board. Open Town Meeting acts as the legislative branch of the town. The Select Board chooses a Town Administrator to run the day-to-day operations of the town. Easton was first settled in 1694 and was officially incorporated in 1725. In 1694,
210-552: Is a proposed railroad station on the MBTA Commuter Rail 's South Coast Rail located on the border of North Easton, Massachusetts and Stoughton, Massachusetts . It is proposed to be built as part of the state's effort to extend rail service to Fall River and New Bedford . It would be located well to the north of the old station in North Easton, itself to become Easton Village station one stop southwards on
245-429: Is located in eastern Massachusetts. The roughly trapezoidal-shaped town is bordered by Brockton and West Bridgewater to the east, Taunton and Raynham to the south, Norton to either side of its southwest corner, Mansfield to the west, and Sharon and Stoughton to the north. As of the census of 2000, there were 22,299 people, 7,489 households, and 5,571 families residing in the town. The population density
280-731: Is now the second oldest existing house in Easton, while on his way to negotiate for cannonballs at the old Perry Foundry in Taunton. In 1803, the Ames Shovel Works was established and became nationally known as having provided the shovels which laid the Union Pacific Railroad and opened the west. In 1875, the shovel production of the Ames plant was worth $ 1.5 million. The most notable of the Ames family were Oakes Ames ,
315-551: Is served by The Enterprise of Brockton, a GateHouse Media company. Easton's last town-specific newspaper, a weekly called the Easton Journal , published its final issue in 2019, combining with three other local weekly newspapers to create a regional weekly called the Journal News Independent (also owned by GateHouse Media). Easton Community Access Television serves as the public access station for
350-526: Is the largest stained-glass work created by LaFarge. According to the United States Census Bureau , the town has a total area of 29.2 square miles (76 km ), of which 28.4 square miles (74 km ) is land and 0.7 square miles (1.8 km ) (2.54%) is water. The town, in addition to its own smaller town forest, includes part of Borderland State Park at the northwestern corner of town, Hockomock Swamp Wildlife Management Area at
385-576: Is the site of two proposed MBTA Commuter Rail stations, North Easton and Easton Village , on the Stoughton Branch option of the MBTA 's South Coast Rail project. In March 2011, following the release of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' Draft Environmental Impact Report, Gov. Deval Patrick 's administration and the MBTA announced this alternative as the best option for achieving all the goals of
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#1732793228105420-687: Is the tiger. The school colors are orange and black. The OA girls varsity basketball team won the Division II state basketball championship in 2006 and 2010. The Oliver Ames Varsity Baseball team won the Division II State Baseball Championship in June 2007. In November 2007, Oliver Ames girls' varsity soccer team won the Division II state soccer championship. In November 2015 the Oliver Ames boys soccer team won
455-525: The H. H. Richardson Historic District of North Easton , which includes several buildings designed by architect Henry Hobson Richardson , commissioned by the Ames family, owners of the shovel company. In April 2009, the shops were named one of the 11 most endangered historic sites in the United States, by the National Trust for Historic Preservation , due to the pending proposal to redevelop
490-492: The United States Congress Easton is represented by Jake Auchincloss (D). Easton is governed by an elected committee of select board members and a town administrator . Easton's "Board of Selectmen" was renamed a Select Board via Town Meeting in 2019. The Easton Select Board as of September 2019: The Easton Town Administrator as of September 2019: Easton does not have a daily newspaper, but
525-659: The Ames Free Library. Within a few blocks of the H. H. Richardson Historic District is Unity Church, built by the Ames family in 1875, and designed in the Gothic Revival Style by architect and publisher John Ames Mitchell . It includes an ornate oak frieze including sculptures of twenty-two angels playing music, carved by Johannes Kirchmayer (1860–1930), and two notable stained-glass windows, "Angel of Help," and "Figure of Wisdom," both by John LaFarge (1835–1910). "Figure of Wisdom," completed in 1901,
560-483: The Shovel Shop property only. However, the abandoned rail corridor is currently under consideration for expansion of the MBTA commuter rail line from Stoughton to Fall River and New Bedford . As of September 2014, the site has been redeveloped into apartment housing and is now renting apartments. It has undergone considerable redevelopment, while keeping the historic aspect of its buildings. Signs describing
595-421: The age of 18 living with them, 62.3% were married couples living together, 8.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.6% were non-families. Of all households, 20.7% were made up of individuals, and 6.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.74 and the average family size was 3.21. In the town, the population was spread out, with 24.4% under
630-463: The age of 18, 13.1% from 18 to 24, 28.7% from 25 to 44, 24.3% from 45 to 64, and 9.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.1 males. The median income for a household in the town was $ 89,144, and the median income for a family was $ 112,190. Males had a median income of $ 51,429 versus $ 35,912 for females. The per capita income for
665-464: The bordering towns (except Taunton and Raynham), plus Foxborough. Students may choose to attend Southeastern or Oliver Ames free of charge. Easton is home to Stonehill College , a private, non-profit, coeducational, Roman Catholic, liberal arts college. Their mascot is "Ace" the Skyhawk. Easton is served by the following highways that run through the town: Routes 106 , 123 and 138 . Additionally,
700-537: The company to North Easton in 1803. In 1844, the elder Ames would transfer the shovel business to two of his sons, Oakes and Oliver Jr. , and the company would become known as Oliver Ames & Sons. Within the next few years, gold would be discovered in California in 1848, and in Australia in 1851, creating a worldwide demand for the company's shovels, which were already known for their high quality. In 1851,
735-543: The construction of the Union Pacific Railroad , as well as the development of the village of North Easton . Expansion of the shovel factory continued over the years until 1928. Ames shovels became standard issue for troops in the U.S. Army for every conflict from the American Civil War to Korea . The Ames Shovel Company ceased production in Easton in 1952. Since the 1950s the complex has been occupied by
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#1732793228105770-515: The first settler, Clement Briggs, established his home near the Easton Green. In 1711, the Taunton North Purchase area became Norton , and in 1713, the sixty-nine families settled in Easton and hired Elder William Pratt as their first minister. Prior to the settlers' establishment, the area was occupied by Native Americans as a hunting area and a burial ground. During King Philip's War , Metacom , also known as King Philip, used part of Easton as
805-617: The main portion of the site into residences. However, in November 2009, an agreement was reached for a scaled-down development, endorsed by the National Trust. Construction began in April 2012, and was expected to take about 18 months; the project was completed in 2015. The Ames Shovel Company traces its origins to 1774 when Capt. John Ames began making iron shovels at West Bridgewater, Massachusetts . His son Oliver Ames Sr. moved
840-515: The most endangered historic places in the state by Preservation Massachusetts advocacy group. The northernmost building, the 1870 handle shop is currently occupied by the local YMCA , and is not part of the redevelopment proposal. The abutting Richardson-designed Old Colony Railroad Station is currently occupied by the Easton Historical Society . The railroad station sits on a short remaining section of track that runs along
875-426: The north. The localities of Easton include Alger's Corner, Daley Corner, Easton Center, Easton Green, Eastondale, Five Corners, Furnace Village, Goward's Corner, Morris Corner, Morse Corner, Pratt's Corner. Although there is no official designation dividing "North Easton" from "South Easton," the terms are colloquially used by older residents of the town even though they have no governmental or legal standing. Easton
910-532: The original shovel shop was destroyed by fire. The company would soon rebuild, and by 1852 the first of the new shops had been completed. Strong demand for shovels would continue through this period with the great expansion of railroads and later the American Civil War . Abraham Lincoln personally asked Oakes Ames to supply shovels to the Union Army. This made the Ames brothers very wealthy men. The Ames brothers entered politics and became influential in financing
945-545: The project. As of 2019, the Easton stations have been moved to Phase 2 of the project, which will not be completed until 2030. Easton is represented by Gerald Cassidy (D) and Carol Doherty (D) in the Massachusetts House of Representatives . Easton is represented by Walter Timilty (D). Easton is represented by Elizabeth Warren (D) and Ed Markey (D) in the United States Senate . In
980-557: The southeastern corner of town, and all of Wheaton Farm Conservation Area in the southwest. All of the town's waterways are considered part of the Taunton River Watershed area, which in turn is the eastern section of the Narragansett Bay Watershed area. Easton forms the northeastern corner of Bristol County, where the county intersects with Plymouth County to the east and Norfolk County to
1015-428: The state championship game. The high school also boasts an impressive music department, complete with a jazz band, marching band, concert band, show choir, concert choir and chamber orchestra. The Oliver Ames Marching Band won the 2008 Division 2 New England championships for USSBA, and placed fifth out of 29 bands competing. The town is also home to Southeastern Regional Vocational Technical High School, which serves all
1050-607: The town is served by two major highways which run just outside its border, Route 24 to the east and Interstate 495 to the south. Easton receives limited bus service from the Brockton Area Transit Authority , with Route 9 making stops adjacent to Stonehill College and the Easton Industrial Park. Bloom Bus Lines also offers commuter bus service to Taunton and Boston, with a flag stop at the corner of Route 138 and Route 106. Easton
1085-677: The town was $ 40,732. About 0.7% of families and 2.0% of the population were below the poverty line , including 0.6% of those under age 18 and 6.5% of those age 65 or over. Easton's public school system includes one early-elementary school serving kindergarten through second grade: Blanche A. Ames Elementary School; there are two elementary schools serving grades 3–5: Frederick Law Olmsted School and Henry Hobson Richardson School (now considered one school, known as "Richardson-Olmsted."); meanwhile grades 6 through 8 attend Easton Middle School, and high school students attend Oliver Ames High School (OA). Oliver Ames High School's athletic teams' mascot
Ames Shovel Shop - Misplaced Pages Continue
1120-434: The town, with many town board meetings and school events televised on the channel. Because of Easton's proximity to both Boston and Providence, town residents have access to television networks in both media markets. Easton has 13 houses of worship, including two Baptist churches, two Catholic churches, two Congregational churches, and two Jewish temples . North Easton station (MBTA) North Easton station
1155-597: The various buildings and their history are in place. There are many walking paths in the area. The historic North Easton Station and former Dighton and Somerset Railroad right-of-way is proposed for Phase 2 of the South Coast Rail project, which would extend the MBTA Commuter Rail's Stoughton Branch to meet the Phase 1 route at East Taunton station , with through-running to New Bedford and Fall River by 2030. North Easton, Massachusetts Easton
1190-479: Was 784.1 inhabitants per square mile (302.7/km ). There were 7,631 housing units at an average density of 268.3 per square mile (103.6/km ). The racial makeup of the town was 91.94% White , 1.59% African American , 0.04% Native American , 1.39% Asian , 0.01% Pacific Islander , 4.13% from other races , and 0.91% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.58% of the population. There were 7,489 households, out of which 37.4% had children under
1225-555: Was not made by Richardson himself, it was dedicated to him and made in his style: In addition, there is a commercial building at 69 Main Street which was designed and built in the nineteenth century by Richardson's office in a Richardsonian style. The Richardson buildings are all located within a compact area designated as the H. H. Richardson Historic District. The area also includes The Rockery , designed by Frederick Law Olmsted , who also landscaped grounds of Oakes Ames Memorial Hall and
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