Misplaced Pages

#417582

55-668: The Bristol County Courthouse Complex Historic District contains three historic buildings located along Court Street in Taunton , Massachusetts , including the Bristol County Superior Courthouse, the Bristol County Registry of Deeds and the former First District Courthouse. The city's Korean War and World War II Memorials are also located on the lawn in front of the superior courthouse. The Bristol County Courthouse Complex directly abuts

110-529: A state of emergency . It is estimated that if the dam had failed, the Mill River would have inundated the downtown area with up to 6 feet (1.8 m) of water. In response, Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney ordered an immediate inspection of high-risk dams throughout the Commonwealth. In 2010, the historic Taunton City Hall was severely damaged in an arson fire. City government operated out of

165-545: A town on September 3, 1639. Most of the town's settlers were originally from Taunton in Somerset , England , which led early settlers to name the settlement after that town. At the time of Taunton's incorporation, they explained their choice of name as being "in honor and love to our dear native country." Prior to 1640, the Taunton area was called Cohannet, Tetiquet or Titiquet. The English founders of Taunton purchased

220-511: A 170-foot (52 m) tall central tower capped with a copper-clad dome, constructed of Guastavino tile . The building's large hip roof is also entirely clad in copper. The superior courthouse is the fourth courthouse to be located on or near this site since 1747, when Taunton became the shire town ( county seat ) for Bristol County, Massachusetts , after Bristol was split off from the Bay State and became part of Rhode Island . The dome

275-471: A female householder with no husband present, and 35.3% were non-families. Of all households 28.2% were made up of individuals, and 9.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.60 and the average family size was 3.09. In the city, the population was spread out, with 24.9% under the age of 18, 8.0% from 18 to 24, 33.2% from 25 to 44, 21.0% from 45 to 64, and 12.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age

330-581: A museum of regional objects, houses a research library specializing in local history and genealogy, and hosts arts and cultural events throughout the year. Taunton has four art galleries: Taunton Art Association (John Baradas Gallery), Hughes/Donahue Gallery, Art Euphoric, and the Trescott Street Gallery. The Taunton Art Association was founded in 1973 but had it roots in the Girl's Club in the early 1960s. Hughes/Donahue Gallery, founded in 2007,

385-564: A number of historic commercial blocks along Main Street, Taunton Green and Broadway, built during the period from about 1840 to 1920. Many large homes built by the wealthy industrialists and merchants of the late 19th and early 20th century line Route 44 , both east (Dean Street) and west (Winthrop Street) of the city center, while a majority of the city is occupied by more modest wood-framed single and multi-family homes, many over 100 years old. Modern single-family subdivisions , built mostly since

440-666: A portion of the film Shutter Island starring Leonardo DiCaprio in Taunton on location at the Whittenton Mills Complex. Surrogates , starring Bruce Willis , was partly filmed in the city, at the old Paul Dever school. As the seat of Bristol County , Taunton is home to many of the county's courthouses and administrative offices. These include the Taunton District Court, Bristol County Register of Deeds, and historic Bristol County Superior Courthouse. Taunton River The total length of

495-550: A prisoner of war camp housing German and Italian soldiers. While Camp Myles Standish was later closed in 1946, it was re-purposed as the Paul A Dever School which was a facility that housed mentally disabled persons. The school site of 220 acres (89 ha) was shut down in 1982. This portion was turned into an expansion scheme for the existing the Myles Standish Industrial Park, Taunton's north end, which

550-475: A variety of goods including stoves (Weir Stove Company/Glenwood), tacks (Field Tack Company) and machinery. One of the more successful companies during this period was the Mason Machine Works , founded by William Mason , which produced machinery for the textile industry, as well as steam locomotives. The Taunton Locomotive Works (begun in 1846) also operated in the city during this time. Taunton

605-707: Is tidal as far north as Taunton . The Taunton River is the longest coastal river in New England without dams, and is the principal river that makes up the Taunton River Watershed . Battleship Cove , the world's largest museum of warships , is located on the Fall River side of the river at its confluence with Mount Hope Bay, beneath the Braga Bridge . The river is home to much biodiversity, including some animals found nowhere else in

SECTION 10

#1732801080418

660-534: Is a city and county seat of Bristol County, Massachusetts , United States. Taunton is situated on the Taunton River , which winds its way through the city on its way to Mount Hope Bay , 10 miles (16 km) to the south. At the 2020 census , the city had a population of 59,408. Shaunna O'Connell is the mayor of Taunton. Founded in 1637 by members of the Plymouth Colony , Taunton is one of

715-487: Is a local community gallery serving local Taunton artists, as well as the surrounding areas of Southeastern Massachusetts and the cities of Providence, Rhode Island, and Washington, DC. Art Euphoric, founded in 2008, has both visual and craft exhibits and sales. The Trescott Street Gallery, founded in 2012, is primarily a visual-arts gallery but also exhibits crafts. In March 2008, Hollywood director Martin Scorsese filmed

770-695: Is also home to almost the entirety of Massasoit State Park in East Taunton, and a large portion of the Hockomock Swamp Wildlife Management Area in North Taunton. As of the census of 2000, there were 55,874 people, 22,045 households, and 14,473 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,200.1 inhabitants per square mile (463.4/km ). There were 22,908 housing units at an average density of 491.5 per square mile (189.8/km ). The racial makeup of

825-516: Is currently one of the largest in New England, covering an area over 800 acres (320 ha). It services manufacturing, offices, high tech, and distribution centers. The National Weather Service operates a regional weather forecast office that serves much of Massachusetts, all of Rhode Island , and most of northern Connecticut there. The National Weather Service also operates the Northeast River Forecast Center on

880-590: Is land and 1.7 square miles (4.4 km ), or 3.53%, is water. It is the third-largest city by area in Massachusetts, after Boston and Barnstable . Taunton has one major river, the Taunton River , along with its tributaries, including the Mill River and the Three Mile River . The highest point in the city is near its southwest corner, with an elevation of 207 feet (63 m) above sea level. Prospect Hill, rising over Lake Sabbatia north of

935-408: Is located further north at the intersection of Broadway and Washington Street, known as Saint Mary's Square. In the 1880s Jewish immigrants from Russia began to move to the town, and Congregation Agudath Achim was founded in 1911. The congregation is now an independent progressive synagogue. Taunton's economy has historically been based on silversmithing and shipbuilding . Reed & Barton produced

990-540: Is located in the upper floor dome section of the courthouse. It includes dozens of stacks of various law-related publications, including other library services. Located on the front lawn of the superior courthouse are the city of Taunton's memorials to the World War II (installed in 1987) and the Korean War (installed in 1988). The Bristol County Registry of Deeds is located at 11 Court Street, just north of

1045-492: Is native only to eastern New England, has been found in various wetlands throughout the watershed. River otters are common throughout the river, and harbor seals have been sighted in the watershed, as well as in some of the smaller tributaries, such as the Nemasket River . The watershed also is home to seven species of freshwater mussels, as well the largest herring run in New England. Other common wildlife within

1100-714: Is visible from many surrounding areas. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1978. Currently, the Courthouse Complex is undergoing a major expansion and renovation program. Other significant buildings in the city include some fine stone churches, including the First Parish Church (1830), the Pilgrim Congregational Church (1851) and St. Mary's Church (1868) on Broadway. Downtown Taunton has

1155-648: The 1996 Summer Olympics medals and silverware used exclusively for the White House . Also, the city produced the anchor for the USS Constitution . The nearby town of Raynham produced the anchor for the Civil War-era ironclad USS Monitor . Today, the city's economy has emphases on semiconductor , silicon, and electronics manufacturing. It is home to the corporate headquarters of many leading corporations in various industries. Currently,

SECTION 20

#1732801080418

1210-647: The Taunton Green Historic District, the City's central square. In 2008, an $ 86 million expansion and renovation project began at the site which is scheduled to include the construction of a new trial court and restoration of the superior courthouse. The Bristol County Superior Courthouse was designed by architect Frank Irving Cooper from nearby Bridgewater and built in 1894 in the Romanesque-style. The stone structure contains

1265-403: The city was 83.67% (79.7% Non-Hispanic) White , 4.84% African American , 0.26% Native American , 1.0% Asian , 0.03% Pacific Islander , 5.59% from other races , and 2.21% from two or more races. Persons of Hispanic or Latino ethnicity constituted 6.73% of the population. The city of Taunton was very multi-cultural with peoples of different origins living within the city. 34% of the city

1320-408: The winter holiday season into a grand display of holiday lights, scenes, and extravagant events. This is where and how the city earned its unofficial nickname in the surrounding areas as the "Christmas City." "The Green" continues to provide a centralized location for citywide Christmas activities, other holidays, events, and parades for the citizens of Taunton. A fountain is located at the center of

1375-621: The 1950s, exist on the outskirts of the sprawling city. The Central Fire Station at 50 School Street is recognized as the oldest functioning station house in the United States. The historic Taunton City Hall is located adjacent to Church Green . One of New England's oldest historical societies, the Old Colony Historical Society is located on picturesque Church Green. Founded in 1853, the Society maintains

1430-579: The 19th century, Taunton became known as the "Silver City", as it was home to many silversmithing operations, including Reed & Barton , F.B. Rogers , the Poole Silver Company , and the Taunton Silverplate Company . In the 19th century, Taunton was also the center of an important iron-making industry, utilizing much bog iron from the numerous swamps in the surrounding area. The iron industry in Taunton produced

1485-556: The Taunton Green. Always to be seen flapping together in emblematic unison, the "Liberty & Union" flag and the U.S. flag fly side by side on the flagpole at the city's center. The city is served by a central public library, the Taunton Public Library , which opened in 1903 and has undergone several expansions and renovations since that time. Also of note is the Old Colony Historical Society , which archives

1540-506: The Taunton Municipal Light Plant (TMLP) in 1897, when it decided to purchase the floundering Taunton Electric Lighting Company, making it a publicly owned electric utility. Today, TMLP provides electric service to 34,000 customers in Taunton, Berkley, Raynham, and sections of Dighton, Lakeville and Bridgewater. TMLP is governed by a three-member Board of Commissioners, which is elected by the citizens of Taunton. In

1595-519: The additional nickname of the Christmas City . The original boundaries of Taunton included the land now occupied by many surrounding towns, including Norton , Easton , Mansfield , Dighton , Raynham , Berkley , and Lakeville . Possession of the latter is still noted by the naming of Taunton Hill in Assonet . Taunton was founded by settlers from England and officially incorporated as

1650-544: The city and region's past. The city is home to two state parks operated by the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation : Massasoit State Park in East Taunton and Watson Pond State Park in the north part of the city. The city of Taunton has a wide array of architecture ranging from the colonial period to modern times. There are numerous pre-Revolutionary War private homes within

1705-429: The city is trying to attract biotechnology research companies to its industrial parks. Silver City Galleria was a large shopping mall in Taunton catering to the local city and to the neighboring towns and cities of Raynham, Berkley, Rehoboth, Dighton, New Bedford, Fall River, Norton, Easton, Assonet, Acushnet, Bridgewater, Lakeville, Middleboro, and Freetown. It was open for 28 years, closing on February 29, 2020 and

Bristol County Courthouse Complex - Misplaced Pages Continue

1760-769: The city now is irregularly shaped, with it (along with neighboring Raynham) roughly making a triangle. The city is bordered by Norton to the northwest, Easton to the north, Raynham to the northeast, Middleborough to the east, Lakeville to the southeast, Berkley and Dighton to the south, and Rehoboth to the west. City neighborhoods include the Bird Lanes, Clearview Estates, East Taunton , Elliot's Corner, Herring Run Estates, Linden Estates, Matthews Landing, North Taunton , Oakland , Pine Crest Estates, Pine Hill Estates, Wades Corner, Weir Village , Westville, Whittenton, Whittenton Junction, Britannia Village or Britanniaville, Willis Lake Village and Woodward Estates. Taunton

1815-507: The city, including Roman Catholic, Protestant, and Jewish congregations. The First Parish Church, now a Unitarian Universalist church, located at Church Green at the east end of downtown, was founded in 1637, before the Town of Taunton was even established. The current church dates from 1830. The Pilgrim Congregational Church on Broadway was formed in 1821, its current church built in 1851. The city's oldest Roman Catholic parish, St. Mary's Church,

1870-544: The city, the oldest of which is the Joseph Willis House on Worcester Street, dating to about 1688. The city has over one hundred buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places . Perhaps the most impressive structure in the city is the towering Bristol County Superior Courthouse , built in 1894 and designed by Frank Irving Cooper. With its tall copper dome, the Superior Courthouse

1925-576: The district court business to be moved to a temporary location in the city of Taunton . Court activity ceased in 2008 and the building remained vacant until being purchased at auction in 2012. In 2018 the purchaser opened the newly restored building to the public as a theater named the District Center for the Arts. In addition to structural improvements an elevator was built making the building ADA compliant. Taunton, Massachusetts Taunton

1980-471: The downtown, has an elevation of 197 feet (60 m). According to the Köppen climate classification , Taunton has either a hot-summer humid continental climate (abbreviated Dfa ), or a hot-summer humid sub-tropical climate (abbreviated Cfa ), depending on the isotherm used. There are nine designated historic districts within the city: Due to the annexation of towns from the original town of Taunton,

2035-516: The former Lowell M. Maxham School on Oak Street for ten years, until the building was renovated and re-opened in September 2020. In 2012 Taunton became the target location for a Wampanoag casino complex which was embroiled in conflict by competing regional bands of the Wampanoag over territory claims. The proposed casino resort complex location is adjacent to a local elementary school and

2090-637: The land from the Nemasket Natives in 1637 as part of the Tetiquet Purchase and the remaining native families were relocated to the praying town of Ponkapoag in present-day Canton, Massachusetts . Elizabeth Poole , contrary to local folklore, did not take part in the town purchase but was among its greatest benefactors and played a significant role in the founding of its church. Described as "the foundress of Taunton" and its matriarch, Poole "was accorded equality of rights, whether in

2145-463: The late 19th century, Taunton was a stop on the national bicycle racing circuit. In 1897, the one-mile (1.6 km) open event made news when third-place finisher W. E. Becker brutally attacked second-place winner Major Taylor , knocking him unconscious for fifteen minutes. Built in 1942, U.S. Army Camp Myles Standish was a departure point for over a million U.S. and allied military personnel bound for Europe during World War II. It also functioned as

2200-425: The oldest towns in the United States. Taunton is also known as the "Silver City", as it was a historic center of the silver industry beginning in the 19th century when companies such as Reed & Barton, F. B. Rogers , Poole Silver, and others produced fine-quality silver goods in the city. Since December 1914, the city of Taunton has provided a large annual light display each December on Taunton Green , giving it

2255-528: The purchase of lands, [or] in the sharing of iron works holdings," having been a financier of the settlement's first dam and mill built for the manufacture of bar iron . Plymouth Colony was formally divided into counties on June 2, 1685, with Taunton becoming the shire town of Bristol County. The counties of Plymouth Colony were transferred to the Province of Massachusetts Bay on the arrival of its charter and governor on May 14, 1692. The Taunton area has been

Bristol County Courthouse Complex - Misplaced Pages Continue

2310-635: The regional technical high school, generating protests by parent and teacher groups. On June 10, 2012, the City of Taunton dedicated the Taunton Global War on Terrorism War Memorial on Church Green . Taunton is home to a General Dynamics Mission Systems factory, which develops military communications equipment. According to the United States Census Bureau , the city has a total area of 48.4 square miles (125.4 km ), of which 46.4 square miles (120.1 km )

2365-765: The river is 37.0 miles (59.5 km) from the junction of the Town and Matfield Rivers in Bridgewater to the mouth of the Quequechan River in Fall River . It has a watershed of 562 square miles (1,456 km ). The river's watershed includes the Hockomock Swamp , the largest freshwater wetland in the state. The Taunton River is one of the flattest rivers in New England , dropping only about twenty feet (6 m) in elevation over its length. The river

2420-574: The site of skirmishes and battles during various conflicts, including King Philip's War and the American Revolution . Taunton was re-incorporated as a city on May 11, 1864. In 1656, the first successful iron works in Plymouth Colony was established on the Two Mile River, in what is now part of Raynham . The Taunton Iron Works operated for over 200 years until 1876. It was the first of many iron industries in Taunton. During

2475-503: The site, serving New England and most of New York state . Several major companies operate within the industrial park and in other parts of the city. In October 2005, the Whittenton Pond Dam north of the downtown area threatened to fail following a week that brought 9 inches (230 mm) of rain to the city. Over 2,000 city residents were evacuated, all downtown businesses were ordered closed and Mayor Robert Nunes issued

2530-545: The state. Over 154 bird species (including bald eagles ) have been documented along the Taunton River, primarily during breeding season. The watershed supports 28 species of reptiles and amphibians, and 29 species of fish, including native brook trout and Atlantic sturgeon , which can be found in the lower part of the watershed. Some comprehensive surveys along the entire length of the river identified over 70 distinct species of fish. The Mystic Valley amphipod , which

2585-638: The superior courthouse. It was built in 1904 and designed by architect Albion M. Marble of Fall River . It is constructed in brick and limestone in the Colonial Revival style. Together with a location in Attleboro , the Registry of Deeds contains all the property transaction records for the northern part of Bristol County, Massachusetts . The former Taunton District Courthouse is a Greek Revival -style building located at 15 Court Street. It

2640-526: The watershed include river otter, mink, foxes and deer. Due to its direct connection with the Atlantic ocean, the Taunton River and its tributaries are occasionally visited by marine species not normally found in rivers. In 2005, a young harp seal was found in the Nemasket. In early summer 2014, a young male beluga whale was sighted in the lower Taunton River, and in late August 2014, a basking shark

2695-446: Was Luso-American . The biggest ethnic backgrounds people claimed were 23% Portuguese , 17% Irish , 9% English , 9% French , 8% Cape Verdean and 4% Puerto Rican . Most of Taunton's immigration occurred near the turn of the 1900s when immigrants came to work in the city's mills. There were 22,045 households , out of which 32.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.0% were married couples living together, 15.4% had

2750-435: Was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 92.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.2 males. Males had a median income of $ 36,895 versus $ 27,686 for females. The per capita income for the city was $ 19,899. About 10.0% of families and 12.0% of the population were below the poverty line , including 13.9% of those under age 18 and 11.3% of those age 65 or over. Numerous religious groups exist within

2805-451: Was also home to several textile mills (Whittenton Mills) and other industries, such as felt (Bacon Felt) and brick making. During the 19th century, Taunton was a major shipping point for grain from the inland rural farm areas of Massachusetts to the rest of the nation via Weir Village and the Taunton River . With the advent of the railroad, Taunton would also become an important transportation hub due to its central location. The city formed

SECTION 50

#1732801080418

2860-407: Was also spotted in the lower Taunton. Over 360 plant species were sampled from the floodplain wetlands and the immediate river corridors, and various vegetative communities can be found along the river. These include Atlantic white cedar swamps, forested bogs, and coastal plain pondshores, among many others. Since the development of industry beginning with the iron works of the mid-17th century,

2915-555: Was demolished on May 9, 2021. The Taunton Green is the city's central square. Early in its history, "The Green" was used as a training ground for militias in the American Revolution . Some say it was also the site of the historic "Liberty & Union"/"Taunton" flag raising in 1774 by the Sons of Liberty , prior to the American Revolution. Since the early 20th century, Taunton Green has temporarily been transformed during

2970-407: Was originally constructed in 1826 as the county courthouse at the site of the current superior courthouse, but moved to its current location in the 1890s. Constructed in red brick, the building features a white wooden portico and copper-capped cupola on the roof. The building has been plagued by water leakage and other structural problems, and also did not meet current ADA regulations which led to

3025-431: Was originally topped with a 15-foot copper flame, which was taken down in 2003 after being deemed a "potential hazard." Despite some calls to restore it, the 300-pound torch remains in storage as of 2015. Since 2013, the courthouse has been home to a pair of nesting peregrine falcons. Bristol County, Massachusetts , also contains historic superior courthouses in Fall River and New Bedford . The district's law library

#417582