72-503: The Taunton Green Historic District encompasses the core area of the historic 19th-century commercial downtown business district of Taunton, Massachusetts . It is centered on the town green, laid out in the 1740s, which now serves at the intersection between U.S. Route 44 , Massachusetts Route 140 , and Route 138 . The district was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1985. The early commercial center of
144-529: 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
216-471: 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
288-471: A female householder with no husband present, and 23.8% were non-families. 19.3% of all households 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 2.79 and the average family size was 3.22. In the town, the population was spread out, with 27.0% under the age of 18, 12.6% from 18 to 24, 32.2% from 25 to 44, 20.5% from 45 to 64, and 7.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age
360-412: A kettle pond, it formed over 13,000 years ago when a large chunk of glacial ice rested there and gradually melted, creating the lake as the climate slowly warmed. The town, an irregular polygon generally oriented from northeast to southwest, is bordered by Easton to the northeast, Taunton to the southeast, Rehoboth to the south, Attleboro to the southwest, and Mansfield to the northwest. Norton
432-511: A manner of speaking, it declared "Norton isn't Mayberry anymore." Norton is also a location in the claimed paranormal Bridgewater Triangle . According to the United States Census Bureau , the town has a total area of 29.8 square miles (77 km ), of which 28.7 square miles (74 km ) is land and 1.1 square miles (2.8 km ), or 3.72%, is water. The terrain of Norton is generally low and swampy. The waters of
504-581: 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,
576-564: 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
648-717: 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. Norton, Massachusetts Norton
720-610: 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 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
792-612: A town manager and a board of selectmen governing the town. The town is served by the central police station (next to the town hall on Route 123), three fire stations (Station 2 on Route 123, Station 1 in Chartley (currently closed), and Station 5 (Fire Alarm) in Barrowsville), and two post offices (Norton, next to the town center and Wheaton College; and Chartley, near the Attleboro line along Route 123). The town's public library
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#1732801971874864-803: Is a town in Bristol County , Massachusetts , United States, and contains the villages of Norton Center and Chartley . The population was 19,202 at the 2020 census . Home of Wheaton College , Norton hosted the Dell Technologies Championship , a tournament of the PGA Tour held annually on the Labor Day holiday weekend at the TPC Boston golf club until 2018. The lands of Norton remained unsettled by English colonists for many years after their initial arrival on
936-487: 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
1008-695: 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
1080-648: Is approximately 27 miles south-southwest of Boston , and 15 miles northeast of Providence, Rhode Island . Norton is served by Interstate 495 and Massachusetts Routes 123 and 140 , which meet at the center of town. There is an exit off I-495 for Route 123 in the eastern part of town, and 140's exit to the interstate lies just north of the Mansfield town line. One route of the Greater Attleboro Taunton Regional Transit Authority (GATRA) runs through town, linking
1152-516: Is in Mansfield . As of the census of 2000, there were 18,036 people, 5,872 households, and 4,474 families residing in the town. These residents are often referred to as either "Nortonites" or "Nortonians", though the term "Norts" is often used in colloquial context. The population density was 628.3 inhabitants per square mile (242.6/km ). There were 5,961 housing units at an average density of 207.7 per square mile (80.2/km ). The racial makeup of
1224-558: Is in neighboring Mansfield, with the nearest national and international flights being either from Boston's Logan International Airport or T.F. Green Airport in Warwick, Rhode Island . The town is bisected southeast to northwest by Interstate 495 , as well as Massachusetts Route 140 from north to south and Massachusetts Route 123 from southwest to northeast. Exit 10 off I-495 links the highway with Route 123. Exit 9 (Bay Street, Taunton) and Exit 11 (Route 140, Mansfield) are just over
1296-652: 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
1368-408: 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
1440-440: Is located next to the town hall, although the original still stands on Route 140 at the town green. There is also a senior center located along Route 123 near the high school. Norton has its own public school system, Norton Public Schools . There are three elementary schools: L.G. Nourse Elementary School (K–3) on the east side, J.C. Solomonese Elementary School (Pre-K–3) in Chartley, and H.A. Yelle Elementary School (4–5) near
1512-579: Is still noted by the naming of Taunton Hill in Assonet . Taunton was founded by settlers from England and officially incorporated as 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,
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#17328019718741584-647: 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
1656-648: 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,
1728-612: The Bristol County Courthouse Complex , which is located on the north side of the green. It extends for a short way along Broadway to the north and Main Street to the east. Monuments on the Green honor soldiers of all the wars in which local citizens have participated. Among them is The Hiker , one of fifty copies of a statue by Theo Alice Ruggles Kitson . It commemorates the American soldiers who fought in
1800-585: 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 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
1872-736: The Spanish–American War , the Boxer Rebellion and the Philippine–American War . The statue was cast by the Gorham Manufacturing Company in nearby Providence, Rhode Island . (partial listing) Taunton, Massachusetts Taunton 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
1944-403: 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
2016-408: 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
2088-621: 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
2160-589: The First Bristol district (whose district includes Mansfield Center and Foxborough). The town is a part of the state senate district of the Bristol and Norfolk district, stretching from Dover to the north to Rehoboth and Seekonk to the south. James Timilty served as State Senator until 2017 for the Bristol & Norfolk district. Upon his retirement, he was succeeded by State Senator Paul Feeney. State Representatives Steven S. Howitt and Frederick J. Barrows serve
2232-623: The North Purchase lands were made by Taunton men to Wompatuck , a descendent of Chickatawbut . During King Philip’s War , “a group of twenty Taunton men, fearing attack" against their settlement "followed the Three Mile River to its confluence… at the Coweset (Wading) and Rumford Rivers and the thick swamp between them,” attacking women and children who were sheltering there. In this fight, at Norton's so-called "Lockety Neck,"
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2304-629: The Northeast River Forecast Center on 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
2376-556: 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
2448-535: The Taunton area was called Cohannet, Tetiquet or Titiquet. The English founders of Taunton purchased 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
2520-582: The Town. Norton is patrolled by Troop H (Metro Boston District), Third (Foxborough) Barracks of the Massachusetts State Police. On the national level, the town is part of Massachusetts Congressional District 4, which is represented by Jake Auchincloss . The state's senior Senator, newly elected in 2012, is Elizabeth Warren and the state's junior Senator is currently Ed Markey . The town has an open town meeting form of government, with
2592-662: The area are fed by the Wading River and the Canoe River , both of which feed into the Taunton River downstream. The two largest bodies of water in town are the Norton Reservoir , north of the center of town, and Winnecunnet Pond on the east (on the north side of I-495), which is fed by the Canoe River and feeds into the Mill River . Lake Winnecunnet is Norton’s only natural body of water. Classified as
2664-612: The center of town. The Norton Middle School (6–8) is located in Chartley. Norton High School (9–12) is located near the center of town, next to the H.A. Yelle School. The school colors are purple and white and their mascot is a lancer. High school students may also attend Southeast Regional Vocational-Technical High School in Easton or Bristol County Agricultural High School , otherwise known as "Bristol Aggie", in Dighton free of charge. There are two private schools in town, Life Church ,
2736-544: 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
2808-429: 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
2880-769: 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
2952-471: The city of Taunton was southeast of the present center, at the confluence of the Taunton and Mill Rivers. In the 18th century early industry in the form of sawmills and gristmills developed on the Mill River. The Taunton Green was given to the town in 1743 as a militia training ground, and it is also where an early meetinghouse was built. Originally 88 acres (36 ha) in size, it is now much reduced by
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3024-456: 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,
3096-544: 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
3168-463: The city. Since December 1914, the city of Taunton has provided a large annual light display each December on Taunton Green , giving it 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
3240-494: The cleared grounds into meadows and pastureland. Norton was first legally settled by European colonists after the Taunton North Purchase in 1668. This deed of purchase from Metacomet entitled the residents of Taunton to the lands north of their current settlement—the forests, cedar swamps, rivers, meadows, and lakes that would become established as Norton, Mansfield, and Easton. In 1686, more payments to access
3312-471: 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,
3384-461: The eastern Massachusetts coast. But by the late 1640s, the townships of Rehoboth and Taunton were looking to expand their boundaries further inland. The settlement of Rehoboth bought the lands north of it—what would become Attleboro —from Wamsutta in the 1666 North Purchase. The residents of Taunton were also looking to acquire more land to develop, cutting the forest back and using felled timber to feed construction and fuel industries, and settle
3456-516: 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
3528-435: The legend of King Phillip's Cave . The bandstand within the town center was originally erected using donated funds during the first Gulf War , in honor of the veterans who served from Norton. In elementary school, students were told the story of the "Devil's Foot Print", where Major George Leonard sold his soul to the devil. The devil's foot print can be seen at Norton's Joseph C. Solmonese Elementary School, on land which
3600-568: The men murdered or otherwise participated in the killing of Weetamoo , the female sachem of the Pocasset Wampanoag people. There is a memorial plaque on Pine Street commemorating her and other Wampanoag families killed in this attack. When Norton was first settled in 1669 it was called North Taunton for its location on the northern border of Taunton, Massachusetts . The town was renamed "Norton"—after Norton, Oxfordshire , England, where many early settlers had originated —when
3672-469: The nickname of "The Christmas City." In July 2004, the historic Templar's Hall (c. 1850) and Cohannet Block (1870) (commonly referred to as the Seeley Building) located on the corner of Taunton Green and Weir Street were destroyed by an arsonist. The historic district is centered on the roughly square green, and includes most of the buildings facing the green on the flanking streets. It excludes
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#17328019718743744-621: The population were below the poverty line , including 2.9% of those under age 18 and 12.9% of those age 65 or over. The town is a part of three separate state representative districts; precinct one belonging to the Fourth Bristol district (which includes all of Rehoboth, Seekonk and part of Swansea), precinct two belonging to the Fourteenth Bristol district (which includes parts of North Attleborough, Attleboro and Mansfield as well), and precincts three through five belonging to
3816-606: 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 )
3888-541: 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 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
3960-509: The surrounding development. Early commercial buildings were mostly of wood-frame construction, of which a few survive. Taunton Green has historically the gathering place for troops headed to war. Monuments stand on the Green to honor soldiers of all the wars in which local citizens have participated. "Tauntonians" gathered on the Green on October 21, 1774, to raise the Taunton Flag with its distinctive "Liberty and Union" motto. The flag
4032-748: The town lines. Route 140 and Route 123 intersect at the center of town, by the town green. Although it is not officially signed as such, many fans attending concerts and events at the Xfinity Center (formerly the Tweeter Center, and originally the Great Woods Center for the Performing Arts) reach the venue by driving along Route 123 to Route 140. The town is also a part of the Greater Attleboro Taunton Regional Transit Authority (or GATRA) bus line. The nearest MBTA station
4104-402: The town was 92.15% White , 1.16% African American , 0.13% Native American , 1.00% Asian , 0.01% Pacific Islander , 4.47% from other races , and 1.08% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.14% of the population. There were 5,872 households, out of which 42.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.8% were married couples living together, 10.8% had
4176-471: The town was officially established on March 17, 1710. Parts of Norton were set out as Easton on December 21, 1725, and as Mansfield on April 26, 1770. Metacomet , the Wampanoag Indian sachem also known as "King Phillip", used to camp at a cave made by huge glacial rocks resting on top of each other, just north-east of Lake Winnecunnet. Every Norton school child has been entertained with
4248-474: The two cities on either side. The Middleboro Subdivision passes through the town, with 4.5 miles (7.35 km) of railroad track crossing the southern quarter of town, linking lines in Attleboro and Taunton. The Providence/Stoughton Line of the MBTA Commuter Rail system has stops in both Attleboro and Mansfield nearby, providing rail access to Providence and Boston. The nearest municipal airport
4320-446: 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
4392-436: Was 33 years. For every 100 females, there were 90.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.1 males. According to a 2016 estimate, the median income for a household in the town was $ 80,806, and the median income for a family in 2016 was estimated at $ 104,176. Males had a median income of $ 51,133 versus $ 33,149 for females. The per capita income for the town was $ 23,876. About 2.2% of families and 4.0% of
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#17328019718744464-435: 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
4536-486: 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 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
4608-515: 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 the Taunton Municipal Light Plant (TMLP) in 1897, when it decided to purchase the floundering Taunton Electric Lighting Company, making it
4680-399: 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 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
4752-625: 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
4824-466: 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 the site of skirmishes and battles during various conflicts, including King Philip's War and the American Revolution . Taunton
4896-417: Was hoisted on a 112-foot liberty pole in defiance of King George III . The flag flies on the Green to the present day. A fire in 1859 destroyed many buildings east of the green, and inaugurated more significant growth of brick buildings in the following decades. Since 1914 the Green has been the site of the city's annual holiday light display which attracts visitors from throughout the area, giving Taunton
4968-527: Was once Leonard's farmland. Every 26 years, the school unburies a time capsule, the last of which was buried in 1999. The time capsule will be opened next in 2026. The Sun Chronicle describes: Norton is a small but slowly-evolving town. So it was in December 1997, when a traffic light was installed at the intersection of routes 123 and 140 in Norton. It was the town's first full traffic light and, in
5040-469: 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 the 19th century, Taunton became known as the "Silver City", as it was home to many silversmithing operations, including Reed & Barton , F.B. Rogers ,
5112-399: 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 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
5184-651: Was turned into an expansion scheme for the existing the Myles Standish Industrial Park, Taunton's north end, which 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
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