Taunton MA - An Overview of this Historical City

Taunton, MA, is a city located roughly 40 miles south of Boston. Situated in Bristol County, the city serves as the county seat.

The Taunton River flows through the city as it makes its way to Mount Hope Bay. 

However, many people know this city as Silver City because of its past as a historic center for the silver industry.

Other people choose to refer to it as the Christmas City, thanks to its large light display every December.

This light display started in 1914 and has become a favorite tradition of residents and visitors alike. 

The History of Taunton

Members of the Plymouth Colony founded Taunton in 1637, making it one of the oldest towns in the country. However, they were not the first settlers.

Native Americans had already made this region their home, calling it Cohannet, Tetiquet and Titicut. 

Some historians believe Elizabeth Poole purchased this site from the Native Americans in 1638 before organizing it as a town the following year.

However, other experts state she was not involved in the purchase but was considered its matriarch and foundress, as she was a great benefactor and played a major role in the church’s founding. 

The town was a base of operations during King Philip's War, which took place from 1675 to 1676. Eight years later, the citizens of Taunton refused to pay the taxes levied by Governor Edmund Andros. They wanted assent in the assembly if they were to pay taxes.

This was the precursor to the “No taxation without representation” slogan heard throughout the American Revolution. 

Early industries in the city included brickmaking and shipbuilding. However, the town quickly became known for its ironworks and silverware production.

Reed and Barton was located here from 1824 to 2015.

This company produced the medals for the 1996 Summer Olympics and silverware exclusive to the White House. 

Today’s economy revolves around several industries. While certain businesses still produce silverware and metal products, many other sectors have moved into Taunton. Companies in the city produce items such as semiconductors, electronics, aircraft components, and office equipment.

The city is currently working to bring biotechnology research companies in. 

Demographics

The United States Census Bureau estimates 59.600 people called Taunton, MA, home as of July 2021. Sixty-three percent of the residents were between the ages of 18 and 65. The racial makeup of the city in July 2021 was 79 percent white, seven percent black, eight percent mixed race, and eight percent Hispanic or Latino.

Thirteen percent of the residents at that time were foreign born. 

Sixty-three percent of residents owned their own home, and the median value of owner-occupied homes between 2017 and 2021 was $313,300.

There were 23,151 households in Taunton during this period, with 2.52 persons per household. Eighty-four percent of residents held a high school degree or higher, with 23 percent having a bachelor’s degree or higher. 

Attractions

The Old Colony Historical Society serves as one of New England’s oldest historical societies. Founded back in 1853, this society oversees a museum filled with regional items.

Individuals interested in learning more about the local history can do so here, and visitors should plan their trip to Taunton around the many arts and cultural events put on by the society each year. 

While in the area, be sure to stop by the Whittenton Mills Complex.

This is where Martin Scorsese shot part of his 2008 film Shutter Island, which featured Leonardo DiCaprio.

After visiting the complex, head over to the old Paul Dever School, where they filmed part of the movie Surrogates, which starred Bruce Willis. 

For those who love art, Taunton is home to four galleries. Founded in 1973, the Taunton Art Association can trace its roots to the early 1960s Girls’ Club.

The other three galleries are newcomers to the area. Hughes/Donahue Gallery was established in 2007, followed the next year by Art Euphoric.

The Trescott Street Gallery is the newest of the galleries, as it was founded in 2012. 

Neighborhoods

Taunton is home to multiple historic districts: Bay Road Historic District, Bristol County Courthouse Complex, Church Green Historic District, Hopewell Mills District, Old Bay Road Historic District, Reed and Barton Complex, Taunton Green Historic District, and Taunton State Hospital Historic District. 
City neighborhoods in Taunton, MA, include Bird Lanes, Herring Run Estates, North Taunton, Pine Hill Estates, and Whittenton Junction. 

Education

Taunton maintains nine public elementary schools, three public middle schools, and three public high schools, including an alternative high school and a regional technical school. In addition, parents can send their child to Our Lady of Lourdes School, a private Catholic school serving students in grades Pre-K through 8.

A Catholic high school is in Fall River. Bay State College maintains a satellite campus in Taunton, as well. 

Town Parks

The Taunton Green serves as the center square for this city. During its early years, The Green, as residents refer to it, was a training ground for militias preparing for the American Revolution. Over the years, the city has used it as a gathering place.

Today, it serves as the home to the holiday light display that led to the city being dubbed the Christmas City. 

However, this is only one event held on The Green. Residents gather here for parades, events and more. People come together around the fountain that serves as the center of this public space for many reasons. 

Massasoit State Park is another popular place with residents and visitors. In East Taunton, the park spans over 1,200 heavily wooded acres.

Visitors to the park benefit from six lakes and ponds along with multiple cranberry bogs. 

Another option for those who want to spend time outdoors is the Watson Pond State Park.

Visitors can take advantage of the beachfront picnic areas, bathhouse, or small pavilion.

Children will enjoy the playground found on the park grounds. 

Families accumulate possessions over the years. When it is time to dispose of some of these possessions, a dumpster rental in Taunton MA, makes it easy to do so. 

The family may be moving to a new home and want to get rid of items when doing so.

At times, they are cleaning out an attic or garage or preparing for an estate sale and need to remove items they wish to dispose of rather than including them in the sale. With the help of a local dumpster service, they  complete the project in very little time. 

Precision Disposal is the premier dumpster rental company in Taunton, MA.

We are here to help with a person’s dumpster rental MA needs and offer a range of sizes to ensure every customer finds exactly what they need for the work they wish to do. Call today to schedule a dumpster rental delivery, as we work to accommodate your schedule to make the process easy for all involved. 

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