Taunton Then and Now: Some of the city's past still visible in the 21st century

Kristina Fontes, The Taunton Daily Gazette
·5 min read

As much as some things can change in a city of Taunton’s size over time, it’s remarkable how much can also remain the same.

Though industry has transformed the face of our city many times over, there are still traces of what came before. What once was a bank is now a construction company, for example.

Or, a club started by some men of business is now the site of, well, other businesses.

Places that were once busy and bustling, are now spots for quiet contemplation by the river.

On the other hand, some places in Taunton have stood the test of time.

Like a home that’s been a part of our city from the time before it was even considered a city.

The vehicles outside at City Hall Square might have replaced horses and wagons, but City Hall is still standing.

Let’s see what’s changed, and what hasn’t, as we take another tour through Taunton, Then and Now.

E.H. Brown’s Boat Building Shop

Once, the boat building shop at 87 E. Water St. was part of the bustling maritime scene at Weir Village.

E.H. Brown's Boat Building Shop, pictured c. 1908, was located at 87 E. Water St. The building was destroyed by fire on June 30, 1936.
E.H. Brown's Boat Building Shop, pictured c. 1908, was located at 87 E. Water St. The building was destroyed by fire on June 30, 1936.

Although the building housing E.H. Brown’s shop was destroyed by fire on June 30, 1936, the Weir Village remains, and it’s still a busy spot, although the businesses have naturally changed over the years. Today, not far from where the boat shop used to be, visitors to the Weir can enjoy Weir Village Riverfront Park, with walking paths, a playground, and benches overlooking the river. It’s a place to relax and to learn about the neighborhood’s history too, with conveniently placed historical information near some of the seating areas.

Today, visitors to Weir Village Riverfront Park can learn about the neighborhood's history while enjoying a view of the river.
Today, visitors to Weir Village Riverfront Park can learn about the neighborhood's history while enjoying a view of the river.

Presbrey Stove Lining Company

According to “A History of Taunton Massachusetts” by Dr. William Hanna, the Presbrey Stove Lining Company, once located at 212 Somerset Ave., was founded in 1826.

The Presbrey Stove Lining Company, once located at 212 Somerset Ave., was founded in 1826.
The Presbrey Stove Lining Company, once located at 212 Somerset Ave., was founded in 1826.

Now in 2022, that part of Somerset Avenue is between two homes, and near the United Memorial Methodist Church. Funnily enough, a piece of the old company was recently out there on eBay: a seller in California had a billhead for sale from the company.

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Richard Godfrey House

Located at 62 County St., the Richard Godfrey House was built in 1750.

The Richard Godfrey House, pictured here in 1906, was built in 1750.
The Richard Godfrey House, pictured here in 1906, was built in 1750.

It is a Colonial-style home, with tw gable-roofed dormers, a central chimney, and clapboard siding. Its appearance has remained largely unchanged since at least 1906, according to a photograph in the Taunton Public Library Louis H. Benton photographs collection. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1984.

The Richard Godfrey House, built in 1750 and pictured in 2022 on County Street.
The Richard Godfrey House, built in 1750 and pictured in 2022 on County Street.

Residence of Col. Fred Mason

The home of a Colonel Fred Mason was once located on corner of Spring and Summer streets. The Gazette was unable to confirm if it was the home of one of William Mason’s sons (of Mason Machine Works), although he did have a son named Frederick, who did become a colonel during the Civil War.

The home of a Colonel Fred Mason was once located on corner of Spring and Summer streets.
The home of a Colonel Fred Mason was once located on corner of Spring and Summer streets.

Today, the corner of Spring and Summer streets is a busy intersection, with medical offices, Marian Manor and First Parish Church, among others nearby.

The corner of Spring and Summer streets, pictured in 2022.
The corner of Spring and Summer streets, pictured in 2022.

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Dr. Joseph Murphy Home

According to an undated image from the Taunton Public Library Louis H. Benton photographs collection, 23 Summer St. was once the home of a Dr. Joseph Murphy.

23 Summer St. was once the site of a home belonging to a Dr. Joseph Murphy, pictured in this undated image.
23 Summer St. was once the site of a home belonging to a Dr. Joseph Murphy, pictured in this undated image.

Today, it’s the home of the Taunton Police Department: it’s the police station, right next door to Marian Manor.

Today in 2022, 23 Summer St. is where the Taunton Police Department is.
Today in 2022, 23 Summer St. is where the Taunton Police Department is.

Winthrop Club

Located at 1 Church Green, the Winthrop Club was a “men’s organization founded by the city’s industrial and professional elite,” according to Hanna.

The building at 1 Church Green was once home to the Winthrop Club, as well as the site of the first bowling alley in Taunton.
The building at 1 Church Green was once home to the Winthrop Club, as well as the site of the first bowling alley in Taunton.

Their headquarters opened in 1894, and, in the downstairs part of the building, it was actually the site of the first bowling alley in Taunton. Today, the building houses businesses.

The building at 1 Church Green, pictured in 2022, looks much as it did when it was the headquarters of the Winthrop Club in the late 19th century.
The building at 1 Church Green, pictured in 2022, looks much as it did when it was the headquarters of the Winthrop Club in the late 19th century.

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City Hall Square

Although much has changed since Taunton’s City Hall building was constructed in 1848, the view looking down City Hall Square has remained remarkably similar to what it was during the 19th century.

There might have been horses outside at City Hall Square during the 19th century, but the view remains fairly similar to what it is in 2022.
There might have been horses outside at City Hall Square during the 19th century, but the view remains fairly similar to what it is in 2022.

Today, other than the usual signs of modernization — think: cars vs. horses, stoplights, etc. — one of the biggest changes to the skyline since then is that now anyone standing near the statue of Robert Treat Paine monument can see the dome of the courthouse rising above the Taunton Green.

The view from City Hall Square in 2022.
The view from City Hall Square in 2022.

City Hall itself has undergone significant changes and work: it was expanded in 1896, it suffered an arson fire in 2010, and, after extensive repairs and renovation, it now boasts an addition constructed to match the appearance of the 19th-century building.

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Bristol County National Bank building

Bristol County National Bank was once located at 43 Taunton Green.

Bristol County National Bank was once located at 43 Taunton Green.
Bristol County National Bank was once located at 43 Taunton Green.

According to Hanna, the bank was incorporated in 1832. Today, the building is home to Mello Construction Inc. The arched doorway remains the same.

Now home to Mello Construction, 43 Taunton Green retains the arched doorway it had when it was the Bristol County National Bank building.
Now home to Mello Construction, 43 Taunton Green retains the arched doorway it had when it was the Bristol County National Bank building.

New Winslow Congregational Church

Although the building that now stands at 61 Winthrop St. looks entirely different to the one that once stood there, it’s still the site of a church. Once it was the New Winslow Congregational Church, a historic Gothic, sandstone building.

The New Winslow Congregational Church was once a Gothic, sandstone structure at 61 Winthrop St.
The New Winslow Congregational Church was once a Gothic, sandstone structure at 61 Winthrop St.

That building was eventually torn down. It was built in 1897 and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1984. In 1969, it was sold to the First Portuguese Baptist Church, and renamed the Baptist Church of all Nations, which it is still known as today.

Over time, the New Winslow Congregational Church eventually became the Baptist Church of All Nations, and there is a new building on the site today.
Over time, the New Winslow Congregational Church eventually became the Baptist Church of All Nations, and there is a new building on the site today.

Taunton Oilcloth Company

The Taunton Oilcloth Company once stood at 92 Wales St.
The Taunton Oilcloth Company once stood at 92 Wales St.

The Taunton Oilcloth Company, according to Hanna, was founded in 1850. Today, that spot at 92 Wales St. is mostly parking lot, not far from Bar 88 and Grille.

Taunton Daily Gazette/Herald News copy editor and digital producer Kristina Fontes can be reached at kfontes@heraldnews.com. Support local journalism by purchasing a digital or print subscription to The Herald News and Taunton Daily Gazette today.

This article originally appeared on The Taunton Daily Gazette: Taunton Then and Now: Richard Godrey, Winthrop Club, City Hall Square