Taunton Audio Tour: Echoes of Steeples, Stories on the Green

Look to your left for a striking building of rough fieldstone with a tall square tower, arched doorways, and elegant, narrow windows rising above Broadway-trust me, it’s impossible to miss! Now, let’s time travel a bit! Standing here, imagine it’s 1852, and you see stonemasons hauling rocks and dust swirling around as architect Richard Upjohn’s latest masterpiece slowly rises above the street. Back then, the congregation had just split from the First Parish Church, and it was a time of both excitement and, well, a *little* drama-no reality TV, so church splits were big news! Upjohn, who knew how to build churches with personality, gave the Pilgrim Congregational massive stone walls, a strong gabled roof, and that signature square tower right in front, splitting the facade into three impressive sections. Step closer and picture the echo of footsteps through the round-arched doorway, and sunlight filtering through tall, narrow Gothic windows, with splashes of color from stained glass lining the sides. The small chapel tucked behind came in 1915-call it an “expansion pack.” Today, this is the second-oldest church building in the heart of Taunton, a place built from both faith and stone, making it a true survivor-listed on the National Register, but still welcoming folks who happen by. Now tell me, can you imagine some century-old secrets hidden in those stones?

To spot the Central Fire Station, just look for the large, red-brick building with a tall mansard-roofed tower and four big doorways facing Leonard Street, right at the corner with School Street. Standing here in front of the Central Fire Station, you can almost hear the echoes of a horse-drawn fire wagon rushing out over 150 years ago! Built way back in 1869, this place has seen more emergencies than a popcorn machine at a movie theater. Believe it or not, this is the third oldest fire station still in use in the whole country-and the oldest one in America that has never closed its doors, not even once! Fire engines, ladders, and the Deputy Chief himself all call this station home. Back when it opened, its brick walls and granite-trimmed window arches proudly guarded the city center, and I’m guessing the horse stables smelled a little… fiery. Designed by A.E. Swasey-whose work was so good they hired him to build more stations-the firehouse got a major upgrade in 2008 to handle modern, heavier engines, and to make sure everyone can get in easily. Think of the stories these walls could tell-tales of smoky nights, heroic dashes, and fire hats of every shape and size!

You’re looking for a wide, grassy square with a few sturdy old trees, classic lampposts, and a tall statue of a soldier standing on a boulder-the heart of the Taunton Green Historic District stretches out before you, ringed by brick buildings and busy streets. Right in front of you is the legendary Taunton Green, a place that’s been the center of the city’s excitement, heartache, and wild celebrations for nearly 300 years. Imagine the air thick with voices, the crowd stirring-Taunton Green was set aside way back in 1743 as a militia training ground. Now, instead of drilling troops, you might just catch the hum of traffic and the distant ring of a shop bell. It’s hard to believe, but this now-cozy block was once 88 acres of training space, complete with an early meetinghouse where townsfolk debated and plotted what would come next. If you look around, those monuments dotting the grass are here because this was-and still is-the spot where Taunton rallied its bravest. Soldiers marched off from this green patch toward every war America has ever faced. Among the heroes, one statue stands proud: The Hiker, made by Theo Alice Ruggles Kitson, honoring the Spanish-American War, the Boxer Rebellion, and the Philippine-American War. Next time you need a little courage, try standing tall right next to him-you never know, maybe some bravery will rub off! Picture October 21, 1774: hundreds of Taunton neighbors gathered here, flames of hope flickering in their eyes, as they raised the famous Taunton Flag on a huge 112-foot liberty pole. Its bold “Liberty and Union” motto snapped in the face of King George III. If you squint, you might just picture the clamor, the pounding of boots, and that flag’s triumphant flap. The flag still waves here today-a stubborn streak in the wind. Taunton Green has seen its fair share of drama. In 1859, flames wiped out the buildings east of the green, paving the way for those stately brick blocks you see rising on all sides. Over time, wooden shops gave way to heavier, fire-resistant structures-just another chapter in a place where adaptation is a local sport. And when December arrives? The whole Green erupts in lights, earning Taunton its festive nickname: “The Christmas City.” People come from miles around for the twinkle and glow, trading summer’s soft grass for winter magic as families stroll past the holiday decorations, year after year. So as you take in the Taunton Green Historic District, remember: you’re standing at the heart of the city’s story-one full of banners, bonfires, soldier’s footsteps, and, if you’re lucky, a little Christmas sparkle. If you're keen on discovering more about the description, contributing properties or the properties with separate nrhp listings, head down to the chat section and engage with me.

You’ll spot the United States Post Office-Taunton Main right in front of you-a grand, single-story limestone building with tall Tuscan columns lined up across its main facade, set back behind a row of trees and steps. Imagine you’re standing here in 1932 as the brand new post office opens its doors, the sound of marble floors echoing under the footsteps of folks carrying handwritten letters, and the smell of fresh limestone filling the air. This building replaced a much older, rugged Romanesque post office, trading towers for columns but keeping that same sense of importance-a bit like swapping a raincoat for a tuxedo! Funded during the tough times of the Great Depression by the Works Progress Administration, this post office showed the city that progress could still walk hand in hand with style, and sending mail could feel positively presidential. Designed by James A. Wetmore’s team, the Classical Revival vibe makes you feel like you’re stepping into a mini temple of communication, with monumental columns and marble shining inside. And here’s a fun bit: you’re treading on land once owned by Samuel Crocker, one of Taunton’s original movers and shakers. No wonder it’s earned a place on the National Register of Historic Places. If these walls could talk, they might just stamp your next letter with a story!

Look for a striking red-brick building with tall, skinny arched windows and a square tower topped by a pyramidal roof, right across from the Mill River on the west side of Winthrop Street. Standing here, you’re face to face with the majestic Winthrop Street Baptist Church. Behind those heavy wooden doors and Gothic windows, imagine it’s the year 1862-the Civil War is raging, but in Taunton, folks gather here hoping for comfort and a few hymns that are slightly less off-key than mine. This church wasn’t even the first Baptist congregation on this very spot-talk about a popular address for prayer! Crafted from solid brick, perfect for New England’s wild weather, it stands with stout buttresses along its sides, almost like it’s flexing its muscles for anyone in doubt. The brownstone arches above the windows and entry are trimmed just right, like the church dressed up in its Sunday best. Once, its tower soared even higher, with a steeple lost to demolition in the ‘90s. Today, the stained glass and belfry still look proudly over Winthrop Street, a reminder that architecture can outlast even the trickiest church meetings. Isn’t it amazing how one building can carry so much local life in its brickwork and glass?

To spot the Henry G. Brownell House, just look ahead for a grand white, wood-frame building with a steep gambrel roof, front porch with big round columns, and a proud American flag waving out front. Now, imagine the year is 1893 and the scent of fresh paint and cut lumber fills the crisp Taunton air. Here rises the Henry G. Brownell House-an absolute beauty of a home, with its sweeping gambrel roof, stately chimneys, and a grand porch just begging for a rocking chair or two. You can practically hear the echo of footsteps on its wooden floors and the chatter of grand parties under glittering chandeliers. Built for Henry G. Brownell by the talented L.M. Witherell, this house quickly became the envy of the neighborhood-a masterpiece of Colonial Revival style. Its windows gleamed with Palladian elegance, and those paired pilasters? They stood like silent sentinels through every season. Fast forward decades, and the house plays host to the lively Elks Lodge, echoing with laughter and the toasts of good friends. But, as if out of a twisty old novel, the house’s story ends in 2014 when it’s replaced by a Walgreens, and its elegant past becomes a memory in the whispers of the wind. Wouldn’t you love to have seen one of those Elks Lodge gatherings? Maybe even snuck in for a dance! History sure knows how to throw a curveball, doesn’t it?

Looking just ahead, you’ll spot a dramatic brick building with ornate details, large arched windows, a grand entrance, and a distinctive tower rising at its left rear corner-right across from the Mill River. Now, imagine the clang and hum of industry as you stand here-this spot once filled with the clatter of tacks and nails being made. The Albert Field Tack Company started way back in the 1820s, before electricity, when folks relied on good old muscle and a bit of luck to power the machines. Albert Field bought up this land in the 1850s, and with business booming, he celebrated by building this striking Italianate office in 1868. Not your average boring factory shack-this place looked so fancy next to the practical brick wings stretching toward the river, like a CEO wearing a tuxedo while everyone else is in overalls! Generations ago, workers here made upholstery tacks, brads, and shoe nails that traveled all around New England. The company grew big enough for two more factories but was snapped up by Atlas Tack in 1896, and by 1902, the action here fizzled out. Over time, this site became a Pentecostal church and a home for local businesses. Today, it’s apartments-so if you ever hear a ghostly tap-tap at night, maybe someone’s still trying to finish their shift!

Right in front of you, you’ll see a dramatic, gray stone church, with striking pointed arches and a roof that looks like it’s determined to touch the sky-just look past the leafy trees to spot its Gothic spires and that big maroon sign surrounded by lush greenery! Let’s imagine we’re stepping back in time-way, way back, before this grand stone structure was even a dream. The roots of St. Thomas Episcopal Church stretch all the way to 1728, when Taunton was still wild and rough around the edges. Picture noisy wooden carts clattering down muddy paths, and a group of determined townsfolk gathering near the Three Mile River, full of hope and grit but maybe a little nervous about starting something new-and not entirely welcomed by the local Puritans, who frowned at anything connected to the Church of England. Our story gets a little salty-literally!-with Captain Thomas Coram, an English sea captain who showed up in 1698, hoping to establish a parish. He faced all kinds of skepticism and resistance from the townspeople, but he left a quirky parting gift: If, someday, Taunton became “more civilized,” and at least forty upstanding gents wanted a church, they’d get a chunk of his land for it. This sounds like setting up a treasure hunt-but with fewer pirates and more prayer books! Fast forward a few decades, and the first actual church is built near the Three Mile River. Resources are slim, but the community spirit is strong-they even send a local, John Lyon, all the way to England to be officially ordained as their first resident minister. His first baptism took place on a chilly February day in 1765, with candles flickering and the sound of shuffling hymnals filling the air. Revolutions and storms can be tough on both buildings and spirits. During the Revolutionary War, just like many other Episcopal churches, St. Thomas had to close its doors for a while. Afterward, a new problem: a minister whose political views were a bit too controversial for the parish, leading to a dramatic dismissal meeting-library, prayer books, and glebe land demanded back! And then, in 1815, disaster struck. Imagine lightning flashing and furious winds howling, because during a wicked gale, the church came tumbling down. But Taunton’s Episcopal community was persistent. In 1829, they built a new church on High Street-one much nearer to where you’re standing now. Their community kept growing, pews were added, and the sound of hammers and saws echoed as walls rose higher. Now, the building before you is a testament to perseverance-and some pretty impressive architecture! Designed by Richard Upjohn, the nation’s great Gothic Revival architect, and finished in 1858, this stone masterpiece was consecrated in 1859. The pointed arches, steep slate roof, and tall, narrow windows create that unmistakable Gothic Revival style-meant to inspire awe, maybe even give you goosebumps if you look up at just the right angle! But through all the years and all the changes, one thing never disappeared: the congregation’s knack for working together, overcoming obstacles, and filling these hallowed walls with the sound of community, from hopeful whispers to joyful hymns. Even now, you can practically hear echoes of laughter from annual meetings and the hum of history swirling around every corner. So, as you stand here, you’re not just looking at old stones and stained glass-you’re witnessing the stubborn, loving heart of a community that’s weathered centuries. And if you listen closely, you might just catch the sound of a ship’s bell ringing far down the Taunton River, calling you back to the age of Captain Coram and the dream that started it all.

To spot Taunton City Hall, just look for a grand, stone building with tall arched windows and a flagpole towering above it at the corner-it's making a strong, official statement right at the intersection! Standing before this remarkable city hall, imagine the footsteps echoing down granite hallways, with the sounds of city business bustling inside. Built in 1848 on land once owned by a governor-Marcus Morton, no less-this spot became the beating heart of Taunton’s government. Let’s step back for a moment and picture the original brick building rising as hammers clanged and workers shouted, eager to finish before the November chill. The second story arrived just five years later, and for thirty years, students scampered up the steps to Taunton High School-it’s probably the only city hall that doubled as a homework zone. Inside, memorial plaques honor locals lost in the Civil War, World Wars I and II. The building’s face changed in 1896, swapping its castle-like look for bold, Renaissance revival style. But this storied hall saw harder times, too. In 2010, an arsonist crept into the attic and set a fire that threatened to wipe away more than 160 years of history. Walls were soaked, ceilings came down, and Taunton’s leaders had to move operations down the street for a whole decade. But Taunton’s spirit is as sturdy as this stonework-after a $27 million renovation, the city hall reopened in 2020, with memorials, fireplaces, and vault doors telling stories to anyone who stops to listen. From city meetings to high school classes, bravery to rebuilding, this spot has seen it all. And admit it, how many buildings can say they’ve survived homework, history, and a fire?

Look ahead for a triangular patch of green with a round fountain spraying water in the middle, surrounded by flowerbeds and brick-lined pathways-you can’t miss that big star and the seven flagpoles swooping in a V! Now, let’s time travel for a moment-close your eyes, take a deep breath, and picture yourself standing where Taunton first came together as a community back in 1647. The ground beneath your feet was once known as Meetinghouse Common, where villagers gathered for church, debates, and decisions that shaped a fledgling town. There’s still a bit of that old spirit here, don’t you think? The breeze you feel might be carrying whispers from those first settlers-and maybe even a little gossip about whose sheep wandered off, again! Today, Church Green sits at the bustling intersection of Summer and Dean Streets, proudly hosting a tribute to veterans. Those seven flagpoles you see form a mighty V, each whipping a flag for one branch of the U.S. military, with the American flag standing tall and true in the center. This site became a true place of honor in 2011, when Taunton came together and raised these poles in a ceremony so moving you could almost hear the crowd’s hush. By 2012, the Global War on Terrorism Memorial was right here, joining the Vietnam Veterans Memorial and creating a space for heroes to be remembered. The fountain’s splashing, the shine of nearby benches, a ring of old homes, and grand buildings like the First Parish Church remind you this green holds stories-rebellious townsfolk, pealing church bells, clattering hooves, and now, the grateful steps of visitors like you. Even the bricks beneath your feet seem to wink up, a who’s-who guest list in the district that earned Church Green a spot on the National Register of Historic Places. If you listen closely, maybe you’ll still hear the old town bell… or at least the fountain putting on its never-ending show!

To spot the Old Colony History Museum, look for a two-story old brick building with arched windows and a small square cupola on the roof-just behind the large white and red sign on your left. Welcome to the Old Colony History Museum, where the whispers of the past mingle with the crisp Taunton breeze. Picture yourself back in 1852, as the newly designed Bristol Academy opens its doors, crafted by Richard Upjohn-the very same architect who designed the famous Trinity Church in New York. Back then, you might have heard the chatter of eager students and the ring of the school bell cutting through the morning air. Fast forward to 1926: the old academy becomes a home for countless treasures of the region-rare artifacts, ancient documents, and photographs telling stories you never knew Taunton had. In these walls, you can almost hear the scratch of pens in the genealogy research library or the excited gasps as families uncover secrets from their own past. Each autumn, the lawn outside comes alive during the Liberty and Union Festival, as the community celebrates the daring 1774 flag-raising that declared Taunton’s rebel spirit. So, before you head off, imagine all the lives and stories tucked inside these bricks-a place where history isn’t just displayed, it’s alive and kicking!