To spot Morton Hospital and Medical Center, look for a large brick building with rows of windows and a blue awning over the entrance, right across from the intersection of Washington Street.
Now, while you’re standing here, take in the solid, practical look of Morton Hospital-a true survivor and a bit of a local legend, actually. Back in the days of top hats and telegrams, the land under your feet belonged to none other than former Massachusetts Governor Marcus Morton, whose old home was transformed into Taunton’s very first hospital after his passing in 1864. So yes, if you hear any ghostly whispers, it’s probably Governor Morton reminding everyone to say “ahh!”
When the Taunton Hospital Company was born in 1888, people here were excited to finally have a place for healing. Fast forward to 1914, and the hospital’s name officially became Morton-like a superhero putting on a cape, ready to serve generations. This place had its own nursing school too! Imagine young nurses dashing through these very halls, stifling giggles while they practiced their bedside manner.
Things got wild in the 21st century. In 2011, the hospital was sold for a whopping $170 million, passing through more legal hands than a hot potato. Steward Health Care ran things until 2024, but after some financial acrobatics (and a dramatic bankruptcy), Brown University Health swooped in, keeping clinicians in business and ambulances rolling.
Oh-and don’t forget to glance up! On the roof is a heliport, used for emergency airlifts. It’s asphalt, about the size of a small living room, and sometimes, with a roar, a helicopter lands to whisk people away to Boston. This isn’t just a building-it’s Taunton’s lifeline, every single day.
