Weir Village, Massachusetts
Encyclopedia
Taunton, Massachusetts
Taunton is a city in Bristol County, Massachusetts, United States. It is the seat of Bristol County and the hub of the Greater Taunton Area. The city is located south of Boston, east of Providence, north of Fall River and west of Plymouth. The City of Taunton is situated on the Taunton River...
in Bristol County, Massachusetts
Bristol County, Massachusetts
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 534,678 people, 205,411 households, and 140,706 families residing in the county. The population density was 962 people per square mile . There were 216,918 housing units at an average density of 390 per square mile...
, located about one mile south of the city center on the banks of the Taunton River
Taunton River
The Taunton River , is a river in southeastern Massachusetts in the United States. It arises from the confluence of the Town River and Matfield River, in the town of Bridgewater...
, near the point where it becomes tidal. The village takes its name from fishing weir
Fishing weir
A fishing weir, or fish weir, is an obstruction placed in tidal waters or wholly or partially across a river, which is designed to hinder the passage of fish. Traditionally they were built from wood or stones. They can be used to trap fish...
s which were placed across the Taunton River
Taunton River
The Taunton River , is a river in southeastern Massachusetts in the United States. It arises from the confluence of the Town River and Matfield River, in the town of Bridgewater...
from pre-colonial times until the early 20th century, to catch herring
Herring
Herring is an oily fish of the genus Clupea, found in the shallow, temperate waters of the North Pacific and the North Atlantic oceans, including the Baltic Sea. Three species of Clupea are recognized. The main taxa, the Atlantic herring and the Pacific herring may each be divided into subspecies...
(also known as "alewifes"). While much of the commercial part of the village lies on the west side of the river, along Weir and Ingell Streets, a dense residential area extends in an easterly direction across the river along Plain and Berkley Streets.
History
The Taunton area was called "Cohannet" by the native Wampanoag tribes that inhabited the area before the first EnglishEnglish people
The English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...
settlers arrived in the early 17th century. The location which would later become Weir Village was used by the natives who erected fishing weirs to catch herring in the Taunton River
Taunton River
The Taunton River , is a river in southeastern Massachusetts in the United States. It arises from the confluence of the Town River and Matfield River, in the town of Bridgewater...
, which were in great abundance. With increased settlement, the seasonal herring fishing industry became a vital part of the area economy. The early settlers used the fish to fertilize their fields, as well as for food.
A shipbuilding industry developed at Weir Village during the early 19th century. In 1838, the Taunton Branch Railroad
Taunton Branch Railroad
The Taunton Branch Railroad was one of the earliest railroads to be established in Massachusetts. It was chartered by the state in 1835 as a branch of the Boston and Providence Railroad running between Mansfield and Taunton, Massachusetts...
began, with a junction at Weir Village just north of Ingell Street. During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, ocean-going vessels would dock at Weir Village and was a vital part of the city of Taunton's economy, which included brickmaking, iron, textiles and machinery. Weir Village was also an important early transport hub for grain leaving the interior areas of southeastern Massachusetts for export.
The Old Weir Stove Company
Old Weir Stove Company
Old Weir Stove Company was an historic industrial building located at West Water Street in Weir Village, Taunton, Massachusetts. The site was located directly on the west bank of the Taunton River....
was located on West Water Street, just south of the village center. It was the long-time maker of the well-known Glenwood cooking stove. Part of the stove company complex was later occupied by the F.B. Rogers Silver Company, located directly on the west bank of the Taunton River
Taunton River
The Taunton River , is a river in southeastern Massachusetts in the United States. It arises from the confluence of the Town River and Matfield River, in the town of Bridgewater...
(demolished in 2009). The Bacon Felt Company was also located on West Water Street. The former Taunton Municipal Lighting Plant is located further south, with its tall, twin smokestacks visible from many surrounding areas.
Today
In recent years, the Weir Corporation, a non-profit group has been active in revitalizing Weir Village and surround parts of Taunton. In 2005, it completed the restoration of the former Cohannet Mill No. 3Cohannet Mill No. 3
Cohannet Mill No. 3 is an historic mill at 120 Ingell Street in Taunton, Massachusetts.The mill was built in 1890 and added to the National Historic Register in 2006....
on Ingell Street into apartments and retail/office space. The agency is currently in the process of renovating the former F.B. Rogers Silver Company factory into loft residences.
The village contains a small, but active row of small shops, bars and restaurants, as well as the historic Weir Engine House
Weir Engine House
Weir Engine House is an historic fire station located at 530 Weir Street in Taunton, Massachusetts.It was built in 1889 and added to the National Historic Register in 1984. The station houses the city's engine 3, ladder 3, weir police precinct, and a community police substation...
, located at the intersection of Weir and Ingall Streets, which houses Taunton Fire Department's engine 3, ladder 3 and the Taunton Police weir precinct. A bridge over the Taunton River at Weir Village is a vital link for cross-town city traffic.
Weir Village is still home to several industrial and commercial businesses. A small park is located along the riverfront along East Water Street.
See also
- Taunton, MassachusettsTaunton, MassachusettsTaunton is a city in Bristol County, Massachusetts, United States. It is the seat of Bristol County and the hub of the Greater Taunton Area. The city is located south of Boston, east of Providence, north of Fall River and west of Plymouth. The City of Taunton is situated on the Taunton River...
- Taunton RiverTaunton RiverThe Taunton River , is a river in southeastern Massachusetts in the United States. It arises from the confluence of the Town River and Matfield River, in the town of Bridgewater...
- Weir Engine HouseWeir Engine HouseWeir Engine House is an historic fire station located at 530 Weir Street in Taunton, Massachusetts.It was built in 1889 and added to the National Historic Register in 1984. The station houses the city's engine 3, ladder 3, weir police precinct, and a community police substation...
- Cohannet Mill No. 3Cohannet Mill No. 3Cohannet Mill No. 3 is an historic mill at 120 Ingell Street in Taunton, Massachusetts.The mill was built in 1890 and added to the National Historic Register in 2006....