Beautiful New Taunton Mural Recognizes Specific Neighborhood’s History

Taunton residents were excited to see a new mural of their city unveiled this week, but some out-of-towners might question the name featured on the massive artwork.

Monday night Mayor Shauna O'Connell was on hand outside Goldstein's 5&10 on Bay Street to unveil the first of many murals being painted around the city.

Mayor O'Connell's Mural Program was announced last year as a way to brighten some of the less colorful buildings in the city, but it seems it's also a way to introduce some of Taunton's specific neighborhoods to those who may not know about them.

The first of six murals in this new program was painted on Goldstein's wall by LA-Based artist Phill Bourque, a Taunton native who has painted there in the past.

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Though the mural program is for the entire city, Bourque's newest work highlights Taunton's Whittenton neighborhood specifically.

While some might be confused by the town named featured on the mural, locals know each neighborhood has their own history and charm.

As Mayor O'Connell put it,

The unique artwork shouts out Whittenton's beloved Henry's Root Beer Stand and even features the allegedly haunted rocking chair headstone at Mayflower Hill Cemetery.

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A beautiful tribute to one of Taunton's 11 neighborhoods, with more to come in the next six months. The Mayor's Mural Program will ultimately feature six huge paintings, some throughout downtown and another historical mural coming to the Riverhouse Restaurant.