How Taunton Became Known as the ‘Silver City’

Taunton was incorporated on September 3, 1639, not long after the Pilgrims arrived in Massachusetts in 1620. Originally a town, Taunton was among the oldest in the United States.

Taunton was founded in 1637, two years before its incorporation, by members of Plymouth Colony. Taunton's original boundaries included Norton, Easton, Mansfield, Dighton, Raynham, Berkley and Lakeville.

According to William F. Hanna's 2008 A History of Taunton, Massachusetts: Old Colony Historical Society, Taunton's original settlers were from Taunton in Somerset, England.

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The official Taunton, Massachusetts website says, "The Native Americans called the region Cohannet, Tetiquet and Titicut before the arrival of the Europeans."

According to Francis Baylies' 1866 An Historical Memoir of the Colony of New Plymouth, "The English founders purchased the land from the Nemasket Natives in 1637 as part of the Tetiquest purchase."

In 1864, Taunton became a city.

Taunton became known as the "Silver City" in the 19th century. There were many silversmithing operations in Taunton including Reed & Barton, F.B. Rogers, the Poole Silver Company and the Taunton Silverplate Company. The city's website says Taunton produced "fine quality silver goods in the city."

Taunton was a center of the silver industry in the 19th century, contributing significantly to its financial prosperity.

In addition to silversmithing, Taunton was known for iron-making, locomotive production and textiles during the 19th century.

Taunton is not only known as the "Silver City." Its other nickname is "The Christmas City." Since 1914, the City of Taunton has provided a large annual light display each December on Taunton Green.