Today, in my mind I walk the mile or so from the Village to downtown Taunton. In this memory walk there is crusty snow under my feet. I can see my breath in icy clouds. I'm heading for the Taunton Green in all its Christmas glory. It may be evening, the stars in a clear sky, before light pollution, of course. The Green is at its Christmas best, as it has been each year since 1914!
Here it is in 1929
I apologize for not recalling provenance of this photo.
In 1914, a group of Taunton businessmen gathered to discuss how to increase traffic to the shops downtown. They were spearheaded by Mr. C.W. Foster. In a delicious historical coincidence we have this photo below, probably from the 30's, of my Aunt Alveda Souza on the left with a friend on the Green at Christmas.
Since earlier days there had been a Yuletide
display on the Green, so this seemed a good place to for those businessmen to put their efforts.
Since the Green was an intersection of many main roads, this was perfect.
The display attracted people from all over southeastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island at
Christmas time. A cold night, music and lights....magic!
The display started with just a few lights, today they number a million.
Since the Green was an intersection of many main roads, this was perfect.
The display attracted people from all over southeastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island at
Christmas time. A cold night, music and lights....magic!
The display started with just a few lights, today they number a million.
Look closer: there are marvelous notes to this photo. First, the men's shop founded by that same
Mr. Foster is seen prominently on the right. To the left is the Taunton Bus Station and Comfort Station we all knew so well: a real bus from the time out front. That station served travelers from as far away as New York, Providence, and of course, the Village. For us: the Jackson and School Sts. bus picked us up and brought us home. I can still feel the metal poles we held on to as we prepared to get off.
The station itself was warm and clean and the ladies even had an attendant keeping things in good shape. The stationmaster's office was elevated above everyone else.
He announced the buses in a deep voice of great authority.
Below is a photo from 1947: Bliss Lumber Co. kept these photos for years: we have them to thank.
(Photo from the website cardcow)
The photo below from 1948 is also from that same website and provides us with none other
then a sighting of one of the little diners on the Green. Anyone know which?
Finally, another photo below from my Aunt Alveda's collection thanks to her daughter, Shelley Au. This is a beautiful reminder of the sentiments often expressed on the Christmas Green display.
There was usually a nativity scene prominent displayed.
The display that year sat upon the honor role that listed the names of those Taunton servicemen and women lost in World War II. This display must have been in the 1940's sometime.
There was usually a nativity scene prominent displayed.
The display that year sat upon the honor role that listed the names of those Taunton servicemen and women lost in World War II. This display must have been in the 1940's sometime.
The honor roll, as far as I know, no longer is on the Green.
Sandy,I just love your memories of our beautiful green at Christmas. Your aunt Alveda's friend in that wonderful picture was my good friend,Alicia Pina Emond who lived across the street at 183 School St. I miss her more than words can say! She knew more about the old neighborhood than anyone I knew.She helped me greatly when I wrote my memories.Great job,Sandy!
ReplyDeleteI miss that Honor Roll of WW2. I enjoyed reading those names. I would read the Honor Roll of WW1 in city hall but can't do that anymore.
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