Town of Dighton
Established- May 30, 1712

Dighton was part of the South Purchase and remained a part of Taunton until 1712. From the beginning, its settlers loved independence and hated domination. During one period of their history this characteristic actually divided the town into two towns for 12 years.

The Settlement was located on the "Bristol Old Path" which ran North and South, and old Indian route pretty much paralleling the Taunton River.

Indians lived along the path and had cleared areas for farming. They are credited with teaching the settlers many delicious dishes. They raised corn, beans, pumpkins, cucumbers, and squash, and harvested berries and nuts to combine with their fish and meat. Settlers built cabins here near springs. This is the area in which the Council Oak still stands, a sacred place for Native Americans to the present. The huge tree's trunk is 16' in circumference.

A wide variety of industries have been operated within the town. Shipbuilding began in 1693. Several additional yards sprang up following that. Sloops were a common craft. As early as 1700, iron was being manufactured, and a sawmill and grist mill were established. A bit later there was a factory making plugs for ships carpenters' use. The mid-century saw the start of a fulling mill, in 1814 a cotton company was formed, in 1822 a machine shop operated, in 1845 a tack factory was built. Tanning had been initiated in 1740 and a shingle mill ran from the late 1800's. A rolling mill started up in 1866 and a paper mill in 1809. About 1900 a bleachery was built with its own housing for employees, dairy cattle and poultry for food, and even a hospital for victims of accidents and for maternity use.

A famous person named Gooding built tall clocks in Dighton starting in 1790. These clocks were noted for their superior craftsmanship as many were keeping excellent time even 150 years later.

From 1830 to 1857 silk was manufactured here. The entire process from the raising of the silkworms to weaving the cloth was done by the firm.

A flaxseed oil plant, built in the mid-1800's, had major problems in its efforts to operate. Legend has it that the owner supposedly offended a witch because whenever he started up the machinery, parts would break and the well-lubricated spindle in the millstone would melt down.

A plant built in 1892 produced starches, converted sugar, gums, oils, and colorants for the textile market. The ICI plant opened in 1950 and is a major employer.

Dighton became a port of entry for surrounding towns by 1789. After the Revolutionary War it became a natural distribution center for central and southern New England.

The town was famous for its strawberries even before the Civil War. During the height of the season, a long train of 15 cars left every evening carrying berries.

Herring was also exported from an early date. Before 1775 a wharf was built as a fishing ground and a terminal for trade. In 1789 herring fishing rules were drawn up. Each year two "fishing privileges" were auctioned to the highest bidders. This custom lasted until 1924.

River traffic was brisk with fish, farm products, lumber and ironware shipped in Dighton-made hogsheads to New York, the southern colonies, and the West Indies. The coming of the railroad opened up commerce further.

Dighton Rock Park was established in 1897 and was a lively place with excursion boats bringing people to its many amusements, clambakes, and vaudeville shows.

Historic Sites

Council Oak, off Elm Street - Probably 700 years old. There is a plaque on a rock under the tree. The site is registered with the Massachusetts Historical Commission. Here King Philip met with his Braves.
Dighton Community Church (1770), Elm Street - In use in 1770 but actually completed in 1798. During the Revolutionary War it was used as a barracks for patriot soldiers. Ezra Stiles, later the President of Yale was its first minister. A Revere bell was purchased in 1821. As the metal for the bell was poured, 50 silver dollars went into the stream to "give it a richer tone." Temporarily housed in a shed in the church yard, the bell was installed in the belfry in 1827.
Winslow Davis House (1792), William Street - Dighton Historical Society - Originally a farmhouse but once a tavern, possibly a stopping place for the Bristol to Boston stagecoach.