Taunton Iron Works, Industrial heritage site in Raynham, Massachusetts, United States.
Taunton Iron Works was an iron production facility located on the banks of the Forge River in Raynham that used a water-powered bloomery system to manufacture bar iron for regional consumption. The operation featured two connected hearths and represented an important step in colonial metalworking technology.
The facility began operations in 1656 as Plymouth Colony's first iron works and continued producing metal through 1876, when the operation finally closed. The site had become a steady source of iron supply for New England throughout its long period of activity.
The Leonard family maintained control of the operations through multiple generations, influencing the development of iron production throughout New England.
The former site is now maintained as a small park where you can see a Navy anchor monument marking the location of the original forge. You can walk the grounds to observe how the riverside setting once powered the iron production operation.
The river that once flowed through the area was renamed from Two Mile River to Forge River following the establishment of the iron works, reflecting how the industry reshaped the local landscape's identity. This name change demonstrates the lasting impact the facility had on the surrounding region.
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