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Dighton Wharves Historic District |
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![[photo]](buildings/dig1.jpg "[photo]")
Dighton Wharves Historic District
Photo courtesy of Betsy Friedberg, Massachusetts Historical Commission |
The Dighton Wharves Historic district played a significant role in the late 18th and early-to-mid 19th century development of Dighton's maritime trade industry. The district is approximately five and a half acres, containing four historic houses lining the west side of Pleasant Street and three 18th-century wharves directly eastward across Pleasant Street along the west bank of the Taunton River. The residences are situated on relatively deep but narrow lots, each with about 100 feet of street frontage and the wharves jut out prominently into the river. These intact buildings were historically owned by families who worked in maritime-related businesses, and in several cases the houses served as the main place of business. The district is also one of Dighton's best examples of late 18th- to mid 19th-century residential design. The houses are fine examples of Georgian period design enlarged and adapted to conform to 19th-century preferences for the Greek Revival and Italianate styles.
![[photo]](buildings/dig2.jpg "[photo]")
Elkanah Andrews/James Spooner House
Photo from National Register collection |
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Built in 1770 at 2298 Pleasant Street, the Old Customs House was the local customs collector's house and also contained a small office where he collected taxes on goods shipped to Dighton. The houses of customs collectors often served as the first customhouse at a port. Remodeled around 1830, it is a two-story, clapboard building resting on a brick foundation with a two-story rear ell addition. The Elkanah Andrews/James Spooner House located at 2308 Pleasant Street was built about 1770 then enlarged around 1830. After establishing himself as a successful sea captain, Andrews built his house and the wharf that still bears his name. The Spooner Wharf is located just east of the Andrews Wharf and was also initially operated by Andrews and his sons. The Eddy House at 2320 Pleasant Street was built for one of Andrews' sons in 1770 and modified and expanded into an Italianate design around 1870. Dating from the 1750s, the Darius Perry House is a one-and-one-half story, Cape style house standing at 2328 Pleasant Street, which was modified and extended during the 19th century and the first quarter of the 20th century. The Perry House is directly opposite the Perry Wharf that Darius Perry operated. Darius Perry was a seaman and merchant, who was very active in town affairs. The three wharves provided anchorage for the ships coming in and out of the busy port when Dighton was at its height as a commercial distribution point for southern and central New England.
The Dighton Wharves Historic District is located from 2298 to 2328 Pleasant St. in Dighton. Today, the historic homes in the district are privately owned, and the wharves are used for pleasure crafts.
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