Coram Shipyard Historic District facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Coram Shipyard Historic District
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2120 Water St.
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 Location in Massachusetts
Location in the United States
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| Location | Dighton, Massachusetts |
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| Area | 2.1 acres (0.85 ha) |
| Built | 1698 |
| Architectural style | Georgian, Colonial |
| NRHP reference No. | 97000625 |
| Added to NRHP | January 5, 1998 |
The Coram Shipyard Historic District is a special historical area in Dighton, Massachusetts. It was once a busy shipyard where ships were built long ago, during America's colonial period. This district includes two very old houses, built around 1700. It also has the important archaeological site of the shipyard itself. This shipyard was active for about five years, from 1698 to 1703. Today, the shipyard site is home to the Taunton River Yacht Club. Their property includes the original wharf built by the shipyard owners, Thomas Coram and John Hathaway. This historic district was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1998.
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What is the Coram Shipyard Historic District?
The Coram Shipyard Historic District is a place where you can learn about early American shipbuilding. It covers three addresses on Water Street in Dighton, Massachusetts. The district helps protect the remains of a very old shipyard. It also includes two houses that belonged to the people who ran the shipyard.
A Look Back at Dighton's Shipyards
The town of Dighton is located on the west side of the Taunton River. European settlers first came here in the 1680s. Dighton became an official town in 1712. In the 1700s, Dighton became very important for shipping. Large ships could not travel further up the river. This meant goods had to be loaded and unloaded here. Because of this, many shipyards and wharves were built along the riverbanks.
The very first shipyard in Dighton started around 1698. It was located just south of where Main and Water Streets meet. The parts of this old shipyard that still exist today are the two houses of its main operators. These were Thomas Coram and John Hathaway. There is also a stone wharf they built into the river.
Who Were Thomas Coram and John Hathaway?
Thomas Coram and John Hathaway were the people who started and ran this early shipyard. They were important figures in Dighton's history. Their shipyard helped Dighton become a busy port town. They built the wharf that is still there today.
The Old Wharf and Houses Today
The wharf that Coram and Hathaway built is now part of the Taunton River Yacht Club. This wharf is about 50 feet by 75 feet in size. It is located behind the yacht club's clubhouse, which was built around 1950. The wharf is made of rough-cut stones and is now covered with grass. New structures have been added around its edges. These help boats get access to the river today.
Across from the wharf is John Hathaway's house. Thomas Coram's house is just south of Hathaway's. Both houses are now two-and-a-half stories tall. They are made of wood and have a central chimney. They also have a roof that slopes down on two sides.
What Do the Houses Look Like?
We don't know exactly how the houses looked when they were first built around 1699-1700. Experts have not yet studied their original structure closely. However, their current look suggests they were changed in the mid-1700s. They now show features of Georgian architecture. The Coram house was also changed in the 1800s. An Italianate-style porch was added to its front. This porch was rebuilt with less fancy details in the 1900s.
