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Taunton City Hall facts for kids

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Taunton City Hall
U.S. Historic district
Contributing property
Taunton City Hall front.jpg
Taunton City Hall (left) and the (now demolished) Star Theater/Leonard Block
Location Taunton, Massachusetts
Built 1848/1896
Architect Earl E. Ryder (1848); J. Merrill Brown (1896)
Architectural style Renaissance revival
Part of Church Green (Taunton, Massachusetts) (ID77000168)
Added to NRHP December 16, 1977

Taunton City Hall is a very important building in Taunton, Massachusetts. It's where the city's government does its work. This includes the office of the mayor and the rooms where the city council meets.

The building was first built in 1848. Later, it was made much bigger in 1896. Taunton City Hall is part of the Church Green national historic district. This area is where U.S. Route 44 and State Route 140 meet. In 2010, a fire caused a lot of damage. The building had to close for ten years because of it.

What is a City Hall?

A city hall is like the main office for a city. It's where important decisions are made. These decisions affect everyone who lives in the city.

Who Works at City Hall?

Many people work at Taunton City Hall. The mayor is the leader of the city. Their office is in this building. The city council also meets here. The council is a group of people elected by citizens. They help make laws and plans for the city.

What Happens Inside?

Inside City Hall, you'll find different offices. These offices help with things like city planning. They also handle permits and public services. It's a busy place where the city's daily business gets done.

History of Taunton City Hall

Taunton City Hall has a long and interesting history. It has changed a lot over the years.

The First Building in 1848

The original building was finished in 1848. It was designed by an architect named Earl E. Ryder. This first building served as the main government office for Taunton.

The Big Expansion in 1896

As Taunton grew, the city needed more space. So, in 1896, the building was made much larger. J. Merrill Brown was the architect for this expansion. He designed it in a style called Renaissance Revival. This style often uses grand, classic designs.

The 2010 Fire and Rebuilding

In 2010, a fire badly damaged Taunton City Hall. The building had to close for a long time. It took ten years to repair and restore it. This was a big project to bring the historic building back to life.

Location and Importance

Taunton City Hall is in a special spot. It's part of the Church Green historic district.

Part of a Historic District

A historic district is an area with many old, important buildings. The Church Green district is known for its history. Taunton City Hall is a "contributing property" to this district. This means it helps make the area historically important.

A Landmark for Taunton

The City Hall is a well-known landmark in Taunton. It stands at a busy intersection. It represents the city's government and its long history.

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