East Norton Railroad Station
The East Norton Railroad Depot was built in 1853 and designed by the noted Gothic Architect Richard Upjohn. Upjohn was noted for his Gothic Revival churches. The Trinity Church on Wall Street in Manhattan NY is one of his most famous works. The East Norton station replaced an older depot which stood nearby. A stop on the New Bedford and Taunton Railroad, the station witnessed up to fourteen passenger trains daily traveling this line. The Taunton Branch Railroad was constructed between 1835 – 1836, and connected with the Boston and Providence Railroad in Mansfield. When completed in 1853, the East Norton Station was receiving three passenger trains daily between Boston and New Bedford.
The East Norton Station hosted many travelers, playing an integral role in local and national history over the years. One noted traveler who very likely stopped at the East Norton depot was then Congressman Abraham Lincoln. He traveled the New Bedford and Taunton Railroad in 1848 on a visit to Taunton. Although the current building was not yet constructed, the original Depot stood nearby. It’s highly probable that Congressman Lincoln stopped there on his journey to Taunton. Another noted visitor who was known to Lincoln was Frederic Douglass. In conclusion, Douglass, an Abolitionist and former runaway slave, addressed Norton residents before the Civil War and traveled the Taunton New Bedford Railroad.
When daily mail arrived by trains, the East Norton Post Office initially occupied a small building opposite the station. It relocated in 1926. In 1903, the original Telegraph Office was located in this station. Lifelong Norton Resident Mr. Charles Bruce was the Station Agent for this depot, serving in that role for over 45 years. Mr. Bruce was also Post Master for East Norton. The East Norton Station remained and active and busy depot until passenger trains on this line gradually diminished, and the Railroad closed in 1952. In the early 1960’s, the line was dismantled, and most vestiges of the original Railroad were removed. The East Norton Station has a history spanning over 160 years and played an important role in history of Norton.
Contributed by Christopher Cox | Norton Historical Commission
Our History
In October 2013, our CEO Emerson Martins was captivated by the historic station and founded Old Station Supply with a vision to transform the landscaping industry by providing exceptional customer service. As a result, Old Station Supply has received multiple awards for outstanding sales growth and performance.
At Old Station Supply, our mission is to provide exceptional service and support to our customers, helping them successfully complete their landscaping and outdoor construction projects. We believe in building and maintaining lasting relationships with our clients and are committed to providing the highest quality products and materials in the industry.