History of Dighton, Massachusetts, USA

1678 - Dighton is settled

Massachusetts City and Town Incorporation and Settlement Dates

1712 - Dighton is incorporated

Massachusetts City and Town Incorporation and Settlement Dates

1839 - Dighton
Dighton, Massachusetts
Bristol county. A port of entry on the west side of Taunton river, opposite to Berkley. Population, 1837, 1,453. 40 miles S. from Boston, 8 S. from Taunton, and 20 N.W. by W. from New Bedford. There are in this place three cotton factories, a woolen mill, a furnace, and other iron works. Tonnage of the district, 9,032 tons. The noted "Dighton Rock," so called, on which are inscriptions difficult to decypher, in fact lies on the Berkley side of the river. The value of cotton and woolen goods, boots and shoes, pig iron and wooden ware manufactured, and vessels built in Dighton, in one year, was $30,000.
The New England Gazetteer containing descriptions of all the states, counties and towns in New England: also descriptions of the principal mountains, rivers lakes, capes, bays, harbors, islands and fashionable resorts within that territory. By John Hayward, author of the Columbian Traveller, Religious Creeds, &c. &c. Boston: John Hayward. Boyd & White, Concord, N.H. 1839

1845 - DIGHTON. [Pop. 1,378. Inc. 1712.]
This town was originally a part of Taunton, and included the town of Berkley, from which it is separated by Taunton River.

The Dighton Rock, remarkable for its mysterious hieroglyphics, is now in Berkley.

Dighton has some navigation, and some factories of cotton and woollen goods, nails, &c.

Distance from Taunton, 7 miles; from Boston, 43.
An Elementary Geography for Massachusetts Children by William Bentley Fowle and Asa Fitz, 1845

1854 - Dighton
Dighton, a post-township of Bristol county, Massachusetts, 35 miles S. by W. from Boston, on the E. side of Taunton river. Population, 1641.
A New and Complete Gazetteer of the United States: Giving a Full and Comprehensive Review of the Present Condition, Industry, and Resources of the American Confederacy ... Thomas Baldwin (of Philadelphia.) Joseph Thomas January 1, 1854 Philadelphia : Lippincott, Grambo & Company 1854.

1859
DIGHTON, a town and port of entry in Bristol co., in the state of Massachusetts, 41 m. S of Boston, on the W side of Taunton river, which is navigable to this place for small vessels. Pop. 1,378.
A Gazetteer of the World: Or, Dictionary of Geographical Knowledge, Publisher A. Fullarton, 1859

Dighton Massachusetts, 1890
Dighton lies in the central part of Bristol County, 40 miles south of Boston by the Old Colony Railroad, which runs along the Taunton River (forming the divisional line on the east) through the entire length of the town. Taunton bounds it on the north, Berkeley on the east, Somerset and Swansey on the south, and Rehoboth on the west . The assessed area is 13,023, which includes 3,797 acres of woodland. The post-offices are Dighton, North and West Dighton, and Segreganset.

Though generally level, the town has several delightful elevations, as Richmond Hill and Hunter's Hill, in the southeast. An irregular line of elevations extends from these to the centre, where is another group; and still another extends along the northern half of the western line. From the summit of one of the hills named, it is said, more than forty churches can be seen.

Three-mile River forms the line separating Dighton from Taunton at the northeast corner, where it furnishes power for the manufactories of... Read MORE...

1895 - Dighton
Dighton, a post-village of Bristol co., Mass., 6 miles by rail S. of Taunton, and 42 miles by rail S. of Boston. It has 3 churches, a wool-scouring mill, color-works, stove lining works, and manufactures of pumps. Pop. of Dighton township, 1889
Lippincott's Gazetteer of the World: A Complete Pronouncing Gazetteer Or Geographical Dictionary of the World Containing Notices of Over One Hundred and Twenty-five Thousand Places ... Joseph Thomas January 1, 1895 J.B. Lippincott

1899 - Dighton
Dighton. - This was the eighth town formed in Bristol county, it having been set off from Taunton an incorporated on the 30th of May 1712. It has passed through several minor territorial changes, the first of which took off a part for the formation of Berkley on April 18, 1735. On March 2, 1743, the bounds of the town were reported by a committee. January 8, 1745, the bounds were established. On February 26, 1799, a small part was annexed to Berkley, and on June 9, 1814, the north part was set off as the town of Wellington. On February 12, 1824, the bounds between Dighton and Wellington were established and a small part annexed to Wellington. On February 22, 1826, Dighton and Wellington were reunited as Dighton and the act was accepted on February 26 of that year. On April 4, 1854, a small part was annexed to Somerset, leaving the town with its present area. The census of 1895 gives the population as 1,797, and the number of registered voters in 1897 was 398. It constitutes a part of... Read MORE...

1916
Dighton, a post-village of Bristol co., Mass., on the New York, New Haven and Hartford R., 40 miles S. of Boston. It has color-works, stove-lining works, nurseries, etc. Pop. of the township (town) in 1900, 1802.
Lippincotts New Gazetteer: A Complete Pronouncing Gazetteer Or Geographical Dictionary of the World, Containing the Most Recent and Authentic Information Respecting the Countries, Cities, Towns, Resorts, Islands, Rivers, Mountains, Seas, Lakes, Etc., in Every Portion of the Globe, Part 1 Angelo Heilprin Louis Heilprin - January 1, 1916 J.B. Lippincott - Publisher

Dighton, Massachusetts may not be the most famous tourist destination, but it's got its own charm and plenty of things to see and do. Here's a list to get you started:
Dighton Rock State Park:

Check out the famous Dighton Rock, a 40-ton boulder covered in petroglyphs that has been a subject of mystery and speculation for centuries. The park itself is a great spot for a picnic or a riverside stroll.

Bristol County Agricultural High School Farm:

Explore the agricultural side of Dighton by visiting the Bristol County Agricultural High School Farm. It's not just a school; it's a working farm with animals and crops. You might even catch an event or a farmers' market.

Segregansett Country Club:

If you're into golf, Segregansett Country Club is the place to be. Enjoy a round of golf on a well-maintained course surrounded by beautiful scenery.

Battleship Cove:

While technically in nearby Fall River, it's worth the short trip to visit Battleship Cove. Marvel at the historic naval vessels, including the USS Massachusetts battleship.

Hike at Freetown-Fall River State Forest:

For nature lovers, the Freetown-Fall River State Forest... Read MORE...