Whittenton Mills Complex

History

The Whittenton Mills Complex is a historic textile mill site located on Whittenton Street in Taunton, Massachusetts, on the banks of the Mill River. The site has been used for industrial purposes since 1670, when James Leonard built an iron forge on the west bank of the river. The first textile mill was built in 1805 and expanded throughout the 19th century. The complex was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1984, and now contains various small businesses.

In October 2005, the site gained national attention when the mill's 1832 wooden dam threatened to collapse after heavy rains. More than 2,000 people were evacuated for several days while officials and work crews could shore up the dam with boulders. In 2008, scenes from the Martin Scorsese film Shutter Island, portraying the Dachau concentration camp were filmed here. As of 2012, there is an effort underway to have the dam removed entirely, and allow for restoration of the river bed. The dam was removed by 2013.

In 2024, demolition of the mill buildings began to make way for a $150 million mixed-use redevelopment project led by Greystar. The 42-acre site is set to feature a 390-unit modular apartment complex with commercial space, recreational areas, and community amenities. The development, which includes a Tax Increment Exemption agreement with the city, is expected to be completed by 2027.

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