Weir Village, Massachusetts

Weir Village (also known as "The Weir") is a village of the city of Taunton in Bristol County, Massachusetts, located about one mile south of the city center on the banks of the Taunton River, near the point where it becomes tidal. The village takes its name from fishing weirs which were placed across the Taunton River from pre-colonial times until the early 20th century, to catch herring (also known as "alewifes"). While much of the commercial part of the village lies on the west side of the river, along Weir Street , a dense residential area extends in an easterly direction across the river along Plain and Berkley Streets.

History

The Taunton area was called "Cohannet" by the native Wampanoag tribes that inhabited the area before the first English settlers arrived in the early 17th century. The location which would later become Weir Village was used by the natives who erected fishing weirs to catch herring in the Taunton River, which were in great abundance. With increased settlement, the seasonal herring fishing industry became a vital part of the area economy. The early settlers used the fish to fertilize their fields, as well as for food.