MEMOIRS OF SCHOOL STREET VILLAGE

Thanks so much for the great response to this blog!
A special thank you to those who have passed it on to others. We are heading quickly to amazing page visits to this blog! Welcome to folks from all over the country and other countries as well, including Lisbon!!

The "Village", as it was called, is located in the northwest corner of the city of Taunton, Massachusetts U.S.A. It covers about 1 square mile with the center being School Street. A large portion of the Village population was Portuguese when I was growing up.

This blog covers a lot of the history of the Village, much to do with my years as a child there: 1940 through the late 1950's. I do have many wonderful photos and information prior to that that and will share those as well. Always looking for MORE PHOTOS AND MORE STORIES TO TELL.

If you would like to send photos or share a memory of growing up in the Village
e-mail me at spinoart@comcast.net
feel free to comment on the posts. Directions are on the right side of the blog posts. Jump in, the water is fine and it is easy!!!


I will be posting photographs but not identifying individuals unless I have permission or they are a matter of public record. It you wish to give me permission, please let me know.

I am looking for any and all photos of the Village...

Please note: the way blogs work is that the latest post is first. It you would like to start from the beginning of the blog, check out the post labels on the right of the blog and go from there. Thanks.


Monday, October 1, 2012



The 1910 postcard is of a garage in Taunton at that time.  One notices that cars are replacing the horse and buggy seen in a previous photo.  My grandfather, Joseph Souza, did have a horse and wagon for his wood cutting business in the early to mid-1900's.  Prior to that he and my maternal grandfather, Manuel Mota, both worked at a brick works somewhere on Longmeadow Road.
                                                    Did you know there was one there?  
I learned this in the City Books at the Historical Society.  I could not find any photos or more information of that factory, except that I am told one can still dig up old bricks in that vicinity.

The majority of the people in the Village were Portuguese. They built the Village around them, for themselves and the children and grandchildren they would bear as American citizens.  Many of these immigrant parents would never see siblings and families in the old country again.  They followed their dreams.  Settling near to friends and relatives offered them some of that family 
feeling they left behind.
They shopped their little neighborhood stores and bought from local vendors.


My paternal grandmother Delphina Viera Souza 
probably circa early 1900's


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