Some of the sadder stories in the town’s history are those of the four Plymouth officers who have died in the line of duty. The history of policing in Plymouth dates to 1633 when the General Court appointed Joshua Cooper as the town’s constable. But it wasn’t until 1861 that the modern police department emerged. […]
Author Archives: Bill Fornaciari - Independent Correspondent
Posted inHistory & Architecture
Four myths about local architecture that drive me crazy
I always read local real estate listings online. Mainly, it’s to get a glimpse inside beautiful antique homes that I wouldn’t otherwise get a chance to see. For the most part, real estate agents are-spot on with their descriptions, but inevitably I catch a listing that will prompt me to roll my eyes. Four architectural […]
Posted inHistory & Architecture
Are the Pilgrims to blame for the state of Plymouth today?
With a new year upon us, I can confidently predict that in 2025 a new building project will outrage the people of Plymouth. You are guaranteed to hear comments about graft, under-the-table payouts, and the greed of developers. And count on frequent complaints about traffic, the loss of small-town life, and the overall ruination of […]
Posted inHistory & Architecture
Rooms with a view and more: Recalling Plymouth’s three ‘grand’ hotels
The song “It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas” was written in 1951 by Meredith Wilson, who is best known for creating ‘The Music Man.’ The song mentions the five-and-dime, as well as the Grand Hotel. In 1951, Plymouth had a Woolworths, one of the most recognized five-and-dime stores, but what of a grand […]
Posted inHistory & Architecture
Playing the long game: A brief history of Thanksgiving Day football in Plymouth
Thanksgiving time is upon us and there is no better place to celebrate than Plymouth, the birthplace of the holiday. Thanksgiving Day in Plymouth is packed with events and happenings. They range from the morning march of Pilgrims Progress to the National Day of Mourning sponsored by the indigenous tribes of North America. Plimoth Pawtuxet […]
Posted inHistory & Architecture
From old books to new artwork, painting a picture of the Russell building’s past and present
This column weaves together more than 120 years of Plymouth history and personal stories. Bear with me as I tell you this tale through several unrelated chapters that in the end tell a complete story. Part one begins in 2008 when beloved Plymouth friends relocated to Provincetown. A weekend invitation would change how I came […]
Posted inHistory & Architecture
‘Obsession’ with mid-century style leads to a Cedarville revelation
I grew up in the heyday of mid-century modern architecture, but I never really appreciated the style. My family’s house in North Plymouth was a one-story ranch home that was built, along with several others, by my grandfather, George Fornaciari. It was stylized to look like a Cape, with symmetrical window placement on the front […]
Posted inHistory & Architecture
Addressing the historical confusion over Main Street Extension
My architectural office is at 34 Main St., on the second floor above the former Plymouth Savings/Eastern Bank building. Although the location is amazing, clients often have a hard time finding us. Google Maps often sends folks to 34 Main Street Extension (The Landmark Building, formerly the Old Colony Theater). Conversely, people in search of […]
Posted inHistory & Architecture
You may have lived in town a long time, but you haven’t seen it all
If you are on Facebook there is a good chance you are familiar with an infamous – and popular – page that discusses daily life in Plymouth. Recently, I followed a discussion that got nasty and, inevitably, someone threw down the “townie” card. Somehow, having been born and raised here – whether you are a […]
Posted inHistory & Architecture
Recalling a time when Plymouth’s school system was bursting at the seams
The new school year in Plymouth started last week, with the number of enrolled students roughly the same as it has been for the last several years. And despite the current rate of home building, the number of students, according to the Massachusetts School Building Authority, is expected to stay relatively constant. That’s a very […]