Raynham Center in Bristol County, Massachusetts — The American Northeast (New England)
Site of the First Successful Iron Works in the Old Colony
1656-1876
Photographed by Marc Belanger, 2008
1. Site of the First Successful Iron Works in the Old Colony Marker
Built by James Leonard. Originally owned by twenty-three of Taunton's first settlers. Operated 1777 to 1876 by Hon. Josiah Dean and his descendants as sole owners.
Erected 1950 by Daughter and Grandaughter of last owner.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1777.
Location. 41° 54.844′ N, 71° 3.706′ W. Marker is in Raynham, Massachusetts, in Bristol County. It is in Raynham Center. It is on South Main Street (Massachusetts Route 104) 0.1 miles north of King Philip Street, on the right when traveling north. Marker tablet mounted to a large boulder within a small roadside park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 310 S Main St, Raynham MA 02767, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Greater Providence. It is also in the American Northeast and in New England. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Raynham Veterans Monument (approx. 0.4 miles away); Raynham World War II Memorial (approx. Ύ mile away); Raynham Civil War Monument (approx. Ύ mile away); Raynham World War I Memorial (approx. Ύ mile away); Taunton Colonial Militiamen Memorial (approx. 1½ miles away); Taunton Vietnam Veterans Memorial (approx.
this page online
Regarding Site of the First Successful Iron Works in the Old Colony. Two other early colonial Iron Works with additional educational information are located in Quincy and Saugus, Massachusetts. The Saugus site has fully reconstructed operations and provides educational tours.
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. To better understand the relationship, study each marker in the order shown.
Also see . . . Saugus Iron Works - National Historic Site.
In the 1600's, on the banks of the Saugus River, something extraordinary happened! Explore the place where European iron makers brought their special skills to a young Massachusetts colony. Saugus Iron Works is a twelve-acre National Historic Site that includes working waterwheels, forges, mills, a historic 17th century home, and a lush river basin.(Submitted on April 19, 2026, by G.W.Bartlett of Hingham, Massachusetts.)
Additional keywords.
Photographed by Marc Belanger, 2012
2. Site of the First Successful Iron Works in the Old Colony Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on May 8, 2026. It was originally submitted on August 16, 2015, by Marc Belanger of Reno, Nevada. This page has been viewed 1,852 times since then and 175 times this year. Last updated on April 19, 2026, by G.W.Bartlett of Hingham, Massachusetts. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 16, 2015, by Marc Belanger of Reno, Nevada. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
