I recently received a thought-provoking question from a couple new to Plymouth: What were my favorite places in town? Spaces or locations that inspire, heal, or excite? The email came on the heels of a meeting with new resident and Plymouth Independent correspondent Peter Zheutlin, who was also curious about the places I love the […]
Author Archives: Bill Fornaciari - Independent Correspondent
Some Plymouth residents bought their homes through the mail
We live in an age of instant gratification. Perhaps the best example of that is Amazon, which now, with a warehouse in Kingston near the Plymouth border, usually makes deliveries here overnight, and sometimes the same day. There is not much that cannot be sourced from Amazon. But did you know that the company has […]
These dishes were everyday meals growing up in North Plymouth. Now they’re fancy fare.
My three years on the West Coast were partially spent working as an architect for Gap. One takeaway from the experience was a glimpse into the inner workings of the clothing industry. Despite that – it wasn’t always pretty – I am still devoted to one of Gap’s brands, Banana Republic. It’s not cheap, but […]
Streams of consciousness: Exploring the routes of Plymouth waterways
The last phase of the restoration of Plymouth’s Town Brook is underway. Work began in 2002 with the removal of dams from the brook’s 19th century industrial past. The last phase of the project will include the dredging of Jenny Pond (which is happening now), reconstruction of the pond bridge, a new fish ladder and […]
Remembering four Plymouth police officers who died in the line of duty
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. […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]