Freetown & Lakeville, MA
At 38 square miles, Freetown is currently divided into two villages, Assonet and East Freetown, which historically developed almost entirely independent from one another. Freetown lies on an old 18th century road that is along old Indian trails that stretch from Freetown to Boston. Freetown, first settled by the English in the spring of 1659 on the banks of the Assonet River, has an interesting history. She was purchased for twenty coats, two rugs, two iron pots, two kettles, one little kettle, eight pairs of shoes, six pairs of stockings, one dozen hoes, one dozen hatchets and two yards of broadcloth from the Wampanoag Indians in an exchange known as Ye Freeman's Purchase. The population of Freetown grew and was officially incorporated in 1683. Throughout the 18th, 19th, and early 20th centuries, Freetown served as a very industrious area. Blast furnaces, fishing, textiles, and manufacturing all came to and left Freetown, eventually allowing the area to regain its former rural charm. One of the more well-known industries was N. R. Davis & Sons, a gun manufactory that provided many weapons for the Civil War.
Many of Freetown's sites of interest are derived from her strong history. The Freetown Historical Society Museum in Assonet has a collection of valuable items and artifacts that have been discovered over the years as well as information relating to the history of the town. It also houses an extensive genealogical library. Several buildings on the property show visitors how life in Freetown once was, even a mere sixty years ago with a one-room school house, small chapel and blacksmith shop.
Freetown boasts great outdoor recreation and is home to the Freetown-Fall River State Forest and Profile Rock. The State Forest is over 8.5 square miles or over 5440 acres. It is owned by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and operated by the Department of Conservation and Recreation with headquarters in Assonet. The forest lies in the center of the town of Freetown dividing Assonet, East Freetown and their neighbor to the north, Fall River. There are wide trails for hiking or mountain bike riding. Rattlesnake Brook meanders through much of the property and is filled with urban legends. Profile Rock is in the State Forest. It is a granite outcropping from Joshua's Mountain featuring the profile image of what local Wampanoag Indians have held to be the face of Massasoit. Hathaway Park in Assonet is a public park with a boat ramp on the Assonet River. It is the site of the town's annual faire, the viewing area for her Fourth of July fireworks and one of two sites for the annual Strawberry Festival.
The other site for that event is the historic bandstand at the Assonet Four Corners, built in the 1930s on the site of the former Green Dragon Tavern. There are two public beaches in Freetown, one in Assonet and one in Eat Freetown. Porter Pastures in Assonet is along the Assonet Bay and Town Beach in East Freetown is on Long Pond.
Lakeville is Freetown's neighbor to the north and was incorporated in 1853. The town's name comes from the system of lakes in town, including the Assawompset Pond, Great Quittacas Pond, Little Quittacas Pond, Pocksha Pond and Long Pond. Despite so many ponds in town, water makes up only 6 square miles of the Lakeville's 36 square mile space. Lakeville is a sleepy town with a population of just over 10,000 people. She is most notably known for her enthusiasm surrounding Halloween. Folklore stories and weird paranormal happenings are the main talking topics in town the entire month of October. The Lakeville Haunted House is a must go-to destination for the fall. They boast themselves as the '#1 hunted attraction on the Southcoast providing 22 years of blood and tears to all visitors.' Proceeds go to local non-profits and scholarships.
Freetown and Lakeville are old fashioned communities that provide residents and visitors with a great nature retreats. Enjoy time at the State Forest, hiking or biking or at one of the many ponds, swimming, fishing or boating.
Zips: 02702
Lakeville & Freetown Attractions
The forest is comprised of 5440+ acres of outdoor recreation operated by the Dept. of Conservation & Recreation.
Go
An eclectic coffee shop with an espresso bar, Somethin's Brewin is located in the historic Town Library which was built in 1914. Serving breakfast and lunch.
Go
SouthCoast Freetown & Lakeville, MA Listings
| Business | Address | City | Phone |
|---|
| Advance Air & Heat | 177 Bullock Road | E. Freetown, MA | 508.763.3738 |
| Amaral's Automotive Center | 24 County Rd | E. Freetown, MA | 774.849.4860 |
| Apollo Pools & Spas | 8 Harding St | Lakeville, MA | 508.923.7381 |
| Assonet Inn | 16 Water St | Assonet, MA | 508.644.2777 |
| AZ Trucking Co. | 191 Chace Road | E. Freetown, MA | 508.763.3217 |
| Back Nine Club | 17 Heritage Hill Drive | Lakeville, MA | 508.947.9993 |
| Beaupre Electric, Inc. | P.O. Box 668 | Assonet, MA | 508.644.2950 |
| Cabral Massage | 22 Parker Street | E. Freetown, MA | 508.415.3122 |
| Candy Jar & Gift Shoppe | 1 Chace Rd (Crossroad Common) | East Freetown, MA | 508.763.3003 |
| Clothes Line | 1 Chace Rd (Crossroad Common) | East Freetown, MA | 508.763.1933 |
| Fall Brook Shop | 176 County Rd | East Freetown, MA | 508.763.9530 |
| Flagship Roofing & Sheet Metal | 159 County Rd | E. Freetown, MA | 508.763.8883 |
| Freetown - Fall River State Forest | Slab Ridge Road | Assonet, MA | 508.644.5522 |
| Freetown Historical Society | 1 Slab Bridge Rd | Assonet, MA | 508.644.5310 |
| Gil-Den, Inc. | 82R Middleboro Rd | E. Freetown, MA | 508.763.9600 |
| Green Acres Landscape & Construction | 21 Malbone Street | Lakeville, MA | 508.823.6699 |
| Heritage Hill Country Club | 17 Heritage Hill Dr | Lakeville, MA | 508.947.7743 |
| HTP, Inc. | 120 Braley Road | E. Freetown, MA | 774.271.3165 |
| INO Electrical Service | 39 Water St | Assonet, MA | 508.472.5474 |
| Institute for Develop. Disab., Inc | 38 Narrows Road POBOX 372 | Assonet, MA | 508.644.3101 |
| K.R. Rezendes, Inc. General Contractors | 3 Sammy's Lane | Assonet, MA | 508.644.5795 |
| Lakeville Country Club | 44 Clear Pond Rd | Lakeville, MA | 508.947.6630 |
| LeBaron Hills Country Club | 183 Rhode Island Rd | Lakeville, MA | 508.923.5700 |
| Marc's Sheet Metal | PO Box 153 | Assonet, MA | 508.675.3180 |
| Nephew's Restaurant | 2 Crossroad Dr | East Freetown, MA | 508.763.4405 |
| New England Surfaces | 229 South Main St | Assonet, MA | 508.863.7263 |
| Pillarella School of Electrical Code & Theory | 30 Mill Street Bldg.11, 2nd Fl | Assonet, MA | 508.644.2000 |
| Piping Systems, Inc | PO Box 409- 32 Mill Street | Assonet, MA | 508.644.2221 |
| Piping Systems, Inc. | PO Box 409 | Assonet, MA | 508.644.2221 |
| Poquoy Brook Golf Club | 20 Leonard St | Lakeville, MA | 508.947.5261 |
| Preferred Concrete Corp. | PO Box 539 | Freetown, MA | 508.763.5500 |
| Prime Engineering, Inc. | P. O. Box 1088 | Lakeville, MA | 508.947.0050 |
| Professional Fire & Security | 93 South Main St | Assonet, MA | 508.644.3110 |
| RGS Energy | 19 Pilgrim Rd | Lakeville, MA | 508.441.0921 |
| Sav-On Oil Co | P.O. Box 297 | Assonet, MA | 508.763.8348 |
| Sharing a Blessing, Inc | PO Box 406 | Assonet, MA | 774.264.8301 |
| Somethin's Brewin | 241 Main St | Lakeville, MA | 508.946.5055 |
| Speedy Rooter | 288 Bullock Rd | E. Freetown, MA | 508.994.8667 |
| SteCom Associates LLC | P.O. Box 56 | Assonet, MA | 509.989.3872 |
| Steppin' Up Dog Training | 186 County Rd | E. Freetown, MA | 508.763.4843 |
| Stop & Shop Freetown Transportation & Distribution Ctr | 136 South Main Street | Assonet, MA | 508.977.5006 |
| Stop & Shop Warehouse | 136 South Main Street | Assonet, MA | 508.977.5006 |
| Team & Corporate Sales, LLC | 3 Lemore Avenue | Lakeville, MA | 508.208.0566 |
| TNT Cleaning Services | PO Box 62 | Assonet, MA | 508.644.5010 |
| Trahan's Trees & Shrubs | 1 Pine Circle | Freetown, MA | 508.763.1902 |
| Varacity Payment Solutions | 5 Quaker Brook Drive | Assonet, MA | 508.717.7061 |
| Veracity Payment Systems | 5 Quakerbrook Drive | Assonet, MA | 508.717.7061 |
| Viridian Energy | 9 Alexandra Drive | Assonet, MA | 508.837.4420 |
Freetown & Lakeville, MA
