Fall River, MA

Fall River is considered among one of the most desirable coastal cities in the Southcoast to live, work and play. The history of Fall River dates back to 1811 when Colonel Joseph Durfee and several investors built the first cotton mill. By 1872 there were close to 25 mills and Fall River cemented the city's reputation as one of the textile capitals of the nation. The next 50 years were prosperous for Fall River and the textile industry but, relying on the one industry had a damaging effect on the city during the depression era. Today, the city has dozens of old mill building now used for other purposes such as luxurious living quarters, medical facilities, private offices, haunted houses, stores and restaurants. Fall River offers both residents and tourists much in the way of culture, history, parks, beaches, architecture and the arts.

With its ethnically diverse population, Fall River hosts several feasts and festivals throughout the year. The city's large Portuguese community celebrates The Great Feast of the Holy Ghost of New England in mid-August. This event includes a procession, a parade and the blessing of bread and milk. Other ethnic festivals include the Cambodian New Year, the Greek Festival and a St. Patrick's parade. Early September each year brings to town the Fall River Festival of the Arts, a one-day downtown festival featuring music, art and food.

Fall River is notably known for a double ax murder that dates back to August 1892. Lizzie Borden was accused of murdering her step-mother, Abby Durfee Gray Borden, and her father, Andrew Borden, by attacking them both with a hatchet. She was arrested for the murders, tried for the murders and was acquitted not convicted. To this day, the crime is still unsolved and although found innocent of all wrongdoing, Lizzie Borden remains convicted in the minds of many people.

An interesting architectural feature of Fall River lies in the placement of its City Hall, which is located on top of Interstate 195. The six-story structure, highly visible to interstate traffic, sits on a highway overpass at the foot of the Braga Bridge, making I-195 one of the few highways in the country with a city hall standing directly on top of it.

Fall River is home to Battleship Cove, a floating museum of the world's largest collection of 20th century U.S. Naval fighting vessels, open to the public and available for climbing aboard and exploring. Fall River is rich in visual and performing arts and boasts The Narrows Center for the Arts. It is an art venue comprised of visual art galleries, a performance theatre and working visual artist studios.

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Fall River Attractions

Battleship Cove

Maritime museum and war memorial featuring the world's largest collection of WWII naval vessels. Home to the battleship USS Massachusetts (BB-59). Go

Narrows Center for the Arts

Fall River's hidden visual and performing arts gem, hosting nationally-known and regional artists, musicians, writers, performers and other programs. Go

Lizzie Borden B&B Museum

Infamous house of the Lizzie Borden saga, now a bed & breakfast and museum. Go

Fall River Historical Society

Housed in a mansion that dates back to the 1870s, holds world's largest collection of Lizzie Borden life and trial artifacts. Go

Oak Grove Cemetary

Beautiful grounds established in 1855 featuring an elaborate Gothic Revival entrance arch made of locally quarried Fall River granite. Go

Old Colony & Fall River Railroad Museum

Seasonal Railroad Museum near Battleship Cove in Fall River aiming to preserve the history of railroading in and around Fall River. Facebook

Eat, Shop, Stay Fall River

SouthCoast Fall River, MA Listings

Fall River, MA