Fall River, MA
Founded in 1803, Fall River is a city in southeastern Massachusetts. The city's name derives from its principal river, the Quequechan, a Native American term meaning "falling water." During the early decades of the 19th century, the city became famous as one of the first, and most productive, textile manufacturing centers in the United States. The city is also renowned for its proud seafaring heritage, and is the home of several landmarks commemorating the history of shipping and naval warfare. The city's population is approximately 91,000.
NEIGHBORHOODS AND DISTRICTS
While the majority of the city is comprised of urban and suburban districts, Fall River is still home to a handful of rural residences. Popular residential areas in Fall River include:
- Maplewood: Bordered by Route 24 and Brayton and Rhode Island avenues, Maplewood extends down Rhode Island Avenue to the Tiverton line. The area offers a mix of single and multi-family houses, and has seen a housing boom in recent years. Small independent businesses line Brayton Avenue, the New Harbour Mall and large shopping centers can be found on William S. Canning Boulevard and Bishop Mariano Boulevard.
- President Avenue: This neighborhood is the main thoroughfare to Elsbree Street, where the city's two high schools and Bristol Community College are located. President Avenue is home to shopping centers, small businesses, and a medical center.
ECONOMY AND INDUSTRIES
In the early twentieth century, Fall River established itself as one of the textile capitals of the world. Its mills continue to thrive today, with approximately half of the city's employment coming from the manufacturing sector. In 1978, Fall River established an Office of Economic Development (FROED), with the aim of creating new job opportunities for its residents. As a result of these efforts, a number of new businesses in the manufacturing and service areas have emerged in recent years.
Major employers in Fall River include St Anne's Hospital, Bristol Community College, A.J. Wright Distribution, and Lightolier.
SHOPPING
If you're looking to do some shopping, Fall River has plenty of specialty shops, as well as the Wampanoag Mill, a two-story shopping center. For discounts, check out a variety of outlets:
- Curtain Factory Outlet
- Northeast Knitting Mills
- Sears Outlet
- Modern Galleries Furniture Clearance Center
FOR VISITORS
- Fall River Heritage State Park: Occupying roughly 8.5 acres, Fall River's park is located near Battleship Cove and offers sailboat rentals. There is a boardwalk with benches, groves of trees, and an expansive meadow that is used for summer concerts and picnics. Spectacular views of the naval vessels make this park particularly scenic.
- Carousel at Battleship Cove: The Fall River Carousel, constructed in 1920, offers a pleasurable diversion for both local children and tourists.
ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT
- USS Massachusetts Memorial: The site houses the largest collection of United States naval vessels from World War II. Visitors to the city can walk aboard World War II ships including Battleship USS Massachusetts, the first battleship to fire her "big guns" in the war, as well as Destroyer USS Joseph P. Kennedy, Submarine USS Lionfish, and the Hiddensee, a Russian Missile Corvette. This memorial, located in Battleship Cove, commemorates those Massachusetts residents who lost their lives in the war.
- Marine Museum: The Maritime Museum showcases models of and artifacts from the RMS Titanic and steamboats from the Fall River Line, which ran between New York City and Boston.
- Old Colony & Fall River Railroad Museum: Get a glimpse of Fall River's railroading past at this educational museum. The museum displays train cars that demonstrate the evolution of the freight and passenger train over the decades.
- Lizzie Borden Museum: In the year 1892, Lizzie Borden was accused of killing both of her parents with an axe. Although she was later acquitted, the Lizzie Borden invites visitors to immerse themselves in the mystery, offering guided tours of Fall River, as well as of Lizzie's house, which has been converted into a bed and breakfast.
- Fall River Historical Society: Located in a Greek revival-style mansion, the historical society preserves Fall River's history and houses a permanent Lizzie Borden Exhibit.
- Lafayette Durfee House: Take a walk through this 1750 farmhouse, located in the city's historic center. The site reveals the primitive architecture and tools used by some of the earliest colonial settlers in United States.
- Little Theater of Fall River: Entertaining the citizens of Fall River since 1936, the theater performs popular musicals and plays. The original theater building closed its doors in 1976, but the Little Theater found a new home in the state of the art Margaret L. Jackson Performing Arts Center at Bristol Community College.
EVENTS
Although it is a quiet town, Fall River fetes its residents with an annual New Year's Eve celebration, which often attracts Boston performers. The celebration is free of charge and includes refreshments, caroling, and other entertainment.
EDUCATION
- Bristol Community College: A two-year institution, Bristol Community College maintains a campus on the north end of Fall River. It offers associate degree programs in Science, Arts, and Applied Science.
- Fall River Professional and Continuing Education Center: A branch of the University of Massachusetts, the continuing education center offers opportunities for adults to further their learning, whether or not they are working toward a degree.
- Fall River's International Institute of Culinary Arts offers one- and two-year programs for aspiring chefs.
SPORTS TEAMS
Locals cheer for the Twins, a competitive baseball team that is part of the Fall River Independent Baseball League.
LOCAL MEDIA
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