Fall River

Fall River, city, Bristol county, southeastern Massachusetts, U.S. It lies on the east shore of Mount Hope Bay, at the mouth of the Taunton River, 18 miles (29 km) southeast of Providence, Rhode Island. Its site was included in Freeman’s Purchase, a tract of land bought from Native Americans in 1659 by Plymouth colonists and settled in 1686. Originally part of Freetown, it was separately incorporated as the town of Fallriver in 1803. Renamed Troy, it reverted (1831) to its earlier name (derived from the Algonquian term Quequechan, meaning “Falling Water”).

Economy

Abundant waterpower, a fine harbor, and a moist climate encouraged textile milling in the town as early as 1811. By 1871 the city was a leading cotton-textile center and had earned the nickname “Spindle City.” It was the scene of numerous labor strikes, and its mill workers played a prominent role in the American labor-union movement. In the 1920s and ’30s many of the area’s textile mills were closed, but despite continued trends of mill relocations away from the area, the textile and clothing industries remain important to the city’s economy. Also of note are services (including health care, insurance, and business services) and the production of chemicals, electronics, and food products.

Lizzie Borden and Battleship Cove

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Fall River is perhaps best known for Lizzie Borden, who lived in the city and was accused of killing her father and stepmother—Andrew and Abby Borden—with a hatchet in 1892. The family was prominent within the community, and Andrew owned numerous properties. Lizzie’s trial the following year was a national sensation, and she was ultimately acquitted. The Borden home at 92 (later renumbered 230) Second Street is now an inn and popular tourist attraction.

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Also notable is Battleship Cove, a maritime museum and memorial that includes a World War II destroyer, a submarine, the battleship USS Massachusetts (the state’s official war memorial), and other ships; the Marine Museum is also there. Adjacent to the cove is Fall River Heritage State Park (1984). Bristol Community College was established (1966) in Fall River. Inc. city, 1854. Pop. (2010) 88,857; Providence–New Bedford–Fall River Metro Area, 1,600,852; (2020) 94,000; Providence–New Bedford–Fall River Metro Area, 1,676,579.