Fall River Real Estate

Fall River is an industrial city in Bristol County in southeastern Massachusetts. Located along the Taunton River, where the river joins the Mount Hope Bay, the city is rich in history and ethnic diversity since its mills and factories began drawing immigrant populations in the 19th century. They arrived in such vast numbers that by 1900, Fall River had the highest percentage of foreign-born residents of any city in the entire country.
The area's history stretches further back, to a time before the colonial period. The city's name comes from Falling Water, the translation of the name the native Wampanoag Indians called the area that was their home until they were driven out during the King Phillip's War in 1675.

In the early 1700's, farmers and tradesmen from Rhode Island, Boston and Plymouth, were attracted by the river and a navigable harbor. It was the river that powered the textile mills of the 19th century. Fall River's character as a manufacturing center started in 1811 when Colonel Joseph Durfee began operating the Globe Manufactory. By 1830 the city had seven textile mills, and a steamboat to Providence and Newport. Steady growth in population and industrial activity made Fall River one of the textile capitals of the United States. This economic prosperity reached its zenith around the time of the First World War. A decade later, textile manufacturing began moving south and Fall River entered a period of decline, made worse by the Great Depression and by a fire that devastated the central business district. Today, however, Fall River has recovered and features a variety of industries diverse enough to weather changing economic trends. Chemical companies, electrical and food producers along with the garment industry have operations within the city.

One notable episode in Fall River's history was the 1892 double murder that saw the infamous Lizzie Borden acquitted. Historic sites in town such as the Borden Home at 92 Second Street and the Fall River Historical Society draw visitors still fascinated by this unsolved crime. The Historical Society has preserved a great deal of artifacts from the case, such as photographs and courtroom testimony as well as the handleless axe. The Greek revival style Borden House has been restored to its original Victorian era opulence and now operates as a museum and bed & breakfast.
Fall River is indeed a vibrant city, made more so in the summer when several community festivals are celebrated. An international festival, The New England Great Feast of the Holy Ghost takes place at Kennedy Park and always brings visitors from all over the world. The Feast features great entertainment, delicious food and the traditional procession.

A great variety of housing options exists in the City of Fall River. Condos, single family and multifamily abound and are offered at affordable prices. A large, four or five-bedroom home, for example costs around $300,000.

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