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Fall River, Massachusetts facts for kids

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Fall River, Massachusetts
City
Downtown Fall River
Downtown Fall River
Nickname(s): 
"The Scholarship City," "The River", "Spindle City", "The Riv", "Where the River Falls"
Motto(s): 
"We'll Try"
Location in Bristol County in Massachusetts
Location in Bristol County in Massachusetts
Country United States
State Massachusetts
County Bristol
Settled 1670
Incorporated 1803
Government
 • Type Mayor-council city
Area
 • Total 40.2 sq mi (104.2 km2)
 • Land 33.1 sq mi (85.8 km2)
 • Water 7.1 sq mi (18.4 km2)
Elevation
121 ft (37 m)
Population
 (2010)
 • Total 88,857
 • Density 2,682/sq mi (1,035.6/km2)
Time zone UTC-5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST) UTC-4 (Eastern)
ZIP code
02720-02724
Area code(s) 508 / 774
FIPS code 25-23000
GNIS feature ID 0612595

Fall River is a city in southeast Massachusetts. The city had a population of 88,857 at the 2010 census. Fall River was founded in 1803. In 1804 the town name was changed to Troy, named for Troy, New York. In 1834 the name changed back to Fall River.

A fire in 1834 destroyed the center of the village. The rebuilding effort is the origin of the city's motto "We'll Try". It became a city in 1854. Fall River became famous as a leading textile manufacturing center in the United States. It is also known for Battleship Cove, the world's largest collection of World War II naval vessels. It is the home of the USS Massachusetts (BB-59).

Fall River was also the home of Lizzie Borden. In 1893 she was put on trial for the murders of her parents. Found not guilty, the people of Fall River treated her like an outcast for the rest of her life.

Images for kids

  • Welcome to Fall River

    Welcome sign

  • Flag of Fall River Massachusetts (cropped)

    Fall River municipal flag over City Hall

  • City of Fall River, Mass. 1877. LOC 75694571

    Panoramic map of Fall River with list of sights (1877)

  • Child workers in Fall River, MA

    Group of workers in the Sagamore Mfg. Co., August 1911. Photographed by Lewis Hine.

  • Bordercity

    Border City Mill

  • Highway 79

    Route 79 viaduct and Braga Bridge approaches, Fall River, Massachusetts. The Quequechan River flows beneath the parking lot. The viaduct was demolished in 2014 and replaced with a surface boulevard.

  • Fall River Old City Hall color image

    Fall River's old City Hall, demolished in 1962

  • View of Bay, Fall River, MA

    Fall River on Mount Hope Bay in 1905

  • Quequechan River Rail Trail, Fall River MA

    Quequechan River Rail Trail

  • Granite Mills, Fall River, MA

    This statue of Marquis de Lafayette stands in Lafayette Park.

  • Plymouth Avenue

    Plymouth Avenue

  • Banners of Allegiance at Gromada Plaza, Fall River, Massachusetts

    The 19 "Banners of Allegiance" at Gromada Plaza represent the diverse nationalities of Fall River's residents

  • Kennedy Park Fall River

    Kennedy Park

  • Saint Mary's Cathedral, Fall River, Massachusetts 2017

    St. Mary's Cathedral

  • St. Anne's Church and Parish Complex Fall River massachusetts

    St. Anne's Church

  • Temple Beth-El, Fall River Massachusetts

    Temple Beth-El

  • Durfee High School Fall River

    BMC Durfee High School

  • Bristol Community College campus, Fall River, Massachusetts (April 2010)

    Bristol Community College

  • Bishop Connelly High School

    Bishop Connolly High School

  • Fall River Public Library 2013

    Fall River Public Library main building, 2013

  • Braga-bridge

    The Braga Bridge and Interstate 195

  • Fall River Line at 177

    The passing of Route 177's short Fall River section into Massachusetts. Note the Westport town line sign near the center of the photo.

  • Battleship Cove FR

    Battleship Cove

  • Lizzie Borden House, Fall River, Massachusetts

    The Borden family home, now a bed-and-breakfast

  • North Main Street, Fall River, MA

    North Main Street, c. 1910

  • First Cotton Mill, Fall River, MA

    First Cotton Mill, built in 1811

  • Printing Works, Fall River, MA

    Printing Works, c. 1920

  • The Charlton Block, Fall River, Mass.

    The Charlton Block, 1908

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Fall River para niños

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Fall River, Massachusetts Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.