Corky Row Historic District
Encyclopedia
Corky Row Historic District is a historic district
located in Fall River, Massachusetts
bounded by Plymouth Avenue, Interstate-195
and Second Street. The district contains a large number of early multi-family mill tenement houses, along with the Davol Mills, the Tecumseh Mill No. 1 and several commercial properties.
Perhaps the most famous property listed within the Corky Row Historic District is the house of Andrew J. Borden, located at 230 Second Street. This house was the scene of the infamous 1892 double ax-murder of Mr. Borden and his wife, which lead to the trial and acquittal of Andrew's daughter, Lizzie Borden. Today, the house has been restored as a bed-and-breakfast.
The district contains over 400 structures with an area of 96 acres (388,498.6 m²) and was added to the National Register of Historic Places
in 1983.
. Largely settled by Irish immigrants who came to work in the city's burgeoning textile industry. The historic district contains dozens of four- and six- family apartment houses, known as three deckers, many built by the new cotton mills constructed during the 1860s: the Tecumseh, Davol and Robeson Mills, located along Hartwell Street on the eastern edge of the historic district.
Today, the neighborhood contains a mix of residential and commercial uses, including recent developments along Plymouth Avenue, Hartwell Street and along Second and Rodman Streets. The Tecumseh Mill was converted into housing in the 1980s. The Robeson Mills (also known as Luther Manufacturing) were demolished in the 1990s for what is now Applebee's, Walgreen's and a more recently built convieience store and gas station at the corner of Rodman Street and Hartwell.
The Corky Row Club, located on Third Street was established in 1938 as an Irish social club. The James T. Griffin playground, located within a few blocks of the Corky Row Club, was named for one of the first to be killed in world war two from the area.
Houses (partial listing)
Commercial/other
Historic district
A historic district or heritage district is a section of a city which contains older buildings considered valuable for historical or architectural reasons. In some countries, historic districts receive legal protection from development....
located in Fall River, Massachusetts
Fall River, Massachusetts
Fall River is a city in Bristol County, Massachusetts, in the United States. It is located about south of Boston, southeast of Providence, Rhode Island, and west of New Bedford and south of Taunton. The city's population was 88,857 during the 2010 census, making it the tenth largest city in...
bounded by Plymouth Avenue, Interstate-195
Interstate 195 (Rhode Island-Massachusetts)
Interstate 195 is an Interstate Highway running a combined 40.1 miles in the U.S. states of Massachusetts and Rhode Island. It travels from a junction with Interstate 95 in Providence, Rhode Island east to a junction with Interstate 495 and Route 25 in Wareham, Massachusetts...
and Second Street. The district contains a large number of early multi-family mill tenement houses, along with the Davol Mills, the Tecumseh Mill No. 1 and several commercial properties.
Perhaps the most famous property listed within the Corky Row Historic District is the house of Andrew J. Borden, located at 230 Second Street. This house was the scene of the infamous 1892 double ax-murder of Mr. Borden and his wife, which lead to the trial and acquittal of Andrew's daughter, Lizzie Borden. Today, the house has been restored as a bed-and-breakfast.
The district contains over 400 structures with an area of 96 acres (388,498.6 m²) and was added to the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
in 1983.
Historical background
The Corky Row neighborhood was developed between 1840 and 1870 and represents the second major phase of expansion within the city of Fall RiverFall River, Massachusetts
Fall River is a city in Bristol County, Massachusetts, in the United States. It is located about south of Boston, southeast of Providence, Rhode Island, and west of New Bedford and south of Taunton. The city's population was 88,857 during the 2010 census, making it the tenth largest city in...
. Largely settled by Irish immigrants who came to work in the city's burgeoning textile industry. The historic district contains dozens of four- and six- family apartment houses, known as three deckers, many built by the new cotton mills constructed during the 1860s: the Tecumseh, Davol and Robeson Mills, located along Hartwell Street on the eastern edge of the historic district.
Today, the neighborhood contains a mix of residential and commercial uses, including recent developments along Plymouth Avenue, Hartwell Street and along Second and Rodman Streets. The Tecumseh Mill was converted into housing in the 1980s. The Robeson Mills (also known as Luther Manufacturing) were demolished in the 1990s for what is now Applebee's, Walgreen's and a more recently built convieience store and gas station at the corner of Rodman Street and Hartwell.
The Corky Row Club, located on Third Street was established in 1938 as an Irish social club. The James T. Griffin playground, located within a few blocks of the Corky Row Club, was named for one of the first to be killed in world war two from the area.
Contributing properties
Mills- Davol Mills (1866, 1872), Rodman Street & Plymouth Avenue
- Tecumseh Mill (1866), Hartwell Street
- Robeson Mill (1866), Hartwell Street (demolished in 1990s)
Houses (partial listing)
- Andrew J. Borden House, 230 Second Street
- Benjamin Kellogg House (1874), 14-20 Brow Street
- Tecumseh Mill Housing (1866), 300-308 Fifth Street
- Davol Mill Housing (1870), 367-371 Fifth Street
- Moses Dean House (1877), 201-203 Fourth Street
- Jeremiah Shea House (1885), 486 Fourth Street
- Thomas Gormley House (1881), 825 Plymouth Avenue
Commercial/other
- Giesow Building (1894), 120 Third Street
- Flat Iron Building (1908), 878-892 Second Street
- St. Mary's School (1906), 467 Spring Street
- Neill's Hotel (1899), 255 Third Street
See also
- Fall River, MassachusettsFall River, MassachusettsFall River is a city in Bristol County, Massachusetts, in the United States. It is located about south of Boston, southeast of Providence, Rhode Island, and west of New Bedford and south of Taunton. The city's population was 88,857 during the 2010 census, making it the tenth largest city in...
- List of Registered Historic Places in Fall River, Massachusetts