New Bedford, Massachusetts

Rivers & Roads in Song near New Bedford

Songs written about the waterways and highways that run near New Bedford.

76 stories, landmarks & places within ~20 miles — the same local lore RoadyGoat plays as you drive through.

• Sgt. William H. Carney House · 0.1 mi · Scraped Hmdb

  Right here, near this unassuming house, lived a true American hero. This is the Sgt. William H. Carney House, home to the first African American to receive the Medal of Honor. William Carney was born into slavery in…

• Nathan and Mary (Polly) Johnson properties · 0.3 mi · Scraped Hmdb

  This unassuming house was once a beacon of hope on the Underground Railroad. Nathan and Mary (Polly) Johnson, free African Americans, bravely sheltered freedom seekers here starting around 1822. Frederick Douglass…

• William J. Rotch Gothic Cottage · 0.4 mi · Scraped Hmdb

  Imagine living in a fairytale cottage right here in New Bedford! This isn't just any pretty house; it's the William J. Rotch Gothic Cottage, a landmark tied to New Bedford's whaling history. Built around 1845, this…

• New Bedford Historic District · 0.5 mi · Scraped Hmdb

  Ever wonder where Captain Ahab set sail from in *Moby Dick*? It was right here in New Bedford. This area, now the New Bedford Historic District, was the bustling heart of the American whaling industry in the 1800s.…

• Rotch–Jones–Duff House and Garden Museum · 0.5 mi · Scraped Hmdb

  Imagine living in the lap of luxury, fueled by whale oil! This is the Rotch–Jones–Duff House and Garden Museum, a window into the lives of New Bedford's whaling elite. Built in 1834 for William Rotch Jr., a prominent…

• Effie M. Morrissey · 0.7 mi · Scraped Hmdb

  You're near a real piece of maritime history: the *Effie M. Morrissey*, later renamed *Ernestina-Morrissey*. She's more than just a pretty boat. Originally built in 1894, she started as a Grand Banks fishing schooner,…

• Lightship No. 114 · 0.7 mi · Scraped Hmdb

  This spot, near the New Bedford State Pier, was once the home of a vital piece of maritime history: Lightship No. 114. These ships were floating lighthouses, guiding vessels through dangerous waters. Lightship No. 114…

• Fairhaven High School and Academy · 1.5 mi · Scraped Hmdb

  Prepare to be amazed by what locals call 'The Castle on the Hill' – Fairhaven High School, a landmark that speaks of ambition and enduring legacy. In 1905, this stunning building opened its doors, a testament to the…

• Fort Rodman · 3.4 mi · Scraped Hmdb

  Stand right here, and you're practically standing in the middle of history. Fort Rodman, now part of Fort Taber Park, was built to protect New Bedford during a time of great uncertainty. Construction on Fort Rodman…

• Apponegansett Meeting House · 4.8 mi · Scraped Hmdb

  This unassuming building holds the key to understanding early Quaker life in Southeastern Massachusetts. Built in 1791, the Apponegansett Meeting House is the oldest Quaker meeting house in the region. For over 300…

• Third Meetinghouse · 6.1 mi · Scraped Hmdb

  This unassuming meetinghouse played a pivotal role in shaping the town of Mattapoisett as we know it. Built in 1816, the Third Meetinghouse served as a central hub for the community, fulfilling roles from church…

• Ned Point Light · 7.2 mi · Scraped Hmdb

  Ever wonder who Ned Point is named after? It wasn't some famous explorer, but a local farmer named Ned Dexter. Back in 1838, the Mattapoisett community needed a lighthouse to guide ships safely into the harbor. They…

• Long Plain Friends Meetinghouse · 7.8 mi · Scraped Hmdb

  Pull over for a minute; this simple building holds stories of faith and resilience. The Long Plain Friends Meetinghouse was built in 1759 by Quakers seeking a place to worship freely. These weren't fancy folks; they…

• Paul Cuffe Farm · 9.2 mi · Scraped Hmdb

  You're near a spot connected to a remarkable man: Paul Cuffe. Though the house here isn't actually his, the land is linked to his legacy. Paul Cuffe (1759–1815) was a successful African American and Native American…

• Cornell Mills · 10.8 mi · Scraped Hmdb

  Hold on, you're near a place that once churned out miles of cotton cloth! This is Cornell Mills, built back in 1890. Cornell Mills was a major cotton textile mill, part of the booming industry that defined Fall River.…

• Flint Mills · 11.1 mi · Scraped Hmdb

  This spot embodies Fall River's booming textile industry of the late 19th century. Named for its first president, John Flint, the Flint Mills company was established in 1872. The original mill, built that same year,…

• Fall River Bleachery · 11.2 mi · Scraped Hmdb

  This 1872 bleachery played a crucial role in the textile industry, processing fabrics from the surrounding mills. The Fall River Bleachery was constructed in 1872. It bleached and finished cotton cloth produced by the…

• Hargraves Mill No. 1 · 11.3 mi · Scraped Hmdb

  Built from native Fall River granite, this 1888 textile mill stands as a testament to the city's industrial heritage. Hargraves Mill No. 1 opened in 1888. Reuben Hargraves, for whom the mill is named, was the company's…

• Stafford Mills · 11.4 mi · Scraped Hmdb

  Get ready to witness the heart of Fall River's textile boom! Stafford Mills stands as a reminder of a time when this city was a global powerhouse in fabric production.Founded in 1872, Stafford Mills quickly became a…

• Union Mills (Fall River, Massachusetts) · 11.5 mi · Scraped Hmdb

  You're near a spot that helped power Fall River's rise! Union Mills was the first large steam-powered mill in the city. Incorporated in 1859, Union Mills was a big deal. Before this, Fall River mills mostly used water…

• Crescent Mill · 11.8 mi · Scraped Hmdb

  This unassuming building played a key role in Fall River's textile boom! Built in 1872, the Crescent Mill, later known as Merchant Mill No. 3, was a major cotton textile producer. It was constructed during a period of…

• Durfee Mills · 11.9 mi · Scraped Hmdb

  This spot was once the heart of Fall River's booming textile industry. The Durfee Mills complex began its life in 1866, growing steadily until 1904. It became the largest and most architecturally impressive mill complex…

• Davol Mills · 12.0 mi · Scraped Hmdb

  These unique red brick mills were a major textile producer in the late 19th century. In 1867, the Davol Mills complex was built here in Fall River, and expanded in 1871. These mills churned out textiles, contributing to…

• Pilgrim Mills · 12.0 mi · Scraped Hmdb

  Ever wonder where Fall River got its nickname, "Spindle City"? This spot is a big part of that story. In 1911, Pilgrim Mills was built right here on Pleasant Street. What made it special? It was the first textile mill…

• Tecumseh Mills · 12.0 mi · Scraped Hmdb

  This 1866 cotton mill stands as a testament to Fall River's textile boom. The Tecumseh Mill No. 1 was built in 1866, part of a larger complex that significantly contributed to Fall River's identity as a major textile…

• Lower Highlands Historic District · 12.1 mi · Scraped Hmdb

  Step back in time as you drive through the Lower Highlands, one of Fall River's oldest residential neighborhoods. This area tells the story of Fall River's transformation from a small village to a booming industrial…

• Central Congregational Church (Fall River, Massachusetts) · 12.2 mi · Scraped Hmdb

  See that imposing stone church? Central Congregational played a role in one of America's most enduring mysteries: the Lizzie Borden axe murders. The Borden family were prominent members here. Andrew Borden, Lizzie's…

• Corky Row Historic District · 12.2 mi · Scraped Hmdb

  Ever wonder what life was like for the thousands who powered Fall River's mills? This is Corky Row, a historic district offering a glimpse into that world. Built primarily between the 1840s and 1880s, Corky Row housed…

• The Borden House · 12.3 mi

  On the morning of August 4, 1892, Andrew and Abby Borden were killed inside their home at 92 Second Street in Fall River, Massachusetts. The only person indicted for the murders was Andrew's thirty-two-year-old daughter…

• Lizzie Borden House · 12.3 mi · Historical Marker

  Site of the August 4, 1892 murders of Andrew and Abby Borden in Fall River; daughter Lizzie was tried and acquitted.

• Narragansett Mills · 12.3 mi · Scraped Hmdb

  This isn't just another old building; it's a survivor from Fall River's textile boom. In 1872, the Narragansett Mills sprang up, a brick giant in a city known for its stone mills. They churned out textiles, providing…

• Cleveland East Ledge Light · 12.4 mi · Scraped Hmdb

  This lighthouse sits on a man-made island, guarding the treacherous Cleveland Ledge. In 1943, the Cleveland East Ledge Light was activated, replacing a lightship that had previously marked the hazard. It was built to…

• David M. Anthony House (Fall River, Massachusetts) · 12.4 mi · Scraped Hmdb

  Pull over for a second and check out this house – it's one of Fall River's best examples of Second Empire architecture! It was built in 1875 for David M. Anthony, a local businessman. The house is a great example of the…

• William Lindsey House (Fall River, Massachusetts) · 12.4 mi · Scraped Hmdb

  Prepare to be transported back to a time of grand ambition and architectural splendor! This house, the William Lindsey House, is a testament to the wealth and aspirations of Fall River's merchant class in the mid-19th…

• Sagamore Mill No. 2 · 12.4 mi · Scraped Hmdb

  You're approaching Sagamore Mill No. 2, a place that once echoed with the relentless rhythm of Fall River's textile industry. Built in 1881, Sagamore Mill No. 2 is the oldest surviving mill of the three built by the…

• Lafayette–Durfee House · 12.5 mi · Scraped Hmdb

  Originally located at the site of the old Fall River Superior Courthouse, this house has witnessed the evolution of the city's legal history. Judge Thomas Durfee owned the Lafayette-Durfee House, estimated to have been…

• Foster Spinning Co. · 12.5 mi · Scraped Hmdb

  Built in 1916, this was the last textile mill constructed in Fall River, marking the end of an era. The Foster Spinning Co., right here on Cove Street, was built in 1916. It was a red brick building, pretty standard for…

• Sagamore Mills No. 1 and No. 3 · 12.5 mi · Scraped Hmdb

  Explore the remnants of the Sagamore Mills, once a cornerstone of Fall River's massive textile industry. These mills weren't just buildings; they were the heart of a booming economy. Sagamore Mills No. 1 and No. 3,…

• Al Mac's Diner-Restaurant · 12.6 mi · Scraped Hmdb

  Pull over and step back in time at Al Mac's Diner! This isn't just a place to grab a burger; it's a perfectly preserved slice of classic Americana. Built in 1953, Al Mac's is a shining example of those iconic stainless…

• American Printing Co. and Metacomet Mill · 12.6 mi · Scraped Hmdb

  Right here, you're looking at the oldest textile mill still standing in Fall River, a key piece of the city's industrial heritage. Back in 1847, Colonel Richard Borden built the Metacomet Mill to churn out cotton…

• King Philip Mills · 12.7 mi · Scraped Hmdb

  Look to your right, you're passing the historic King Philip Mills – a reminder of Fall River's glory days as a textile powerhouse. Construction on the King Philip Mills began in 1871. Over the next two decades, the…

• USS Massachusetts (BB-59) · 12.8 mi · Scraped Hmdb

  Right there, that's the USS Massachusetts, also known as 'Big Mamie,' a World War II battleship with a heck of a story. Launched in 1941, she saw action in both the Atlantic and Pacific theaters. Most notably, in…

• USS Lionfish · 12.8 mi · Scraped Hmdb

  Take a good look at that submarine, the USS Lionfish! It played a vital role in the Pacific during World War II. Commissioned in 1944, the Lionfish conducted patrols targeting Japanese shipping and naval vessels. She's…

• USS Joseph P. Kennedy Jr. · 12.8 mi · Scraped Hmdb

  Step aboard a floating time capsule, the USS Joseph P. Kennedy Jr., a destroyer with a story etched in steel and sacrifice. This ship isn't just a museum; it's a memorial to a family and a generation. Launched in 1945,…

• Patrol torpedo boat PT-796 · 12.8 mi · Scraped Hmdb

  Step back in time and imagine yourself on a daring mission in the Pacific! You're near PT-796, one of the few remaining patrol torpedo boats from World War II. Built in 1945 by Higgins Industries, PT-796 is a 78-foot…

• Patrol torpedo boat PT-617 · 12.8 mi · Scraped Hmdb

  Step aboard, virtually, PT-617, a rare surviving Elco PT boat that saw heavy combat in World War II. This 80-foot Elco type boat, nicknamed 'Big Red Cock' and 'Dragon Lady', is the same type as the PT-109 commanded by…

• Mechanics Mill · 12.8 mi · Scraped Hmdb

  Ever wonder what fueled Fall River's textile boom? Take a look at Mechanics Mill! This grand building went up in 1868. It was built during a time when Fall River was rapidly expanding as a textile manufacturing center.…

• Assonet, Massachusetts · 12.9 mi · Scraped Hmdb

  Pull over for a sec! You're near Assonet, a village with roots stretching back to the earliest days of Massachusetts. Back in 1659, this area along the Assonet River was settled as part of Freetown. That's right,…

• Charlton Mill · 12.9 mi · Scraped Hmdb

  Check it out, that's Charlton Mill! This 1911 textile mill was the last stone mill built in Fall River and the first to feature a new fireproof design. Built in 1911, it represents the tail end of Fall River's dominance…

• Globe Yarn Mills · 12.9 mi · Scraped Hmdb

  These two historic textile mills showcase the evolution of cotton yarn manufacturing in Fall River. The Globe Yarn Mills company was incorporated in 1881 to produce cotton yarns. William J. Jennings was the first…

• Borden Flats Light · 13.3 mi · Scraped Hmdb

  Keep your eyes peeled for a quirky sight! Borden Flats Light, a 'sparkplug' lighthouse, has been a beacon on the Taunton River near Fall River since 1881. This unusual lighthouse was built because increased shipping…

• Tremont Nail Factory District · 14.2 mi · Scraped Hmdb

  Imagine this quiet spot buzzing with the clamor of machinery and the industry of a nation forging its future. This is the Tremont Nail Factory District, once the heart of nail production in America. In 1819, Isaac and…

• Tarpaulin Cove Light · 14.7 mi · Scraped Hmdb

  For centuries, this little cove has been a haven for sailors. Imagine ships crowding in here, seeking shelter and a guiding light. Tarpaulin Cove Light, perched on Naushon Island, has been guiding mariners since the…

• Dighton Rock · 15.2 mi · Scraped Hmdb

  Prepare to be puzzled! This unassuming rock holds secrets that have stumped scholars for centuries. The Dighton Rock, a massive glacial boulder, was once embedded in the Taunton River. It's covered in petroglyphs:…

• Coram Shipyard Historic District · 15.4 mi · Scraped Hmdb

  Imagine a bustling shipyard here over 300 years ago, building ships for transatlantic trade. This is the Coram Shipyard Historic District. Around 1698, Thomas Coram and John Hathaway established a shipyard here on the…

• Bristol Ferry Light · 16.8 mi · Scraped Hmdb

  This unassuming lighthouse witnessed a century of maritime activity on Narragansett Bay. Bristol Ferry Light, built in 1855, guided ships safely through these waters, especially the ferry that ran between Bristol and…

• Green Animals Topiary Garden · 16.9 mi · Historical Marker

  The oldest and most northern topiary garden in the United States, featuring over eighty sculpted trees and shrubs shaped into animals, geometric forms, and ornamental designs.

• Coggeshall Farm Museum · 17.0 mi · Historical Marker

  A working historical farm in Bristol that re-creates life in coastal Rhode Island during the 1790s, with heritage breed animals and period farming techniques.

• Benjamin Cole House · 17.0 mi · Scraped Hmdb

  Built in 1690, this is the oldest documented building in Swansea, offering a rare glimpse into early colonial life. The Benjamin Cole House was built by Benjamin Cole, a prominent figure in early Swansea. He was a…

• Battle of Rhode Island Site · 17.2 mi · Scraped Hmdb

  Right here, on this very land, American forces clashed with the British in a fight that would test the mettle of a new nation. August 1778, the Battle of Rhode Island raged across these fields. American and British…

• Bristol Fourth of July Parade Route · 17.4 mi · Historical Marker

  Bristol has held a Fourth of July celebration every year since 1785, making it the oldest continuous Independence Day observance in the United States.

• Hornbine Baptist Church · 17.7 mi · Scraped Hmdb

  This simple building represents a stand for religious freedom. The Hornbine Baptist Church, built in 1753, is the oldest Baptist meeting house in southeastern Massachusetts. Back then, religious freedom wasn't a given.…

• Bristol County Jail · 17.8 mi · Scraped Hmdb

  These walls have seen more than their fair share of Bristol's history. This is the Bristol County Jail, built right here on Court Street. The jail as it stands today was constructed in the mid-1840s, between 1846 and…

• Old Colony Iron Works-Nemasket Mills Complex · 17.9 mi · Scraped Hmdb

  This seemingly quiet spot was once at the heart of Taunton's booming industry, churning out iron and textiles! Back in the 1820s, this land was home to Horatio Leonard & Company, later becoming the Old Colony Iron…

• Poor House and Methodist Cemetery · 18.0 mi · Scraped Hmdb

  Stop here for a moment and reflect on the lives of those less fortunate. This quiet spot was once the Falmouth Poor House, offering shelter to the area's destitute and mentally ill from 1812 until 1963. Established in…

• Cape Cod Canal · 18.7 mi · Historical Marker

  The Cape Cod Canal, completed in 1914 and widened by the Army Corps of Engineers in the 1930s, saves ships a 135-mile trip around the Cape.

• Sakonnet Light · 18.8 mi · Scraped Hmdb

  That little sparkplug out there, Sakonnet Light, almost vanished forever, a victim of one of New England's most destructive storms. Built in 1884, it dutifully guided ships around Sakonnet Point for seventy years. But…

• Stone House (Taunton, Massachusetts) · 18.9 mi · Scraped Hmdb

  Pull over for a second; you're not going to believe this. Right here, almost two centuries ago, stood one of the most unique homes in Taunton: The Stone House. Built around 1847, it's one of only two stone houses ever…

• Old Weir Stove Building · 18.9 mi · Scraped Hmdb

  Imagine the heat generated in this factory, which once produced stoves that warmed homes across the region. The Old Weir Stove Company built this complex on the Taunton River in 1902. It operated here for many years,…

• Cohannet Mill No. 3 · 19.0 mi · Scraped Hmdb

  Right here, where you're driving, stood a symbol of Taunton's booming textile industry: the Cohannet Mill No. 3. Built in 1890, this mill was the last remaining piece of the Cohannet Mills company, which had been…

• Whitehall Museum House · 19.4 mi · Scraped Hmdb

  Ever wonder where influential thinkers went to clear their heads? This is it. Here, in 1729, the Irish philosopher Dean George Berkeley bought a modest farmhouse. He wasn't just looking for a quiet place to write. He…

• Kingsley House (Rehoboth, Massachusetts) · 19.6 mi · Scraped Hmdb

  Imagine living in a house built before the United States even existed! That's the story of the Kingsley House, right here in Rehoboth. The oldest part of this house is estimated to have been built around 1680. That…

• Neck of Land Cemetery · 19.7 mi · Scraped Hmdb

  Ever wonder where a town's story begins? This unassuming patch of green, the Neck of Land Cemetery, marks the very first burial ground in Taunton. Back in 1687, when Taunton was just finding its feet, this spot near…

• Tom Thumb House (Middleborough, Massachusetts) · 19.7 mi · Scraped Hmdb

  Pull over here for a moment and imagine a famous entertainer building his dream summer home! This is it: the Tom Thumb House. General Tom Thumb, whose real name was Charles Stratton, was a tiny man with a gigantic stage…

• Mount Pleasant Cemetery (Taunton, Massachusetts) · 19.8 mi · Scraped Hmdb

  Step back in time at Mount Pleasant Cemetery, a peaceful landscape with stories etched in stone. Established in 1836, it grew from a smaller family burial ground dating back to the early 1700s. Inspired by the rural…

• Harris Street Bridge · 19.9 mi · Scraped Hmdb

  You're crossing right by the oldest bridge still standing in Taunton. It's the Harris Street Bridge, built way back in 1887. Back then, Taunton was a growing city, and this bridge was part of one of its first big public…