Fall River, Massachusetts

Fall River, Massachusetts, first settled in 1653 and incorporated in 1803, is situated on Mount Hope Bay at the mouth of the Taunton River. Fall River is built on a series of hillsides which rise as high as 150 feet from the edge of the bay. The Quequechan River runs through the city for about a mile before plunging 132 feet over eight waterfalls to the ocean. At one time, the “Spindle City” was the nation’s foremost textile manufacturing center, boasting more than 100 mills.

In 1714, Richard and Joseph Borden acquired property on the Quequechan River. The river's central location and the power generated by its steep falls were ideal for industrial development, and textile mills sprouted along its banks. The Borden family established the Fall River Iron Works in 1825, followed by the Metacomet Mill (1847) and American Print Works (1835). Railroad and steamship service made it possible to import both coal and cotton, and manufacturing flourished. In 1861, after years of boundary disputes with Rhode Island, the City of Fall River was permanently located inside the Massachusetts state line, and Fall River had replaced Lowell as a textile powerhouse. Steam power allowed factories to be built away from the river, and 22 new mills opened during the 1870s. Irish and French-Canadian immigrants swelled the population to almost 27,000 in 1870 and thousands of tenements were built to house them. Fall River's textile production declined after WWI and many mills closed. Devastating fires destroyed the Pocasset Mill in 1928 and the Firestone Tire and Rubber Company in 1941. By the 1960s, Fall River's major industry was gone, and many of the mills converted to other uses. The construction of Interstate Route 195 resulted in the demolition of many historic mills, and the Quequechan was built over and diverted underground for most of its length.

Fall River’s lengthy history of industry and construction have made asbestos exposure an ongoing issue. Workers and their families who have been exposed to asbestos may be at risk for malignant mesothelioma. We provide information about mesothelioma treatment options in and around Fall River at the bottom of this page.

Jobsites in Fall River where Asbestos Exposure Occurred

A number of jobsites in Fall River, MA have been identified as harboring asbestos containing materials. These sites, at one point in their history, were known to have exposed a variety of tradesmen to asbestos. We will be documenting in more detail how asbestos exposure occurred at these sites in the future on this web site.

Mesothelioma Cancer Centers Near Fall River, MA

For your convenience we have compiled a list of mesothelioma cancer centers that are located within a 100 mile radius of Fall River, MA. Please click on a cancer center link to obtain more information about the clinical programs offered, professional designations, areas of expertise and how to contact the center.

Mesothelioma Doctors Near Fall River, MA

For your convenience we have compiled a list of mesothelioma doctors who are located within a 100 mile radius of Fall River, MA. Please click on a doctor link to obtain more information about his/her background, areas of expertise, professional affiliations and office locations.