The Future is not Today: A Place once called Troy

I have not ridden in about 2 weeks, spending most of our time concentrating on our up and coming move. Just the sheer thought of moving sends shivers up and down my back. With one New England Tour of Honor sight to grab, the sky a crystal blue and the temps just about perfect, I loaded up the GPS with the primary site and a bunch of other places to grab.

So this place called Troy is now Fall River, MA, home to Lizzie Borden and her forty whacks, Battleship Cove, and plenty of historic buildings.

First stop is Santo Christo Church which was built in 1924. Not particularly old but it is the oldest Portuguese parish in Fall River. I finished up my photos just as the parishioners were getting out of their service. Traffic became a tad more hectic and reckless as well.

Next on the hit list was American Printing Co. This company became the world's foremost maker of printed textiles. Formed in 1835 it hit it's peak during World War I. Tough shot trying to get both mills in the picture.

Metacomet Mill and American Printing Company Mill No. 7, built 1906

Metacomet Mill, built 1847

Before I leave on these historical hunts, I generally try to find a picture on the internet, so I know what I am searching for. I found a reference to this site for American Printing Co. Now this may have been one of the buildings, but when I got home I never could find the reference again.

I find out that I am getting old, at least physically. To get a good picture, I had to climb onto a concrete block that was about 3 feet in height so I could get a good shot over the fence. Climbing onto the block was trouble enough, but getting off was a major task. Glad I was the only one around.

Headed over to Battleship Cove for my primary target of the day. Battleship Cove is the largest collection of WWII naval vessels and home to USS Massachusetts, known as Big Mamie.

The PT exhibits at Battleship Cove are under the PT Boat Museum, however you still have to drop the 16.50 entrance fee. I pleaded with the girl at the entrance telling her all I needed was a picture of the PT boat with my flag and I was only going to be in there for 30 seconds or so. She let me thru and told me I expect to see you back here in a few minutes. As I headed to the PT boat, I convinced myself I have to come back here and take in the exhibits. I was surprised how big PT boats are, they didn't look that big on McHale's Navy.

As I was looking for the Fall River Historic Park Passport stamp I came across these folks having a good time in the park. The building at the park was locked up and it is my suspicion it was closed due to budgetary problems.

Right next to Battleship Cove is this carousel. What great colors.

Headed away from the waterfront, deeper into Fall River. The First Baptist Church was the first church in Fall River organized in 1781. While I was outside taking pictures, a gentleman sitting on a rock outside the church asked me if I wanted to take some pictures inside. At first I declined, but I had not taken any inside photos with my new camera.

While I was taking the next series of historic places, one of the pictures really looked washed out. I have been bracketing my photos and thought the camera was still set for bracketing. When I checked the settings it was off. Took another shot and noticed the speed was something like 1/800 of a second. I then reviewed the settings in the camera and saw the ISO was set for 1600 where it should have been down at 100. My son had been playing around the night before and set the ISO. Lesson learned.

A couple of places clustered on North Main Street.

William Lindsey House built in 1844

David M Anthony House built 1875.
David was a major player in the textile industry

Qheguechan Club, a gentleman's club

The BMC Durfee High School is on Rock St. It was built in 1886. A couple of years ago telescopes were a treasure hunt item. I can't believe I missed this one.

Church of the Ascension was built in 1895. Three churches have consolidated and it is now known as Church of the Holy Spirit. One can used to seeing closed manufacturing facilities, warehouses, and car lots due to the economy, but churches are falling to the same problems as businesses.

The Central Congregational Church is where Lizzie Borden went to church. It was used in one of Aerosmith's video. It was converted to a Culinary School in the 1990's and was they closed in 2009. It is a pretty cool structure.

Headed out of Fall River to grab my last 2 stops for the day. Having not eaten all day I grabbed a bowl of chili at Chili Head. It was not the greatest chili to me, but I enjoyed the art work in the place, so things evened out.