Al Mac's Diner-Restaurant
Approximate location: the National Park Service places this pin arbitrarily within the property, not at a surveyed point (stated accuracy ±12 m).
Why it's listed
Built in 1953 by DeRaffele Diners of New Rochelle, New York, this stainless steel diner at 135 President Avenue in Fall River is the oldest of four DeRaffele diners in Massachusetts. Its steel frame is clad in stainless steel with teal porcelain enamel bands, and it has rounded front corners, a projecting entry vestibule, a low rounded hipped roof and rooftop neon signage. Inside, the counter with twenty stools, booths, terrazzo floors and a sunburst-motif back bar remain. A concrete kitchen block was added at the rear in the 1990s. The diner was moved a short distance in the mid-1970s and later reoriented, changes the nomination says did not harm its integrity. It is linked to Allen J. McDermott, whose family operated lunch carts and diners in Fall River from the 1910s to the late 1960s. Its size and separate kitchen reflect the 1950s move toward family dining. It was listed for its architecture and its commercial history.
Significance in brief: It is a well-preserved example of a 1950s stainless steel diner and the oldest of four DeRaffele diners in Massachusetts. It is also associated with Allen J. McDermott, a Fall River diner operator whose family ran lunch carts and diners from the 1910s into the late 1960s. Its size and rear kitchen reflect the 1950s shift toward family-oriented restaurant-style diners.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 99001119, listed December 20, 1999. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 135 President Ave., Fall River |
|---|---|
| County | Bristol County |
| Listed | December 20, 1999 |
| Reference number | 99001119 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1953 |
| Architect / builder | DeRaffele Diners |
| Architectural style | Other: Stainless Steel Diner |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture, Commerce |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Still in restaurant use; moved in the mid-1970s and later turned ninety degrees on its current site. A ca. 1990s rear kitchen block was added. |
| Acreage | 3.8 |
| Coordinates | 41.71615, -71.15421 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 99001119.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q4704326
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.