Borden Flats Light Station
Why it's listed
Borden Flats Light Station is a lighthouse built in 1881 on a reef in the Taunton River at Fall River, Massachusetts, at a cost of $24,000. Its cast iron cylindrical caisson is sunk into the reef and secured by about 15 feet of cement. The tower holds a half basement, a first floor with a steel ceiling, upper floors probably used as keeper's quarters, a lamp room and a ten-sided lens room with a balcony. The name comes from the Borden family, who owned textile mills along the river. The Braga Bridge passes almost directly overhead, so the light is seen mainly by mariners. The tower was electrified in 1957, automated in 1963 and fitted with a plastic lens in 1977. It is valued as one of the earliest and best maintained caisson lights in Massachusetts, with many original features and Italianate elements preserved, and it remains an active aid warning vessels away from the reef.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the station retains integrity of location, design, setting, materials and workmanship, and is tied to the development of aids to navigation in Massachusetts. It is described as one of the earliest and best maintained caisson-type light stations in the state, with original features and Italianate design elements intact. It also remains an active aid that helps vessels avoid the reef.
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 87001528, listed June 15, 1987. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | Taunton River, Fall River |
|---|---|
| County | Bristol County |
| Listed | June 15, 1987 |
| Reference number | 87001528 |
| Resource type | Structure |
| Architectural style | Italianate design elements; caisson-type light station |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Engineering, Transportation, Architecture, Maritime History |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Active, automated and unmanned light operated by the U.S. Coast Guard; fully automated in 1963. |
| Acreage | 0.1 |
| Coordinates | 41.70508, -71.17728 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
For a publicly owned building or structure, listing mainly matters when federal funds, permits or licences are involved: projects then go through Section 106 review so effects on the property are considered. Listing also strengthens applications for preservation grants and, for leased income-producing uses, can enable the federal rehabilitation tax credit.
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 87001528.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q4944488
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.