North Burial Ground
Why it's listed
North Burial Ground is a flat, rectangular cemetery on North Main Street in Fall River, Massachusetts, laid out in straight rows and enclosed largely by a granite retaining wall and chain link fencing. The city bought the land in 1825, though the earliest stones, from about 1800, were probably moved from other sites. It is the city's oldest public cemetery and for many years served as the main burial place for all residents. Those buried here include Col. Joseph Durfee, who helped erect Fall River's first cotton mill in 1811, and Revolutionary War figures Thomas Durfee and Robert Irving. Two structures stand out. A fieldstone gatehouse of about 1890 has brownstone trim, Romanesque colonettes, a slate roof and copper finials. A severe granite and fieldstone receiving tomb of 1849 reflects the Egyptian Revival. A cast iron fence surrounds the Hyland plot. Although Oak Grove Cemetery drew many transfers after 1855, burials here have continued to the present.
Significance in brief: It is Fall River's oldest city-owned cemetery and was long the main burial place for its citizens. It holds the graves of prominent early figures, including Revolutionary War patriots and a founder of the city's first cotton mill. It also has notable architecture, including a fieldstone gatehouse and an Egyptian Revival receiving tomb, and examples of 19th century funerary art.
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 83000695, listed February 16, 1983. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | N. Main St. between Brightman and Cory Sts., Fall River |
|---|---|
| County | Bristol County |
| Listed | February 16, 1983 |
| Reference number | 83000695 |
| Resource type | Site |
| Period of significance | 1810-Present |
| Architectural style | Egyptian Revival receiving tomb (1849); Victorian Romantic/Richardsonian fieldstone gatehouse (c. 1890) |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Social History |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Has continued in active use as a cemetery to the present day. |
| Acreage | 10.9 |
| Coordinates | 41.72001, -71.14869 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
Sites (archaeological sites, battlefields, landscapes) are often listed with a restricted address to protect them from looting or disturbance. Listing is honorary for private owners; federal undertakings on or near the site go through Section 106 review, and state laws may protect burials and artefacts regardless of listing.
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 83000695.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7054334
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.