USS MASSACHUSETTS (BB-59) National Historic Landmark
Also known as: See Also:USS MASSACHUSETTS
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Why it's listed
Moored at Battleship Cove on the Taunton River in Fall River, USS Massachusetts (BB 59) is a steel battleship about 680 feet long and 108 feet wide. Bethlehem Steel built her at the Fore River Shipyard in Quincy, where her keel was laid in 1939; she was launched on September 23, 1941 and commissioned in May 1942. She was the third of four South Dakota-class battleships, designed within Washington Treaty limits to carry a 16-inch main battery. In November 1942 she served in Operation Torch, the invasion of North Africa, and returned fire on the French battleship Jean Bart. She then served in the Pacific, earned 11 battle stars, and is credited with firing the last recorded 16-inch shell of the war, at Honshu. She arrived at Battleship Cove in 1965 as the Commonwealth's official World War II memorial. She is open to the public and used for education, with her galley, hospital, and engine rooms still intact. Listing was an exception to the 50-year rule.
Significance in brief: The ship is significant for her World War II service in the European and Pacific theaters, including Operation Torch in November 1942, where she fired on the French battleship Jean Bart. She earned 11 battle stars and is the Commonwealth's official World War II memorial. Because she was under 50 years old, her listing was an exception to the age requirement.
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 76002269, listed September 30, 1976. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | Battleship Cove, Fall River |
|---|---|
| County | Bristol County |
| Listed | September 30, 1976 |
| Reference number | 76002269 |
| Resource type | Structure |
| Period of significance | 1941-1945 |
| Architect / builder | Bethlehem Steel Company, Quincy, Massachusetts |
| Areas of significance | Military |
| Level of significance | National |
| National Historic Landmark | Yes, designated January 14, 1986 |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Described as in good condition, retaining much of her World War II integrity, open to the public as a museum and memorial; restoration to her World War II appearance was under way. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 41.70683, -71.16295 (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 76002269.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q2364733
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.