North Burial Ground (Additional Documentation)
Also known as: North Burial Field
Why it's listed
North Burial Ground is a flat, rectangular cemetery on North Main Street in Fall River, Massachusetts. The city bought the land in 1825, though the earliest stones date to about 1800 and 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 residents. Those interred include Col. Joseph Durfee, who helped build Fall River's first cotton mill in 1811, and Revolutionary War figures Thomas Durfee and Robert Irving. After Oak Grove Cemetery opened in 1855, many remains were moved there, but burials here have continued to the present. The layout is simple, with plots in straight rows and markers of marble or granite. Two structures stand out: a fieldstone gatehouse of about 1890 with brownstone trim and Romanesque-style arches, and a severe Egyptian Revival receiving tomb dated 1849. A cast iron fence around the Hyland grave site is a rare example of fenced plots.
Significance in brief: It is described as the oldest city-owned and public cemetery in Fall River and the main burial place for all citizens for many years. It holds the graves of prominent early citizens, including Revolutionary War figures and a founder of the city's first cotton mill. It also has notable 19th century funerary art and buildings, including a fieldstone gatehouse and an Egyptian Revival receiving tomb.
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 100010567, listed July 24, 2024. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | Old Union Turnpike, Lancaster |
|---|---|
| County | Worcester County |
| Listed | July 24, 2024 |
| Reference number | 100010567 |
| Resource type | Site |
| Period of significance | 1810-Present |
| Architectural style | Egyptian Revival (receiving tomb); Victorian Romantic with Richardsonian Romanesque motifs (fieldstone gatehouse) |
| Criteria |
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| Areas of significance | Social History |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Still in active use as a cemetery to the present day. |
| Acreage | 1.46 |
| Coordinates | 42.51377, -71.66245 (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 100010567.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.