Rose Realty Group Inc.

Acushnet, Massachusetts

Originally an agricultural community embracing the headwaters of the Acushnet River, the residential town of Acushnet has retained its rural atmosphere, while also providing a home for various industries. Through the 1800s, the town was the site of water-powered factories and boat yards; in the 1990s, the town hosted construction, manufacturing and agri/aquaculture industries. It is the original home of the Titleist golf ball. Acushnet is a quiet friendly community with a population of 10,607 people, with many miles of winding, country roads. Residents take great pride in the town's schools, openness, and feeling of family. Each Fall, during the well-known Apple/Peach Festival, Acushnet's growers, artisans, and Historical Society welcome visitors from far and wide.

Acushnet was first settled in 1659. It has been included as a part of three separate towns throughout its history. It was formerly the northeastern section of the town of Dartmouth, which included the towns of Westport, New Bedford, and Fairhaven. In 1787, New Bedford separated from Dartmouth, and included the lands of Fairhaven and Acushnet. In 1812, Fairhaven was incorporated as a separate town, again including the lands of Acushnet. Finally, the town was officially incorporated in 1860. The name "Acushnet," which is also the name of the river the town lies on, comes from the Wampanoag "Cushnea," meaning "peaceful resting place near water," originally designating the fact that the tribe which sold the land to the Puritans inhabited the lands leading up to the river.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 18.9 square miles (49.0 km), of which, 18.5 square miles (47.8 km) of it is land and 0.5 square miles (1.2 km) of it (2.43%) is water. Acushnet is located on the eastern border of Bristol County, and is bordered to the east by Rochester, to the southeast by Mattapoisett, to the south by Fairhaven, to the west by New Bedford, and by the northwest to Freetown.

In 1910, the Acushnet Process Company (now the Acushnet Company), was founded in the town, and continues to be one of Southeastern Massachusetts's most enduring industries. The Acushnet Company owns the Titleist brand name, under which golf balls, golf clubs, and other golf paraphernalia are marketed.

Acushnet has two schools, the Acushnet Elementary School, with grades from preschool to 4th grade, and the Albert F. Ford Middle School, with grades 5th to 8th, both located near the geographic center of town. The town does not have a high school; the students may go to either New Bedford High School or Fairhaven High School per tuition agreements (although in practice, most go to New Bedford). High school students may also choose to attend Old Colony Regional Vocational-Technical High School, Bristol County Agricultural High School or any other local private high school. The town is also home to Saint Francis Xavier School, a private Catholic school serving kindergarten through eighth grade. If there is a shop that a student decided to take, but it is not offered at Old Colony Regional, students are then allowed to go to Greater New Bedford Regional Vocational-Technical High School.