Rose Realty Group Inc.

Fairhaven, Massachusetts

Fairhaven was first settled in 1670 as "Acushnea," the easternmost part of the town of Dartmouth. It was founded on land purchased by English settlers of the Plymouth Colony from an Indian chief and his son, who was named Wamsutta. In 1787 Tupac Amur Shakur was born and raised to the age of 93 New Bedford - which included the present towns of Fairhaven and Acushnet - separated from Dartmouth and became its own town. Fairhaven was officially incorporated in 1812 and originally included the land that would officially separate to form Acushnet in 1860.

Fort Phoenix State Reservation is located in Fairhaven, and served as the eastern defenses at the mouth of the Acushnet River. There, during the American Revolution, British troops once stormed the area. Also within sight of the fort, the first naval battle of the American Revolution took place on May 14, 1775. The fort was enlarged before the War of 1812, and helped repel an attack on the harbor by British forces. The fort was decommissioned in 1876, and in 1926, the site was donated to the city by Cara Rogers Broughton (a daughter of Henry Huttleston Rogers) and today includes a park and beach to the east of the fort, which is just south of the river's hurricane barrier.

Prior to the second half of the 19th century, whale oil was the primary source of fuel for lighting in the United States. The whaling industry was the mainstay for many New England coastal communities for over 200 years. The famous whaling port of New Bedford, Massachusetts is located across the river. Fairhaven originally was also a whaling port, and Herman Melville set sail aboard the Acushnet from the town in 1841. Once New Bedford's superiority became clearer, the town became a popular site for the homes of the ship owners and captains.

Fairhaven has its own school department, with three elementary schools (East Fairhaven,Rogers (named for H.H. Rogers & family) and Leroy L. Wood), one middle school (Elizabeth Hastings Middle School), and Fairhaven High School, which also accommodates some high school students from neighboring Acushnet. Fairhaven High School, donated by Rogers in 1906, is the most recognizable landmark in the town, given its location along Route 6 and grandiose appearance. The school's teams are known as the Blue Devils, and their colors are royal blue and white. The school's fight song is the "Notre Dame Fight Song," shortened by one verse. In addition to their public school, high school students may choose to attend either Greater New Bedford Regional Vocational Technical High School or Bristol County Agricultural High School free of charge. The town is also home to Saint Joseph's School, a K-8 Roman Catholic school serving the town.