Historical References: From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Seal

 History
Dartmouth was the first settled in 1652 and was officially incorporated in 1664. It was named for the town of Dartmouth, Devon, England, where the Puritans originally intended to leave from for America. The land was purchased with trading goods from the Wampanoag chiefs Massasoit and Wamsutta by elders of the Plymouth Colony; reportedly thirty yards of cloth, eight moose skins, fifteen axes, fifteen hoes, fifteen pairs of shoes, one iron pot, and ten shillings’ worth of assorted goods .^[1] It was sold to the Religious Society of Friends or Quakers, who wished to live outside the stringent religious laws of the Puritans in Plymouth. There are still Quaker meeting houses in town, including the Smith Neck Meeting House, the Allens Neck Meeting House, and the Apponegansett Meeting House, which is on the National Register of Historic Places. Its borders were originally named in the charter (and set by King Philip) as the lands of “Acushnea, Ponagansett, and Coaksett.” This includes the land of the towns of Westport, Fairhaven, and Acushnet, and the city of New Bedford. In 1789, the towns of Westport and New Bedford, which included Fairhaven and Acushnet, separated and were incorporated as towns themselves.

In 1780, seven black residents of Dartmouth petitioned the town’s legislature for the right to vote, claiming a lack of representation despite the fact that they paid taxes and fought in the Revolutionary War.^[2]

Dartmouth’s history was that of an agricultural community, but during the late 19th century its coastline became a resort area for the wealthy members of New Bedford society.

Round Hill was the site of early-to-mid 20th century research into the uses of radio and microwaves for aviation and communication by MIT researchers. The town’s retail area has grown steadily since the 1960s, centering around the village of Smith Mills, but many of those stores have closed down now. Business is now branching northward towards Faunce Corners, now the home of the Dartmouth Mall.

The Lloyd Center for Environmental Studies, located in South Dartmouth, is a non-profit organization that provides educational programs on aquatic environments in southeastern New England. It is across the mouth of Slocums River from Demarest Lloyd State Park, a popular state beach known for its shallow waters.

The Town of Dartmouth
400 Slocum Road
Dartmouth, MA 02747
(508)-910-1813  or visit www.town.dartmouth.ma.us

Area Chamber of Commerces

Fall River Area Chamber of Commerce and Industry
200 Pocasset St.
Fall River, MA 02721
508–676-8226
www.fallriverchamber.com 

New Bedford Area Chamber of Commerce
794 Purchase St
New Bedford, MA
508-999-5231
www.newbedfordchamber.com

 Places to Stay

Park/Beach Facilities

	Apponagansett Park      (77 Gulf Road)     Apponagansett Park offers scenic harbor views, a sandy beach area, gazebo for small functions (please click here for reservation information), picnic area, volleyball court, playground equipment and basketball court.  Lifeguards are on duty 9 A.M. to 5 P.M. from July 1st through Labor Day.  The park is open year round to the general public.  Fees apply during the summer season for parking and special events.  The Oxford Creamery located on site is open mid May through Labor Day for ice cream and light fare. Cornell Pond  (707 Old Fall River Road) Cornell Pond is a quaint scenic facility right on the pond.  A charcoal grill and picnic tables are available for your convenience as well as swings for the children.  This facility can be enjoyed by any town resident year round at no charge. Dartmouth Regional Park & Trails (DRPT)  (443 Old Fall River Road)   DRPT is our newest multi-faceted regional park for both active and passive recreation. When visiting the site you will find basketball, volleyball and tennis courts, playground equipment, ball fields (please click here for reservation information), picnic grove, walking trail and a pavilion which can be reserved for special functions (please click here for reservation information).  This facility is open year round and can be accessed by all with the proper parking pass. Jones Park  (66 St. John Street)   Jones Park offers a sandy beach area, bathhouse, softball field, picnic tables, horseshoe pits and playground equipment.  Lifeguards and Gate Guards are on staff the end of June through Labor Day.  This site is open 9 A.M. to 5 P.M. year round to the general public.  Parking fees apply during the summer season.  The softball field can be reserved for leagues or one-time events.  Please click here for reservation information. Motha’s Park  (end of Mary Crapo Way) Motha’s Park is a neighborhood park located within Baker’s Village.  Containing a basketball and volleyball court, swings, slide and field area, makes this a great place for the kids to walk to and unwind after school. Paskamansett Landing (287 State Road) Paskamansett Landing is a small picnic area and canoe launch.  This site overlooks the paskamansett waterfall and offers excellent canoe access of the river north of State Road. Paskamansett Park  (879 Russells Mills Road) Paskamansett Park is a newly constructed site with a picnic area, walking trail and canoe launch offering residents access to the paskamansett from State Road to Russells Mills Road. Round Hill Beach  (231 Smith Neck Road)   Round Hill is an exclusive residents only beach overlooking Buzzards Bay, the Elizabeth Islands and abuts the Colonel Green property.  This beautiful site contains a bathhouse open during summer beach hours and a concession vehicle during peak lunch hours. Lifeguards and Gate Guards are on duty from mid June through Labor Day.  Summer hours of operation are Sunday – Thursday 9 A.M. to 7 P.M.; Friday & Saturday 9 A.M. to 8 P.M.  Round Hill can be accessed by residents only, by purchasing a beach sticker or day pass.  This site will remain open year round weather permitting. Russells Mills Landing  (50 Horseneck Road) Russell’s Mills Landing is a natural, historic site that is beautiful for family picnics.  It is equipped with park benches, picnic tables, a tennis court, playground equipment and a launching area for canoes/kayaks to tour the Slocum River.  This facility is open year round at no charge for everyone’s enjoyment.