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 It is difficult to describe present-day
Fairhaven without addressing the town's interesting history. The large,
architecturally superb buildings that typify Fairhaven were given to the
town in the 1800s by Fairhaven native and millionaire Henry Huttleston
Rogers. Most are in use today, including the Rogers School, Fairhaven
High School, the Millicent Library, Town Hall and the Unitarian Church.
The Millicent Library, built for Rogers' daughter in 1891 by a London
firm, boasts a stone exterior and a deep wood interior with gorgeous
stained glass windows, including one depicting Millicent. Walking tours
showcase Fairhaven's fantastic buildings. In July and August specifically, Fairhaven
opened the Old Stone Schoolhouse for tours. Built in 1828, the 20½-foot
by 36-foot building accommodated 64 pupils. It is the only one remaining
of the town's 19 original schoolhouses. Another historical focal point of Fairhaven
is Fort Phoenix. The first naval battle of the American Revolution was
fought by Fairhaven militiamen aboard the sloop Success in May of 1775.
Shortly after, a fort was built and outfitted with eleven cannons. The
fort was destroyed by a British invasion in 1778, but rebuilt and named
Fort Phoenix; it was manned throughout the Civil War. Today, Fort
Phoenix is a favorite recreational spot, with a public beach, tennis
courts, picnicking facilities and ample space for in-line skating and
biking. It, too, is part of a walking tour. Community is strong in Fairhaven. There are
many organizations committed to improving the quality of life for
residents, whether beautification of town property or sponsorship of
events and festivities. Notable events include the summer's Fairhaven
Homecoming Day fair and December's Very Victorian Holiday. There are
events throughout the year, particularly at the Millicent Library which
offers programs ranging from arts and crafts to book clubs for all ages.
The Fairhaven Community Concert Series for 2004-2005 features seven
concerts and four dinners held at the First Congregational Church with
selections ranging from folk music to African drumming. Fairhaven has become a one-stop-shopping
destination for residents. Commercial business has sprouted along Route
6, and choices range from department stores, to restaurants to car
dealerships and more. Development continues; a New Bedford real estate
developer recently purchased the AT&T building and the 30 acres of land
surrounding it for $3.1 million. AT&T plans to lease the space it
occupies -- about 60,000 square feet -- and the remainder of the
building will be leased as office space. Although not a large town – about 16,000
residents call Fairhaven home -- there are still several areas of
Fairhaven and home styles to choose from. Rugged cottages abound along
the side streets of Sconticut Neck Road, while single-family colonials
decorate Center Street. Growth has occurred in the "hidden" parts of
town as well, such as the area bordering Fort Phoenix and West Island.
Once home to summer cottages not intended for year-round use, West
Island now has 380 homes, most of them full-time residences. Residents
report a doubling in property values in the past 10 years.For a historical time-line of Fairhaven CLICK HERE. GENERAL INFORMATION Total valuation: $1,080,734,006 Residential, 74.88%; commercial, 20.84%; industrial, 1.79%; personal, 2.48% FY2002 Tax rates: Residential, $11.82; commercial, industrial and personal, $17.65 2003 population: 16,029 Area: 7,497 acres Miles of public road: 100 Police: 911; routine: 997-7421 Fire: 911; routine: 994-1428 Ambulance: 911; routine: 997-7421 Emergency Management Director, Marc Jodoin |
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