Where is Somerset MA
It is located in Southeastern Massachusetts, bordered by Swansea and Dighton, on the west and the mouth of the Taunton River on the south and the east. Somerset is about 1 mile west of Fall River; 53 miles south of Boston; 17 miles southeast of Providence, Rhode Island; and about 195 miles from New York City.
History of Somerset MA
The town of Somerset MA is a suburban community in Bristol County, on the west side of the Taunton River. This area was originally known as the Shawomet Lands and was incorporated as a town in 1790. Although there was a significant Indian population on when colonists arrived, by the end of King Philip's War in 1677 English settlers dominated the Pocassets, members of the Wampanoag tribe.
The earliest colonists farmed and fished both in the river and off-shore but the town developed shipyards, mercantile and shipping businesses early in its history.
After the war of 1812, Somerset became one of the chief distribution points in New England for foreign goods with trade to China, the West Indies, Europe and the Atlantic coast. Aside from shipping related businesses, the largest early industry in Somerset was the making of stoneware. Through all of this industrial growth, south Somerset remained largely agricultural.
The dominant industry in Somerset since the First World War has been power generation with the erection of the Montaup Electric Company plant in 1923 and Brayton Point in 1963.
The dominant character of Somerset has been residential since the bankruptcy of Fall River in the
Depression brought a flood of middle class residents into the town. Unlike most communities in the area, Somerset increased its population by 74% during the depression. The town is now a suburban community with some small scale resort and second home development and its 15 miles of waterfront are primarily used for recreation rather than industry.
Excerpt taken from the Town of Somerset Tourism Web Site
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