Oak Grove Cemetery was established in 1855 and designed by Josiah Brown, who is also known for his designs of early city mills including the Union, Borden City, and the now demolished Montaup Mill.

Originally 47 acres and now over 100 acres, Oak Grove was inspired by Mt. Auburn Cemetery in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

The original 47 acres of land was purchased by the city from Dr. Nathan Durfee at the high price of $200 an acre. The elevated site was chosen over less expensive parcels because of its central location and natural appropriateness for cemetery use and perhaps because of the importance of the owner. In return for the purchase of his land, Durfee agreed to buy a parcel between North Main St. and Highland Ave. which the city had originally acquired for a park. The new cemetery was located in the relatively undeveloped northeast section of the city.

The Borden Family Plot in Oak Grave Cemetery
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Oak Grove, Fall River's largest city-owned cemetery, was developed in the mid-19th century as a rural garden cemetery, and its natural beauties and imposing monuments reflect the wealth and pride of the mill owners and the city's elite buried here.

The city's principle families are buried here, the Bordens, Durfees, Braytons, Davols, Chaces, and other founding fathers who shaped Fall River's industrial and civic growth. In 1866 Oak Grove became the final resting place for over 255 children in just one year.

Oak Grove Cemetery in Fall River Massachusetts was established in the mid nineteenth century during a time when the city was rapidly growing as a center of textile manufacturing. The cemetery was designed in the rural garden style that became popular across New England offering a peaceful landscaped setting with winding paths and carefully planned plots. It was intended to serve not only as a burial ground but also as a place for reflection and quiet visitation.

As Fall River expanded the cemetery became the final resting place for many of the city most prominent citizens including industrialists civic leaders and notable families who helped shape the regions economy. Elaborate monuments and family mausoleums were constructed reflecting both the wealth and social standing of those buried within its grounds. These structures still stand today as reminders of the city industrial past.

The cemetery is perhaps most widely known as the burial site connected to the infamous Lizzie Borden murders. Members of the Borden family are interred here drawing visitors from around the country who are fascinated by one of America most enduring true crime mysteries. This association has added a layer of notoriety to the otherwise tranquil setting.

Lizzie Borden Listing on Family Memorial
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Over time Oak Grove Cemetery continued to grow both in size and historical significance. It became a place where generations of Fall River families were laid to rest creating a deep connection between the cemetery and the community. Veterans from multiple wars are also buried here adding to its historical importance and making it a site of remembrance for those who served.

Today the cemetery remains active while also functioning as a historical landmark. Its tree lined avenues historic markers and well preserved monuments offer insight into the cultural and social history of Fall River. Visitors often walk the grounds not only to pay respects but also to explore the stories etched into the stones that span more than a century of local history.

This cemetery dates back to 1855 and is known for being the burial place of Lizzie Borden and her family. People have reportedly heard screaming from the Borden plot and have experienced feelings of uneasiness while in its vicinity. Some have also claimed to see unexplained lights.

Oak Grove Cemetery has long been associated with eerie encounters and unexplained activity, especially after dark. Visitors have reported an overwhelming sense of being watched while walking through the older sections of the cemetery where the oldest graves and monuments stand. This feeling is often described as sudden and intense, as if unseen eyes are following every movement.

One of the most commonly shared stories involves shadowy figures seen moving between headstones at dusk. Witnesses claim these figures appear briefly before fading into the darkness, leaving behind a chilling silence. Some believe these apparitions are spirits of those buried in the cemetery still lingering near their final resting places.

Another frequently reported phenomenon is the sound of footsteps on gravel paths when no one else is present. Visitors have described hearing slow, deliberate steps approaching from behind only to turn and find nothing there. In some cases, the footsteps seem to stop the moment they are acknowledged, adding to the unsettling nature of the experience.

The grave of Lizzy Borden
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There are also stories of faint voices and whispers carried on the wind, particularly near older family plots. These voices are often too quiet to understand but are described as human and close by rather than distant. Paranormal enthusiasts suggest these could be residual echoes of past conversations tied to the location.

Some visitors have reported sudden drops in temperature in specific areas of the cemetery even on warm nights. Visitors often experience feelings of unease or heaviness in these cold spots, as if the atmosphere itself has changed. Whether explained by natural causes or something more mysterious, these experiences continue to fuel the legends surrounding Oak Grove Cemetery.