This elaborate High Victorian Ruskinian Gothic residence was built in 1875 for Simeon Borden. He was a prominent civil engineer and land surveyor who was deeply involved in Fall River’s expanding street system following the Civil War.
The residence was built of brick instead of wood, which at that time made this an unusual building for the city. This particular style was popular in the mid-1870’s and many of the city’s buildings which resemble this house were designed by Hartwell and Swazey, such as the Academy Building in the Borden Block and the Central Congregational Church on Rock Street.
Simeon Borden sold the residence to Sarah Brayton in 1895 and it was then christened “Broadview”. Sarah S. Brayton died in 1915 and willed the home to her niece, Nancy Jannett Bowers Brayton who married Judge James Madison Morton in 1955. Their heirs donated the mansion to the Christian Day School which closed in 1992. Since 2001, it has been the address for the Women’s Center/ OB-GYN.
I was a student in this building in the early 60’s and remember what a lovely building it was. The last time I was inside was in the early 80’s and it had retained much of the original architetural details. Would be interested if any former students have visited the building!
By: LWARING on December 4, 2008
at 7:57 pm