Underwood Street
Although Mapquest does not even show Underwood Street on its map of Fall River- it does exist and is a charming street which begins at the corner of French with the Hooper House, crosses Lincoln and Pearce streets and terminates at the intersection of President’s Avenue. There are a good many styles of houses, but the gambrel roof or Cape Anne seems to be very popular. The Hooper House, only a few doors down from Lizzie Borden’s Maplecroft begins Underwood in the shadows of the looming Charlton Hospital- and has always been a landmark structure. Today it is a multi-family home which some have compared to the popular Addams Family home from the old television program. Underwood is tucked away neatly, but for avid admirers of Painted Ladies, it is well worth the effort. Underwood also offers some fine views of the Simeon Borden/ Sarah Brayton House.
The Fall River Public Library & The Titanic
One, among many reasons to visit and admire the art and architecture of the library atrium is a work by Fall River artist Mary Lizzie Macomber entitled, Marconi. Miss Macomber (1861-1916) was a much-celebrated artist of the American Pre-Raphaelite school whose paintings of beautiful women won international acclaim, and whose works were exhibited at the 1892 Chicago Columbian Exposition.
There are several works by Miss Macomber at the library, but one in particular is unusual and haunting. In April, 1912, the world was stunned by the sinking of the Royal Mail Steamer Titanic, bound for New York from Southampton on her maiden voyage. Thanks to Marconi’s invention of the wireless, the Cunard rescue ship Carpathia received the SOS and was able to save over 700 souls. In her painting Marconi, Mary Macomber portrays an ethereal, angel-like woman, listening over the ocean, with both hands to her ears. In the far distance at the top of the canvas, faint sparks can be seen traveling out over the water; a tribute to the life-saving invention of Gugliemo Marconi.
