The home at 306 French Street isn’t the most notorious address in Fall River. That would be 92 Second Street, the house where Andrew and Abby Borden were bludgeoned to death in 1892. But 306 French Street is where Lizzie Borden, who was famously accused of brutally slaughtering her father and stepmother, lived after her acquittal of their murders. She moved to the French Street address in 1894 and died there in 1927. And now the property is for sale.
Situated in Fall River’s Highlands neighborhood, at the time that Lizbeth Andrew Borden bought the 14-room, Queen Anne Victorian-style house, grand homes such as this didn’t have numbers — they had names. Lizzie’s new home was called Maplecroft, and its name remains carved into the stone entrance steps. Borden never married and had no children. Her funeral was held at this house, but it was not well attended. She was carried out over those stone steps and laid to rest in nearby Oak Grove Cemetery.
It’s also an interesting property because it hasn’t been altered that much. The home remains wonderfully intact, complete with its carriage house and many original features. Listing agent Alda Moniz of Affordable Real Estate says the house had some kitchen updates and is in good repair. “It might need some exterior painting and general maintenance. It’s an attractive single family home,” Moniz added
But what’s drawing prospective buyers from all over the world is the home’s historical and curiosity value.
“We’ve already had many inquiries,” says Moniz. “One person called from Mexico, another from Australia. We’ve had calls from all over the country.”
