Padanaram, Massachusetts facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Padanaram Village Historic District (South Dartmouth, MA)
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Southworth Library
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 Location in Massachusetts
Location in the United States
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| Location | Dartmouth, Massachusetts |
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| Architect | Multiple |
| Architectural style | Colonial Revival, Late Victorian, Federal |
| NRHP reference No. | 85002010 |
| Added to NRHP | September 5, 1985 |
Padanaram is a lovely coastal village found in South Dartmouth, Massachusetts, United States. This village is located right on Buzzards Bay. It is especially close to a smaller water area called Apponagansett Bay.
A Look Back in Time
The village of Padanaram was one of many settlements. These towns began to appear in the area known as Old Dartmouth. This happened after the land was bought from the Wampanoag people in 1652. Members of the Plymouth Colony made this purchase.
During a conflict called King Philip's War, English colonists living nearby sought safety. They took shelter at a place known as Russell Garrison. You can still see parts of this old settlement today. They are located at the end of Lucy Street.
In the mid-1700s, Padanaram became an important place for building ships. In September 1778, during the American Revolution, British forces attacked nearby New Bedford. This was part of a larger event known as Grey's raid. A smaller group of soldiers also attacked Padanaram.
At that time, the village was called Akin’s Landing. Elihu Akin had made three Loyalists leave the village. Loyalists were people who supported the British during the war. Because of this, the British raiders specifically targeted Akin. They burned down most of the village, focusing on Akin’s properties.
After the attack, Elihu Akin moved to his only remaining home. This was a small house on Potters Hill, known as the Elihu Akin House. Elihu never truly recovered financially from the raid. He lived in the house until he died in 1794. He passed away without much money.
Fixing the damage to the town cost a lot. In 1778, it cost £105,960. This amount is like nine million dollars today! To honor Elihu and his earlier work in shipbuilding, the village was called Akin’s Wharf for 20 years after the war.
The town grew as a small whaling port. It also had a large salt works in the 1800s. As these industries faded, the village became mostly a place where people lived. Locals often just call it "the village." Today, it has many yachting businesses, art galleries, restaurants, and shops.
The village is also home to the Southworth Library. This library was built between the late 1880s and early 1890s.
Why the Name Padanaram?
The name “Padanaram” came from an important early resident. His name was Laban Thatcher. He felt a connection to a Bible character named Laban. This character lived in a place called Paddan Aram in Mesopotamia. Eventually, the village took on this new name. It stopped using its older Wampanoag name, “Ponagansett.”
The New Bedford Yacht Club
The New Bedford Yacht Club was first started in New Bedford. However, it is now located in Padanaram. The club first set up its main building on nearby Fish Island in 1877.
Two years later, in 1879, the club needed more space. Its membership was growing. So, the headquarters moved to the larger Pope Island, which was next door. In 1901, the club built a new station in Padanaram. This new station replaced the Pope Island location. It became the club's main station after Pope Island was sold in 1941.
The New Bedford Yacht Club hosts a big sailing event every two years. It is called the Buzzards Bay Regatta.
