Still a force

[DWilly]

As I was driving up the road to go to the house on Second Street I noticed this rather big brick building named "Lizzie's." They had a sign which said it was a Borden Property. Although, I think it's run by another company. Anyway, later on I talked to my guide about how much influence/power the Bordens still had in Fall Rivers. She told me that there were still people in Fall Rivers who when they come to the house on Second Street they will cross the street to avoid the house. She also said the fund for animals that Lizzie set up way back in 1927, is still giving money. I was rather surprised at how much sway Lizzie still holds over the town.

[theebmonique]

DWilly,

I know it can be frustrating coming into this case 'new'. So many questions...who to ask...what to read...where to get 'more' to feed the new 'hunger' you have. I am listing some links below which can be VERY helpful.

This link is to the website where our illustrious leader, Stefani...and many hard-working others, provide us (for free !) with a wide range of information on the case. Everything from pictures to offical source (legal) documents (and MUCH more) pertaining to the case:
http://www.lizzieandrewborden.com/LizzieABorden.htm

This link is to THE HATCHET, a online journal on the studies of this case. MANY forum members subscribe. It is of great quality and I HIGHLY recommend that you give it a try:
http://www.hatchetonline.com/HatchetOnline/index.htm

Last and by far not least, is the 'archive' section of this forum. You could spend hours and hours there, pouring over past discussions of things "Lizzie", and other subjects as well. I can't begin to tell you how much information is buried there...whew !:
http://lizzieandrewborden.com/archive.htm

I hope this helps.


Tracy...

[Kat]

Hi D.
I have been reading about Fall River's tug-of-war with itself in the 1980's as to whether they wished to include Lizzie Borden, the case, and her homes, in some kind of tourist attraction. Apparently the Office of Tourism in July, 1982, took a poll of 1,000 persons and 800 approved.
Consequently, plans were made to include her in their tourist promotions. I also read that the money she donated is still working for the animals. I think Emma's donations are also still working in town.

In The Standard-Times, of Aug. 1982, the man who owns "Lizzie's", the restaurant is quoted.

"The only public place named after Lizzie Borden in the entire city is a restaurant named 'Lizzie's,' located opposite City Hall, and owner Terry McCormick said he's not too comfortable associating his business with the gory details of the crime.

'We thought the name would be kind of catchy,' said McCormick about the restaurant, which opened only a few years ago. 'Lizzie Borden and Fall River are kind of synonymous together.'

Nevertheless, McCormick says he's not planning anything special for the anniversary. He wants to keep his business separate from the murders. He even turned down an offer to display some photographs of the murders in his business.

'We have done some goofy things though,' he said. 'We did have a "not-guilty" party on the date she was acquitted of the crime. I have a friend in the mill business who had some T-shirts made with the date of the acquittal.' "

--I don't know, or didn't know that this now was considered a "Borden property." We saw the place in October, last year, but didn't go inside. I had just seen this news item recently and was interested in the place.

[augusta]

I always took it that it probably wasn't Andrew Borden's old property. Fall River in its heyday had Bordens and Durfees all over the place. Lizzie and her family were considered some of the 'lesser' Bordens.

It's interesting to read in Len Rebello's fantastic "Lizzie Borden: Past and Present" (a must-have if you are into the case) writes that he could find no ties of Abby Borden to the Durfees.

In the 1980's when I went out there all there was was the Fall River Historical Society, who gave you a map of how to find Maplecroft and the Borden plots at the cemetery. You couldn't go in Maplecroft, so we took photos from across the street. The murder house was not open at the time, but it was still a thrill to see. It was weird going the first time and finding a bus terminal right across the street. There wasn't any Lizzie stuff. That was okay, if you had read up on her and knew where to go for the few things there were.

"Lizzie Borden" is a money maker. People come to Fall River from all over the world. I wish they'd have more Lizzie things there. A store that sold all Lizzie stuff would be good (or Lizzie stuff and Fall River stuff.
A little diner named "Bridget's" would be fun. A clothing store for plus-size women named "Abby''s" might be neat. There's a lot of stuff they could come up with to increase the tourism dollars spent there. Nothing tacky, but nicely done stuff.

[snokkums]

I think that's neat that the city of Fall River includes Lizzie and the whole trail and details and stuff. After all, the murders did take place in Fall River. It's a part of their history, even if is a gory situation.