Do You Know New Bedford?

Just when you think you have the city down pat and know everything there is to know about New Bedford and, you don't!  I found 6 BIG things I didn’t know and feel the need to share.

New Bedford.com has tons of fun and informative facts about our city, check them out when you have a chance.

I did not know that the Ash Street Jail in New Bedford is the oldest continuously operated jail in the United States. It opened in 1829.

I learned that the very first Portuguese church and parish in the country was established in 1871 right here in New Bedford. Still standing today is St. John the Baptist Parish.

Get this, the New Bedford Textile School, which was a world famous institute by the way, was established in 1898 and is now known as UMASS Dartmouth.

New Bedford barely made it through a monster hurricane back in September of 1938 with winds of 183mph and 12-16 foot storm surge. 600 people were killed. Today it would have been 3.5 billion in damage.

The hurricane barrier down in the south end has only been around since 1966 and is the largest stone structure on the entire East Coast of the United States.

I also am just learning that Mother Theresa paid a visit to New Bedford back in 1995.  I was here then but obviously missed it!