Eventually the Borden family would acquire the water rights of the entire Quequechan River valley, and its tremendous potential.

After an uncertain start, in which some early investors pulled out, the Fall River Iron Works was incorporated in 1825, with $200,000 in capital.

The Iron Works began producing nails, bar stock, and other items such as bands for casks in the nearby New Bedford whaling industry.

[3] The Iron Works would continue play an important role in the early development of the textile industry in Fall River.

However, wanting a more direct route to Boston, Borden opened a new line in 1846 connecting with the Old Colony Railroad at South Braintree via Middleborough and Bridgewater.

In 1847, regular steamship service to New York City began as the Bay State Steamboat Company, later known as the Fall River Line.

Richard Baxter Borden (1834–1906) would serve as either president, director and treasurer of several mills, banks and insurance companies.