In 1911 the city of Fall River celebrated the Cotton Centennial Carnival, which marked one hundred years of achievement in cotton manufacturing. “Fall River Looms Up” was the slogan for the festivities that lasted six days, June 19th through the 24th. There were parades, including the Grand Carnival Parade, and the Trades Parade, and a horse show; plus the circus was in town. The highlight of the week,however, was a visit from President Taft on Friday. The president arrived aboard the presidential yacht, the Mayflower, and was greeted by Governor Eugene Foss and Mayor Higgins and a 21-gun salute.
This photographic postcard is in the collections of the Archives and Special Collections, and is one of many that exist documenting the Cotton Centennial Carnival and all of its festivities. Durfee High School owns a collection of Cotton Centennial Photos. To view, see the list at http://www.sailsinc.org/durfee/fallriver.htm.