Falmouth in historic gazetteers

Gazetteer of the British Isles (Edinburgh: Bartholomew, 1887). John Bartholomew

Falmouth, seaport, mun. bor., market town, par., and township, with ry. sta., W. Cornwall, on Falmouth Harbour, at mouth of river Fal, 15 miles NE. of Lizard Head and 312 SW. of London by rail--par., 641 ac., pop. 12,131; township, 577 ac., pop. 6158; bor., 64 ac., pop. 5973; P.O., T.O., 3 Banks, 3 newspapers.Market-days, Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. Falmouth was founded in the 17th century, and quickly superseded Penryn as the port of the harbour. It was for many years the station for the mail packets to the S. of Europe and the West Indies. It maintains steam communication with Plymouth, Southampton, London, Penzance, Liverpool, and Dublin, and is the most important port of call in England. The harbour (5 miles by 1 mile) is an excellent refuge for shipping, the largest vessels finding safe anchorage; vessels of medium burden can discharge at the quay. There is some shipbuilding and rope-making; but the principal business of the place is furnishing provisions and stores to shipping. Of late years the trade of Falmouth has diminished, but its popularity with visitors has greatly increased. On St Anthony Point, at E. side of entrance to harbour, is a lighthouse with a revolving light (Falmouth) 72 feet above high-water, and seen 13 miles. (For shipping statistics, see Appendix.) Falmouth forms part of the parl. bor. of Penryn and Falmouth.