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“Bite-Size Bits of Local, National, and Global History”
Wakefield in South Kingstown in Washington County, Rhode Island — The American Northeast (New England)
 

Griffin's Hollow

 
 
Griffin's Hollow Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 14, 2017
1. Griffin's Hollow Marker
Inscription. On January 13th, 1886, Daniel Billington Griffin purchased a certain tract of land situated in Wakefield Village from Rowland & John N. Hazard for the sum of 2,000 dollars. This particular parcel of land was located on the corner of Post Road (present day Main Street) & Robinson Street opposite the railroad station (present day Northup’s Imported Car Service). Mr. Griffin began to add buildings to this vacant parcel of land. By 1886, D.B. Griffin's Apothecary was doing business out of the current home of Brickley's Ice Cream. Additional structures were added along the way: 328 Main Street in 1888, 330 Main Street in 1892, 324 and 326 Main Street in 1895, and 318 Main Street circa 1920. There were also buildings along Robinson Street, and in the rear parking areas, that have been removed or replaced by new structures.

In 1888 Mary Whaley authored a short story entitled "A Stroll Down Main Street.” She described Main Street, its buildings and assorted landmarks, as well as its business and property owners. As she strolled down Main Street, she referred to the corner of Main and Robinson Street as "Griffin's Hollow,” and stated that this was where the circus would set up, and the townspeople would gather to watch the performance.

The buildings of Griffin's Hollow will have small, historical markers that
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will show when the buildings were constructed, and name the first occupants of Mr. Griffin’s empire. Learn, explore, shop and enjoy the shops of Griffin’s Hollow.

Spangles, Sense of Style, elle G, Pier Pizza Company, Brickley’s Ice Cream
Graphic Expressions, Smoothy Booty, Zocalo, New York Life, Lulu, The Glass Station

 
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & CommerceSettlements & Settlers. A significant historical date for this entry is January 13, 1886.
 
Location. 41° 26.326′ N, 71° 29.926′ W. Marker is in South Kingstown, Rhode Island, in Washington County. It is in Wakefield. Marker is on Main Street (Rhode Island Route 1A) south of Robinson Street, on the left when traveling south. Marker is a large, shiny, glass billboard mounted at eye level on the north wall of Brickley's Ice Cream building. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 322 Main Street, Wakefield RI 02879, United States of America. Touch for directions.
 
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Carter Jackson Monument (approx. 1½ miles away); Honor Roll Town of Narragansett World War (approx. 1.7 miles away); The Narragansett Pier (approx. 2.3 miles away); Washington County Jail (approx. 3.2 miles away); Pettaquamscutt Rock (approx. 3.3 miles away); Whale Rock Lighthouse
Griffin's Hollow Marker (<i>wide view</i>) image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 14, 2017
2. Griffin's Hollow Marker (wide view)
(approx. 5.2 miles away); The Assistant Keeper's House (approx. 5.2 miles away); The West Passage to Narragansett Bay (approx. 5.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in South Kingstown.
 
Also see . . .  Wakefield, Rhode Island.
Wakefield is a village in the town of South Kingstown, Rhode Island, and the commercial center of the town. The Wakefield village center along Main Street (old Boston Post Road) between Belmont Avenue and Columbia Street was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1996 as Wakefield Historic District. The district is significant for being an early commercial and industrial center. The district includes 53 properties over an area of 400 acres. (Submitted on March 18, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.) 
 
Griffin's Hollow Marker (<i>Main Street view; marker visible at center; Thackeray Memorial left</i>) image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 14, 2017
3. Griffin's Hollow Marker (Main Street view; marker visible at center; Thackeray Memorial left)
Robert G. Thackery Memorial Square Memorial (<i>on Main Street near marker</i>) image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 14, 2017
4. Robert G. Thackery Memorial Square Memorial (on Main Street near marker)
Former Wakefield Railroad Depot (<i>across Main Street from Griffin's original land purchase</i>) image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 14, 2017
5. Former Wakefield Railroad Depot (across Main Street from Griffin's original land purchase)
Bell Block Building (1899), 343 Main Street image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 14, 2017
6. Bell Block Building (1899), 343 Main Street
 
 
Credits. This page was last revised on June 26, 2023. It was originally submitted on March 18, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 533 times since then and 23 times this year. Photos:   1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on March 18, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.

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Apr. 26, 2024