South Elmwood in Providence in Providence County, Rhode Island — The American Northeast (New England)
Casino
Roger Williams Park
Providing recreational space to city residents is an urban park's main purpose. However, in the late 1870s, this park was far from the city center. In response, the Union Rail Company established lines to the park and in 1877 built the What Cheer Cafι for refreshments.
By 1896, a design by Providence architect Edwin T. Banning called for something more grand. Built in the Colonial Revival style, the Casino is symmetrical on all four sides with a brick exterior, includes a veranda adorned with ionic columns, has semi-circular porticos, and stands nearly three times the size of the cafι. Patrons would enjoy ice cream on the veranda, listen to music from the Bandstand below, or just enjoy the view. Upstairs, dancing in the whimsical ballroom brought joy to many in the 1930s and 40s. After World War II, the building fell into disrepair. Extensive restorations, interior and exterior, resulted in the Casino we know today.
Did you know?
This casino was never used for gaming. The word is of Italian origin, meaning "little house." In the 19th century, it commonly meant a public room for music and dancing.
[Captions:]
Above left, the What Cheer Cafι in approximately the same spot as the current Casino. To the right and below, the building served as a recreational hub in the early 1900s. Below, the Dalrymple Pavilion, now located in the Rose Garden, provided a lakeside retreat.
Information and photos courtesy of the RWP Museum of Natural History archives, the National Register of Historic Places, and "The Jewel of Providence" by David Marshall.
Topics.
this page online
Location. 41° 47.031′ N, 71° 25.044′ W. Marker is in Providence, Rhode Island, in Providence County. It is in South Elmwood. It is at the intersection of Linden Avenue and Rose Avenue, on the right when traveling east on Linden Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1000 Elmwood Ave, Providence RI 02907, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is on Rhode Island’s Narragansett Bay. It is also in the American Northeast and in New England. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Bandstand (within shouting distance of this marker); Roger Williams (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Betsy Williams Sycamore (about 600
Credits. This page was last revised on May 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on May 7, 2023, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 164 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 7, 2023, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
