Early Plymouth colonists called Barrington "The Garden of the Colony" for its beautiful location on Narragansett Bay and the Providence River, its numerous streams and meadows, and its fertile soil.
- from Bicknell, A History . . . — — Map (db m223012) HM
"When workers were building the Barrington Bridge in 1914, my grandmother, Maria Balia, who lived nearby would serve them drinks that she kept cold in her well. The workers used to go to her house every day and sit under the grape . . . — — Map (db m222998) HM
"I remember the spectacular view of the Barrington River in the Spring and Summer; the boats were moored in the beautiful harbor which gave the police access to our community from both land and water."
- Police Officer Joseph . . . — — Map (db m223004) HM
In appreciation of the US Coast Guard who have served their country and the State of Rhode Island and the Town of Bristol since 1935 — — Map (db m222756) HM WM
Finney's Distillery was discovered during demolition of the structure of the original Bank of Bristol (shown below, center). For nearly thirty-five years, two hundred gallons of rum were made each day. The rum was placed in barrels called . . . — — Map (db m222816) HM
In 1675, after King Philip's War, the lands known as Mount Hope were ceded to Plymouth Colony. Plymouth sold the area that became the Town of Bristol and its deep water harbor to four proprietors, who laid out streets relative to the waterfront. . . . — — Map (db m222772) HM
Today, Bristol's waterfront embodies the town's many successful efforts to repurpose its maritime-related resources and structures. The creation of the Bristol Waterfront Historic District in 1975 encouraged residents to work actively towards . . . — — Map (db m222783) HM
With the collapse of the DeWolf empire in 1825, Bristol's golden years came to an abrupt halt. Although the maritime economy would eventually rebound, it would never reach the plateau it had known prior to 1825. By the 1830s, new pressures on . . . — — Map (db m222828) HM
In Bristol's early years, the waterfront was an important means of transportation. In addition to ships engaged in the trans-Atlantic merchant trade, smaller boats ferried people and goods around both Narraganset Bay, and beyond to cities like . . . — — Map (db m222836) HM
After the Civil war, Bristol's economy shifted to the production of rubber goods. In 1865, August O. Bourn established the National Rubber Company on Wood Street and began manufacturing rubber using vulcanizing technology, which had been recently . . . — — Map (db m222849) HM
Flood awareness is important to Bristol's community of residents, businesses and visitors. These historic photos depict the destruction to the town from the 1938 and 1954 Hurricanes.
❶ The D'Wolf Inn stood on this . . . — — Map (db m222764) HM
Flood awareness is important to Bristol's community of residents, businesses and visitors. These historic photos depict the destruction to the town from the 1938 Hurricane.
In 1818 James DeWolf and his brother built the DeWolf Warehouse. The DeWolf family engaged in numerous sea-related enterprises that included the slave trade, rum distilleries, privateering, merchant marine, insurance, banking and Cuban sugar and . . . — — Map (db m222814) HM
Connecting Providence plantations settled by Roger Williams 1636 with the island of Rhode Island settled by John Clarke 1638 (purchased from the Indians and originally called Aquidneck)
On the nearby shores of Mount Hope lived the Wampanoag . . . — — Map (db m198190) HM
This Federal Style mansion designed by Russel Warren was built by George DeWolf in 1810. Money received from the trading of enslaved people funded its construction. The DeWolf family financed 88 slaving voyages accounting for 60 percent of all . . . — — Map (db m222899) HM
The Herreshoff Manufacturing Company was started here in 1863 by John B. Herreshoff with his brother Nathanael G. Herreshoff as designer.
The Company designed and built many famous vessels including Seagoing Torpedo Boat No. 1 U.S.S. Cushing . . . — — Map (db m222724) HM
The War of Independence
Voice of the People
In response to the "Boston Tea Party" the citizens of Bristol in the Town Meeting of February 28, 1774 adopted an 11-point resolution in support which included these words: . . . — — Map (db m222856) HM WM
The America's Cup is not only the most prestigious and exciting yacht race in the world, but it is also a blending of each competing country's best technology and talent. All of the racing teams from each country engage their best naval . . . — — Map (db m222749) HM
1917 - 1918
In honor and in memory of the citizens of Bristol, R.I. who served in World War I
[Names listed]
American Legion
Memorial Square
This square is dedicated in honor of the citizens of Bristol who served in the wars of our . . . — — Map (db m222902) WM
This truly magnificent building has been a light in both the spiritual and navigational life of Warren.
The first Methodist sermon ever preached in Warren was by Rev. Daniel Smith in 1789. The Rev. Jesse Lee, noted pioneer of . . . — — Map (db m222983) HM
Rhode Island was the center of the American transatlantic slave trade, accounting for the majority of American slave voyages from 1700 until 1808.
More than 110,000 Africans were forcibly taken from their homeland on Rhode Island ships and . . . — — Map (db m150887) HM
On June 12, 1775
The General Assembly for the state of Rhode Island met on this site and enacted a resolution to charter and arm two sloops for the protection of trade and appointed Abraham Whipple to be commander with the rank and power of . . . — — Map (db m58263) HM
Location: Conimicut Shoal, entrance to Providence River, Narragansett Bay
41 43 01 N 71 20 42 W
Originally Established: 1868
Present Light House Established: 1882 / Automated: 1963
Construction Material: Cast iron / Present Optic: 250 mm . . . — — Map (db m198179) HM
In 1829, Congress appropriated $1,250 for a 600-pound fog bell for Beavertail. Prior to that time the keeper fired a cannon on foggy nights. That same year a fog bell house was built adjacent to the tower.
Beavertail has probably seen more . . . — — Map (db m88667) HM
Situated atop 50-70 foot high cliffs with clear views of the horizon and Block Island to the south. Fort Wetherill held an important strategic position within an extended harbor defense system of Narragansett Bay during World Wars I and II.
The . . . — — Map (db m189619) HM
The Harbor Mine or Torpedo Complex was constructed during the period of 1908 to 1911 as part of a comprehensive harbor defense system for Narragansett Bay. The two-story concrete structure served as a Mine Storage Warehouse in which the parts . . . — — Map (db m56683) HM
1678
Town of Jamestown is incorporated. There are about 150 residents.
1705
Jamestown Town Council orders that a Watch House be built at "Beaver Tail."
1712
Jamestown Town Council . . . — — Map (db m88673) HM
Beavertail Light was lit with whale oil for many decades. Whale oil was smoky, hard to light at cold temperatures, and the quality varied greatly. In addition, early lights were dim and burned twenty to thirty gallons of oil a month.
In the . . . — — Map (db m56679) HM
This area along the crest of Prospect Hill was an integral part of the Narragansett Bay coastal defense system from 1916 to 1945. From here, military observers had an unobstructed view of the approaches to the Bay, as well as East and West passages . . . — — Map (db m56678) HM
Below this concrete cap sits the stone foundation Beavertail's 1749 lighthouse.
Initially built to provide safe passage into Newport's colonial harbor, it was designed and built by Peter Harrison, "America's first architect," who later designed . . . — — Map (db m56457) HM
The first assistant keeper at Beavertail Light was hired about 1859. It appears that the early assistant keepers shared part of the keeper's quarters or lived in one of the outbuildings on site.
In 1898, the U.S. Lighthouse Board added this . . . — — Map (db m88631) HM
The current tower was built in 1856 to replace a deteriorating 1753 structure.
The granite tower rises to a height of 40.9 feet and measures 10 feet on each side. It is constructed of 27 rows of granite blocks, weighing a total of 180 tons. . . . — — Map (db m88666) HM
Although most lighthouse keepers were married, at many small lighthouses they lived a solitary life while their families remained on the mainland. Beavertail, being on Conanicut Island, allowed the keepers and their family to live at the site. . . . — — Map (db m88672) HM
What resembles a submarine on the surface just over a mile southwest of this point is all that remains of the Whale Rock Lighthouse.
Whale Rock is a flat ledge about a half acre in size, yet it claimed at least eight ships and six lives . . . — — Map (db m88648) HM
The Bay Islands Park, managed by the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management, consists of nine sites that extend from Patience Island in the upper bay to Beavertail and Brenton Point overlooking Rhode Island Sound. Each of the nine . . . — — Map (db m48451) HM
Bells have long been a symbol of significance in maritime history. They are used to note the arrival of notable guests, mark the daily routine aboard naval vessels, and serve as warning signals in the fog. — — Map (db m223194) HM
1. Ferry Increasing numbers of Rhode Islanders board cruise boats and ferries to get out of the Bay. These ferries are reminiscent of the pleasure steamboats that were so common on Narragansett Bay one hundred years ago. 2. Fast . . . — — Map (db m56460) HM
In Honor of Ernest Coggeshall, Jr. 9/2/15 – 4/27/95 Capt. Joseph X. “Jay” O’Brien, Jr. 4/21/54 – 12/16/90 Dad, Mom and Family [ Right Side of Monument : ] James Wah Gin Wong 1918 – 1993 Stephen Joseph . . . — — Map (db m48922) HM
This property has been
placed on the
National Register
of Historic Places
by the United States
Department of the Interior
Captain Phillips Hosue
Built cir 1730
Bought in 1806 by
Samuel Phillips, Mariner
Moved . . . — — Map (db m223237) HM
Shore Restoration and Protection
Newport, Rhode Island
1984-1985
Funded by the National Park Service-
Land and Water Conservation Fund,
The State of Rhode Island and
The City of Newport
Patrick G. Kirby, Mayor
City Council Members . . . — — Map (db m115160) HM
On this old common the boats of H.M.S. Liberty were burned on July 19, 1769 by the citizens of Newport, who had previously fired upon and destroyed the sloop. This was the first overt act of violence to Great Britain in America. — — Map (db m223295) HM
Mary Ferrazzoli (1928-1994) was the visionary leader who founded the Friends of the Waterfront in 1982. She vigorously championed public access and stood firmly opposed to the commercial overdevelopment of the Newport waterfront blocking public . . . — — Map (db m189622) HM
Newport's location is a fisherman's dream. Easy access to Narragansett Bay and "out front" (the open Atlantic Ocean), puts hundreds of delicious species within reach of this well-protected harbor.
With origins dating back to the 17th . . . — — Map (db m223224) HM
Newport Harbor has been a center of commerce and industry since the days Narragansetts and Wampanoags, Native Americans, fished the waters of this bay. The first European explorer was Giovanni da Verrazzano, an Italian who sailed for the King of . . . — — Map (db m189621) HM
Pelham Street runs along the southern edge of colonial Newport and is the location of houses built in the 18th and 19th centuries. It is named for the Pelham family of Newport which is related to the British Prime Minister Henry Pelham. In 1810, . . . — — Map (db m223154) HM
Perry Mill
built in 1835
has been placed on the
National Register
of Historic Places
by the United States
Department of the Interior — — Map (db m223191) HM
18th century, Newport was a major hub for the northern 'triangle slave trade'. Enslaved Africans, traded for rum, arrived and departed from Bowen's Wharf, in sailing ships and labored as dock workers, shipbuilders, sailors, caulkers, sailmakers, . . . — — Map (db m223202) HM
In memory of Rhode Island State licensed pilots serving the Brenton Reef Pilot Station located 4 miles due south. Capt. John J. Neary, Jr. Serving 1955 – 1997 Capt. Walter H. Fricke Serving 1971 – 1989 Capt. Carl T. Ohrn Serving . . . — — Map (db m48988) HM
Seamen's Church Institute
of Newport
has been placed on the
National Register
of Historic Places
by the United States
Department of the Interior
1983 — — Map (db m223220) HM
This rocky outcrop is sometimes eroded by waves powerful enough to tear a hole in them. Colonies of small marine animals living on the shore, however, can withstand these forces. Some withdraw into narrow crevices, others attach themselves . . . — — Map (db m48463) HM
Erected to honor the memory and
perpetuate the spirit and ideals of
the founders of the first government
in the world to allow and to insure to
its citizens civil and religious liberty.
Established on this Site in the Year 1638
Portsmouth . . . — — Map (db m29736) HM
Kelly’s Mill Left An Impression
Do you see a rectangular footprint in front of you? It marks the site where the Kelly Mill stood. Starting in the early 1800s, the mill used water from the Blackstone River to power its spinning machines. . . . — — Map (db m195921) HM
Just six years after building Slater Mill, Samuel Slater's partners, William Almy and Obadiah Brown, bought another mill on their own. They even copied some of Slater's machine designs for their mill.
This annoyed Slater so much that he . . . — — Map (db m151663) HM
Samuel Slater came here from England in 1789. He had just finished a seven-year apprenticeship at an English cotton mill, which gave him great knowledge of the water-powered spinning process developed over the previous two decades.
With the . . . — — Map (db m151668) HM
Control of waterpower meant control of economic, political, and social power.
A mill developer's first "power grab" was to build a walled dam. This created a pond that stored water to power the mill.
Other villagers didn't willingly . . . — — Map (db m151665) HM
Samuel Slater (1768-1835) opened this water-powered cotton spinning factory in 1793. Slater had left England in 1789 with working knowledge of mechanical yarn-making, and in Pawtucket he discovered artisans with the skills necessary for starting . . . — — Map (db m118316) HM
The American Industrial Revolution began right here. In 1793, Samuel Slater teamed up with investors and local artisans. Together, they built a first for the United States—a successful cotton spinning mill that was run by water power. . . . — — Map (db m151657) HM
Slater Mill was America's first successful water-powered cotton spinning mill. For a small fee, tour the mill and learn how Samuel Slater and local craftsmen created machines that spun cotton into thread. Explore the Wilkinson machine shop and see a . . . — — Map (db m151659) HM
The American Industrial Revolution began at Slater Mill. Here, in 1793, Samuel Slater, with Providence investors and Pawtucket artisans, built the first water-powered, cotton spinning factory in the United States. Beginning with this wooden mill, . . . — — Map (db m118324) HM
When Samuel Slater first came here, the village had everything he needed to succeed. Pawtucket Falls provided ample waterpower. That energy was already powering local machine shops. Those shops were run by skilled mechanics who could assist with . . . — — Map (db m151670) HM
David Wilkinson (1771-1852), a blacksmith from Smithfield, Rhode Island, moved to Pawtucket in the early 1780s. Wilkinson invented new machines, including a steamboat, which he demonstrated in Pawtucket in 1792 (15 years before Robert Fulton's . . . — — Map (db m118248) HM
The water flowing through the millrace below you was brought here to do work. It was diverted from the Blackstone River on your right and will flow back into it downstream. Wilkinson Mill, the stone building on your left, shared this raceway with . . . — — Map (db m151667) HM
Controlling water power during the early years of the Industrial Revolution also meant gaining control of political, economic, and social power. Re-engineering water courses in this area often brought lawsuits and anger. In August 1792, four . . . — — Map (db m118317) HM
By the end of the Revolutionary War, the center of town had moved to several blocks south of this point. From 1820 to 1850 the Blackstone Canal and Providence and Worcester Railroad were built along the western edge of this plot, and Canal Street . . . — — Map (db m106872) HM
Providence’s Downtown was not always located in its present location across the river.
The first town center was located along the Moshassock River and North Main Street near St. John’s Episcopal Church.
The second Downtown was located around . . . — — Map (db m107762) HM
Providence has changed dramatically since its founding in 1636, from the early settlement enriched by farmland, to the town competing with Newport for trade, to the thriving capital it is today. This evolution can be evaluated through a case . . . — — Map (db m151732) HM
Upon this corner stood Sabin Tavern in which on the evening of June 9th 1772 the party met and organized to destroy the H.R.M. schooner Gaspee, in the destruction of which was shed the first blood in the American Revolution. — — Map (db m56292) HM
The home of John Brown Reflecting the wealth and position gained from his lucrative career as a slave trader, privateer, China trade merchant and Patriot. — — Map (db m56014) HM
In the decade before the Revolutionary War, the British were enforcing revenue laws by stationing maritime law enforcement vessels in Newport Harbor and Narragansett Bay. In 1769, Newport citizens burned the British sloop in protest of violations . . . — — Map (db m151735) HM
No lapse of time • No distance of space • Shall cause you to be forgotten
Everett
Yours has the suffering been • The memory shall be ours
Longfellow
We are grateful to the ninety six thousand
Rhode . . . — — Map (db m151721) WM
A turning point in the American Revolution came in February 1780, when the King of France approved a plan to send an army to help the Americans. A French fleet carrying thousands of soldiers arrived five months later in Newport, where they spent . . . — — Map (db m189624) HM
Welcome to the birthplace of religious freedom in the United States. Roger Williams, fleeing religious persecution in England and Massachusetts Bay Colony, founded Providence here in 1636. The original inhabitants, the Narragansett and Wampanoag, . . . — — Map (db m115217) HM
Market Square and the Weybossett Bridge became the head of navigation in the Old Harbor with the construction of a fixed type bridge in 1816. Ships docked along the northern portion of South Water Street (now Memorial Park) and were serviced from . . . — — Map (db m151741) HM
The rivers in Providence, 14 years after Roger Williams founded the city, were crossed by fording at low tide.
As time passed, some of the long narrow house lots became streets named after the owners of the lots. The stream ending in Mile . . . — — Map (db m222677) HM
The first bridge across the Providence River was 40 years old by this time. The first wharf was built behind Towne Street (later named South Main Street). The center of town was established in what is now called Moshassuck Square. — — Map (db m222679) HM
Wharfs began to develop on the west side of the river. Shipping and commerce caused the center of town to move south and across the river.
The merchant fleet had grown to 120 ships and surpassed Newport's. John Brown's East India trade fleet . . . — — Map (db m222710) HM
A second bridge spanned the river. A causeway across the northern part of the Cove created a turning basin for the new Blackstone Canal. More wharfs and quays appeared on the west side of the river. The wharfs on the east side, destroyed by the . . . — — Map (db m222684) HM
In 1843, Weybosset Bridge was widened. The Blackstone Canal could not compete with the railroads and was abandoned after only 20 years of use. By 1847, the railroads were firmly established and the shipping industry began to decline. A cove basin . . . — — Map (db m222686) HM
1873 With the building of the Crawford Street Bridge, the "World's Widest Bridge" was created. A fire station and trolley depot were also constructed over the river. By 1897, the Cove Basin had been filled in to make space for a larger . . . — — Map (db m222691) HM
1982 Forty-two years had passed since the last bridge had been built over the river and nearly a century had lapsed since the Cove Basin was filled in by the railroad. The Capital Center Railroad Relocation Project started . . . — — Map (db m222693) HM
The Great Salt Cove, a tidal pond, once filled the area that has become, over the past 160 years, the city's center for transportation, civic life, and commercial activity. Formed between 3800 and 2700 years ago, it was a major Native American . . . — — Map (db m222721) HM
In the 18th century the west side of the Providence River, now Downtown Providence and the Financial District, was known as the Weybosset Side after the name of its first street. With the dawn of the 19th century, development surged on the . . . — — Map (db m151701) HM
This area was historically important for its role in maritime commerce and whaling from the 1780s through the 1890s. Waterfront shipping activities continued as late as the 1930s. The land you are standing on now is entirely manmade and was once . . . — — Map (db m222626) HM
In 1830, the area around you was bustling with activity that dramatically changed the landscape of the Blackstone Valley. The Blackstone Canal, across Canal Street from where you stand, was an economic lifeline. The canal linked Providence's . . . — — Map (db m122505) HM
The area that would become Providence's West Side, including Central Wharf, was former tidal marshlands on the west side of the Providence River. Native Americans used the area as hunting and fishing grounds before Roger Williams' arrival in . . . — — Map (db m222612) HM
In 1998 the Woonasquatucket River was designated by President Clinton as one of 14 American Heritage Rivers. The river has contributed mightily to the historic and industrial legacy and growth of the City.
The Environmental Protection . . . — — Map (db m222675) HM
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