Rhode Island

'Warwick Through Time' presents a unique history of Rhode Island's second largest city through a series of "then and now" photographs representing historic sites, buildings, and people from the communities of Appanaug, Buttonwoods, Cowesett, Kent, and Pawtuxet Village. From its founding in 1642 to the present growth as a hub of transportation for the Northeast corridor, the city's rich history has been captured in drawings and photographs that have been preserved by the Warwick Historic Society. Utilizing their collection, we see in vivid detail, how much has changed, as well as how much has stayed the same, and been preserved for future generations. 'Warwick Through Time' is a collection of images and memories that is sure to be a keepsake for anyone who shares a love of history, and historic photographs.

During the Revolutionary War, an incursion by English and Hessian troops in 1778 resulted in the destruction of the majority of Bristol's original buildings. Because of the destruction Bristol is left with an unusually consistent collection of houses constructed in the ensuing period between 1780 and 1820.

The compact part of Bristol has a rich variety of historic buildings and, at the same time, a remarkable image of unity that is evident because of the regular and continuous alignment of structures set close to the street line. The use of wood as the principal building material, and the repetition of gable and shallow hip roof treatments; all this visual excitement brings joy to the eye of the perceptive viewer.

The citizens of the Town of Bristol, Rhode Island are justifiably proud of the town's architectural heritage. To a great measure, Bristol's pride is in its legacy of hundreds of restored Federal-era homes―classic gems generally preserved as originally built for future generations to admire.

Weak maritime nations have always sought to augment the strength of their coastal defenses and navies by the use of "diabolical" contrivances for destroying an invader's ships.

The history of the adoption of the torpedo as a recognized implement of warfare is not unlike that of gunpowder or of exploding shells. Each in its turn was met by the cry, "Inhuman, barbarous, unchivalrous."

During the American Civil War, the Confederate Navy employed submerged mines, called torpedoes, and explosive charges mounted on a long pole referred to as the "spar torpedo" which was bumped into the hull of an enemy vessel exploding on contact. These weapons enjoyed great success during the conflict.

In July 1869, the Secretary of the Navy announced the establishment of the Naval Torpedo Station on Goat Island in the harbor of Newport, Rhode Island, for development of a more sophisticated and deadlier self-propelled torpedo. From its founding until the end of the Second World War, the Naval Torpedo Station has been the Navy's principal center for the design of torpedoes.

Newport continues as the home of the U.S. Navy's most important laboratory for research and development of modern weapons' systems.

In 1638, the first settlers of the land that is now Cranston, Rhode Island, left Roger Williams' settlement in Providence and traveled south to make their new homes along the Pawtuxet River. The river and their village were named after the Indian word for "little falls." The placement of the settlement was well planned. Besides providing a means of transportation, the river was a source of water for their animals and crops. The river emptied into a bay filled with fish and shellfish, providing them with additional food. In time, the Pawtuxet Falls was used to power their grist and textile mills. Several bridges have been built over the river and the newest structure is now part of the busy main street of this quaint village. As more settlers came into the area, other villages were established. Cranston became a town in 1754, although many inhabitants still identified more closely with their village. Years later, Cranston remains divided into distinctive communities, each with its own character and history, but they all add up to make Cranston a special city.