Travel

Treasured by locals and visitors alike, the charm of Block Island, Rhode Island, first developed as a summer resort in the late 1800s, is shown here throughout its history, from its begininning in 1637, to farming and fishing community, to summer scenes of the late nineteenth and twentieth centuries.

Block Island explores the evolution of the small, 7-by-3-mile island that lies between Point Judith, Rhode Island, and Montauk Point, New York. In 1637, Block Island, also known as New Shoreham, was claimed by Massachusetts soldiers who took the land away from the Manisses Indians. When the island was sold to 16 proprietors in 1660, the history of Block Island as part of Rhode Island began. At any time of the year, Block Island has a special look and charm of its own. In addition to its beautiful sandy beaches and thundering surf, the island is plentiful with rolling hills, fertile valleys, and ponds. Within these pages, meet the early residents of the island and learn how this farming and fishing community first developed as a summer resort destination in the late 1800s. Summer scenes from the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, including views of the steamers that arrived daily carrying thousands of passengers from New York, Connecticut, and other parts of Rhode Island, are also featured in this collection.

This collection of historic photographs and illustrations will guide you through quaint Narragansett's early years into its peak in the late 19th century.

Narragansett By-the-Sea is a narrow strip of land along the southwestern shore of Narragansett Bay, Rhode Island. A sparsely populated agricultural society in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, Narragansett was transformed in the nineteenth century into one of America's busiest and most popular seaside resorts. A remarkable collection of historic photographs and illustrations will guide the reader through Narragansett's early years into its golden age at the end of the nineteenth century. See the growth of great wooden hotels, the establishment of a railroad, and the summer cottage period. Share the excitement of the rich and the famous as they were drawn to the finest beach in the northeast and the unique Narragansett Casino, which offered dining, dancing, theater, lawn tennis, and bowling. The quaint charm of Narragansett is what sets it apart from other seaside resorts.

From the driver's seat, author and guide Edward Morris provides a diverse collection of biographical sketches that reveal the outrageous and opulent lives of some of America's leading entrepreneurs.

Newport, Rhode Island, was the summer playground of the Gilded Age for the Astors, Belmonts and Vanderbilts. They built lavish villas designed by the best Beaux Arts-style architects of the time, including Richard Morris Hunt, Charles McKim and Robert Swain Peabody. America's elite delighted in referring to these grand retreats as ""summer cottages,"" where they would play tennis and polo and sail their yachts along the shores of the Ocean State. The coachman had an important role as the discreet outdoor butler for Gilded Age gentlemen--not only was he in charge of the horses, but he also acted as a travel advisor and connoisseur of entertainment venues.

The Pawtucket Red Sox examines the history of the PawSox from their origin as a Double-A affiliate of Boston to their ascension to Triple-A status in 1973, right on through the ownership years of Ben Mondor. More than two hundred photographs chronicle the players, managers, and other key figures behind the franchise's success, as well as the defining moments in PawSox history: the 1977 International League championship, the longest game in professional baseball history, the unveiling of the new McCoy Stadium in 1999, and many others.

Providence College Basketball: Take a journey with the small school from the country's smallest state that became New England's college hoops powerhouse.

Providence basketball's journey from a realtive unknown to national brand has captured the attention of sports fans in Rhode Island and throughout New England for over 45 years. Friar hoops historian Richard Coren sets the scene of how the small Dominican school on Smith Hill started from humble beginnings and has produced a story reminiscent of David and Goliath. The legend persists: tiny Providence College taking on and beating the big boys of college basketball. Run on a shoestring budget in the 1950s and 1960s, the program rose up out of nowhere to pull upset after upset. The school went on to dominate college basketball in New England, recording more postseason tournament games and victories, more 20-win seasons, more All-Americans, and more players in the pros than any school in the region. Providence College Basketball: The Friar Legacy examines the 75-year history of Friar hoops and celebrates the great players, coaches, games, and moments that have made Providence College basketball so unforgettable. Relive the annual trips to the National Invitation Tournament and the two Final Fours and discover how Rhode Island became hooked on the Friars.

Take a fascinating journey through the history of Foster, Rhode Island with more than 200 vintage photographs and anecdotes from the locals who experienced it.

Foster, originally incorporated as part of Scituate in 1731, became a separate community in 1781.

The town was named in honor of Theodore Foster, a coauthor of the Bill of Incorporation. By 1820, the population topped out at 2,900 and then sharply declined. The building of the Scituate Reservoirbetween 1915 and 1925 contributed to this decline as the Providence and Danielson Railwaydecided not to relocate trolley service to the area. The population would not surpass the 1820 figures until 1975, when it reached 3,000. Today, Foster is known for its simple, country lifestyle; friendly and neighborly residents; and plentiful open spaces with clean air and clear streams.

Author Raymond A. Wolf is a member of the Scituate Preservation Society, the Foster Preservation Society, and the Rhode Island Historical Society. Besides the Foster Preservation Society, over a dozen residents of Foster graciously loaned their collections of postcards, photographs, and documents to bring this book alive.

A collection of rare and vintage images documents the fascinating history of Westerly and its many stages of development over time.

These images take us on a journey into the past. We see pictures of local buildings and businesses, many of which no longer exist but are still warmly remembered by native citizens, and we also see the many stages of development, including street widening and drainage, which have revolutionized life for local people over the decades. Other photographs show how much transport in particular has changed, as we see the great sailing vessels of the early nineteenth century and early modes of transport such as horses and carriages and open trolleys. From livery stables in the 1800s we are transported to the era of the automobile with pictures of Hoxsie Plymouth Dodge in the early 1900s and early autos from the 1920s and 1930s. There are images of the famous local Smith quarries, showing granite employees at work and the oxen-drawn carts used at that time. Taken over many decades, the photographs collected here bring home just how much the town has changed over the years. We experience bad times as well as good as we witness the many fires which have so drastically changed the landscape of Westerly and also the harsh years of the 1930s when the area was devastated by the Great Depression. Most important of all, we encounter the local people of Westerly, at work and at play over the decades, including school groups, sports teams, fraternities, and individual portraits of the men, women, and children who have created Westerly's history. Combining fascinating old photographs and concise, yet informative, text, this compelling visual history will delight young and old, resident and visitor alike.

Visit the town of Newport, one of New England's largest seaports, through this new and exciting photographic history.

Founded in 1639, the city of Newport offered a temperate climate and a wealth of natural resources to early settlers seeking religious freedom. In Colonial times, Newport flourished as one of New England's largest seaports, a prosperity dimmed only by the Revolutionary War and subsequent three-year British occupation. Despite the fact that more than one-third of existing homes in Newport were destroyed by the British during their stay, Newport today still has the largest number of eighteenth-century homes of all cities in the United States. In 1968, the Newport Restoration Foundation was founded by tobacco heiress Doris Duke to preserve, protect, and restore the city's eighteenth and nineteenth-century architecture. The foundation's extensive photographic archives have been made available to area resident and modern-day photographer Rob Lewis in the creation of this new and exciting photographic history.

Founded in 1638, Pawtuxet is one of Rhode Island's oldest and most historic villages. Its history is uncovered in this fascinating book.

The Pawtuxet River divides this unique settlement almost in half; the northern section belongs to Cranston and the southern to Warwick. The village is a distinct entity, however, and the object of much pride. After making significant contributions to our nation's fight for freedom—the British schooner Gaspee was burned off the shores of this village in the first act of violence in the American Revolution—Pawtuxet became known as a prosperous seaport and, later, as the home of Rhodes-on-the-Pawtuxet, an entertainment mecca that attracted visitors from far and wide. Many a couple met and courted at this exquisite resort, whose charms included ballroom dancing, big band music, canoe rentals, and regional culinary fare. The village of Pawtuxet has retained much of its attractive historical character over the years; by-passed by new roads and superhighways, Pawtuxet's heritage has been preserved.

In 200 rare historical photos, Rhode Island's Mill Villages fascinating history comes to life.

Some 200 rare and historic photographs are coupled with detailed and informative captions that immerse the reader in the daily lives and environments of these communities. In the years surrounding the Civil War, European immigrants and textile workers came to Rhode Island to work in the state's mills. Soon, villages and neighborhoods formed around these mills, creating unique and closely knit communities in which the wealthy families who owned and operated the mills lived side by side with those who labored for them. The photographs presented here offer a glimpse at the development of these familial communities that are such an integral part in the history of both Rhode Island and the United States.

See how Rhode Island's hard-shell clam industry came about and remains as popular as ever to this day.

Steamships once plied the waters of Narragansett Bay, carrying thousands of guests to feasts of clams prepared in every way imaginable at scenic spots like Rocky Point and Crescent Park. After hurricanes and pollution destroyed Rhode Island's soft-shell clam and oyster beds, the quahog became the state's favorite bivalve, and Rhode Islanders took to their automobiles and drove to the beach for clam cakes and chowder at the shacks and chowder houses that carried on the old traditions. Quahogging remains a major business in Rhode Island, where men and women continue to make a living from the sea.  The long lines at take-out windows attest that the future of Rhode Island's clam shacks is secure as they successfully balance changing tastes with time-honored recipes.

The opulent facades of the City by the Sea concealed the scintillating scandals, eccentric characters and unsolved mysteries of its wealthiest families.

Newport, Rhode Island, is renowned for its stunning cliff-side vistas and the luxurious summer homes of the Gilded Age elite. Learn how Cornelius Vanderbilt III was cut out of the family's fortune for his unapproved marriage to Grace Wilson and how John F. Kennedy's marriage to a Newport debutante helped to secure his presidency. Travel to the White Horse Tavern, where a vengeful specter still waits for his supposed murderer to return to the scene, and discover the mysterious voyage of the "Sea Bird" and its missing crew. Historian Larry Stanford searches the dark corners of Newport's past to expose these scandalous tales and more.

This is a visual history of the youngest county in Rhode Island from emancipation from Warwick in 1912 to present day.

By 1912, the citizens of the western portion of Warwick had been talking about secession. They possessed all the mills on the Pawtuxet River and were largely democratic, while the eastern section was primarily republican. Finally in 1913, the town of West Warwick was incorporated and became the youngest town in the state of Rhode Island. West Warwick still maintains that status today as it celebrated its centennial in 2013. The town of nine villages-Arctic, Centreville, Clyde, Crompton, Lippitt, Natick, Phenix, River Point, and Wescott-has grown to be the 10th largest out of 39 cities and towns in Rhode Island. It is mainly located in the Valley of the Pawtuxet.

This photographic history tells the story of Coventry, a bucolic New England town with a fascinating history.

On August 21, 1741, the area west of what is now the town of West Warwick was incorporated into the Township of Coventry. The railroad would traverse Coventry in the mid-1800s, providing the gristmills, sawmills, and farmers with a quicker way to send their goods to market and to receive supplies in return. Along with the railroad came the industry of harvesting wood to supply the locomotives with fuel. In the mid-1900s, the railroads disappeared and the mills began moving south where cotton was grown. The majority of Coventry has evolved into a service town with banks, retail stores, pharmacies, convenience stores, and the like. To travel to the western portion of Coventry today is like stepping back in time, where life moves at a slower pace and the post office is still in the local general store. The eastern portion of Washington, Quidnick, and Anthony has remained a busy area where businesses have replaced the mills.

A fascinating history of Tiverton and Little Compton, documenting its historic roads, farms, life on the sea, and the daily routines of citizens.

With Tiverton and Little Compton, authors Nancy Jensen Devin and Richard V. Simpson invite you to travel historic roads, to explore late-nineteenth-century life in town, on the farm, on the sea, and at leisure. The reader will delight in sweeping views of the Sakonnet River and the Portsmouth shore from Fort Barton, and ride in a one-horse carriage down Main Road to Little Compton and the industrious fishing village at Sakonnet Point. A series of views from the Portsmouth Hummock offers a spectacular perspective of the Tiverton shore, where breakers crash majestically along the rocky coast. This narrow strip on Rhode Island's eastern flank forms one of the most peaceful, beautiful, and remote corners of the state. Readers will also observe the legacy and traditions of the Wampanoag Indians who settled this land centuries before the Puritans from Plymouth Colony.

From the grand majesty of the Breakers to the beautiful proportions of Rosecliff, these houses are enduring reminders of the architectural flowering of the Gilded Age.

Where the salty air mingles with the far-off laughter of women in ball gowns, the houses of the Newport Cliff Walk preside in grandeur over the crashing waves below. Walking along the paved trail, it's easy to imagine the faintest hint of a waltz coming from the windows of Beechwood, or to envision the Duchess of Windsor's carriage arriving for a visit at Fairholme. Ed Morris takes you on a tour of twenty-four historic mansions and landmarks, entertaining along the way with tales of splendor and style, social maneuvering and matchmaking.

Although residents of East Providence are proud of the development their city has seen in the 20th century, there still remains an allegiance to the community's small-town heritage.

The town of East Providence was incorporated in 1862, the same year it was ""traded"" to Rhode Island by Massachusetts. Two bridges across the Seekonk River gave easy access to people to and from East Providence, helping it transform from a sleepy fishing village to a central hub of commerce and entertainment. The East Providence Historical Society pays tribute to their little town in this delightful collection of photographs from the first one hundred years of the town's existence.

The United States Naval Air Station at Quonset Point, Rhode Island, originally built as a Neutrality Patrol seaplane base, became a unique and fundamental asset to our nation's armed forces.

In World War II, more than half of all U-boats sunk by U. S. aviation were destroyed by Quonset-trained shore and carrier-based squadrons. In the years following World War II, Quonset Point Naval Air Station remained a premier industrial naval air station, sending squadrons or overhauling equipment for use in the Korean, Vietnam, and Cold War conflicts. For 34 years and through four wars, the Quonset Point Naval Air Station stood proud and tall on behalf of the U. S. military. This second volume of Quonset Point images uncovers nearly 200 more scenes of the installation's achievements and activities during the entire period of its service.

Welcome to the spooky streets and shores of Newport!

Stay alert! Ghosts lurk around every corner. Even the most unexpected places might be haunted by wandering phantoms. Did you know that a flaming phantom ship with one lone passenger sails along the shores of Newport in the winter? Can you believe that the beautiful mansions owned by America’s wealthiest families are now home to ghosts? Can you believe the spirit of a keeper refuses to leave the lighthouse he once looked after?
Pulled right from history, these ghostly tales will change the way you see Newport, Rhode Island, and have you sleeping with the light on!

This marvelous selection of photographs, which chronicles the history of Burrillville from the 1890s through the 1940s, is the first photographic history of the town and its people ever published.

Since the development of photography in the mid-nineteenth century, the camera has come to serve as a powerful and exciting tool in the preservation and documentation of American history. As time passes by, photographs from the past remind us of the way things used to be, calling to mind fond memories and amusing stories. Including images of Burrillville's mills, railroads, lakes, and schools, this fascinating new book brings to life the town's rich heritage. Burrillville, incorporated in 1806, grew and prospered as a result of several prominent mill industries. Saw and grist mills were followed by great producers of cotton and wool--together these industries profoundly affected the community's character for decades to come. Residents of such villages as Bridgeton, Pascoag, Harrisville, Glendale, Oakland, Mapleville, and Nasonville all worked in the mills, achieving renown for their skilled production of fabric for use in the military uniforms of three wars.

The stately granite buildings from the past are still at the center of Peace Dale village, but the town's history is more than just tales of a privileged few.

The legacy of the Irish and Italian immigrants who came to work in the mills and stayed to build a way of life in their new home is as important in the community today as the legacy left by the wealthy Hazard and Rodman families. Discover these early residents of Peace Dale in a remarkable collection of images, complemented by the text of author and local historian Betty J. Cotter. From Peace Dale's famous arched bridges to the mom-and-pop stores that ring Peace Dale Flats, this unique collection explores the memories of yesteryear. The photographs date from the mid-19th century to the 1960s, and were gathered from the collections of the Pettaquamscutt Historical Society, the Peace Dale Library, and local residents.

Hidden History of Rhode Island delivers the best Ocean State stories you've never heard before.

Surprising tales and unexpected anecdotes color Rhode Island's legacy, from the accounts of its three brave Titanic survivors to the whirlwind Revolutionary War romance between a Smithfield girl and a French viscount. Rhode Island historian Glenn Laxton uncovers the exceptional citizens whom history has forgotten, like Robert the Hermit, a man who endured three escapes from slavery before finding liberty and peace in Rumford; the illustrious Lippitt family, who spearheaded advancements in deaf education; and Christiana Bannister, a Narragansett tribe member, nineteenth-century entrepreneur and wife to the most successful African American artist of the time. With moments of tragedy, as in the Lexington steamboat disaster, as well as triumph, as in the case of small-town boy turned baseball hero Joe Connolly, Laxton reveals Rhode Island beneath the surface.

Dutch Island and Fort Greble, a fascinating visual journey through the past, will delight and educate both the avid historian and the casual observer.

Dutch Island is an 81-acre island situated at the southern end of the West Passage to Narragansett Bay in Rhode Island. It served an important role in our country's military history, from its acquisition by the United States Army in 1864 until its closing by the military in 1947.

This volume is the first pictorial history illustrating the military development and facilities of Fort Greble on Dutch Island, spanning the period from the Civil War to World War II. Readers will step back in time and wander through the early earthworks and different incarnations of Fort Greble, stroll along the pristine parade ground before it was covered in briar and bramble, gaze upon the huge coastal artillery guns pointing toward the sea, and watch uniformed soldiers performing their duties on this fortified island.

Author Walter K. Schroder, author of Defenses of Narragansett Bay, has compiled an amazing collection of photographs, many from the official federal archives, that detail and examine a memorable chapter in our country's military past.

Dave Brussat has made a significant contribution to the history of Providence. For those interested in that history, Lost Providence is a real find. Providence Journal

Providence has one of the nation's most intact historic downtowns and is one of America's most beautiful cities. The history of architectural change in the city is one of lost buildings, urban renewal plans and challenges to preservation. The Narragansett Hotel, a lost city icon, hosted many famous guests and was demolished in 1960. The American classical renaissance expressed itself in the Providence National Bank, tragically demolished in 2005. Urban renewal plans such as the Downtown Providence plan and the College Hill plan threatened the city in the mid-twentieth century. Providence eventually embraced its heritage through plans like the River Relocation Project that revitalized the city's waterfront and the Downcity Plan that revitalized its downtown. Author David Brussat chronicles the trials and triumphs of Providence's urban development.

After the college became the University of Rhode Island in 1951, the traditions of basketball excitement and excellence continued. Conference championships, postseason bids, and All-Americans have enriched the history of Rhode Island Rams basketball, as has the introduction of full varsity status for women's basketball. Along with highlighting the teams, players, and coaches, Runnin' Rams: University of Rhode Island Basketball also portrays the exciting environment in which the games have been played.

In 1915, the general assembly appointed the Providence Water Supply Board to condemn 14,800 acres of land in rural Scituate. The hardworking people of the five villages were devastated.

By December 1916, notices were delivered to the villagers stating that the homes and land they had owned for generations were to be taken and destroyed. Construction was well under way by 1921, and water was being stored by November 10, 1925. On September 30, 1926, the treatment plant began operation. It now serves more than 60 percent of Rhode Islanders. The $21 million project was the largest ever undertaken in the state at the time. The dam that annihilated the villages is 3,200 feet long and 100 feet high and holds back more than 40 billion gallons of water. Today these quiet villages lie up to 87 feet beneath the cold, dark waters of the Scituate Reservoir.

The rich history of Johnston comes to life through historical photos and never-before-seen images of days gone by...

With over 200 more vintage photographs, Louis H. McGowan and the Johnston Historical Society continue their insightful pictorial narration of Johnston's rich history in Johnston Volume II. From the rich and famous to ""just plain folks,"" this volume presents rare snapshots of a variety of Johnstonians. Meet key figures in the community such as James F. Simmons, the first U.S. Senator to hail from Johnston; Judge Albert Votolato, one of the first Italian Americans to become a lawyer; and Ralph Russo, Johnston's first mayor. Also featured are a variety of scenes of Johnston's residents at work and at play as well as a comprehensive tour of local landmarks and historic buildings, churches and schools, and farms and businesses.

Heritage Room committee members Shirley D. Arnold, Eleanor R. Guy, and Ruth S. Rounds tell the story of how Scituate became what it is today.

Scituate, Rhode Island, was first inhabited by the Nipmuc and Narragansett Indians. The first white settler, John Mathewson, came in 1694 and found a land of many ponds and streams. More emigrants came from Massachusetts in the early 1700s, and the town was incorporated in 1731. These hard-working settlers made their living from the land, coaxing apples, corn, and potatoes to grow from the hilly and rocky soil. Scituate's plentiful water resources brought manufacturing to the area in 1806, and 16 villages developed around the many mills that were established here. Scituate's abundant water supply also made it the chosen site for a reservoir to provide water for the growing needs of the city of Providence. By 1915, the City of Providence began to condemn by eminent domain over 25 square miles of Scituate's land area. Upon completion in 1926, the reservoir had flooded the villages and changed the way of life for the townspeople forever. The history of these so-called ""lost villages"" has not been shown in pictures before.

A fascinating pictorial history of Watch Hill, this collection of images documents this community's evolution through time.

A hundred years ago, Watch Hill was known as the ""Queen of Atlantic Resorts. "" Its once barren knoll was strewn with vast wooden hotels and open-air porticos and porches. Its snug cove, a port of entry for steamboats that ferried summer residents, was also the home port for a fleet of catboats that took passengers on daily excursions. Offering unparalleled bathing at the surf-ridden East Beach and the soft sands of Napatree Beach, Watch Hill was truly ""by the sea. "" Yet, as with many maritime venues, Watch Hill and its sister communities up the Pawcatuck River always served as year-round homes to watermen of all sorts. Whaling captains once lived in Lotteryville, party boat captains sailed down the Pawcatuck to meet passengers at the Watch Hill docks, and fishermen provided fresh fare from the river and sea. Ships were built and lives were lost, and a century of maritime industries have come and gone.

The town of Bristol, Rhode Island, has been celebrating Independence Day in grand fashion since 1785.

Americans from near and far have long regarded the town as a center of patriotism and history. With this pictorial history, Bristol resident and ""Fourth of July Historian"" Richard V. Simpson presents a lively tribute to his town's heritage. Simpson has combined carefully selected images--many rare and previously unpublished--with informative and compelling text to take his readers on a journey through the history of this dynamic and diverse community. Readers are taken inside Hope Street's historic mansions and family-run shops, gaining valuable insight into the lifestyles of Bristolians in the early 1900s. By contrast, the growth and development of the town in the 20th century is revealed in aerial views taken over a period of 50 years.

This remarkable photographic history of Federal Hill features images of the community from the late 1800s to the mid-1960s, chronicling the arrival of immigrants from many countries over the years.

During the thirty-four year period from 1898 to 1932, more than fifty thousand Italian immigrants arrived at the port of Providence. The majority of them settled on Federal Hill, the three-hundred-acre land mass that stands high above Rhode Island's capital city. Federal Hill is a rich community in many ways. Its hard working and tenacious settlers started out with a deep and abiding faith in God. Their numerous accomplishments are evidenced today in the many thriving family-owned businesses and stunning architectural achievements so prevalent in the downtown area. Many people from around the state enter Federal Hill through the welcoming pine-cone arch for seasonal festivals or a night on the town. The vitality and hospitality of this historic area are truly cherished by many in the modern era.

The geographic heart and soul of Rhode Island is a 25-mile estuary of great beauty and ecological importance. A talented photographer teams with the offical Narragansett BayKeeper to create a remarkable gift book that is as thought-provoking as it is attractive.

From pre-colonial times through World War II, Portsmouth, Rhode Island, has served as a stage for the dramatic evolution of American history.

Dispossessed citizens from the Massachusetts Bay Colony came to Portsmouth in the spirit of religious and political tolerance, paving the way for the establishment of a large Quaker settlement in town.

Revolutionary leaders such as George Washington, Lafayette, and Rochambeau visited the summer residences of wealthy Newport merchants in Portsmouth, including the home of Tory, Metcalf Bowler. During the Civil War, the Melville area of Portsmouth was the site of a hospital for wounded Union soldiers and Confederate prisoners, and was an active stop on the Underground Railroad. Prior to World War II, John F. Kennedy received his PT boat training in Portsmouth, and Raytheon has kept many employed in the defense industry ever since.

Authors Nancy Jensen Devin and Richard V. Simpson are area historians who have combined the photograph collections of the Portsmouth Historical Society with many previously unpublished images from local families' albums to produce this remarkable new photographic history of the town. Mr. Simpson is the author of Bristol in the Images of America series, and Ms. Devin is the creator of a popular multimedia presentation called The Story of the Town of Portsmouth, Rhode Island. The authors' affection for the area and knowledge of its history are evident in this exciting tribute to the town and the people of Portsmouth.

Take a walk down memory lane and experience the past of Aquidneck Island and her neighbors.

Over two hundred stunning photographs and detailed, informative captions offer a glimpse into the rich past of Newport, Jamestown, Portsmouth, and Middletown, as well as Prudence, Gould, Hog, and Rose Islands. In March of 1638, a group of Bostonians met with Roger Williams and decided to purchase the Island of Aquidneck. In the years that followed, the towns of Newport, Portsmouth, and Middletown were founded and soon became distinct components of a Narragansett Bay community. These islands have flourished into thriving coastal communities renowned for their beauty and character.

This second volume on Pawtucket celebrates its history from 1864 to 1996.

Pawtucket Volume II covers the history of the city from 1864 to 1996, and highlights the accomplishments of its citizens. Famous Pawtucket natives like singer Nelson Eddy and major-leaguer Chester ""Chet"" Nichols are spotlighted, as well as less well-known but equally significant contributors to the civic and social history of the city. Many images in this volume have been drawn from the collections of the Spaulding House Research Library, the Pawtucket Public Library, and the Times newspaper. In poring through these vast archives, authors Johnson, Wheaton, and Reed have produced two books destined to bring back memories and enliven interest in Pawtucket's fascinating past.

From the time it was separated from Providence in 1759, Johnston has grown from a sleepy, rural town into a busy urban center.

Much of the growth took place between the mid-19th and mid-20th centuries, and it is this period that Louis McGowan and the Johnston Historical Society chronicle in this delight collection. Assembling more than 200 images from historical archives and the private collection of many Johnston residents, the result is a multi-faceted portrait of the town's citizens, landmarks, and historical figures. Some of the famous figures discussed include Charles Fletcher, who built or managed the three largest textile mills in Johnston; the Reverend Samuel Winsor, founder of the Six Principle Baptist congregation; James F. Simmons, the sole U. S. senator from the town, who was later forced to resign his position in disgrace; and Zenas R. Bliss, winner of the Congressional Medal of Honor and a distinguished U. S. Army officer.

Bristol: Montaup to Poppasquash takes readers on a unique journey through the community's past, beginning with the voyages of early Norse explorers and detailing major events that shaped the town's history, including the King Philip's War, the Revolutionary War, and a variety of other military conflicts that took local men and women away from their homes. Not only evoking memories of yesteryear, this compelling illustrated history explores the evolving personality of Bristol over the passing decades, from its days as a small fishing village and a haven for privateers to its present status as a premier boat-building center.

Captivating and entertaining, this new collection of rare images brings to life the past of the historic Lower Blackstone River Valley.

With insightful captions and hundreds of breathtaking photographs, author Charles Edouard Savoie introduces us to many of the early residents who shaped the future of the five communities in this area. We are transported back in time to see early homes and places of work, play, worship, and education. Covering the towns of Lincoln, Cumberland, Central Falls, Woonsocket, and Pawtucket, this new volume sheds light on how the communities of the lower valley evolved from primitive agricultural settlements coexisting with Native American tribes to sprawling industrial mill villages, towns, and cities. Valley residents are profiled, including a descendant of the Indian warrior-king Philip-Metacomet, local military heroes, industrial movers and shakers, working-class people, farmers, and merchants. The people in the valley's communities are shown true to form--working,playing, and pulling together in times of crisis.

The history of Wakefield developed from a rural mill town in the nineteenth century to South County's mercantile center in the twentieth.

Using images from the Pettaquamscutt Historical Society, the Peace Dale Library, and a number of private sources, local author Betty J. Cotter chronicles Wakefield's growth from the days of the horse and buggy, dairy farms, and fields to those of shopping centers and fast-food restaurants. Readers will marvel at the trees lining Main Street before a devastating hurricane and Dutch Elm disease changed the landscape forever. While much of downtown Wakefield has retained its historic character, certain locales--like Dale Carlia Corner--are barely recognizable in images from the first half of the twentieth century. Wakefield's growth is illustrated vividly in photographs of residents at work and at play: images depict grocery clerks showing off mounds of produce, the owners of one of the town's first car dealerships standing proudly in front of a new model, and the wealthy inhabitants of Shadow Farm pulling away from their home in a carriage.

A collection of archival images, Pawtucket brings to life the history of this city, including the people, places, landmarks, and events that shaped it.

Pawtucket is a thriving and proud community with a rich history that spans over one hundred years. This compelling visual history is a valuable contribution to the movement to preserve Pawtucket's heritage. For decades, the Pawtucket Public Library and the Spaulding House Research Library have built up two remarkable archives chronicling the vivid history of Pawtucket from the 1820s to the 1990s. Now, these institutions have published over two hundred of the most fascinating images from their archives, bringing to life over one hundred and seventy years of Pawtucket's history--the people, places, landmarks, and events that have shaped this vibrant city. Accompanied by the authors' lively and authoritative text, these images invite us to journey back into the past and meet legendary Pawtucket characters such as Peter Palagi, aviator Jack McGee, and Fanny the elephant; to experience the bustle of Main Street or Broad Street in the 1870s and 1920s; and to rediscover landmarks such as the Music Hall building and Shartenberg's department store. As we meander through these pages, we see how much has been lost and yet how a sense of community has endured across the decades. It will be a source of education and fascination for young and old, resident and visitor alike.

Pawtuxet Valley is an introduction to the people and places of the valley, from its heyday of industrial power to its suburban evolution in the late twentieth century. Even more, it is a tribute to the many thousands who settled here and their descendants who left a legacy now being rediscovered. In this book, you will visit the Paine House, a Colonial-era tavern in Washington Village; St. Mary's Church, the oldest Roman Catholic church in Rhode Island; the annual St. Patrick's Day parade; and the many factories and mills that helped shape this exciting community.

Brown University Athletics features some of the greatest teams and athletes in Brown history, as well as several others who have gone on to prominent careers, including Governor Don Carcieri, media mogul Ted Turner, and ESPN sports anchor Chris Berman. From football legends John Heisman, Joe Paterno, and Steve Jordan to baseball star Billy Almon, Brown athletes have enjoyed tremendous success and have won national championships in several sports.

Rhode Island Amusement Parks brings back the memories of a time less complicated than the present, when a sense of family held communities together.

Rhode Islanders were once able to enjoy amusement parks without traveling far; the state was home to several ocean front parks as early as the mid-18th century, with some of them surviving into the late 19th century. Photographers Rob Lewis and Ryan Young have embarked on a journey to discover the amusement parks of the past in this delightful and unprecedented collection of images. View the parks that provided a recreational outlet for so many Rhode Island families and the visitors who frequented them. Scenes from several neighboring Massachusetts amusement parks are also pictured. The images in this collection are from two large private archives as well as treasured family collections. Special highlights include photographs of hand-operated rides of the 1800s and views of President Taft's plane, which landed at Sandy Beach in 1911. Also featured is Vanity Fair, an amusement park that lasted only five years during the first decade of this century. Residents of these communities will enjoy seeing Rhode Island as it once was and will witness the changes it has endured over the years.

Westerly is a stunning coastal community located in Rhode Island's southwest corner. It is rich in history, being the first town incorporated in the King's Province and the fifth town in the colony. These pages offer a glimpse of everyday life in old Westerly as well as amusing mishaps and historical events that have been hidden until now. Many colonial patriots, such as Benjamin Franklin, left their footprints upon the sandy soil of this tranquil place. Westerly also abounds with commercial heritage, such as the shipbuilding industry on the banks of the Pawcatuck River and the granite industry, which made Westerly famous. In addition this volume 

Providence's Benefit Street showcases the rich history of Rhode Island's capital, a tangible history that can be experienced firsthand by walking one mile through the heart of the city.

Officially established by 1772 for ""the benefit of all,"" Benefit Street is arguably the most historic thoroughfare in Rhode Island. Some of Providence's most prominent families, including the Browns (the namesake of Brown University), built stately homes on Benefit Street's hillside, many of which still stand today. Threatened by years of neglect, the Providence Preservation Society intervened in the 1950s to save the buildings that line the street. Benefit Street has survived the dangers of demolition and now bears witness to disparate time periods and communities. It is the site of important educational and community institutions, including the Rhode Island School of Design, Brown University, the First Baptist Church, and the Providence Athenaeum, the fourth oldest library in the United States.