Washington County, Rhode Island

Allen-Madison House Anthony-Kinney Farm Austin Farm Road Agricultural Area Babcock House Babcock-Smith House Baker, David S., Estate Baptist Church in Exeter Black Farm Block Island North Light Block Island South East Light Block Island South East Light Bradford Village Historic District Browning's Beach Historic District Camp Endicott Carolina Village Historic District Casey, Silas, Farm Central Street Historic Distriict Champlin, Peleg, House Clarke, Samuel, Farm Cottrell House Crowfield Historic District Davisville Historic District Dewey Cottage District Schoolhouse No. 2 Douglas, George, House Druidsdream Dunes Club, The Dunmere Earlscourt Historic District Eldred, Henry, Farm Flying Horse Carousel Former Immaculate Conception Church Fort Ninigret Gardencourt Gardner, Ezekial, House Gardner, R. R., House Gladstone Springhouse and Bottling Plant Greene Inn Hale House Hamilton Mill Village Historic District Hope Valley Historic District Hope Village Historic District Hopkinton City Historic District Hoxsie, John, House Hygeia House Indian Burial Ground Jeffrey, Joseph, House Kenyon's Department Store Kingston Hill Farm Kingston Railroad Station Kingston Village Historic District Lafayette Village Lawton's Mill Lewis-Card-Perry House Lillibridge, Simon, Farm Main Street Historic District Marchant, Henry, Farm Miller, William Davis, House Narragansett Baptist Church Narragansett Pier Life Saving Station North End Historic District Northrup, Stephen, House Ocean Road Historic District Old Harbor Historic District Old Narragansett Cemetery Old Narragansett Church Palmer-Northrup House Peace Dale Historic District Perry Homestead Historic District Perry, Commodore Oliver, Farm Perry-Carpenter Grist Mill Pierce, Joseph, Farm Plum Beach Lighthouse Point Judith Lighthouse Poplar Point Lighthouse Queen's Fort Ram Point Rathbun House Red House Rodman, Gen. Isaac Peace, House Rose, Benoni, House Sanford, Esbon, House Saunderstown Historic District Shadow Farm Shady Lea Historic District Shannock Historic District Sheffield House Six Principle Baptist Church Slocum, Joseph, House Spink Farm St. Paul's Church Stanton, Joseph, House Stuart, Gilbert, Birthplace Theatre-By-the-Sea Tootell House Towers Historic District Towers, The University of Rhode Island Historic District Upper Rockville Mill US Post Office US Weather Bureau Station Usquepaug Road Historic District Wakefield Historic District (Additional Documentation) Washington County Court House Watch Hill Historic District Weekapaug Inn Westerly Armory Westerly Downtown Historic District Westerly Downtown Historic District (Boundary Increase) Westerly Downtown Historic District (Boundary Increase) Wickford Historic District Wilcox Park Historic District Willow Dell Wyoming Village Historic District

Washington County, located in the state of Rhode Island, has a rich and diverse history that spans several centuries. The area was originally inhabited by the Narragansett Native American tribe, who lived off the land and engaged in trade with European settlers. In the early 17th century, European explorers and settlers arrived in the region, marking the beginning of significant changes in the area.

During the colonial era, what is now Washington County saw the establishment of several towns, including Charlestown, South Kingstown, and Westerly. These settlements thrived as agricultural communities, with farmers taking advantage of the fertile soil and favorable climate to cultivate crops such as corn, wheat, and tobacco. The county was also known for its fishing industry, particularly in the coastal towns.

In the 18th and 19th centuries, Washington County played a role in the American Revolution and the Industrial Revolution. The area was a significant center for shipbuilding and maritime trade, with ships being constructed in towns along the coast, and goods being transported to and from Providence and other nearby ports. The county's proximity to the ocean also made it vulnerable to British attacks during the Revolution, leading to skirmishes and the establishment of coastal defenses.

In the 20th century, Washington County experienced significant growth and development, particularly in the tourism and education sectors. The county's picturesque coastal towns, beautiful beaches, and nature trails attracted visitors from far and wide, making tourism a vital part of the local economy. It also became home to the University of Rhode Island, which has played a crucial role in education and research, contributing to the county's intellectual and cultural vibrancy.
Brief timeline of the history of Washington County, Rhode Island:

  • 1664 - Washington County is established and named after President George Washington.
  • 1680 - Quakers settle in the town of South Kingstown.
  • 1722 - The town of Westerly is incorporated.
  • 1729 - Charlestown is officially incorporated as a town.
  • 1742 - Hopkinton is established as a separate town from Westerly.
  • 1888 - The Rhode Island State Association of Boroughs holds its first meeting in Westerly.
  • 1899 - Narragansett Pier becomes a popular summer destination for tourists.
  • 1908 - The first plane flies across Washington County's skies, marking the start of aviation in the area.
  • 1944 - The University of Rhode Island opens its Narragansett Bay Campus in South Kingstown.
  • 1959 - The Newport Bridge is completed, linking Jamestown to Washington County and changing the transportation landscape.
  • 1983 - Ninigret Park is established in Charlestown as a recreational area for residents and visitors.

This timeline provides a concise overview of the key events in the history of Washington County, Rhode Island.