\\\i tun Ht i
Class. Book
2<xna%ari&<tti • arid ♦ ffiounf • INpc ♦ $3q>0.
NARRAGANSETT
| A^ ILLUSTRATED @I3IDE
TO THE
Cities. Towns and Fains Resorts of lode Island.
WITH A SKETCH OF THE
CITY OF FALL RIVER, MASS.
Eijirtr <£tritimt.
Bv ROBERT GRIEVE.
PROVIDENCE, R. I. :
J. A. k\: R. A. Reid, Printers and Publishers, 24 Custom House Street.
Rhode Island News Co., 113 Westminster Street.
60552
PICTURESQUE NARRAGANSETT.
SHORE TRANSPORTATION
STEAMBOAT COl
THE NEW, ELEGANT, AND COMMODIOUS STEAMERS
WILL MAKE HOURLY EXCURSIONS DAILY TO
Field's Point, Silver Spring, KiverView Par Riverside, Camp White, Bullock's Point, and Crescent Park.
TO THK^ F^IJBr^IO.
For the season of 1888 we offer inducements for your patronage that cannot be excelled elsewhere in this vicinity. We have completed
TWO NEW BOATS,
Built of Steel, Especially for this route, with water tight compart- mentSi making them
NON-SINKABLE.
Kach boat has three decks, with ample stairways of eaay ascent. The boilers are inclosed with iron on all deek-, thus
Preventing All Danger from Fire. Positively making them .non-sinkable and fireproof Commanded by competent officers of many years1 ex- perience.
LADIES AND CHILDREN
may safely venture on any of our trips without an escort, all employees being Instructed to give them prompt and polite attention, and guard them from all danger and annoyance.
^"*For the arrival and departure of Boats, see Daily Pa]
Depots, News
Four attention is also called to the
NEW WAITING ROOM
and the extensive improvements and alteratii our wharf on
EAST SIDE OF CRAWFORD ST. BRIDGc,
directly fronting; three clean, wide avenues, thereby avoiding all dust and dirt, risk from accident, or de- tention to and from boats. Two minutes' walk from the Union Home-car Station, and in close prox- imity to all the large stores, depots, hotels, and places of interest. In fact, affording every accommodation to the traveling public for
Speed, Safety and Comfort.
Yours respectfully,
GEO. B. HULL, Manager.
jers and our Time-tables, to be found in all the Hotels' Stands, Etc
&bt J^vti &ct*
IN PRESENTING A NEW EDITION OF PICTUR- ESQUE NARRAGANSETT, WE OFFER NO APOL- OGY. THE UNDOUBTED EXCELLENCE OF THE WORK, AMPLE WITHOUT BEING TRIVIAL IN ITS DETAILS, ACCURATE, BUT NEITHER DULL NOR DRY, THOROUGH BOTH AS TO HISTORY -AND DESCRIPTIVE MATTER, WITH THE LENGTH OF TIME WHICH HAS ELAPSED SINCE THE ISSUE OF THE LAST EDITION, IS SUFFICIENT REASON FOR A REPUBLICATION. THE TEXT HAS BEEN CAREFULLY REVISED, AND ITS MANY PEN- SKETCHES VERIFIED AND CONFORMED TO THE MOST RECENT CHANGES AND IMPROVE- MENTS. SPECIAL CARE HAS BEEN GIVEN TO THE MANUFACTURING AND BUSINESS INTER- ESTS. WE TRUST THE GUIDE MAY PROVE A SOURCE OF PLEASURE AND PROFIT TO BOTH THE CITIZEN AND THE INQUIRING STRANGER.
Cfje 9itfcU«i)tr&
PICTURESQUE NARRAGANSETT.
OAI£ MM D 1MCH
THE EDEN OF NARRAGANSETT BAY!
OPEN FOR THE SEASON OF 1888 UNDER NEW MANAGEMENT. SPECIAL INDUCE- MENTS FOR LARGE PARTIES AND ORGANIZATIONS.
GENUINE RHODE ISLAND CLAM-BAKES SERVED DAILY. Trains from Providence Nearly Every Hour.
jr.. GARDINER, O. H. BRIGGS, Supt. Gen'l Pass. Agt.
Ir'eckj ins Heal ® ® rj ® ®
EDMUND CARPENTER,
EASTERN, WESTERN AND
HARDWOOD LUMBER
270 DYER STREET, PROVIDENCE, R. I.
CONTENTS.
Providence,
Pawtccket and Lincoln,
Lincoln,
Woonsocket,
Along Shore :
Narragansett Bay,
East Providence,
Field's Point,
Squantum,
Vue De L'Eau,
Silver Spring,
Maxfield's,
Pomham Club,
Riverside,
Bullock's Point,
Crescent Park,
Pawtuxet,
Barrington — Nayatt
Warren,
Bristol,
The Warwick Shore,
Old Warwick,
Warwick Neck,
Rocky Point,
Oakland Beach,
The Buttonwoods,
Apponaug,
East Greenwich,
Wickford,
Conanicut Island, Jamestow
The Islands,
Fall River,
Seaconnet Point,
Newport, The South County :
Westerly,
Narragansett Pier,
Peacedale,
Watch Hill,
Noyes' Beach, Block Island, Hotel List, . Tide Tables,
List of Newport Cottagers, 18I Strangers' Guides:.
Providence,
Pawtucket,
Woonsocket,
Newport,
104 104 105 106 106 106 106 107 108 108 10S 1C9 in 112 116 120 120 120 122 124 124 124 127 127 129 132 134 i35
162 166 176 176 178 1S1 191 161 159
67 90 100 157
PICTURESQUE XARRAGANSETT.
Silver Spring.
H. P. BXI.SSt Proprietor,
Open from June 20th until Sept. 20th. Shore Dinners Served from 12.30 till 5 P. M. each day.
EXCEPT SUNDAY.
JBo^vx'liny; ^Vllt->- sincl 13illiai-cl Room.
Communication by Two Lines of Boats and by Providence, Warren & Bristol Railroad.
mum
NARRAGANSETT BAY. R.I
B> --\i tii i l, Picturesque Silver Spring ! Language has been exhausted in expressing its attractions. Its distant and near views of landscape and water, city and village, are beyond comparison. The spires and domes of Providence across the water to the northwest, Rocky Point to the south, and intervening shores of wondrous beauty, all along the line of vision. But its chief attraction is the method by which it is conducted. Its quiet Sun- days enjoyed by boarders and cottagers, and the morale of its week- day atmosphere give it a standing of which no other place of its kind can boast.
List of Illustrations.
Blackstone River at Lonsdale
Block Island :
Ocean House and Harbor
Spring House
Scenes on Block Island .'
Bolt Cutting Machine
Bristol from the Harbor
Bristol, View on High Street
Bristol, Burnside Memorial Building
Buttonwoods Beach
Central Falls, from Pleasant View
Fall River :
View from the High School
B. M. C. Durfee, High School
View of, from the Harbor . .
Field's Point
Fort Dumplings
Lonsdale, View of
Nayatt Point
Narragansett Pier :
Atlantic House and Continental —
Atwood House and Revere
Bathing Scene — Indian Rock
General View of Ocean Frontage
Gladstone and Casino
Massasoit House
Mathewson House
Newport :
Beach, Easton's
Bellevue Ave. During Fashionable Hours..
Bellevue Avenue and the Ocean House
Bird's-eye view of
Casino
Cliff Walk
Custom House and Post Office
Fort Adams
Forty Steps
Glen.The
Happy Valley
Land's End
Lime Rocks and Light, Newport Harbor .
Lime Rock Light
Marquand's Cottage
Old Stone Mill
Perry, Commodore O. H., statue
Purgatory
Redwood Library
First Light Infantry Building. Friend's School
names Street
View of, from the Harbor
Washington Square
Old Quaker Meeting House, Lincoln
Oakland Beach
"AWTUCKET :
Congregational Church
Main Street
North Main Street, View of
Old Slater Mill
Park Place Congregational Church
Pumping Station ,
Pawtucket Falls, 1783
Pawtucket Falls, 1886
Pawtucket Machine Company's Works....
Trinity Church
Univei-salist Church
View of, from below Division Street Bridge View of, from belfry of Congregational C'h Providence :
Aldine Patent Fire Place
Athenaeum
American Electrical Works
American Ship Windlass Company's Works
Arnold, Miller & Co.'s Emporium
Arsenal
Austin, John, Refining Works
Betsey Williams House, R. W. Park
Board of Trade Building
Brown University
Burnside Statue
Chestnut Street M. E. Church
City Hall
County Court House
Crystal Lake, Roger Williams Park
Dorr Mansion
Exchange Place
Fire in Daniel's Building
First Baptist Meeting-House
Goddard, Col. R. H. I . , Residence of
Great Bridge and Westminster Street
Great Fire of 1888
Great Storm of 1815
Greene Engine
High School
Historical Society's Cabinet
Homoeopathic Hospital
Knight, B. B., Residence of, Broad Street.
Lippitt Mansion, Hope Street
Market Square in 1844
Market Square and South Water Street
Masonic Building
McAuslan, John, Residence of
Narragansett Hotel
Nicholson File Works
Providence, Norfolk, and Baltimore Steam- ship Company's Docks and Yards
Rhode Island Hospital
Rumford Chemical Works, Office, and Warehouse
Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument
State House
St. John's Episcopal Church
View of Providence from the Harbor
From frospect Terrace
From Smith's Hill in 1888
Weybosset Street looking towards West- minster
Young Men's Christian Association's pro- posed new Building
Rocky Point
Silver Spring
Sound Boat, A
Squantum
Vuede L'Eau Club House
Warren, from the Harbor
Warren, View on Main Street
Watch Hill and its Hotels
Westerly :
Broad Street and Dixon House
The town and the Pawcatuck River
Congregational Church
Seventh Day Baptist Church
Wickford's Shore, View of
Woonsocket:
Blackstone River and some of the factories
High School ..
Main Street from Railroad
Market Square
Monument Square
The Falls
View of the town from the East
PORTRAITS.
Atwell, Col. S. S 102
Austin, John 41
Bliss, H. P 107
Boyden, George Ill
Bowen, Capt. Ezra 106
Clark, Capt. A. M KM
Conley, G. W 104
Crosby, Capt l->4
Grosvenor, Dr. William 37
Havward, Wm. S 28
Hill, Thomas J 38
Hopkins, William H 40
Jones, Capt. Wm 61
Kelley, Capt. George H 102
Klapp, Lvman 37
Knight, B. B 40
Kilton.Geo. A 61
Maxfleld, Hiram 10o
Mott, Capt. Jesse 105
Nicholson, William T 44
Petty. Capt. J. A 103
Rhodes, Capt. S. B 109
Rice, Fitz James 34
Rockwell, Col. Elisha H 28
Taylor, Capt. J. P.... 109
Tinkham, William 34
W eaver, John G 140
Wigrhtman, Capt. P. W Ilfl
Winslow, Capt. William 101
Part First.
CHAPTER I.
REPRESENTATIVE CITY HISTORY AND GROWTH POINTS OF INTEREST APPEARANCE
AND CHARACTER COMMERCE AND MANUFACTURES GENERAL FEATURES.
The chief city in an active community of moi-e than five hundred thousand people with- in and near the state lines of Rhode Island, peculiarly fortunate in location, and the sec- ond in importance among the famous cit- ies of New England, Providence has attained a fame world-wide as an enterprising manu- facturing and commer- cial centre. Its indus- tries are great in num- ber and diversified in character. Its growth and expansion in wealth and population in recent years has been constant. Since the close of the Rebel- lion it has more than doubled in population, and the Providence of to-day is quite different from the city of that time. Then it seemed a large town with rather weybosset street, looking towards Westminster. provincial character-
istics ; now it is really a modern city with much of a cosmopolitan appearance. This progress has been accompanied by the development of its manufactures
PICTURESQUE NARRAGANSETT.
,
in all lines, by the formation of a magnifi- cent school system, by the establishment of libraries, the laving out of parks, increased opportunities in all directions for literary and artistic culture, and with other widen- ing avenues for intellectual, moral, and material advancement.
Located at the head of navigation on the northwestern arm of Narragansett Bay, the city is built in the valleys of the Moshas- suck and Woonasquatucket rivers, and on the adjacent hills to the north, east, and west, which rise from the confluence of these rivers with the arm of the bay known as the Providence River. On the east of the Providence River the hills rise almost from the water's edge to an altitude of about two hundred feet at the highest point, fall- ing away by a more gradual descent east- ward to the Seekonk River, a mile distant. On the west side much of the land origin- ally was low and was overflowed by every rise of the tide, but beyond this marsh to the west the land rose abruptly fifty to sev- enty feet high, spreading out into a large plateau extending west and south which is now nearly all occupied by business blocks and residences to the western and southern limits of the city. The steep western ele- vations having been graded to a gently in- clined plane, the lower level nearest the river naturally became the business centre of the city, while the higher levels to the east and the northern and western plateaus have been mostly appropriated for house- lots for mansions and dwellings.
The first chapter of the history of Prov- idence is very romantic. Roger Williams, a clergyman, with five or six companions, settled on the eastern bank of the river in the spring of 1636, and named the place " Providence," because he considered the u supreme deliverer " had guided their se- lection. Previous to this Roger Williams had preached in Plymouth and Massachu- setts Bay colonies, but had been tried and
i2 PICTURESQUE NARRAGANSETT.
found guilty of holding certain opinions distasteful to the leaders of the latter colonv. To avoid being sent back to England he fled to the wilderness, and in the course of a few months settled Providence, in whose institutions he caused to be embodied the principle of the right of private judgment — " soul liberty," as he called it — for which he had contended and suffered in Massa- chusetts. The spirit thus infused by the founder has always continued as a leading characteristic of the people, and although at times it has degenerated into indifference, as a whole it has been a broad and intelligent toleration. Roger Williams has been given a high place in the temple of fame as being the first to apply in practice one of the highest conceptions of free government. In 1649 Providence was incorporated as a town ; in 1708 the population was 1 ,446 ; in 1800, 7,614, and since that period the growth has been continuous. In 1 S3 2 it was incorporated as a city, and had then a population of about eighteen thousand. The population in 1885 was 118,070. Portions of Crans- ton were annexed to Providence in 1868 and 1873, and portions of North Prov- idence in 1767, 1873, and 1874. The annexations since 1S68 have brought in large additions to the city's population. The growth of the city has been mainly owing to the development of the cotton industry, which was introduced by Samuel Slater in 1793 at Pawtucket, but Providence being the natural centre of operations became the depot of supplies, and many auxiliary industries grew up within her borders, such as the making of machinery, engines and mill supplies of all kinds. The factories on all the streams in the state and on some in adjacent territory had their offices in Providence and made all their commer-
PROVIDENCE
THE GREAT BRIDGE AND WESTMINSTER STREET.
cial exchanges there. Coincident with the development of the cotton manufact- ure the woolen industry grew and flourished, and at present amounts to about one-third of the former in capital invested and extent of business.
Many of the places of historic interest in Providence are connected with Roger Williams. One of the most interesting of these is Slate Rock, at the foot of William Street, on the east side of the city, from which, tradition says, an Indian greeted the pioneer and his companions with the salutation " What Cheer," as they were passing in their canoe along the bank of the Seekonk, and the story has been held in such respect that the scene is depicted on the city's seal. Near the western entrance to Roger Williams Park is a small enclosure containing the graves of some of the early members of the Williams family, and overlooking the lake is the Betsey Williams House, built about the middle of the last century.
No monument marks the grave of the founder of these plantations ; in the rear of a barn, on the hillside on Bowen Street, the spot where he is said to have been interred is now a kitchen garden. The spring of water that induced the first settlers to land, around which they built their first rude houses, and which was in use until the middle years of this century cannot now be located without more research than the passing traveler can spare. The historical points of undoubted authenticity are few. The location of the camp of the French allies of the American patriots in the Revolution, on the heights at the extremity of Camp Street, is quite definitely known ; the remains of Revo-
H
PICTURESQUE NARRAGANSETT.
lutionary fortifications at Fort Hill, East Providence, and on the heights at Field's Point can yet be readily traced, and Sabin's Inn, on the northeast corner of Planet and South Main streets, where the plans for the capture of the Gaspee were laid at the time of the Revolution, is still standing and in use as a dwelling-house. The oldest build- ing in the city is supposed to be the Whipple house, on Abbott Street near North Main, said to have been built about 1659. A more note- worthy structure, however, is the old brick house at Nos. 537 and 539 North Main Street, which was built by Deputy-Governor Elisha Brown about 1760, and was orig- inally a third longer than at pres- ent. The Tillinghast house, cor- ner of South Main Street and Chick- enfoot Alley was erected in 1710. Stephen Hopkins' house built about 1750, was moved early in the cen- tury to its present location on Hopkins Street. All of these houses are stijl in use, although some of them have been altered from their orig- inal form. The John Brown house on the southeast corner of Power and Benefit streets, built in 1786, and at present the residence of Professor William Gammell, is a good specimen of the architecture of that period, as is also the brick building on the southwest corner of Elizabeth and North Main streets, .vhich was built about the same time.
A number of public buildings date back to those early years, among them being the State House, built in 1759; the Friends' Meeting- House, a plain wooden edifice adjoining the State House on North Main Street, built in 1727 ; the Board of Trade Building, Market Square, erected as a public market in 1773, and since altered several times. The First Baptist Church on North Main Street, erected in 1775, is still one of the most beautiful ecclesiastical edifices in the city. University Hall, the middle building of Brown University fronting the campus on Prospect Street, was built in 1770.
Located upon the original Roger Williams home lot, southeast corner of Bowen and Benefit streets, stands a substantial, old-fashioned, but beautiful house, known as the Sullivan Dorr Mansion, within whose walls Thomas W. Dorr, the leader of the Dorr Rebellion, died. The reputed grave of Roger Williams was in the garden plat to the east of the house.
IRST BAPTIST MEETING-HOUSE, On North Main Street.
PICTURESQUE NARRAGANSETT.
There are many other buildings and places, especially on the east side, about which traditions of the past linger, but the old landmarks are rapidly passing away, and less attention is paid to the preservation of the knowledge of the memorials of the past than is creditable. In the city of to-day there is much to interest and instruct the visitor. ■ Of late years great improvements have been made by replacing old-fashioned, low wooden structures with substantial and handsome edifices of brick, stone and iron. Within the past year this form of improvement has been more notice- able than ever before, a large number new buildings having been erected on e principal streets, and a number of e buildings which formerly were con- lered among the best in the city have been remodeled and improved vastly in ppearance. These improvements have been made chiefly on Westminster Street, e main artery of the business of the city. The entire city is usually kept in e condition ; its drainage is good, its eets are well paved, clean, well ghted, and many of them lined with ees, forming in summer beautiful ave- ues, and altogether, it is a delightful ding place, beloved by its inhabit- ants, admired by strangers, and a place be desired as a home.
On account of its rivers Prov- idence has many bridges, there being thirty-eight in all. Some of the largest of these, however, are over the railoads, which enter the city along the lines of the river valleys, and over which streets are carried from hill to hill. The best known of the bridges are those connecting the east and west sides of the Providence River, namely, ■ Great Bridge, 1 60 feet wide, Craw- ford Street Bridge, and the Point Street Bridge, the last a fine struct- ure with a draw for the passage of vessels. Providence and East
PROVIDENCE.
Pi!ltS
Providence are con- nected by two fine bridges over the Seekonk, namely, the Red Bridge and the new Washing- ton Bridge, the lat- ter the largest in the state, and both have draws to al- low the passage of vessels to and from Pawtncket.
The city is noted for its excellent horse-car system. All the lines are owned and operat- ed by the Union Railway Company, and they start from a common centre, the Great Bridge, at the foot of West- minster Street, and traverse the city from that point in
all directions. By means of these lines every locality in the city and immediate vicinity can easily be reached. The views obtained from the cars on many ot the routes are of a continual succession of pleasant residences, some embowered in trees, or with well-kept lawns, some of elegant architecture, and many unpre- tentious homes, all contributing to the harmony of the scene. Many of the streets through which the cars run are lined with tiees, and the effect in sum- mer is very beautiful. The entire length of track in the city is fifty-four miles, number of cars, 275, and the routes fifteen.
Providence is an important railroad centre. Six roads enter the city, all but one of which are directly connected elsewhere at important points with the railroad system of the country, and they have connecting branches diverging from the main lines, thereby reaching nearly every village and hamlet in the state. The entire length of the lines in the state is "a fraction over 318 miles, averaging nearly one linear mile to every three square miles of territory. For years the terminal facilities in the city have been inadequate, and various at- tempts have been made through the city government to have them improved, but up to the present nothing practical has been effected. A committee of ex- pert engineers, appointed by Mayor Robbins in accordance with a resolution of the city council, made a report last April, and the probability is that their plan, or some modification of it, will be adopted. The outlook for increased facilities
THE CITY HALL, EXCHANGE PLACE.
1 8
PICTURESQUE NARRAGANSETT.
■frfh JBb-Mlfc
THE BOARD OF TRADE BUILDING Market Square.
^^^^^^^_^^^^^^^^^ and for a settlement of the vexed question of ijjl lll> proper accommodations, both for freight and
passenger, is also rendered much more hopeful from the fact of the consolidation of the Boston & Providence Railroad with the Old Colony system last April, and of the Providence & Worcester with the New York, Providence & Boston Railroad early in May of this year. In- stead of the question brought up by the demands for better accommodations being divided by the interests of five or six corporations, these con- solidations simplify the matter very much by concentrating the business in the hands of not more than three, the Old Colony, the New York, Boston & Providence, and the New York & New England, and the rivalry, even although without malice, between these great concerns, will necessarily ensure vast improvements. The magnitude of the changes in comtemplation will necessitate a long time for their completion, and probably the new stations and approaches, even if the present plan is adopted, cannot be completed in less than two years. On account of the unsettled condition of affairs, and in view of the experience of the past, it cannot be assumed that the proposed plan will be put in execution in the shape in which it has been presented, and con- sequently a detailed account would be useless in this connection. One thing, however, is certain : the time has come for im- provements ; the rail- roads are prepared, the city is prepared, and the public are tired of the endless discussions, and are willing to accept any reasonable plan.
In its facilities for com- merce by sea Providence has great advantages, which have, however, not been utilized in re- cent years as their im- portance demand. The Providence River at Fox Point and the Seekonk at India Point unite with the bay, there forming the harbor, which is a the state house, north main street.
PICTURESQUE NARRAGANSETT.
THE HOMCEOPATHIC HOSPITAL, PROVIDENCE.
safe and commodious basin, inclosed from the winds by high bluffs on all sides, and from which there is a channel to the ocean through the bay, deep and wide enough for the largest vessels. There is, however, no foreign commerce worth mentioning. Only an occasional merchant vessel, with a stray consignment of goods arrives, whose appearance is such a rarity that a long newspaper article is usually written about each one. There are three important coastwise lines of steamers : the Providence and Stonington Steamship Line to New York ; the Providence, Norfolk and Baltimore Steamship Line, and the Winsor Line to Philadelphia, all of which have their wharves on the harbor, from Fox to India Point. There are three lines of steamers plying to places on the bay : the Fall River and Providence line, to Bristol and Fall River ; the Continental Steamboat Company, to Newport, Rocky Point, the shore places, and the islands ; and the Shore Transportation Company, to the east-side shore places. The George W. Danielson, a small, but seaworthy propeller, runs from Providence to Block Island during the winter ; in the summer it connects at Newport with the boats of the Continental Steamboat Company, and makes daily trips to Block Island. One of the boats of the Fall River and Providence line makes several trips a
PROVIDENCE. 21
week to Block Island, affording opportunity for a continuous passage and return in one day. A small steamer, the £hieen City, runs regularly to Seaconnet Point in the summer, making a round trip every day, and during the summer another small steamer also runs to the point. Besides these, a small freight steamer, the William Marvel, runs to Fall River.
Rhode Island is a manufacturing state, and Providence the headquarters. A great proportion of the actual manufacturing is done within the city limits, and the business offices of all the large concerns with factories near or remote in the state, and even in adjoining districts in Connecticut and Massachusetts, are located here. The principal industries are the cotton and woolen manufact- ure. According to the state census for 18S5 — which, however, the superin- tendent says, on account of the failure to reply to his queries, does not fully show the extent of the business — the number of establishments engaged in the manufacture of cotton was 93, with an invested capital of $21,154,255, and a product for that year of $21,771,504 ; those engaged in the woolen man- ufacture were 34, with a capital of $8,568,450, and a product of $18,983,634.
RESIDENCE OF B. B. KNIGHT, ESQ., BROAD STREET.
PICTURESQUE NARRAGANSETT.
rubber goods in Provi- dence, Bristol, and Woon- socket. The total amount of capital invested, accord- ing to census returns of 1885, was $59,616,229, in 2,393 establishments, em- ploying 71,695 persons, to whom were paid in wages $23,353,099; the materials used were valued at $48,- 271,448, and the product for the year was $95,452,- 0S5.
The best points of obser- vation for a general view of the city, from its out- skirts, are the summit of Camp Street on the north- east, which gives a fine view of the whole city and a large area of its environs to the east and north ; from Mount Pleasant, northwest of Olnevville, the higrhest
THE COUNTY COURT HOUSE, Corner of Benefit and College Streets
Next in importance, judged by the amount of capital invested, are the print-works, followed in the order given, by metals and metallic goods, gas-works, machines and machinery, paper and paper goods, jewelry, building, silver- ware, rubber and elastic goods. The cotton factories are located on the rivers of the state, as are also the woolen factories, but a number of the former and a large proportion of the latter, are in the city and immediate vicinity. Metals and metallic goods and machines and machinery are man- ufactured chiefly in Providence and Pawtucket, paper in Paw- tucket and East Providence, jew- elry and silverware in Providence,
THE SOLDIERS' AND SAILORS' MONUMENT, Exchange Place,
PROVIDENCE.
23
RESIDENCE OF JOHN McAUSLAN, ESQ.
point in that section, where an excellent view of the east and west sides and far down the harbor and bay may be obtained, and from Mount Neutaconkanut, near the southwest city line, in Johnston, which, though one of the least known and visited, is really one of the finest points from which to overlook the entire city and its surroundings, and secure splendid views, especially at a fair sunset hour. This elevation is said to be 296 feet above the sea level at its highest point. All of these "outlooks" can be readily reached by the horse-cars; Camp Street summit and Mount Pleasant by the routes so named, and Mount Neutaconkanut by the Plainfield Street route. From the site of the old reform school, on Tockwotton Heights, overlooking the harbor, a fine view down the bay can be obtained, and when the city has laid out this spot as a park, as is contemplated, the beauty of the scene ought to make it a favorite " breathing" place. An easily accessible place from which the business portion of the city can be viewed is the top of the tower of the City Hall. This is open to the public, and visitors are expected to register their names. Since the opening of the building, in 1873, an average of about three thousand persons per year
-4
PICTURESQUE NARRAGANSETT.
have looked out on the city from this lofty place. The interior of the dome contains the batteries and apparatus for the city's fire alarm system, all of which are open to public inspection.
The Public Parks in Providence are eighteen in number, the majority of which are small inclosures. Of these the most important is Roger Williams Park. Blackstone Park, on the east side of ihe city, is a wooded ravine of much natural beauty, extending from Butler Avenue to the Seekonk River. The Cove Promenade is a narrow strip of land, with trees and grass plots, which borders and surrounds the Cove, a circular, walled basin, about a mile in circumference, in the centre of the city. Dexter Training Ground, between Cranston and High streets, in the western part of the city, is an open lot deeded to the city many years ago, by Ebenezer Dexter, to be used as a training-field by the militia. It is now rarely used for this purpose, but it makes a very pleasant small park, and its surroundings are beautiful.
Roger Williams Park is the people's popular place for public recreation. It is located on the southern border of the city adjoining Cranston, and is much the largest public park of the city, containing about one hundred and ten acres of land and water. This land was originally given by the great Indian sachems, Canonicus and Miantonomi, to Roger Williams in token of their good will and esteem for the founder of our state. It was bequeathed to the city by Betsey Williams (a direct descendant and heir of her great ancestor, Roger, in the sixth genei-ation) for a public park, and was accepted by the city in November, 1872,
RESIDENCE OF COL. R. H. I. GODDARD, HOPE STREET.
26
PICTURESQUE NARRAGANSETT.
THE ATHEN/EUM. Corner of Benefit and College Streets.
on the condition that it should contain a statue of Roger'Wil- liams, and be called the "Roger Williams Park." A fine bronze statue of Roger Williams, stand- ing on a granite base, designed and executed by Franklin Sim- mons, sculptor, of Rome, was dedicated here October 16, 1S77, with imposing ceremonies and a very excellent and eloquent oration by Professor J. L Diman. This monument cost $22,000, and subsequently another granite monument to the memory of Betsey Williams was erected in the ancient Williams Cemetery, in the park, at a cost of $500 The grounds of the park are artistically laid out with beautifully diversified walks and drives, smooth green lawns, turfy -slopes, and shady groves. Crystal Lake, flowing quite a large area of the park, is one of its chief beauties, and affords opportunities for rowing in summer, or skating in winter, that are largely taken advantage of by the young
people of the city. Within the past year or two, the lake has been doubled in size by dig- ging out an adjacent marsh, and during the past winter and spring another large addi- tion has been made in the same manner, so that now the lake is in reality a chain of three separate bodies of water encircled by grassy banks and pleasant woods.. The graceful swans and other water-fowl on the lake, and groups of animals and birds about the grounds, the delightful shady nooks and quiet rural re- treats, and the additional at- tractions that are constantly added, have greatly advanced the park in the public favor, and it now has more visitors high school summer and pond streets. and admirers than ever be-
PROVIDENCE.
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LAKE, AT ROGER WILLIAMS PARK.
fore. The ki What Cheer Cottage," the charming restaurant and resting-place at the park, will be conducted again this season by Mr. James W. Cooper, with
every possible improvement to make it __ ___-— — ,
pleasant and attractive to visitors and patrons, and sustain its high reputation.
Prospect Terrace. — The finest point for the visitor to obtain a pano- j ramie view of the city is this elevated i and airy esplanade, located on Congdon ' Street. It is the most convenient, ac- cessible, and popular observatory, lo- cated near the centre of trade and travel. The citizen of Providence always takes his guest and guides the stranger to the " Terrace " with the feeling that there they can secure a more pleasing and satisfactory view of the city than from any other point within its boundaries. Directly in the foreground we look down upon a wilderness of roofs, far below us, out of which the stately spire of the First Baptist Church lifts itself against the sky. Farther away in the middle the betsey Williams house,
Roger Williams Park.
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ST. JOHN'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH, NORTH MAiN STREET.
distance to the right, are the sandy slopes of Smith's Hill. A little more to the left our line of vision crosses the Woonasquatucket valley, with its busy work- shops. Rising from the valley on the left are the abrupt barriers of Federal Hill. Directly before us, lifting itself above all surrounding structures, is the Federal Street school building. Moving still further to the left, the eye becomes bewildered amid the confused and varied mass of architectural structures, nearer and more remote, that crowd upon the vision. From this point may be seen many of the larger and handsomer buildings of the city with far better effect than close at hand, such as the cathedral and other leading churches, the gas reservoir, the Rhode Island Hospital, and other commanding points. During the fall of 1SS7 it was discovered that the wall of the terrace had begun to pro- ject outward, and it was feared that it might in time fall on the houses below on the slope of the hill, so during the winter of 'Sy-'SS the masonry was taken apart and built up anew, and in the summer of iSSSthe terrace was again in good and safe condition.
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PROVIDENCE.
31
THE ARSENAL, BENEFIT BETWEEN THOMAS AND MEETING STREETS.
The Pawtuxet River.— Within the past five years the stretch .of the Pawtuxet River from the village of Pawtuxet for several miles up stream, even to the Pettaconsett Pumping Station, and beyond to Pontiac, has become a favorite place for rowing and picnic parties by the young people of the city, on moonlight evenings, summer afternoons, and holidays. The river meanders between grassy banks which here rise in a steep hillside and there slope away in a meadow ; at one place the stream is overhung by stately trees, at another fringed by tangled shrubbery. It hardly follows a straight course for half a mile, and as a consequence the point of view is constantly changing, the effect of which is further increased by the diversified character of the banks. Several bridges cross the river, two of them being railroad bridges, and it adds much to the scenic effect to see a lighted train dash across one of them while the specta- tors are rowing slowly on the river below. What idyls, what romances, are here enacted "in the glimpses of the moon" — who can say? Certainly they are many, for the romantic surroundings, the music of the oars, the spell of the woods, the voices of the air, and the presence of eves that speak responsive to each other, all contribute to heighten the charm and to brinsr out the latent and
3 2
PICTURESQUE NARRAGANSETT.
perhaps unavowed sentiment. Along the river are numerous spots where parties can enjoy a picnic, and many persons have already discovered these " woodland dells and mossy banks," and have availed themselves of their good fortune in recent seasons. The river is reached by the Pawtuxet line of horse- cars, and boats can be readily obtained at the boat-houses near the village.
The city's water supply is pumped from the river at Pettaconsett, three miles above Pawtuxet, by powerful engines, which force the water into the Sockanossett Reservoir, on the heights about a mile west of the river. The system was put in successful operation November 30, 1S71.
Walks About Town. — A former resident returning after an absence of twenty-five or thirty years would hardly recognize Westminster Street, and would look in vain about the city for many of its ancient but vanished land- marks, but would find in every direction marked evidences of improvement, and every way he turned some new object of interest would arrest his attention. He would especially notice the immense and elegant Narragansett Hotel on Broad and Dorrance streets, and the Hotel Dorrance on Westminster Street, new
THE PROPOSED HOME OF THE YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION, Jackson and Westminster Streets.
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PROVIDENCE.
35
THE RHODE ISLAND HISTORICAL SOCIETY'S CABINET, Waterman Street.
and luxurious homes for the traveler and sojourner, so unlike those of his day. On Exchange Place he would rind the magnificent new City Hall with its gener- ous approaches, and would be impressed with the grandeur of its lofty, artistic walls of enduring granite.
The Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument standing directly in front of the new City Hall, erected by the state to the memory of the soldiers of the War of the Rebellion, attracts the attention of all visitors, while opposite, at the eastern end of Exchange Place, is the heroic equestrian statue of General Burnside which was dedicated with imposing ceremonies July 4, 1S87.
When our returned townsman finds himself upon the " Great Bridge " as it used to be called, he perceives that it is very much broader and more substan- tial than in the olden time. It has the reputation of being the widest bridge in the world. It was once the only connecting link between the eastern and west- ern sides of the river. But he observes that now a series of bridges, both above and below, span the stream and divide the unceasing current of travel that flows over them.
Nor has the improvement been confined to .the West Side. North Main Street has been widened and straightened, and with its handsome business
36
PICTURESQUE NARRAGANSETT.
THE BURNSIDE STATUE.
blocksjand substan- tial pavements, wears an aristocratic appearance, worthy the most ancient street of the city. As- cending Co liege Street, he discovers that where once stood the time-worn Town-House, now in its fair proportions rises the County Court House. With the gray walls of the staid Athenaaun on his Jight, he climbs the hill to the Uni- versity where he also sees many works of industry in the form of new buildings and other improvements. But will the stranger please accept our guidance to some of the most noted, and leading points of interest to visit here and there throughout the city. Leaving Narragansett Hotel and passing up Broad Street, from Dorrance to Richmond Street we get a view of the widest street in the city. A little far- ther on the music of falling water is heard and the eye refreshed with the sight of the tossing, sparkling plumes of the Abbott Park Place fountain. The fine edifice with colonnaded front, next beyond the fountain, is the Beneficent Con- gregational Church, one of the historic churches of the city. A little way down Chestnut Street, to the left, stands the Chestnut Street M. E. Church, the oldest Methodist Church in the city, and directly aci'oss Broad Street stands the handsome brick Central Baptist Church, one of the oldest of that denomination. Passing on up Broad Street we soon reach the Union Congregational Church, with its lofty spire, and turn to the right into Summer Street, where we find the city High School building, facing on three streets, and in close proximity an intermediate school building of picturesque design. Passing on to High Street, we turn again to the right, and move eastward to the junction of High and Westminster streets, near which is the new Cathedral, with its magnificent proportions, and its grand and imposing facade. Directly in front of this splendid edifice, at the junction of the two streets, the monument to the late Mayor Thomas A. Doyle will be erected, and across the square at the corner of Westminster and Jackson streets, fronting the Cathedral, the proposed new block of the Young Men's Christian Association is now in process of con- struction.
PICTURESQUE NARRAGANSETT.
From this point we
(''■Pi ; \ '' , ' ,l1' / ■ .;■. f ! ■ • ' n gain a fine
view of W estmin- ster Street, all of which may be seen at a glance. With its in- cessan t ly moving forms and cha ngin g colors, it is a perfect kaleidosco- pic view in perspective. What a lively, busy scene it is ! Far enough away to catch only the hum of its traffic, we can see the forms of men and w o m e n moving up and down the pave- ment, cross- ing and re- crossing from one
side of the street to the other, while a crowd of vehicles of every description is in constant motion. Half-way up the street the tall, dark, tapering spire of Grace Church breaks the monotony of the sky-line on the right ; upon the left the scene is varied by the lofty towers of the Butler Exchange, or perhaps from the flag-staff surmounting the Hotel Dorrance may float upon the morning air the bright colors of our national banner. .,
But we must not linger, so down the street we go, becoming ourselves a part of the picture we have been contemplating.
Founde
THOMAS J. HILL, the Providence Machine Company, and Manufacturer
We reach the lower end of
4o
PICTURESQUE NARRAGANSETT.
B. B. KNIGHT, Of the Manufacturing Firm of B. B. & R.' Knight
the street, and stop for a moment at the Atlantic building near the junction of West- minster and Weybos- set streets, to point out to our visitor the only bit of resem- blance to Boston, which our city can boast. From our sta- tion, looking directly into Weybosset Street, beyond the Post- Office, there is pre- sented in the narrow- ness of the street, the lofty blocks on either side, and the closing up and disappearance of the street in its curving lines, a strong suggestion of likeness to some of the narrow
and winding by- ways of Boston, in the neighborhood of Court Street and Cornhill.
From Crawford Street Bridge, looking south, in the early morning or near the sunset hour, especially when the condi- tion of the atmos- phere is favorable, very fine views of the harbor and upper bay, with quite effective and picturesque ef- fects, may be eas- ily obtained, or turning north-
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WILLIAM H. HOPKINS, Of the Firm of Hopkins, Pomroy & Company.
PROVIDENCE.
4'
EXCHANGE PLACE.
ward as pleasing pictures of the business section of our city will gratify the visitor.
For an enjoyable stroll, and to give the visitor and sight-seer the best views of the principal buildings and prominent features of the east side of the city, let us start from the old City Hall, now the Board of Trade Rooms, on Market Square, and passing up North Main Street, we soon come to Waterman Street, at which corner we find the venerable First Baptist Church, with its cool, green lawn, surrounded with its ancient elms. It is the oldest church edifice in the city, and one of the finest specimens of church architecture. Its tall, symmet- rical spire never fails to excite the admiration of the cultured observer. In this old church the commencement exercises of the University have been held for a long succession of years.
Keeping up the street we have the State Normal School building confront- ing us, and as we cross Benefit Street, looking either way along this shaded
avenue, we notice its many fine old mansions, arches, we catch a glimpse of the First Congregational Church spire, the pictur- esque outline of the County Court House, and the brown stone facade of the Central Congregational Church, with its twin tur- rets. Still following up Waterman Street to the right, we pass on either side delight- ful residences, and reach the hill-top at the junction of Waterman and Prospect streets. Across the way are the classic grounds and structures of Brown University ; di- rectly in front stands the new Library Building of the University (the gift of the late John Carter Brown), one of the finest in the world ; next east is the cabinet of
Southward, through the leafy
JOHN AUSTIN, ESQ.,
President of the High Street Bank.
Founder of the Austin Gold Refinery.
42 PICTURESQUE NARRAGANSETT.
the Rhode Island Historical Society, with its rare collection of books, relics, and historical souvenirs open to visitors daily in the season. Waterman Street stretches thence eastward to the Seekonk River, along which, and on its parallel and intersecting streets in this favorite section of the city, the visitor will find many most charming private residences, with generous surroundings, adorned with shrubbery and flowers, fountains and statuary. We turn northward and take our way along Prospect Street, marking the tokens of wealth and ease on either side. Following Prospect as far as Barnes Street, and then going east we make Hope Reservoir, from the commanding site of which we gain a broad outlook. To the eastward are the pleasant grounds of Dexter Asylum and the Friends' School, which is one of the notable and honored landmarks of the city ; to the north and northwest the view widens out over the town and far away to the blue ranges of the open country.
There are in Providence eighty-four church edifices and more than ninety societies that meet for religious worship, about ten of whom hold their services in hired halls. There are thirteen Baptist Churches, nine Congregational, twelve Episcopal, five Free Baptist, ten Methodist Episcopal, five Colored Methodist, fourteen Roman Catholic, three Unitarian, two Universalist, and two Presbyterian, besides ten of various other denominations. Many of the churches are elegant structures and add much to the beauty of the city. The most inter- esting from a historical point of view is the First Baptist Church on North Main Street already mentioned. St. John's Episcopal Church stands next in histori- cal importance. It is a handsome stone edifice further up North Main Street, and stands near the spot where the first settlement was made. The largest and most imposing church edifice in the city is SS. Peter and Paul's Cathedral on High, near the head of Westminster Street, which was dedicated with imposing ceremonies July, 1887. Other edifices in the central portion of the city are Grace Church, on Westminster Street, the First Universalist, corner Greene and Washington streets ; Westminster Congregational, Mathewson Street, and directly opposite the Mathewson Street M. E. Church ; Central Baptist, corner High and Burrill streets, and across the square on Broad Street the Beneficent Congregational ; further up Broad Street is the Union Congregational, a beautiful brick structure ; All Saints' Memorial, Episcopal, corner High and Stewart street, is a beautiful building of gothic architecture ; a short distance away is the Stewart Street Baptist Church. On the east side are many fine churches, the most noticeable of which are St. Stephen's, Episcopal, George Street, near Thayer; Hope Street M. E. Church, corner Power and Hope streets ; St. Joseph's Catholic Church, corner Hope and Arnold streets ; First Congregational, Benefit, corner Benevolent Street. The older churches in the city are nearly all plain struct- ures, but those erected in recent years are more elaborate and much better specimens of architecture. The Episcopal churches are nearly all very beautiful buildings, and the Roman Catholic churches are remarkable for their substantial character, as well as for their architectural excellence.
It has always been a matter of uncertainty as to where Roger Williams was buried. Tradition has it that his remains were interred on the estate at the corner of Benefit and Bowen streets where the Sullivan Dorr house, so called, now stands,
PROVIDENCE.
43
and which was at one time the residence of Thomas W. Dorr, the leader of the rebellion of 1842. There was a small graveyard here in the rear of the existing barns, and these graves were opened in 1S60 under the direction of Stephen Randall, a descendant from Mercy, the youngest daughter of Roger Williams. In this lot an orchard had been growing for many years. When the grave sup- posed to be that of Roger Williams was opened " a singular incident was dis- covered. The root of an apple tree had turned out of its way to enter in at the head. Following the position of the body to the thighs it divided and followed each leg to the feet, tender fibres shooting out in various directions. By nature's promptings it had taken up the chemical deposits of the body and turned them into blossoms and fruit." These quoted words are from an article by an official of Brown University who is an authority on local history. In the cabinet of Brown University this root can be seen to this day, appropriately labeled.
Having thus briefly noticed the more important points of interest in the city, and given the visitor a " starter," we shall leave him to make his own way to the many other features of local interest which it is not necessary to enumerate here, and which will be indicated for his benefit in the Stranger's Guide.
On the night of February 15-16, iSSS, Providence was visited by one of the most disastrous fires in its history. At 11.45 p. m., on Wednesday the 15th, the alarm rang out and shortly after midnight the fire had enveloped the Chace block, a large, towering brick edifice on the corner of Eddy and Fountain streets, and despite the efforts of the fire department, the flames spread until the whole section bounded by Union, Washington, Eddy, and Fountain streets, was ablaze. On this territory there were a number of large buildings, the whole covering more than twelve acres of ground in the most central portion of the city. The flames leaped from building to building until by 3 a. m. on Thursday morning, the 16th, there was no hope of saving any of the structures within the limits already mentioned, and the efforts of the firemen were expended to saving the adjoining buildings across the street from the doomed section.
When daylight came the scene was one of desolation and ruin such as is seldom witnessed, but the effect in many respects was not only beautiful, but grand. The front of the Aldrich House was still standing, and the water from the firemen's hose had frozen on it in all manner of fantastic shapes, making a pic- ture that was both weird and beautiful, and transforming the structure into a verit- able ice palace, in which shape, as the weather was very cold, it endured for days, and while in this condition numerous photographs of it were taken. Our illustrations on page 47 show to great advantage this phenomenon as well as many other views of the ruins. The entire loss by this fire was about $500,000, which was only partly covered by insurance. One of the most serious losses was the entire destruction of the " Proprietors' Records," the documentary evidences and plans of the original land titles in the city and " Providence Plantations." They were in an iron-bound box in the office of Henry Staples & Company, in the Chace block, Eddy Street.
Just after midnight Saturday morning, February iSth, it was discovered that the well-known Theatre Comique, corner of Orange and Weybosset streets, was on fire. Although the department responded immediately, the
44
PICTURESQUE NARRAGANSETT.
flames had gained such headway — the building being of wood, o Id and dry — that all ef- forts to stay their prog- ress were futile until the entire in- terior of the edifice and of an adjoin- ing wooden building, the Telegraph House, had been con- sumed. The loss by this fire w a s about $25,- 000, partly covered by insurance.
Again on Sunday af- ternoon,Feb- ruary 19th, were the citizens of Providence startled by a call of fire, the third in four days. This time it was the Daniels & Cornell building, on Custom House Street, where the fire was supposed to have started about three o'clock in a water closet on the third floor, and had run up the shaft and also ascended the stair well. The fire soon obtained a strong headway on the upper floor in the large printing establishment of J. A. & R. A. Reid, and belched forth from the windows on the Custom House Street side in tongues of flames reaching half-way across the street. Such was the fierceness of the fire, that it was feared the magnificent collection of engravings which had been the accumulations of years, as well as the plates of a number of costly books published by the firm, would be destroyed. Next morning, however, it was found that while the fire had completely wrecked the establish- ment, the cuts and plates, although damaged to a considerable extent, were practically safe. The fire had not damaged the building much below the upper floor, but the damage by water on the lower floors was very great.
WILLIAM T. NICHOLSON, Founder of the Nicholson File Works.
PROVIDENCE.
45
Notes on some of the Industries of the City. — One of the most favorably known and 'important of the iron industries in the city of Provi- dence, and one having a history of more than half a century, is that of the Providence Machine Company, of which Thomas J. Hill is the president and treasurer. These works have occupied an extensive site on Eddy Street for the last forty years. They are bounded on the west by Eddy Street, on the north by Crary Street, on the east by that extensive tract of water frontage and land, known to all Rhode Islanders as " Hill's Wharf, " on the south by the American Screw Company's buildings, and have always been known locally as "Hill's Machine Shop." From these works have been sent forth machines represent- ing the highest type of every stage of improvement made in cotton and woolen machinery, and their product to-day is abreast of every demand of the modern manufacturer. The establishment throughout is now, and long has been, one of the most complete and perfect in New England. The works were estab- lished and developed by Mr. Thomas J. Hill, and their history forms only one of the incidents in his varied and eminently successful business career. Mr. Hill was born in Pawtucket, in 180=;, and early in life he engaged in mechani- cal pursuits. In 1830 he came to Providence and took charge of a machine shop in connection with the steam mill then owned by Samuel Slater. In 1834 Mr. Hill and Mr. Slater formed a partnership under the name of the Provi- dence Machine Company. In 1S35 Mr. Slater died, and Mr. Hill conducted the business alone, and built it up to such an extent that in 1845 the present extensive buildings were erected. In 1S46 Mr. Hill became the sole proprietor. A charter for a corporation had been secured in 1S67 and in 1874 a company was organized with Mr. Hill as president and treasurer ; his son, Mr. Albert Hill, secretary ; and Mr. Geo. J. Hazard, the present active manager, as agent. The works have been continuously prosperous from the first. The present manufactures of the company tax the works to their full capacity, and comprise cotton roving frames, combers and lap machines, worsted drawing, slubbing and roving frames, and worsted spinning and twisting frames. About three hundred hands are employed on the different branches of the work, which are carried on in separate buildings adapted to the purpose. The main building covers an area of 60 x 220 feet and is three stories in height; the pattern building is 40x80 feet, and the blacksmith shop 40 x 100 feet. All parts of the machines are made* by the company, including castings and wood work, and all the machinery made is finished in the most substantial and thorough manner. Mr. Hazard, the man- ager, is a thorough machinist and gives every part of the work his personal super- vision. He has been with the company since 1854 — with the exception of an interval of four years when he was engaged with the Providence Tool Company in manufacturing rifles — and has advanced from the position of an apprentice to that which he now holds.
Besides his connection with this, his original and pet enterprise, Mr. Hill has been very extensively engaged in other manufacturing ventures through- out New England. In 1867 he organized the Rhode Island Malleable Iron Works and founded the village known as " Hill's Grove," about seven miles from this city; and in 1S75 he started a cotton mill there of 20,000 spindles which he named the Elizabeth mill in honor of his wife.
46 PICTURESQUE NARRAGANSETT.
Now-a-days the necessity of and the benefit resulting from insurance are so well recognized that the only question is the reliability of the companies carrying the policy and the business character and trustworthiness of the agency through which it is negotiated. Mr. F. A. Waldron, Jr., having had an experi- ence of twenty years in this city in the insurance business, established an agency in 1SS7 at 33 Westminster Street, and represents the following first-class com- panies: German American, of New York, with a capital of $1,000,000, gross assets $5,286,249, and net surplus over and above all indebtedness $2,112,138 ; Fireman's Fund Insurance Company, of San Francisco, Cal., with a capital of $1,000,000, gross assets $2,181,925, and a net surplus of $367,568; the Merchants' Insurance Company of Newark, N. J., with a capital of $400,000, gross assets of $1,312,031, and net surplus of $467,249. Besides representing these companies which take fire risks, Mr. Waldron is the agent for the Trav- elers' Life and Accident Insurance Company, Hartford, Conn., the largest and strongest accident insurance company in the world, which has a paid up capital of $6,000,000, assets of over $9,000,000, a reserve of $7,000,000, and a surplus of $2,000,000. Mr. Waldron's experience equips him excellently for the posi- tion he now occupies, and the standing of the companies he represents guaran- tees insurance of the highest reliability. The agency can at any time be called up by telephone, the number being 16SS, and Mr. Waldron's post-office box is 1481.
The oldest joint stock fire and marine insurance company in New England, and the sixth oldest in the world is the Providence Washington Insurance Company. It is the largest concern of the kind in Rhode Island. The com- pany under its present name dates from 1S17, when the Providence and the Washington Insurance companies united their business and their names. The first of these companies was organized in 1799, and the other in 1S00. They had done a prosperous business before this consolidation, and since then it has been continually increasing and extending, now having agents scattered throughout the United States. The cash capital at present is $400,000, and the assets on January 1st, 1S8S, were $1,116,858.70. The offices of the com- pany are at 20 Market Square, in the Providence Washington building, for- merly known as the What Cheer building, and now owned by this company. Since its organization the company has only had four presidents : first, Richard Jackson, father of Governor Jackson; second, Sullivan Dorr; third, John Kingsbury; and fourth, the present incumbent, J. H. DeWolf. The present secretary is J. B. Branch, and assistant secretary, George E. Bixby. The directors have always been men prominently identified with the business and manufactures in the state. The names of the present board, who are eminently men of the highest business position and character, are as follows : Rowland Hazard, J. H. De Wolf, Wm. Grosvenor, Jr., Wm. Ames, Henry J. Steere, F. W. Carpenter, R. I. Gammell, E. Philip Mason, Royal C. Taft, Eugene W. Mason, John S. Palmer.
48
PICTURESQUE NARRAGANSETT.
The building of steam engines has been an important industry in the city of Providence for more than fifty years, in fact many of the chief improvements have been the inventions of local mechanics and manufacturers. In 1821, John Babcock began to build engines after the general pattern of Boulton & Watts, and his machines were put in to run cotton mills and print works in the city and its neighborhood. The works that Mr. Babcock then established have had a continuous existence from that time, and the present Providence Steam En- gine Company is the historical descendant of the early concern. The firm of Bartlett & Thurston succeeded John Babcock, and in 1S43-4 Noble T. Greene became a member. After various changes, in 1S63 the concern was organized as a corporation under the state laws, and named the Providence Steam Engine Company. Rathbone Gardner is president and treasurer, and T. W. Phillips manager and secretary.
From 1S61 to 1SS4 these works were very largely engaged in the manufacture of marine engines and boilers. During the war of the Rebellion the company constructed many such engines for the United States government, successfully putting in operation two engines for sloops of war of three thousand tons each, three in double-ender gunboats designed for river service, and supplied more
THE IMPROVED GREENE ENGINE.
than three thousands tons of boilers, besides furnishing steam steering ap- paratus and steam windlasses. When the government began to construct its own boilers for furnishing high pressures, the company supplied them with the steam riveting machines required. The company was among the earliest builders of compound engines, one of which has been in successful operation at the Hope Pumping Station in this city for the past twelve years, night and day. The company makes a specialty of constructing the Improved Greene En- gine. The original automatic cut-off engine was known as the "Sickle's Cut- off', " and this company was the first and sole builders for land use. The next engine of this type to come into use was the Corliss, — soon followed by the Greene, which was built at these works under a royalty until its manufact- ure was enjoined by Geo. H. Corliss for alleged infringement of his patent. On the expiration of the Corliss patent in 1869, this company purchased the
PROVIDENCE.
49
Greene patent, revised the engine, retaining all the valuable features of the original Greene, eliminating the defects, and substituting new and valuable improvements which they have patented. They are now the sole builders, and the engine as now constructed is as nearly per- fect as the science of the times will permit. It is built for ioo lbs. steam, and is run from So to ioo revolutions per minute — the latter for electric lighting, for which pur- pose it is particularly adapted on account of its fine regulation. Since the} commenced its con- struction, the works have been run full time and extra hours, and its manufacture is now simply a ques- tion of the capacity of the works to produce it.
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THE CHESTNUT STREET M. E. CHURCH.
Better and less noisy methods of celebrating the national holiday have come into vogue in recent years, and at private outdoor gath- erings in the summer the practice of illumination on many occasions is becom- ing common. These facts, with the growing taste for decoration, at times of public or private celebration, has created more of a uniform demand for the classes of merchandise required to produce these effects. The only place in Rhode Island that makes an exclusive specialty of this description of goods is the Rhode Island Toy & Fh-ework Company, 23 Weybosset Street, F. C. Ferrin, Manager. They keep all kinds of fireworks and decorating goods for celebrating and political purposes, and their stock of Chinese and Japanese lanterns for illu- minating purposes is very extensive. Lines of supplies for political campaign purposes are carried in large quantities, and a special effort will be made this presidential year to meet the demand ; the only thing in this line the company does not deal in is uniforms. They manufacture a large proportion of their goods in another state, and also import all their foreign goods themselves, by these means being enabled to sell to gi'eater advantage than other dealers possi- bly can. This season a special invoice of 40,000 Japanese lanterns have been imported. For the winter and holiday trade the firm imports large quantities of Christmas goods — toys, albums, fancy articles, china ware, etc. A large as- sortment of sporting goods is always in stock, and the company are agents for Reach's base ball supplies. The store at Weybosset Street is occupied for sale purposes, but on Peck Street the company has two extensive floors for storage.
5o PICTURESQUE NARRAGANSETT.
The art of photography has attained a high degree of perfection in Provi- dence, and among the leading and most popular studios is the one established by Mr. H. Q. Morton at 75 Westminster Street. He began in this city in 1873, and has sustained a rapidly increasing business ever since. As an artist he has an enviable reputation, and by his untiring energy and determination to secure all of the latest improvements, and to do only the best work, he still continues to receive a patronage unexcelled by any photographer in New England. At one time he had made engagements for sittings for every fifteen minutes from 8 to 5 o'clock daily for three weeks in advance, which is more than most artists have ever realized, and which bespeaks for him an ability to produce work in every way satisfactory to the public. His rooms are supplied with every im- plement ever invented necessary to develop the camera's finest results, either in card photographs, cabinets, panels, or large portraits. During the busy season he employs about twenty assistants. In addition to the above, Mr. Morton has completed and equipped a studio at Block Island at an expense of several thou- sand dollars, which he opens to the bon ton patronage of that noted summer resort during the months of July and August, and has also opened rooms at 81 Westminster Street, Providence. In his particular department he has, by enduring enterprise, added very materially to the business growth of the city.
Probably the historical successor of the old-time inn, where the fathers of the village assembled to gossip over the events of the day with each other and with the passing traveler, is the modern first-class hair-dressing establishment, where the genial but loquacious knight of the shears and the razor not only sharpens his steel implements, but, by interesting converse, " sharpeneth the countenances of his friends" of the great public. At no place in the city of Providence do business and professional men assemble in larger numbers or come in such a continuous stream, as at the hair-dressing rooms of W. J. Nichols, 26 Market Square. They are centrally located, being near the chief business section of the city. None but the best men are employed, eleven chairs being continuously in use, while an extra chair is in reserve. The establishment is first-class in every respect, and is not only the largest in the city of Providence, but in New England. In addition to the tonsorial features, a number of perfectly appointed bath-rooms are connected with the establish- ment.
One of the most important branches of the jewelry manufacture is the re- fining and smelting of the worked-over material, "sweepings," and refuse of jewelry shops. Formerly these "sweepings," as all this class of refuse is tech- nically called, were thrown away as useless, but the invention of methods for the extraction of the gold and silver demonstrated the fact that the manufacturers had been wasting valuable material, and now the processes have been brought to such perfection that nearly everything is saved. This business has been de- veloped to its highest perfection in Providence by John Austin, at 74 and 76 Clifford Street, where he has in operation the most complete jewelers' smelting
PROVIDENCE.
51
THE REFINING WORKS OF JOHN AUSTIN, ESQ.
works for waste that contains gold and silver, in the country, and probably in perfection of appointment and effectiveness of operation unequaled anywhere. Mr. Austin has been in this business since 1S57, starting originally as a workman. In 1S62 he began business on his own account, on Dorrance Street, and moved to his present location in 1863. Until within five years ago the business consisted entirely of refining " sweeps," which were shipped in the refined state all over this country and abroad, chiefly to Paris and London. But on account of a variety of circumstances, Mr. Austin realized that he would have to do his own smelting, and accordingly with the assistance and advice of skilled foreign workmen, he was enabled to develop a system of smelting that has resulted in making his establishment second to none in this line anywhere, and by this means all the zinc, copper, and lead which were really thrown away when the " sweeps" were shipped, are saved and utilized at home. With the present facilities an average of one and a quarter tons of "sweeps" can be smelted per hour. The development of the processes has been mainly the result of Mr. Austin's own study and experiments, and they are now so perfect as to be extremely simple and economical in practice, so that at his establishment much more work and better results are obtained for a corre- sponding outlav of time and labor than at nnv other similar place in the country.
52
PICTURESQUE NARRAGANSETT.
The city of Providence has many- special lines of manufacture, but none are more interesting than one conducted on the banks of the Seekonk River, cor- ner of Waterman and East River streets, near the Red Bridge, in a peaceful neigh- borhood, quite away from the hum of business. Here, in commodious quar- ters, the American Ship Windlass Com- pany constructs steam windlasses, steam capstans, improved hand windlasses and capstans, and these machines have been and "are of such approved merit that they are in general use in the best class of vessels, both in the government and merchant service. Attention is exclusively devoted to the construction of these machines, the methods of operation, the tools and appliances, and as a result the machines themselves have all been brought to a very high degree of perfection. The demands of modern commerce require large vessels, and the labor of weighing the anchors of these monster crafts as compared with the former class of vessels is such that the steam windlass is a necessary adjunct,
:e steam capstan windlass, new style.
3
fl T 'm-*-*'-"--
U ^ ^
WORKS OF THE AMERICAN SHIP WINDLASS COMPANY.
while its use saves much time and labor, as by its means two men can often accomplish work formerly requiring twenty or twenty-five. A majority of the steel and iron ships built in the last twelve years on the Atlantic coast and the great lakes are provided with this windlass, and seven-eighths of all the ves- sels of the country have them in use to-day.
PROVIDENCE.
5.1
OFFICE AND WAREHOUSE OF RUMFORD CHEMICAL WORKS, SOUTH WATER STREET, PROVIDENCE.
When Roger Williams was banished from Massachusetts, he first landed on the east side of the Seekonk River, near the present village of Rumford, in East Providence, R. I.
In these later days Rumford has attained a position of no little importance, by reason of the location there in 1854, of the famous Rumford Chemical Works, a corporation organized by Professor E. N. Horsford, of Cambridge, Mass., and his associates. The spot — once a barren waste — is now covered with fertile fields. Mr. Horsford was then Rumford Professor in Harvard Uni- versity, and in honor of this professorship and of its founder, Count Rumford, the works take their name. The products of the works are known as Professor Horsford's chemical preparations. They are " Horsford's Cream Tartar Substi- tute," " Horsford's Bread Preparation," "Rumford Yeast Powder," "Hors- ford's Phosphatic Baking Powder," " Horsford's Acid Phosphate," " Hors- ford's Anti-Chlorine," and "Horsford's Sulphite," besides general and special chemicals.
The product has been increased lately by a new manufacture, namely, a sparkling beverage which has been named " Phosa." It is prepared from Horsford's acid phosphate and pure fruit juices, and is a delightful, healthful, and refreshing drink.
The works and their productions are of national importance, and they may indeed be considered as one of our national industries.
As an instance of the high estimation in which these productions are held by scientific men, we subjoin an extract from a personal letter from Baron
54 PICTURESQUE NARRAGANSETT.
Liebig, the greatest known chemist in the world, to the inventor, Professor E.N. Horsford :
"Royal Bavarian Academy of Science, Munich, July, 1868. "I have satisfied myself of the purity and excellence of your bread preparations. I consider this invention as one of the most useful drifts which science lias made to mankind! It is certain that the nutritive varae of the flour will be iucreased teu per cent, by your phosphatic bread preparations, and the result is precisely the same as if the fertility of our wheat fields had been increased by that amount. What a wonderful result is this! "
To most persons mechanical processes are particularly interesting, and this is especially so in regard to such as deal with the materials of every day life. For this reason the grinding of grain has always been an unfailing source of pleased attention, and since it was one of the first of industries it has been cele- brated in song and story, by many of the greatest writers of the age. " Ho ! the dusty miller," — his mill on the river bank by the falls, was always the centre of trade, of gossip, and has been made the scene of many a romance. Now-a-days the opportunities for observing an old fashioned-grist mill are rare, but the modern mills are far more wonderful with their improved machinery. The mill of the Arlington Hay and Grain Company, Anthony Corcoran, man- ager, on corner Cranston Street and Depot Avenue, near the horse-car barn, is one of the most perfectly appointed of modern grist mills. It is equipped with Westinghouse boiler and engine of 60 horse-power, has automatic conveyors for grain to every story of the building, and is supplied with coolers and all modern appliances for handling grain. There are facilities for grinding 60 bushels of grain per hour, and the elevators will unload from cars twenty bushels per minute. One hundred bushels of corn in the ear can be ground in one hour by the Sullivan Cracker in use in the mill. For economy in hand- ling, efficient management, and eligible situation, the mill has no superior, and on account of these advantages the patrons have the benefit of the lowest prices. The company, like the ancient millers, grind grain for customers, and do it promptly with satisfaction to all concerned. Besides their mill business the company also deals in hay, straw, salt, coal, wood, and grain of all kinds, and in addition to their main establishment already mentioned, have a branch store at 290 Broadway, Olneyville. Their telephone call number is 3816-2.
Until comparatively few years ago there was no distinct profession of dentis- try, but every medical man, whether skilled in that line or not, was a dentist, his practice of the art, however, consisting mainly of extracting teeth ;• but with the subdivision of labor and the establishing of specialties in very recent time, dentistry has become a distinct profession, and from being merely devoted to the pulling of teeth, now deals more with their general care and preservation. Continuous advances have also been made for a number of years past in the use of anaesthetics, in methods of filling, dealing with sensitive teeth, and the making and fitting of artificial teeth. No practitioner of this noble and necessary profession has striven more earnestly to keep abreast of all these modern improvements than W. H. Tillinghast, D. D. S., 220 Westminster Street, Providence, in whose elegantly appointed, convenient, and roomy apart- ments the patient will be certain of the best care, skill, and treatment, and can also be sure that the methods employed are those which experience and the latest research has demonstrated to be the best.
PROVIDENCE.
55
No concern in Providence has acquired a wider or better reputation for ef- fective machines in their own line than Volney \V. Mason & Co. Their specialties are hoisting ma- chinery, friction pulleys, and clutches. The excellence of these appliances is shown by the fact that this company re- cently fitted up
sixty -one hoisting machines, shafting, etc., in the New York Central and Hud- son River Railroad Company's hay depot, New York, being the most extensive collection of hoisting machinery ever assembled and operated in one establish- ment. Illustrated and described in the Scientific American, Api-il 21st, 18SS. They took the contract for the erection of these machines against all competition, and completed it in sixty days. Elevators of various kinds are also made, and many separate appliances that go with the peculiar class of machines made- The firm makes a point of carrying in stock a full line of wire rope for elevators, transmission, and rigging purposes, and are the only parties in Providence carry- ing such a stock.
THE RHODE ISLAND HOSPITAL.
To establish a business, and by glowing advertisements and well-filled and gaudy show windows to hold the patronage of the public for a year or more, is comparatively easy, but the man of enterprise who succeeds for upwards of two decades in carrying a gradually increasing business year after year, selling to regular patrons, is the representative merchant — the one who must enjoy the better class of patronage. We find such the case in the career of the millinery es- tablishment located at 166 Westminster Street, Providence, which was founded in 1S6S by A. Rhodes, whose name is well-known throughout the city and state from the fact that under his efficient management it has become one of the leading millinery houses of the state, and enjoys a patronage from the city and surround- ing towns unsurpassed by any establishment in New England. The secret of Mr. Rhodes* success is generally ascribed to his system of buying first-class goods in the belief that customers appreciate a trade which will give them last- ing satisfaction rather than pay their money for cheap goods, saving perhaps a few cents on the purchase, but by far the more costly in the end.
56
PICTURESQUE NARRAGANSETT.
THE WORKS OF THE NICHOLSON FILE CO.
Probably no better illustration of the skill and enterprise of native mechan- ics can possibly be cited than that afforded by the history of the Nicholson File Company. Mr. William T. Nicholson, a native of Pawtucket, and all his life engaged in the construction of intricate machinery, developed during and soon after the Civil War a series of machinery for the construction of files. Previous to that time file making by machinery had not been a success, but Mr. Nicholson made a very eminent success. The works, which are undoubtedly the largest of their kind in the world, are located near the heart of the city upon a plat of four acres of land, two-thirds of which is covered by substantial brick buildings, devoted entirely to the production of files, rasps, and filers' tools. The officers of the company are : W. T. Nicholson, president ; Stephen Nicholson, super- intendent; Geo. Nicholson, treasurer; and Samuel Nicholson, secretary.
For the extraction of teeth without pain the new anaesthetic is> the best in use. Dr. J. W. Bond, 224 Westminster Street, corner of Mathewson, has had many years' experience, and performs all operations very successfully and satis- factorily, and by its use he has extracted twenty-eight teeth at one sitting with positively no pain. The doctor specially excels in the making of artificial teeth. Particular attention given to preserving the natural teeth, and filling is done in the best manner. The office is fitted up with all the latest appliances, and the whole interior presents an air of general attractiveness.
PROVIDENCE.
$; iter
IS l.;;!li>.
It is very frequently a ques- tion with many of us as to where we can get a good suit of clothes made, and often a few hints about that matter from friends are very seasona- ble and aid us in making selec- tions. One of the best places in the city, easy of access, well lighted so that the quality and texture of the goods can be in- spected to advantage, is the tailoring establishment of H. W. Hudson & Company, on the ground floor of the Narra- gansett Hotel building, corner of Broad and Dorrance streets. The goods are principally of foreign make, but the best American fabrics are also kept in stock, so that there is always plenty of chance for selection, and the firm caters chiefly to the fine tailoring trade, and do very satisfactory work. In 1879 they started business in the Old Infantry building, but in 1885 moved to their present location, where they have one of the best appointed establishments in the city. From the very beginning their business has constantly increased, necessitating in time their removal, and a continuous increase in the amount of stock carried has been required ever since then.
THE NARRAGANSETT HOTEL, Corner of Broad, Dorrance, and Eddy Streets.
In these days of change it is pleasant occasionally to find a business that has endured for half a century. Such is the record of that conducted by George Hutchins at 122 and 124 South Main Street, in the Infantry Building. This business was first established in 1838 at No. 9 Westminster Street, where it continued until January 1, 1858, when it was moved to the Howard Build- ing on Westminster Street, but remained there only one year, as that building was burned. For sixteen years thereafter the business was located at corner of Broad and Dorrance Streets. It was removed to Howard building in 1874 and remained there eight years, was then for two years on corner of Westmin- ster and Union Streets, and for the past six years has been at its present location. The business increased continually from 1S50 to 1S75, a period of twenty-six years, in the last named year reaching the fine sum of a quarter of a million dol- lars. Most of the time since 1850 the stock carried has included crockery, china, glass, gas fixtures, silver ware, kerosene, oil and lamp goods. Nearly all the large hotels in the city and state have been furnished from this store, among them the magnificent Narragansett Hotel in this city. The present store is well supplied with all the goods just mentioned and many specialties in those lines, and the cheap rent and the personal attention Mr. Hutchins bestows upon the business enables him to guarantee first-class goods at low prices. He has just added to his stock a new patent oil stove, superior to any now in the mar- ket.
5
5§
PICTURESQUE NARRAGANSETT.
In a busy city the accessibility of a busi- ness establishment is an important consid- eration, especially if it is a place dealing in supplies of prime importance. The firm of Arnold, Miller & Co., dealers in house furnishing goods, corner High and Summer streets, opposite Dean, are ex- ceedingly well located, being within easy walking distance of families on High, Cranston, and Broad streets, Broadway, Atwell's Avenue, the intersecting streets, and all the western part of the city. They occupy a fine, large, brick building, four stories in height, and every floor is reached by a commodious elevator. A large stock is constantly carried, consisting of full lines of all descriptions of household sup- plies, fine furniture, kitchen furnishings, refrigerators, stoves, crockery, wooden ware, screens, curtains, oil stoves, and a specialty is made of carpets and oil cloths. Here may also be found in abun- dance the thousand and one articles necessary to fit out a house, and the cus- tomer will find ample convenience and be sure of the most courteous treatment.
THE EMPORIUM OF ARNOLD, MILLER & CO.
The Friends' School, an institution for both sexes, is upon an eminence in the City of Providence, one hundred and eighty-two feet above tide water. Most of the State of Rhode Island and a large district of Massachusetts are in view from its cupola, while the beautiful waters and shores of Narragansett Bay, complete the picture. Moses Brown, of Providence, founded it in 1784. The Yearly Meeting of Friends for New England has the care of it. A thorough, practical education for business life and the most approved preparation for col- lege are furnished. Many universities and colleges receive students from it on certificates, without examination.
The school has a large number of experienced teachers, and, as far as practicable they are specialists, limited to their several departments. Industrial instruction has recently been added. The fine arts receive special attention. Excellent instruction is given in music. It has an astronomical observatory, valuable apparatus for chemical and physical work, and a rich mineral cabinet. The Library contains about six thousand well-selected volumes. A very home- like and agreeable appearance has recently been given to the rooms by the use of large numbers of beautiful pictures and busts. It is lighted with the Edison incandescent electric light. The educational force of an institution of this character is not limited to school hours ; it is constant. The great benefits of co-education are everywhere discernible. For particulars address, Augus- tine Jones, A. M., Friends' School, Providence, R. I.
^,,f.M
PICTURESQUE NARRAGANSETT.
Man's well-be- ing depends upon many agencies. First, he must be clothed. The wearer of a fabric from the plant or the animal seldom gives a thought to the means by which he is prop- erly clad, yet the making ready of these necessities of civilized exis- tence requires the time, thought, and labor of a vast army of workers. The agents who stand between the producer and the consumer are in- dispensable to both. What hin- drance and waste would result if every man must buy cloth, thread, and buttons, and find cutter and maker. The tailor would be embar- rassed if he had to
procure all his goods from the manufacturer, but he is best served by buying of the merchants who make a specialty of supplying his wants.
Messrs. Hale & Bosworth (George B. Hale and John C. Bosworth) belong to this class of the people's agents, and they deal in foreign and domestic woolens and tailors' trimmings, keeping before their customers the best productions found in home and foreign markets. The business was established January i, 18S2, in Butler Exchange, but is now carried on in the Masonic Hall building, corner of Pine and Dorrance streets, where a large trade, growing larger rapidly, has been built up. Both members of the firm were formerly in the employ of Messrs. James H. Read & Company and are the only members cf the old house now in active business. The firm's wareroom measures 85 x 45, and is excellently adapted to the display of goods. There is ample storage room in the basement, and an elevator is devoted exclusively to the firm's business. The firm is favorably known, and finds customers throughout New England.
IE NEW MASONIC HALL.— WAREROOMS OF HALE & BOSWORTH. Corner Pine and Dorrance Streets. Providence.
PROVIDENCE. 6 1
CAPTAIN W. M. JONES, GEO. A. KILTON,
Superintendent of the Providence Line. Providence Agent of the Winsor Line Steamers.
The "Winsor line" of steamers, at first called the " Empire line," and later the " Keystone line," was established to run as freight steamers between Providence and Philadelphia, in 1866, by J. M. Huntington & Company, or Norwich, Conn. In 1872 the line was sold to Henry Winsor, of Philadelphia, by whom a new company was soon afterwards formed and incorporated by the Massachusetts legislature, with the title of the " Boston & Philadelphia Steam- ship Company," with its shipping port at Providence, transporting the freight received here to Boston and elsewhere by rail.
The new line commenced business here early in 1866, with its first office at the Boston Railroad Company's wharf on India Street, at the foot of Ives. In 1872 the business was removed to the wharf on India, foot of South Main Street. In 1875, because of the great increase of business ample quarters were secured at Ives wharf, where the line now has a water front and a wharfage of 225 feet, with a freight and store-house 225 by 60 feet, with over two acres of yard room and spur tracts connecting with the railroads on India Street ; with ample appliances for receipt, quick discharge, and careful storage of freight.
The line at present comprises three large screw steamers: the Saxon, 1,500 tons, Captain Wm. M. Swasey ; the Catherine Whitiftg, 800 tons, Captain John H. Briggs ; the Aries, 1,200 tons, Captain John R. Briggs, and the Tonazvanda, 800 tons, kept at Philadelphia as a spare steamer. One of these staunch and commodious vessels leaves each port every Wednes- day and Saturday afternoon. The line receives large freights of manufactured goods, cottons, woolens, hardware, and machinery, and brings back large cargoes of cotton, wool, leather, iron, hides, and other southern and western products. From Philadelphia, the agents forward freight west by the Penn- sylvania Railroad, and south by the Ocean Steamship Company to Savannah.
The present officers of the line are as follows : president, Henry Winsor, of Philadelphia ; treasurer, Edward Whitney, of Boston ; secretary, James Hill, of Boston. Agents : Henry Winsor & Company, at Philadelphia ; E. B. Sampson, at Boston. Mr. George A. Kilton has been the Providence agent of this line from 1872 to the present time.
63 PICTURESQUE NARRAGANSETT.
.In 1S30, not far from its present location, the Phenix Iron Foundry was es- tablished. The business of the concern has always been largely in connection with cotton and woolen mills and dyeing, bleaching, and finishing works. Heavy shafting in all its parts, and gearing have been made chiefly for the fifst two industries mentioned, while for the other three complete machinery has been manufactured. Here in these works have been made the majority of the large calender rolls used in this country, which are constructed of either corn husks, cotton, or paper. Other specialties manufactured are tentering machines for diving and softening cloth including ginghams and velveteens ; mangles of all kinds, hydraulic presses, and a variety of other machines.
A machine shop has always been operated in immediate connection with the foundry. In 1S4S, the principal owners with others built the Elm Street machine shop, and both establishments were conducted practically by the same management. The machine shops and their connected buildings are on Elm and Butler streets and extend through to South. They have a frontage of eighty feet on Elm, 200 feet on Butler, and eighty feet on South Street, covering the entire lot. There is also a wood working shop on corner of Elm and South street where the patterns and wood work of the establishment are made, and the dimensions of which are 30 x 90 feet. The foundry and offices of the company are on Elm Street east of Eddy. The total area of the entire works is 200,000 square feet.
The first American-made calico printing machine was produced here, and their manufacture still forms a part of the business. For about forty years a friction pulley clutch has been made, which for substantial character for large power has never been excelled.
The concern has recently begun the manufacture of the Nagle power boiler feed pump, which meets a demand long existing for a thoroughly good force pump for the continuous feeding of steam boilers and general mill use for sup- plying tanks, etc. It is exclusively made at these works. Send for book giving full information.
In a spacious fire-proof building are stored patterns for gears to the value of more than two hundred thousand dollars. These, with patterns for pulleys of all sizes have been accumulating for nearly sixty years. A full list of gears and pulleys has been printed for the use of patrons.
The daily capacity of the foundry for castings is above twenty -five tons. There is no intermission in the daily casting, so that mill owners and others may be sure of the prompt execution of orders.
The capital stock of the company is $140,000. Under a change in the man- agement many improvements have been made and evidences of increased activity are visible *in all directions. The present financial manager is Charles R. Earle, who is president and treasurer. Mr. Amos W. C. Arnold, the present agent, has held that position since 1885, and has been in the employ of the com- pany for about fourteen years. He is a practical man in all respects, and his large experience enables him to take advantage of all recent improvements to develop the works to the best advantage. About one hundred and seventy-five men are employed in the entire works.
"I
PICTURESQUE NARRAGAXSETT.
The largest marble and granite work. . the city of Providence are those of Si ton & Farnum, at 575 High Street. Here at all times can be seen in their extensive sheds all descriptions of monuments, head- stones, mantels, lettering and carving in process of construction Besides this busi- ness the firm deals in marble mantels made in imitation of cherry, mahogany, antique oak, and other prevailing fashionable styles, and the imitations are so perfect that even experts cannot detect them by the eye. The firm are also agents for the Aldine patent iron fire-pla.ce, which is probably the most effective contrivance for heating and ventilating offices and rooms in use. It is the only open fire-place that can be piped to a chimney, one or more rooms removed from the grate itself. It takes in the cold air from the floor by suction, and emits, the heated air from above the grate, while its embodiment of the return draft principle ensures perfect com- bustion, the whole resulting in a very perfect ventilation of the room.
THE ALDINE PATENT FIRE-PLACE
If you want to get a good article in ice cream, one of the best places to go to is W. H. Doughty & Company's, 79 Fifield Avenue. The firm started busi- ness in 1885 rear 989 Eddy Street in a small shop with hand machinery, but business increased so rapidly that next season they removed to their present lo- cation, where they operate a six horse-power engine, run three machines, have five teams out retailing their cream, and employ from seven to ten men. Special attention is paid to supplying families, select parties, church festivals, or excursion parties, and orders large or small can be filled at short notice. A prompt response is always made to telephone orders. The firm also makes a specialty of hulled corn in the winter season, and as some of the partners have had an experience in this line extending over twelve years, they can guarantee an excellent article.
A first-class place where ladies could go to have their hair dressed and trimmed without the publicity that is a necessary feature of even the most elegant barbering establishment patronized by gentlemen, has long since been a desideratum in this city. In view of this fact Messrs. Parker & Storm have recently fitted up a ladies' parlor, in a commodious apartment in the base- ment of the Hotel Dorrance, across the entrance from their gentlemen's es- tablishment. This room is specially devoted to ladies, where they can have the consciousness that they will not be subjected to the scrutiny of a promiscu- ous company ; it is fitted up elegantly, and three chairs are in constant use. In the gentlemen's department across the passage, six chairs are in use. and every convenience, such as baths, boot polishing, etc., is readily furnished.
THE NINTH ANNUAL RHODE ISLAND CLAM DINNER, TENDERED WORKS, AT VUE DE L'EAU CLUB, PR(
THE ELECTRICAL FRATERNITY BY THE AMERICAN ELECTRICAL JENCE, R. I., ON FRIDAY, AUGUST 12th, 1887.
PROVIDENCE.
AMERICAN ELECTRICAL WORKS.
The manufacture of electrical sup- plies is conducted on. an extensive scale by the American Electrical Works, No. 67 Stewart Street, Provi- dence. The business was begun by Eugene F. Phillips in 1S70, with two braiding machines, which could have been run on an ordinary office desk. A steady increase continued until 1S7S, when Mr. Phillips associated with him- self Mr. Wm. H. Sawyer, as superintendent of the works, a thoroughly prac- tical electrician, who has made the mysteries of electricity a life study. This gave a fresh impetus to the business, and in 1SS2 the concern was incorporated as the American Electrical Works, with Mr. Phillips as president, and Mr. Sawyer as secretary and treasurer. Each succeeding year has shown sales much greater than its predecessor, and the scope of articles furnished has increased from two or three styles in 1S70 to over one thousand in 18SS. Among these are electric light wire, telephone, incandescent and electric cordage, magnet wire, patent rubber covered wire, office and annunciator wire, lead encased wire, Faraday aerial and un- derground cables. Orders have increased from a few pounds in 1S70 to ten and twenty thousand at present, the Faraday cables being ordered in lots as large as twenty miles at one time, the length of the latter strung out as single wire would measure 2,000 miles. The main factory is a four-story brick building with a basement, 121 x 40 feet, with two Ls, each 65x30 feet, while in the rear is a four-story wooden building, 115x30 feet, the whole forming a hollow square, in the centre of which is an engine which operates the entire establishment. A visit to these works will repay any one interested in electrical matters.
THE VUE DE L'EAU CLUB HOUSE AND GROUNDS.
66
PICTURESQUE NARRAGANSETT.
The idea' of pain is i n t i - mately associa- ted with the mere sugges- tion of any op- eration upon the teeth. But like any other science or pro- fession, won- derful improve- ments are being made in dentis- try. Dr. Z. T. Williams, 527 High Street, corner of Kn igh t, e x - tracts teeth free
of pain, without the use of chloroform, ether, or gas. He can also extract your teeth and give you a full set the same day, being probably the only man in Providence who can do this. Such a set he guarantees to fit for ten years. His new gold-lined vulcanite plates are worth examining. Special attention is given to treating and saving the natural teeth, and thereby badly decayed and ulcerated teeth are rendered painless and serviceable for years. Roots crowned and restored to their original usefulness. All work done by the doctor will be found to be eminently satisfactory. The office, being at the corner of High and Knight, is exceedingly well located for a large section of the city.
THE FIRST LIGHT INFANTRY BUILDING, South Main Street.
One of the most enjoyable excursions in the state is a trip up the Woonas- quatucket Valley on the Providence and Springfield Railroad, which is only twenty-three miles in length, and runs for nearly the whole distance on the bank of the river, alternately crossing and recrossing the stream, but mostly keeping on the south side. Between Providence and Pascoag, the terminal station, there are sixteen factory villages. The train speeds along past a con- tinual succession of pleasant scenes consisting of wooded banks, sloping mead- ows, mills in the hollows, houses among the trees, a church here and there on high ground, and the river in places stretching out in a wide expanse, held back by a dam, or in other localities rushing over the rocky bed or pouring over an artificial waterfall, a bright and laughing stream. Notwithstanding the many villages, the outlook for the greater part of the distance is on the woods and fields. The road follows the Woonasquatucket River until beyond Georgia- ville, and from thence onward to the terminus follows the valleys of the Tar- kiln and Clear rivers. The beauty of the country along this road has already attracted many residents, who, by means of the railroad, live in these scenes of rural contentment and get to and from their business in the city.
The Strangers' Guide-Providence.
HOTELS.
Narragansett, corner Dorrance and Broad.
Dorrauce, corner Dorrance and Westminster.
City, Broad, near Eddy.
Perrin. 127. 123. ami 131 Washing-ton, opposite Snow.
Central, 6 to 10 Canal.
Revere, corner Pine and Dorrance.
iEtna, (formerly Freeman i. 96 Fnion.
St. George. 66, 68, and 70 Washington.
Musee, 1 Aborn.
Hopkins, 421 and 423 High.
Mansion House, 159 Benefit.
Bruchers, 261 Westminster.
Girard, Eddy Street opposite City Hall.
Bijou, 5U, Union Street,
CHURCHES.
Ba ptist.
Branch Avenne, Flora, corner Ashton.
Broadway, Broadway, corner Valley.
Central, High, corner Burrill.
Congdon Street, Congdon.
Cranston Street. Cranston, corner Paine.
Ebeuezer, Slade building, 45 Eddy.
First, North Main, between Waterman and Thomas.
Fourth. Scott, corner Bacon.
Friendship Street, Friendship, corner Prince.
Jefferson Street, Jefferson, corner Common.
Mt. Pleasant, Academy ave., corner Beaufort.
Roger Williams, Wanskuck.
South, Ocean, corner Gallup.
Stewart Street, Stewart, corner Pond.
Union, East, corner John.
Congregational.
Academy Avenue, Mount Pleasant. Beneficent, Broad, near chestnut. Central, Benefit, near College. Elmwood, Greenwich, corner Oakland. Free. Richmond, corner Pine. North, Charles, near R. R. cr< ssing. Pilgrim. Harrison, near High. Plymouth, Richardson, near Prairie avenue. Union, Broad, near Stewart.
Episcopal. All Saints' Memorial, High, corner Stewart. Church of the Messiah, High, corner Valley. Church of the Redeemer, North .Main, corner Riley. Church of the Saviour, Benefit, corner Tiausit. Church of the Epiphany, Elmwood, Potter's avenue, near Greenwich. Christ, Oxford, corner Eddy. Grace, Westminster, comer Mathewson. St. Paul's, Carroll, near Orms. St. James, Gesler, near Courtland. St. John's, North Main, corner Church. St. Stephen's, George, near Thayer. St. Thomas', Douglas ave., near Wanskuck.
Free Baptist. First, Plainfield, Olneyville.
Greenwich Street, Greenwich, cor. West Friendship. Second, Pond.
Park Street, Park, corner Jewett. Roger Williams, High, corner Knight.
Methodist Episcopal. Asbury, Hewes, near North Main. Broadway, Broad way, corner Ringgold. Chestnut Street. Chestnut, corner Clifford Cranston Street. 441 Cranston. Harris Avenue, Harris ave.. near Broadway Hope Street, Hope, corner Power.
Mathewson Street, Mathewson, between Westminster and Washington. St. Paul's, Potter's avenue, cor. Prairie avenue.
Trinity, Broad, corner Major. Swedish, Federal, corner Salmi.
Roman Catholic.
Assumption. Potter's avenue, near Cranston.
Cathedral, SS. Peter and Paul. High, corner Fenner.
Holy Name. Jenkins, corner Knowles.
Immaculate Conception, West River.
Pro-Cathedral, Broad.
St. Charles, French Church, Branch Avenue.
St. John's. Atwell's avenue, corner Sutton.
St. Patrick's, State, near Smith.
St. Mary's, Broadway, corner Barton.
St. Joseph's, Hope, corner Arnold.
St. Edward's, Geneva.
St. Michael's, Prairie avenue, corner Oxford.
St. Teresa's, Manton avenue.
St. Thomas.
Elmhurst (Convent), Smith.
Unitarian.
First Congregational, Benefit, corner Benevolent.
Olney Street Congregational. Olney, opposite Pratt. Westminster Congregational, Mathewson, near West- minster.
Universalisl. Ballon Universalist, North, near Orms. Church of the Mediator. Cranston, corner Burgess. First, Greene, corner Washington.
Presbyterian. First, Clifford, near Claveri.k. United, Broadway, corner Hicks.
Other Denominations.
Advent Christian Society, Hammond.
African Union, Clayton (colored).
Allen Chape!, ,\ Street (colored).
Bethel, Meeting, near Thayer (colored).
Christian, Broad, corner Fenner.
Christian Mission or Bethel Coffee House, 84 Wickendeu
Church of the Yahveh, Pearl, corner Providence.
Congregation Sons of Israel and David, 98 Wevbosset.
i Iranston Mission, Baptist, Jackson Avenue.
Iioughty's Mission, Advent. Rmad. near Prairie Ave.
Ebenezer Primitive Methodist, Franklin Avenue, cor- ner Vale.
Free Religious Society, Blackstone Hall, Washington, .comer Snow
Friends Meeting, North Main, corner Meeting.
Gorton Hall Christian Mission, Potter's Avenue, near Cranston.
Gospel Mission, 114 Hierh.
I.ilac Street M. E„ 76 Lilac (colored).
Manton Christian Church, Manton avenue, corner ( halkstone avenue.
Mount Zion (colored (Potter's avenue, comer Cranston.
New Jerusalem Church, Broad, corner Linden.
Olivet Mission (colored i. Oomrre^atiomil. Ill Cove, room 4.
Pawtucket Avenue Mission. Baptist. Pawtucket ave.
People's Evangelical Church, 163 Oxford
Pettis Avenue Mission.
Providence Spiritual Association. Blackstone Hall.
Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ, 275 High.
Salvation Army of America, 265 High.
Salvation Army ( Em-'lishi, -jxl High.
Second Advent, Temperance Hal), Eddy, corner Pot- ter's avenue.
„?t™Andrew's Mission, Episcopal, Odd Fellows Hall, Mt. Pleasant,
Swedish Baptist Mission. 98 Weybosset.
Swedish Episcopal Mission, Grace church chapel
Swedish Christian Association, 7(1 Weybosset.
Swedish Methodist Mission, slade Building, Eddy
Swedish Lutheran, Slade Building, Eddy. Union Sea and Land Mission, Ashore and Afloat, 108 John. Union A. M. E„ Leorna. Zion, Gaspee, near Smith (colored).
68
PICTURESQUE NARRAGANSETT.
POINTS OF INTEREST.
Allen's Print Works, Printerv and Thurber's Lane.
American Screw Co.'s Works. New England Mills Eddy.
American Screw Co 's Works, Eagle Mills, Stevens.
American Ship Windlass Co., Waterman, corner East Kiver.
Arcade, 76 to 84 Westminster, running through to Wey- bosset.
Arminarton & Sims Engine Co., Eagle Street.
Arsenal. Benefit, near Meeting.
Athemeum, Benefit.
Atlantic Mills, Manton Avenue, Olneyville.
Barstow Stove Co., Point, corner Chestnut.
Blackstone Hall, Washington, corner Snow.
Board of Trade, Market square.
Brown .t Sharpe Manufacturing Co., Promenade.
Brown University, Prospect.
Brown University Ball Ground. George.
Brown, The John, House. Power, corner Benefit.
Brown, Deputy Governor Elisha, House, 537 and 539 North Main.
Bryant and Stratton Business College, Hoppin Home- stead Building.
Builders' Iron Foundry, 22 Codding, near High.
Burnside Monument. Exchange place.
Butler Hospital for the Insane, Swan PointRoad, near Butler Avenue.
Butler Exchange, Westminster.
Cathedral, High, corner l'enner.
Charity Building, 3 North Court.
City Hall, Exchange place.
City Machine Co., Harris Avenue, corner Acorn.
Conrad Building, Westminster, corner Aborn.
Corliss Steam Engine Co.'s Works, Charles and Burt.
County Court House, Benefit.
Cove Promenade, rear of Union Passenger station.
Custom House, Weybosset.
Davol Rubber Co., 16 Point.
Dexter Training Ground, Dexter, near High.
Dexter Asylum, Hope.
Dyer's Opera House, Olneyville Square, Olneyville.
Dyerville Manufacturing Co., Dyerville.
Elba Woolen Mills, Butler, corner Elm.
Elizabeth Building. 1(;2 to 11)6 North Main.
Elmwood Cotton Mills. Mawney aud Daboll.
Exchange Place, opposite Union Passenger Depot.
Franklin Foundry and Machine Co., Charles and Randall square.
First Baptist Church, North Main.
First Congregational Church, Benefit.
First Universalist Church, Greene.
Fletcher Manufacturing Co., Back and Charles.
Fox Point Wharf, south end South Main.
Freemason's Hall, Dorrance, Pine: and Eddy.
Friends' Boarding School. Hope
Friends' Meeting House, North Main.
Fuller Iron and Machine Works, South Main, cor. Pike.
Gasometer, Crary. (largest dome in the world).
Gas Works, Benefit, coiner Pike.
Gas Works, Laugley.
Gas Works. Allen's avenue.
Geaeva Mill, Douglas Avenue, Geneva.
Gorham Manufacturing Co., North Main, corner Steeple.
Grace Church, Westminster.
Granger Foundry aud Machine Co., Gaspee, corner Francis.
Grant Mill, Carpenter, corner Grant.
Harbor Junction Wharf, South Providence.
Harris Steam Engine Works, Park, corner Promenade.
Hia-h School, Summer.
Hillside Woolen Mills, Eagle.
Home for Atred Women, Front.
Hope Club House, 6 Benevolent.
Hope Pumping Station aud Reservoir, Olney.
Hopkins. Stephen, House. Hopkins.
Hoppin Homestead Building, 277 to 289 Westminster.
Horse Car Depot, foot of Westminster.
Hotel Dorrance. Westminster.
Hoyle Tavern, Junction High and Cranston.
Infantry Armory, South Main.
Laureldale Chemical Works, Promenade.
B F. Keith's Gayety Opera House, formerly Low's Grand Opera House, 192 Westminster.
Manton Manufacturing Co., Manton.
Market Square, space around old city building, near Horse Car station. McWilliams Manufacturing Co., Ill Orange, Miller Iron Co., Harris Avenue. Monohansett Mill, Eagle.
Mowry &Goff, English and Classical School, Snow. Music Hall, Westminster, corner Aborn. Narragansett Boat Club House, Seekonk River, near Red Bridge. Nan agausett Hotel, Dorrance. New England Butt Co., Pearl, corner Perkins. Nicholson File Co., 118 Acorn. Normal School, Benefit, corner Angell. North Burying Ground.
Nottingham Mills (formerly Steam Mill), 314 Dyer. Odd Fellows Hall, 97 Weybosset.
Olneyville Square, end High, at western extremity city, on border town of Johnston.
Oriental Mills, Admiral, corner Whipple.
Phenix Iron Foundry, Eddy, corner Elm.
Point Street Bridge.
Post-Office, Weybosset.
Prospect Terrace. Congdon.
Providence Dyeing, Bleaching and Calendering Co., &36 Valley.
Providence Institution for Savings, 76 South Mam.
Providence Machine Co., 564 Eddy.
Providence National Bank.
Providence Opera House, Dorrance, corner Pine.
Providence Steam Engine Co., 373 South Main.
Providence Worsted Mills, Valley.
Randall Square, junction Charles, Randall, Stevens and Chalkstone Avenue.
Red. or Central Bridge, east end of Waterman, to East Providence.
R. 1. Bleach and Dye Works, Eddy, corner Bleachery.
R. I. Club, 171 Broad.
R. I. Hospital, Eddy.
R. I. Locomotive Works, Valley, corner Hemlock.
R. I. School of Design, Westminster.
Richmond Print Works, Valley, corner Eagle.
Riverside Mills, Kilby, near Manton Avenue.
Roger Williams Park, south end city.
Rumford Chemical Works, 175 South Main, and Rum- ford. East Providence.
Sabin Tavern, The Old, corner Planet and South Main.
Sacred Heart Female Academy, (Roman Catholic), Elmhurst, Smith.
Sanitary Gymnasium, Aborn.
Sans Souci Summer Garden, Broadway.
Seholnekl Commercial College, 174 Westminster.
Silver Spring Bleaching and Dyeing Co., Charles, n. Admiral.
Slate Rock, foot of William, near river bank.
Soldiers' and Sailor's Monument, Exchange place.
State House. North Main.
State Normal School. Benefit.
Stedman & Fuller Manufacturing Co., 58 Warren.
Steere Worsted Mill, Wauskuck.
St. Mary's Church, Broadway.
Sullivan Dorr House, corner Benefit and Bowen.
Swan Point Cemetery. „.,,,.
Tillinghast House, The Old, corner South Main and
Tool Co.'s Works. Burt.
Union Club House, corner Washington aud Aborn. Union Congregational Church. Broad. Union Oil Co., India near Ives. Union Passenger Station. Exchange Place. University Grammar School, cor. College aud Prospect. Valley Worsted Mills, Eagle. Wauskuck Mills. Branch Avenue, Wanskuck. Washington Bridge, Iudia Point to East Providence. Waterman Burial Place, corner Benefit and Waterman. Weybosset Mills Valley, corner Oak. Whipple House, oldest house in Providence, north side Abbott Street, near North Main, at North End. Whitestoue Cotton Mill, Cranston, corner Dexter. Wilkes Barre Pier, East Providence. Y. M. C. A. new building, corner Westminster and Jackson.
INSTITUTIONS.
Arion Club, (musi'-al), Blackstone Hall. Art Club. 11 Thomas.
Atheuseum, Benefit, corner College.
Board of Trade, Market square.
Bronson Lyceum, 159 Westminster.
Brown University, Prospect, opposite College.
Butler Hospital for the Insane, Swan Point Road, near Butler Avenue. „ ,
Children's Friend Society, (Orphan's Home) 47 Tobey.
Christian Mission, or Bethel Coffee House, Wickenden.
Commercial Club, (business).
Deaf and Dumb School, Fountain, near Aborn.
Dexter Asylum, Hope.
Frankliu Lyceum, 62 Westminster.
Friends' School, Hope.
Home for Aged Men, 63 Chestnut.
Home for Aged Women, Front, corner East.
Hope Club, 6 Benevolent.
Irrepressible Society, 81 North Main.
La Salle Academy, Fountain near Broadway.
Mechanics Exchange, 9 Custom House.
Narragausett Boat Club, Seekonk River, foot of Angell.
Providence Association for the Benefit of Colored Chil- dren, 20 Olive.
Providence Lying-in Hospital.
Providence Medical Association. 54 North Mam.
Providence Press Club, Room 17, 4th floor, Butler Ex- change.
Public Library, 55 and 57 Snow.
Reform School, at State Farm. Cranston, R. I.
Rhode Island Exchange for Women's Work, 343 West- minster.
Rhode Island Homeopathic Hospitil, 151 Olney.
Rhode Island News dealers Protective Union, 91 West- minster, room 7.
PROVIDENCE.
69
Rhode Island Society for the Encouragement of Do. mestic Industry, 128 North Main.
Roger Williams Saving Fund and Loan Association, 62 Westminster.
Rhode Islan 1 Bible Society, 133 Westminster.
Rhode Island Women's Christian Temperance Union. 14 Butler Exchange.
Rhode Island Historical Society, Waterman.
Rhode Island Hospital, Eddy, near Hospital.
Rhode Island School of Design, 283 Westminster.
St. Aloysius Orphan Asylum, Prairie Avenue.
St. Xavier Academy, 3U() Broad.
St. Elizabeth Home, Atlantic, corner Melrose.
Union for Christian Work, 135 Bread.
Union Club, Washington, corner Aborn.
University Grammar School, cor. College and Prospect.
Veteran Fireman's Association, 98 Weybosset.
Women's Educational and Industrial Union, 173 Broad.
Women's Christian Association, Boarding Home, 66 Fountain, Branch House, 96 Mathewson.
Women's City Missionary Society.
Women's Christian Temperance Union, 23 Butler Ex- change.
Women's Club (R. I.), Conrad building.
Woonasquatucket Library, Atwell's Avenue, cor.Eagle.
Workiugmen's Home, Earle's Block, South Main, cor- ner James.
Young Women's Christian Temperance Union, Library and Tea Room, 151 Broad.
?. M. C. A., 276 Westminster, Music Hall Building.
LOCALITIES IN CITY LIMITS.
South Providence.— The southern portion of the city
immediately west of the harbor, and included in the
present Sixtu Ward Elmwood.— Southwest part of the city, west of South
Providence, the main portion of Seventh Ward. W'anskuck.— A factory suburb in extreme northwest
portion of city. Geneva.— A factory suburb west of Wanskuck. Mount Pleasant.— A considerable elevation covered
with residences in western section of city. Olneyville.— A name applied generally to the locality
centering on square of that name, two miles west
from City Hall, a large part of which is across the
line in town of Johnston . North End.— The locality in neighborhood of Randall
Square and North Burial Ground. Arlington.— End of Cranston Street, west of Fenner
Avenue in town of Cranston, just over the city line. Dyerville.— West from Mount Pleasant at extremity
of Manton Avenue horse car route. Field's Point.— At entrance to Providence Harbor,
South Providence. East Side.— All that portion of the city lying east of
Providence River. Brook Street District.— On east side, south of Wick-
enden Street. Federal Hill.— So called from the high sandy bluffs
along the railroad west of Broadway, and name has
been generally applied to this locality.
CEMETERIES.
Grace Church, Trinity Square.
Hebrew Cemetery, Reservoir avenue.
Locust Grove, Elmwood.
North Burying Ground, North Main.
Roman Catholic, Douglas avenue.
Swan Point, Swan Point road.
Oakland, Cranston, just beyond city line. Broad street.
Riverside, adjoins Swan Point, within limits of Paw- tucket.
St. Francis, new Catholic, Smithfield avenue, Paw- tucket, near Providence line.
AMUSEMENTS.
Amateur Dramatic Hall, South Main, corner Power. Keith Grand Opera House, Union, near Westminster. Prov. Opera House, Dorrance, corner Pine. Sans Souci Garden. Broadway, opp. Jackson. W estminster Musee, 266 Westminster.
PARKS.
Abbott Park, Broad.
Blackstone, Seekonk River.
Cove Promenade.
Fifth Ward Park (formerly the Proprietors Burial Ground), Friendship, Beacon, and Plain sts.
Franklin Square, Atwell's avenue, corner Bradford.
Prospect Terrace, Congdon.
Roger Williams, south end of city.
Tockwotton Park, site of the old Reform School, Front, corner East, overlooking harbor.
Washington Square, Benefit, corner India.
PUBLIC SCHOOL BUILDINGS.
Providence High School, Summer, corner Pond.
Grammar Schools.
Branch Avenue, junction Charles.
Bridgham Street, near Division.
Caudace Street, corner Orrns.
Doyle Avenue, near Camp.
Federal Street, Federal, corner Dean.
Manton Avenue, corner Fruit Hill avenue.
Mt. Pleasant, Atwell's aveuue and Putnam.
Oxford Street, corner Seymour.
Point Street, corner Plain.
Thayer Street, Thayer and George.
Elmwood, Vineyard Street.
Primary and Intermediate Schools.
First District.— Benefit Street, corner Halsey; Camp Street, between Cypress and Private; Graham Street- Walling Street.
Second District.— Meeting Street, corner South Court; Thayer Street, corner of Meeting; Arnold Street, corner Brook; East Street, corner Transit; Manning Street.
Third District.— Federal Street, west of grammar school; Fountain Street (occupied in part for ward room purposes and by State for Deaf and Dumb School); Sabin Street, rear of preceding; Carpenter Street, corner Pallas; Harris Avenue; Ring Street, near Knight; Africa Street; Atwell's Avenue (new) corner Messenger.
Fourth District.— Elm Street; Richmond Street, near Ship; Hospital, corner Borden; Beacon Street.
Fifth District— Summer Street, corner Pond; Ham- mond Street; Friendship Street, corner Portland; warren Street, corner Fuller; Mesaer Street, corner Willow; Somerset Street.
Sixth DiSTRicT.-Public Street ; Eddy Street; Thurber Avenue, corner Plain; Jackson Avenue; Bellevue Avenue; Greenwich Street, junction of Potter's ave- nue and Greenwich street; Potter's Avenue, corner Brattle; Chester Avenue; Aldrich Street; Harriet Street; Plain Street.
Seventh District.— Chalkstone Avenue, corner Wayne street; Berlin Street, corner Chalkstone avenue; West River; Manton Aveuue Intermediate (in Gram- mar School building) ; Julian Street, corner Capron; Admiral Street; Amherst Street; Smith Street, cor- ner Duke, near Chalkstone avenue; Coville Street.
DRIVES.
Drive No. 1.— Swan Point Cemetery.— Starting from Market sq., via North Main St., passing the First Baptist Church and State House, to Olney St., Oluey St., passing Hope Reservoir and station, to Swan Point road, Swan Point road to Cemetery and Butler Hospital. Returning, via Swan Point road to Buller ave., Butler ave. to Angell st., Angel" to Hope, Hope, passing Dexter Asylum and Friends' S. hool, to Reser- voir, through Thayer st. to Waterman, Waterman, passing Brown University, to Prospect, Prospect to George, George to Benefit, Benefit, passing Athenaniin and Court House, to College st., College st. to Market sq.
Drive No. 2.— Swan Point and Pawtucket.— Via drive No. 1 to Swan Point Cemetery, aud Swan Point road to Pawtucket, through Pawtucket to Ea-it ave , East ave. to Olney St., Olney to North Main, North Main to Market sq.
PICTURESQUE NARRAGANSETT.
7o
Drive No. 3.— An pell Street and East Bide.— Starting from Market sq., via North Main to Waterman, Waterman to Prospect. Prospect to Augell, Augell to Butler ave., Butler a ve to Waterman St., waterman to Blackstone ave.. Blackstone ave. to Glen ave. Re- turning, via Blackstone ave. to Waterman, Water- man to Hope. Hope to Sheldon, Sheldon to Benefit, Benefit, passing the Athenauim, Court House, and State House, to North Main St., North Main to Mar- ket sq.
Drive No. 4.— Broadway, Manton and Chalk stone aves — Starting from Market sq., via Westminster St. tuAborn. Aboru to Broadway, passing Sans Sonet Garden and St. Mary's Church, to Manton ave., Man- ton ave., through Dyerville. to Chalkstone ave., Chalkstone ave. to Smith st., Smith to North Main, North Main to Market sq.
Drive No. 5.— Elmwood and Roger Williams Park- Starting from Market sq.. via Westminster St., to Weybosset, Weybosset to Dorraiice, Dorrance, pass- ing Narragansett Hotel, to Pme St., Pine to Broad, Broad to Roger Williams Park, through the Park avenues, to Elmwood ave.. Elmwood ave, to Green- wich, Greene ich to Broad. Broad to Weybosset, Wey- bosset to Westminster, Westminster to Market sq.
Drive No. 6.— Broad Street and Pawtuxet.— Starting from Market sq., via Dyer st. to Friendship, Friend- ship to Broad, Broad to Pawtuxet, Cakland Beach and Rocky Point. Returning, via same.
Drive No. 7.— Sockanossett Reservoir, Pumping Station, and State Prison.— Starting from Market sq., via drive No. 6 to Broad st., Broad to Greenwich, Green- wich to Reservoir ave., Reservoir ave. to Sockanos- sett Reservoir, Sockanossett Reservoir to Pumping Station, Pumpinr Station to State Prison and Farm. Returning, via Pontiac road to Reservoir ave., Res- ervoir ave. to Greenwich st., Greeuwich st. to Broad, Broad to Weybosset, Weybosset to Westminster, Westminster to Market sq.
Drive No. 8.— Broadway, Rocky Hill and Roger Wil- liams Park.— Via drives No. 4 to Plainfield St., tflain- field st. to Rocky Hill road, Rocky Hill Road to Cran- ston st., Cranston st. to Fenner ave., Fenner ave. to Reservoir ave., Reservoir ave. to Park ave., Park ave. to Elmwood ave., Elmwood ave to Roger Williams Park, through the park drives to Broad st., Broad to Friendship, Friendship to Richmond, Richmond to Broad, Broad to Weybosset, Weybosset to Westmin- ster, Westminster to Market sq.
Drive No. 9.— Broadway, Fruit Hill and Smith St.— Via drive No. 4 to Chalkstcne ave., Chalkstone ave. to Fruit Hill ave.. Fruit Hill ave. to Fruit Hill, down Smith st. to Park, Park to Gaspee, Gaspee to Cove, Cove to Exchange place and Market sq.
Drive No. 10.— Woonasquatuck Valley.— Through Olney- ville, via Broadway and Manton ave., or through At- well's ave. to Manton ave., thence past the villages of Dyerville, Manton, Lymausville, Allendale, Centre- dale. Graniteville, Graystone, Allen ville, to Georgia- ville. Returning same way until junction of Chalk- stone ave. is reached, then via Drive No. 9.
Drive No. 11.— Warwick Shore.— Via drive No. 6, down Broad st. to Silver Hook road, thence to Rocky Point road, turning after some miles into River road, pas- sing thereon Riverdale, Shawomet Beach, River View, Bay Side, and then continuing on to Rocky Point. Returning by Warwick Neck, Old Warwick, Hills Grove, Pontiac, State Farm, Pumping Station, Reser- voir ave. and Greenwich st. to the city.
Drive No. 12.— iPawtuxet Valley.— Cranston st. to Cran- ston Print-Works, thence through the county to Na- tick over the hill to Phenix, then across country to Anthony and Quidnick, and return through villages of Arciic.River Point, and Pontiac, and back to city as per Drive No. 11.
Drive No. 13.— Blackstone Valley to Pawtucket via drive No 2, or through \\ aterman. Benefit, North Main, and Pawtucket Pike; then through the num- erous villages on banks of river; returning same way or through East Providence.
Drive No. 14.— Warren and Bristol— Through East Providence, past Silver Spring, Riverside, across the town of Barrington to Warren and Bristol, return- ing same way. Or this drive can have for its termi- nation Nayatt Point.
Drive No. 15.— Hunt's Alills.— Four miles from Wash- ington Bridge; route through East Providence.
POLICE DEPARTMENT.
Headquarters, City Hall, Exchange Place.
1st District station house. Canal, corner Hayinarket.
2d District station bonse.eorner Martin and Ashburton.
3d District stat'on house, Wickeuden.
4tb District station house, 33 Knight.
5th District station house, Plain, near Lockwood.
6th District station house, Capron, near Julian.
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
Headquarters, City Hall, Exchange place.
Hose Co. No. I, Exchange Place.
" " 2, South Main.
" 3, Pond.
" 4, Mill.
" " 6, Benevolent.
" " 7, Richmond.
" " 9, Atwell's avenue, corner America.
" 11, Public. " " 13, Central.
" " 15, Wickend»n.
Steamer No. 5, North Main, corner Doyle avenue. " " 8, Harrison, near High.
" " 10, Burnside.
" " 12, Smith, corner Orms.
" 14. Putnam. Hook and Ladder No. 1, Exchange Place. " " " 2, Harrison.
" " 3, Smith.
" " " 4, Wickenden.
" " 5, Burnside. corner Public.
" " " 6, Atwell's avenue, cor. America.
Protective Co No.l. Exchange Place. Chemical Engine, No. 1 Richmond. •' •' •' 2, Benevolent.
EXPRESS COMPANIES.
Adams, Dorrance, corner Broad,
Earle & Prew's, 60 Eddy, corner Fulton.
Hopkins Transfer Co., 1 Boston Depot.
International Express Co., 21 Washington Street, op- posite Citv Hall.
New York and Boston Dispatch. 58 Eddy.
New Express Co., 50 Dorrance, corner Broad.
Providence & Worcester R. R. Express Department, 58 Eddy.
Taunton and New Bedford Express, Dorrance, corner Broad.
XT. S. and Canada Express Co.. 58 Eddy.
United States Express, 144 and 146 Broad.
TELEGRAPH OFFICES.
American Telephone and Telegraph Co. ,54 Westminste r Mutual Union Co., 54 Westminster. Providence District Messenger Co., 54 Westminster. Providence Telephone Co., Central Office, Butler Ex- change.
Providence Telephone Co., Public Station, 54 Westmin- ster Street. United Lines Telegraph Co., 18 Westminster. Western Union Co., 6 Weybosset.
" " " Butler Exchange.
" " " Central Passenger Depot.
" " " Narragansett Hotel.
" Fox Point Wharf.
" " " India Point Freight Department.
" " " Wilkes Barre Pier, East Prov.
Mutual Union Branch Office, 1076 High, Olney ville.
DAILY NEWSPAPERS.
Evening Bulletin, 2 \ . „ Evening Telegram and Sunday Telegram, No. 7 Wey- bosset. Providence Daily Journal, 2 Weybosset.
MILITIA ARMORIES.
Burnside Guards (colored), corner Winter and Crans- ton streets, near junction of High.
Emmet Guards, 129 Westminster.
First Light Infantry, Infantry Building, South Main.
Horse Guards, 128 North Main.
Meagher Guards, corner Dorrance and Broad, old In- fantry building, entrance on Dorrance.
Marine Artillery, State Arsenal, Benefit, near Meeting.
Slocum Light Guard, Broad Street.
United Train Artillery, Canal Street.
Wolfe Tone Guards, 54 North Main.
PROVIDENCE.
7'
WHARV.ES.
|;ro\\ us. i.T. R. White A: Si nisi, India.
Butler's Wharf, opp. 129 Dyer.
Continental Steamboat Co.'s, Dyer.
Clarke's wharf, foot of Dorrauce.
Duncan Wharf, 148 Dyer, foot of Peck.
Ferry wharf, Dyer.
Fall River Steamboat Co.'s, opp. 71 South Water.
Fox Point wharf, India.
Gas Co.'s wharf, Langley.
Lonsdale wharf, India. Lehigh & Wilkes BarreCoal Co.'s pier.E. Providence. Providence & Stonington R. R. Co.'s pier, Allen's ave. Providence Coal Co.'s Wharf, foot of Dorrauce.
RAILROADS.
Old Colony, Providence division (formerly Boston & Providence.) New York and New England. Providence, Warren & Bristol. Providence & Springfield. Providence & Worcester New York, Providence & Boston. Pawtuxet Valley Branch. Warwick & Oakland Beach.
RAILROAD STATIONS AND STEAM BOAT LANDINGS.
Union Station, Exchange Place.
Providence & Spring-field, Gaspee Street.
Warren & Bristol, Fox Point.
Continental Steamboats, Dyer, foot Hay.
Providence & Fall River Steamers, South Water.
Shore Transportation Steamers, South Water, near Crawford Street Bridge.
New York Steamers, Fox Point.
Norfolk and Baltimore Steamers, Lonsdale Wharf.
Seaconnet Point Steamers, South Water, near Craw ford Street Bridge.
Winsor Line Steamers for Philadelphia, Ives Wharf India Street.
STEAMERS.
Continental Steamboat Co., Dyer.
Providence & Fall River Steamboat Co., So. Water.
Providence & New York Steamboat Line, Fox Point.
Providence, Norfolk & Baltimore Steamship Line, Lonsdale wharf.
Shore Transportation Co., South Water, near Crawford Street Bridge.
Wiusor's Line for Philadelphia, Ives wharf.
HORSE RAILROADS.
Depot, Weybosset B ^idge. High Street and Olneyville. Color of car, green and white; signal light, green. From Market sq , via Westminster and High sts , to Olueyville; returning via High, Broad, Weybosset and Westminster sts., to Market square.
* Governor Street From Market sq. via South Main.
Wickenden, Governor, Waterman, Guno, Augell sts., and Butler ave. to Blackstone Park.
* Brook Street.— From Market Sq., via South Main,
Wickenden, Brook, Meeting, and Thayer sts. to Olney st.
Plainfield Street — From Turk's Head, same as High st. to Olneyville, then via Plainfield st.
Manton Avenue.— From Turk's Head, same as High st. to Olneyville, then via Manton ave. to Dyerville.
Swan Point Cemetery.— Governor st. car to Black- stone Park, then via bus through Butler avenue and Swan Point road. * On the Governor and Brook street routes, continuous
round trips are run from Olneyville via High.
Elm wood.— Color of car, red and white: signal light, red. From Market Sq., via Westminster, Mathew- son, Broad and Greenwich sts. Returning, via Greenwich, Broad, Weybosset and Westminster sts., to Market Sq.
Elmwood and Smith's Hill.— From Market Sq., via North Main, Mill, Charles, Orms and Smith sts., to Ruggles St., Smith's Hill.
Prairie Avenue.— Color of car. straw and white : signal light, blue and white. Via Westminster, Mathew- son, Broad, Chestnut, Friendship, Beacon and Point sts., and Prairie ave., to South Providence stable. Return, via Prairie ave., Point, Beacon, Friendship, Richmond, Broad, Weybosset, to Market Sq.
Camp Street.— Prairie ave. csr from South Provi- dence to Market Sq., then via North Main, Olney, and Camp sts. Return same way.
Elmwood Avenue Route.— Color of car, Pullman; signal light, dark star on white ground. From Mar- ket Sq., via South Main, Wickenden, Governor, Waterman and Guno sts. Return same to Market Sq., then via Westminster, Mathewson, Broad, Green- wich sts., and Elmwood ave. to Roger Williams Park.
Pawtuoket.— Color of car, straw and white: signal light, straw. From Market So., via North Main, Mill, Charles, Randall, North Main sts., and Paw- tucket ave.. Garden, Main sts., Pawtucket. to corner Broad and Main sts. Returning, via same route to Market Sq.
Branch Avenue.— Color of ear. light blue; signal light, blue cross on white ground. From Market Sq., via North Main st , and Branch ave. to Wanskuck. Re- turn same way.
Bboad Street and Pawtuxet — Color of car, maroon- signal light, purple. From Market Sq,. via Westmin- ster, Mathewson and Broad sts., to South Providence, and via Broad st. to Pawtuxet. Return via Thur- ber'save., Broad and Weybosset sts., to Market Sq
Broadway and Olneyville.— Color of car, blue and white; signal light, blue. From Market Sq., via Westminster, Jackson sts., and Broadway to Olney- ville. Returning, via Broadway. Aborn, Washing- ton sts., Exchange Place and Exchange st. to Market Square.
Cranston.— Color of car, red and green; signal light, red and green. From Market So, via Westminster, High, and Cranston sts., to stable, and by transfer car to Cranston Print Works. Returning, via Crans- ton, High, Broad, and Weybosset sts., to Market sq.
Eddy Street.— Color of car, green and red; signal light, straw. From Turk's Head via Westminster, Mathew- son, Broad. Richmond and Eddy sts., and Thurber's ave., to South Providence stable. Return Thurber's ave.. Eddy. Richmond, Broad, Weybosset to Turk's Head.
Mount Pleasant.— Color of car, drab ; signal light, red, with white centre. From Market Sq., via Westmin- ster, Jackson, Federal and Bradford sts., Atwell's ave. and Academy ave, to Mount Pleasant. Return same way to Federal; then via Broadway, Aborn, Washington, Exchange Place, and Exchange St., to Market Sq.
East Providence.— Color of car, orange ; signal light, black crescent on orange. From Market Sq., via South Main, Pike, Traverse, Tockwotton, East Providence Bridge, and Warren ave., Potter st. and Broadway. Return same way; connect at Broad- way Six Corners with bus for Rumford and East Providence Centre.
Bristol R. R. and N. Y. Boat — Color of car, straw and green; signal light white From Exchange Place via Exchange Street. Westminster, Market Sq., Smith Main. Return same way. Cars connect with all trains, both ways, on the Providence, Warren & Bristol Railroad, leaving Exchange Place.
Chestnut, Point and Fmendship Sts.— Color of car, light yellow; signal light, orange and black checks. From Turk's Head, via Westminster, Mathewson Broad, Chestnut, Bassett, Hospital, Point, Friend- ship, broad. Public, Greenwich. Return same way, except through Weybosset instead of Mathewson from Broad st.
RATES OF HACK AND EXPRESS
FARE.
Hack Fare.
For each passenger from one place to another
within the City, not exceeding one mile, . 50 cts.
For each additional mile or fraction of a mile. . 25 cts.
Children from 4 to 12 years of age, if more than one,
or accompanied by an adult, . . . half-price.
Each subsequent hour,
50
liaggage,
One Trunk and one Valise, Saddlebag, Portman- teau, bundle, or other articles used in travel- ing, Free.
Every additional Trunk or other article, . . lu cts.
Express Fare.
For the transportation of any article weighing not more than 300 lbs., from one place to another within the City, not exceeding one
mile, 30 cts.
For the transportation of any article weighing as
aforesaid, more than one mile 50 cts.
For each additional article weighing as aforesaid, 15 cts. All distances shall be computed by straight lines on the Map of the City, and each owner or driver having charge of such Hackney Carriage or Express Wagon, shall, at all times, when using the same, have a copy of said Map in said carriage or wagon, which shall be ex- hibited when demanded.
CHAPTER 11.
LOCATION" INCORPORATION FIRST SETTLEMENT AND DEVELOPMENT OF INDUSTRY-
FIRST COTTON MANUFACTURING CENTRE CHARACTER OF INDUSTRIES — BRIDGES-
WATERWORKS RAILROAD SHIPMENTS CENTRAL FALLS WALKS ABOUT TOWN-
WOODLAWN LINCOLN.
litppS
m
mmmm
The second place in point of population in the state of Rhode Island is the city of Paw- tucket, which is situated four miles northeast of Providence on the Black- stone River. Paw tucket is an Indian word sig- nifying a fall of water, and was given to this lo- cality because the fresh waters of the Black- stone here meet the tides of Narragansett Bay by being precipitated over rocky ledges. Below the falls, the tidal basin or estuary extends for about five miles to India Point, where it unites with Providence Harbor, and is known as the Seekonk River. It is navigable for vessels of light draught as far as the lowest bridge, a short distance below the falls.
While the name Pawtucket has since the earliest settlement been applied to this locality on both the banks of river, yet only since 1862 has it been the designation of a Rhode Island town. The territory on the eastern bank was originally a part of Massachusetts, and was at first in the town of Rehoboth, and then a portion of Seekonk. In 182S it was incorporated as a Massachusetts town under the name Pawtucket, and in 1862, by the settle- ment of the boundary question between Rhode Island and Massachusetts, it was annexed to Rhode Island. The village of Pawtucket on the west side of the river was in the limits of the town of North Providence, and continued in
VIEW OF NORTH MAIN STREET, PAWTUCKET.
74
PICTURESQUE NARRAGANSETT.
that jurisdic- tion until
1874, when it was consoli- dated with the town of Pawtucket on the east side. Pawtu eke t was incorpo- rated as a city by an act which went into effect January 4, iSS'6. For some years an agitation with that end in view had been go i n g on, and dur- ing that pe- riod it was customary to
VIEW ON MAIN STREET, PAWTUCKET. cajj paw.
tucket " the largest town" in the country, and it was undoubtedly the largest community in the country governed under the form of a town.
Pawtucket has always been a manufacturing place, and it has been such because of the natural water-power afforded by the falls. Twenty-five years after Roger Williams and his companions had made their settlement in Provi- dence, Joseph Jencks purchased sixty acres of land near Pawtucket Falls, erected a forge and a saw-mill, and began the manufacture of iron and wooden tools and implements. Other industries soon followed, and the place was a work- shop for the adjoining commercial and agricultural communities. While Prov- idence owed much of its early growth to the development of commerce, Paw- tucket was wholly built up by its manufactures.
The honor of being the place where cotton was first successfully manu- factured in the New World by the modern methods invented in England belongs to Pawtucket. The machines were erected by Samuel Slater, a young English- man, who built them without drawings to guide him, wholly from recol- lection. At first Slater worked for Moses Brown, of Providence, but subse- quently he established mills in connection with partners, — his wife's relatives, the Wilkinsons, — and began the development of an industry that has grown into the greatest in the state and one of the most important in the country.
The two sides of the river, although in different states until 1862, and under
PAWTUCKET
75
m, s ; v
PAWTUCKET FALLS, IN 1789.
separate town governments until 1874, were really one community in business and sentiment, and since their union the progress of the place has been rapid and continuous.
Although the cotton manufacture is chief, there are many other industries, among which are large machine shops, foundries, tanneries, leather belting and lace leather establishments, wadding works, print works, hair cloth mills, dye works, manufactories of doors, blinds, and builders' materials, the manufacture of bolts and screws, lumber and saw mills, box manufactories, spool mills, jew- elry shops, paper box shops, paper mills, etc.
The manufacture of cotton cloth is not very extensively carried on in Paw- tucket, the majority of the establishments engaged in the cotton industry here making yarns or thread, and as a consequence Pawtucket is probably the most important centre for these branches of the manufacture in the country.
The first bridge built over the river at the falls was a wooden one erected in 1763. This bridge was rebuilt several times, and in 1S58 the present substantial stone bridge was erected. A short distance above is an iron bridge erected in 1872, and still further above are two iron bridges, erected respectively in 1868 and 1871, connecting the east side with Central Falls.
Below the Main Street bridge is a high stone bridge which crosses the Seekonk on nine arches from the foot of Division Street. This bridge prac- tically marks the limits of navigation. From it a fine view of the surround- ings can be obtained.
Pawtucket has an excellent system of water-works, which were put in operation January 31, 1878, and have since that time satisfactorily supplied with water not only Pawtucket, but also East Providence, Central Falls, and other small places in the neighborhood. There are two reservoirs, one located two and a half miles from the business centre, and 300 feet above tide water. The other is a new reservoir recently built in Cumberland.
76 PICTURESQUE NARRAGANSETT.
The railroad shipments to and from a place are an excellent index of the extent of its business. During the month of December, 1SS7, the Providence & Worcester Railroad received at its Pawtucket station 4,188 tons of freight and dispatched 3,262 tons, a total of 7,480 tons. December is said to be an average month, November being about the heaviest month in the year for freight ; at this rate the amount received and dispatched during the year would be about 100,000 tons. This is outside of any coal, bricks, much lumber, and a great deal of iron in bars, which come by water. The freight received in Pawtucket is lumber, cotton, machinery, and general merchandise in cases. When the Providence & Worcester railroad was first built it was thought that Pawtucket would be nothing but a passenger station, and no freight station was erected until about 1856. In 1858-59 when the present depot master and agent, Mr. D. R. Arnold, came to work for the corporation as agent, he did all the work as clerk, ticket-seller, express agent, etc., and the only other employes about the station were a baggage master and one laborer. There was at the same time only one express wagon and one hack. The whole express business did not amount to more than a dollar a week. In contrast to this, there are now employed between thirty-five and forty men in the freight and passenger busi- ness of the railroad, besides those engaged in the express business. The amount of business now done at the Woodlawn station both in passenger and freight is much greater than was done at Pawtucket in 1S58.
Central Falls is a portion of the populous community of which the greater part is Pawtucket. This village, as it is sometimes called, although it is not that in reality, is the northwest corner of the place, and proportionally is as populous as any section of like size in Pawtucket. But it is in the town of Lincoln, and consequently is under separate government in local matters. The logic of events will undoubtedly in the future bring it under the jurisdiction of the city of Pawtucket, as its business and other interests are similar. The whole place then will be a city of considerably over thirty thousand inhabitants.
The best way to see Pawtucket is to start from the railroad station. Crossing the tracks from the platform and proceeding down Broad Street, a large, beautiful, brick building on the left attracts attention. This contains the offices, barn, and station of the Pawtucket Street Railway Company, and was built in 1886, the horse car lines being opened for travel November 30, 1 886. Continuing down Broad Street, Trinity Square is soon reached, which is formed by the junction of Broad, North Union, and Main streets. On the left, on corner of Broad and Main streets, is the Benedict House, the leading hotel in Pawtucket. It is a large wooden building, with stores on the ground floor. On the other corner, and fronting on North Union Street and Trinity Square, is Sheldon Block, a two-story, wooden structure containing many stores and offices. The Pawtucket Recoi-d, a weekly newspaper, is published in this building.
Turning to the left around the Sheldon building into Main Street, we enter the principal retail section of the city, from this point until Main Street Square is reached, the street being lined on both sides with dry goods, clothing, grocery, and miscellaneous stores. The first particularly noticeable structure
PAWTUCKET.
77
is the new Weeden Block, an artistic look- ing brick building, which is seen a short distance below on the southeast corner of Main Street and Park Place. Before going further it would be well to make a detour and walk up Park Place, which here enters Main Street. A few steps bring us oppo- site the Park Place Con- gregational Church, a fine structure of brick and wood. A little fur- ther and Wilkinson Park is reached, which is a triangular piece of ground inclosed with an iron railing, with walks through the centre, lined with trees, and laid out in grass plats. 1 1 i s bounded by Cross and George streets, and Park Place, on all of which there are beautiful resi- dences. At the upper end of Park Place is St. Paul's Episcopal Church.
Returning to Main Street, and proceeding down that street, Music Hall Building on the right-hand side, is first noticed. This is the lar- gest public building in the city. It was erected in 1SS0, contains a large hall, much used for dra- matic entertainments, fairs, lectures, etc., and
78
PICTURESQUE NARRAGANSETT.
there are many stores and offices in it. On the left a short distance below is Dexter Block, and with a building in- tervening, is Dexter Building, on the southwest corner of Main Street and East Avenue. The latter building is of pressed brick and is very finely orna- mented in its trimmings, being the most expensive and beautiful structure on the street. It was built soon after the close of the War of the Rebellion. The United States government occu- pies the front of the first floor for the post-office. In this building are the offices of the Providence County Sav- ings Bank. Across Main Street from the Dexter Building is a plain, old- fashioned looking brick edifice, with stores on the ground floor, and contain- ing the offices of the Pawtucket Institu- tion for Savings.
Main Street here widens out and is called Main Street Square. Out of it to the north runs North Main Street, while to the east Main Street continues. There are several large buildings on the square, the finest and most conspicuous being the combined Miller and Spencer brick block, erected in 1873 and 1874. On the front of this building is a large clock, readily seen when coming down Main Street. This building contains the Pawtucket Free Library. On the square at No. 80 Main Street is the office of the Evening- Times, Pawtucket's daily paper, established in 1 On Main Street Square the fount-
ain presented in 1880 by H. D. Coggeshall, of San Francisco, is located.
Turning into North Main Street a large brick building on the right is seen. Here is published the Paw- tucket Gazette and Chronicle, first issued as the Chronicle in 1825. A short distance further up the street to the right, is the police station building where the District Court is also held. On the south side of the police station is Slater Avenue, a short street leading to a number of factories and workshops in the rear
THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
THE PUMPING STATION.
PAWTUCKET.
79
PAWTUCKET FALLS IN
between the street and the river. Passing down this street we soon come in sight of the old Slater Mill, erected in 1793, and the first factory for the manu- facture of cotton by modern methods in America. The building as seen to-day is a modern looking wooden structure two stories and a half in height, 140 x 40 or 50 feet wide, and is situated on the river bank, the east end being close to the upper falls. Originally the old mill was a small building about forty feet long by twenty wide and two stories in height. It has been enlarged at various times by the addition in all of about eighty feet to its length, and about twenty- five feet to its width, and heightened by a half story. The limits of the original structure can yet be easily discerned through means of the old timbers, which are of oak and are roughly hewn. They are very hard and durable, and when the alterations have been made in the mill the workmen have always found it a difficult task to cut into the staunch old oaken beams. Near by the old mill is a three-story brick building, built by the original firm, Almy, Brown & Slater, and used by them as a retail store at which the country people used to exchange their butter, eggs, and poultry for yarn to be woven at home. This building is now occupied by Lyons Delany & Company as a spice mill. The old mill is still used for its original purpose, and cotton yarns, twines, and thread are manufactured on the first floor. In an adjoining building, in the office of Mr. J. L. Spencer, who operates the cotton machinery in the old mill, are some relics worth seeing. Here is the original lock of the mill door. It is eighteen inches in length, nine broad, set in oak, with an iron key nine inches in
'•
7*
PICTURESQUE NARRAGANSETT.
there are many stores and offices in it. On the left a short distance below is Dexter Block, and with a building in- tervening, is Dexter Building, on the southwest corner of Main Street and East Avenue. The latter building is of pressed brick and is very finely orna- mented in its trimmings, being the most expensive and beautiful structure on the street. It was built soon after the close of the War of the Rebellion. The United States government occu- pies the front of the first floor for the post-office. In this building are the offices of the Providence County Sav- ings Bank. Across Main Street from the Dexter Building is a plain, old- fashioned looking brick edifice, with stores on the ground floor, and contain- ing the offices of the Pawtucket Institu- tion for Savings.
Main Street here widens out and is called Main Street Square. Out of it to the north runs North Main Sheet, while to the east Main Street continues. There are several large buildings on the square, the finest and most conspicuous being the combined Miller and Spencer brick block, erected in 1873 and 1874. On the front of this building is a large clock, readily seen when coming down Main Street. This building contains the Pawtucket Free Library. On the square at No. 80 Main Street is the office of the Evening Times, Pawtucket's daily paper, established in i< On Main Street Square the fount- ain presented in 1880 by H. D. Coggeshall, of San Francisco, is located.
Turning into North Main Street a large brick building on the right is seen. Here is published the Paw- tucket Gazette and Chronicle, first issued as the Chronicle in 1825. A short distance further up the street to the right, is the police station building where the District Court is also held. On the south side of the police station is Slater Avenue, a short street leading to a number of factories and workshops in the rear the pumping station.
THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
|] Foldout
PAWTUCKET.
7"
PAWTUCKET FALLS IN 1886.
between the street and the river. Passing down this street we soon come in sight of the old Slater Mill, erected in 1793, and the first factory for the manu- facture of cotton by modern methods in America. The building as seen to-day is a modern looking wooden structure two stories and a half in height, 140 x 40 or 50 feet wide, and is situated on the river bank, the east end being close to the upper falls. Originally the old mill was a small building about forty feet long by twenty wide and two stories in height. It has been enlarged at various times by the addition in all of about eighty feet to its length, and about twenty- five feet to its width, and heightened by a half story. The limits of the original structure can yet be easily discerned through means of the old timbers, which are of oak and are roughly hewn. They are very hard and dui"able, and when the alterations have been made in the mill the workmen have always found it a difficult task to cut into the staunch old oaken beams. Near by the old mill is a three-story brick building, built by the original firm, Almy, Brown & Slater, and used by them as a retail store at which the country people used to exchange their butter, eggs, and poultry for yarn to be woven at home. This building is now occupied by Lyons Delany & Company as a spice mill. The old mill is still used for its original purpose, and cotton yarns, twines, and thread are manufactured on the first floor. In an adjoining building, in the office of Mr. J. L. Spencer, who operates the cotton machinery in the old mill, are some relics worth seeing. Here is the original lock of the mill door. It is eighteen inches in length, nine broad, set in oak, with an iron key nine inches in
■
So PICTURESQUE NARRAGANSETT.
length. By turning the key once the bolt is shot out about an inch and a half, arid on turning it again it is shot the same length again, making in all about three inches. In the olden time the idea seemed to be that the strength of the lock was in proportion to the weight of the key. There are a few other relics, among them being two spindles of the original machines, with their stands and fixtures.
Returning to North Main Street, let us take the first street to the left, Read Street, and going up the hill we are soon on High Street. .Standing on the corner of the two streets and looking north along High Street, is seen, near at hand on the right, the unpretentious structure of the First Methodist Church ; while further on to the left the brown steeple of the High School, formerly the church of the Second Baptist Society, but devoted to its present use since about 1S74 ; and still further, on the left, the white steeple of the Church of Our Father, Universalist. Going down the street southward, the First Baptist Church, a beautiful wooden building, with a fine spire, is passed on the right, and then on the left is the substantial brick building erected in 1871 as a town record build- ing, and now used for that purpose and for the city offices. A few steps more, down a steep incline, brings us again into Main Street Square.
Starting out of the square through Main Street to the east, the bridge is soon reached. Looking in either direction it is easy to apprehend the fact that manufacturing is carried on here extensively, as on both sides of the stream are tall buildings and factories built close to the water's edge. Looking north, the falls which give the place its name are seen almost directly under the bridge. They are formed by irregular rocky ledges, and the water boils and foams over them. A short, distance above is a dam, and. on the bank at its westerly end can be seen the old Slater mill with its belfry. The extensive brick factories below the bridge on the eastern bank are those of Darius GofF & Sons, manu- facturers of worsted braid and mohair plushes. The wooden building between these factories and the bridge, was formerly a cotton mill, but paper is now man- ufactured here. Crossing the bridge to the east side, the foot of Broadway is soon reached. Let us first, however, go up Main Street, and a short walk brings us to the corner of School Street, looking down which on the right hand side is seen a low building with the name Town Hall on the front. This building was used from the creation of the town of Pawtucket in 1S62, until the formation of the city, as the place of the town-meetings, and is now used as the voting place for the second ward. The adjoining building, with the words Washington Hall on the front, was the place of worship of the First Free Baptist Society until they erected their present edifice, when they sold it to the town. Just beyond School Street, on Main, is the Trinity Episcopal Church, a picturesque stone building. A few steps further, Main Street runs into Walcott, and this is the region of fine residences, which can be seen in all directions. Our progress from the bridge thus far has been up hill, indicating the excellence of the situation.
Returning towards the bridge, instead of going up Walcott Street, the junc- tion of Walcott and Broadway is soon reached, and between the two streets stands the fine building of the Pawtucket Congregational Church. Turning into Broadway and proceeding up the street a fine view of the river and the
PAWTUCKET
Si
Exchange Street bridge to the left is had, and soon on the right the First Free Baptist Church, a tasteful wooden structure is passed. A few steps above on the opposite side of the street, at junction of Broadway and Summit Street, is the handsome resi- dence of the Hon. H. B. Metcalf. We are now at the junction of Broadway, Summit, and Cottage streets, an extensive open space. Standing here and looking down Cottage Street and Broadway, very pleasing scenes are presented. Each street is broad, lined with trees and bordered with pleasant residen- ces, mostly wooden structures, with ample grounds. As far as the eye can see either street extends in a straight line, diverging from the common cen- tre where the observer stands, and the trees form an inclosing arch which makes the vista one of quiet beauty with the added air of mystery often felt when looking at anything the end of which is not in view and can only be
surmised. This region of the city is the place of the finest residences, as its elevated situation makes it very desirable, and Broadway, Cottage, and Walcott streets are far excellence the residence section.
82
PICTURESQUE NARRAGANSETT.
Passing up Broadway, Exchange Street is soon reached. Going down this street the works of the Rhode Island Card Board Company, Perry Oil Com- pany, and several jewelry shops are passed on the left, and then the Exchange Street bridge is reached. From this position are seen some of the chief manu- facturing establishments in the city. Northward, on the eastern bank is the large factory of Greene & Daniels, while nearer on the other bank is the Dempsey Bleachery & Dye Works. But the view is not wholly of factories, for the banks of the river are in many places clothed with trees and abound in picturesque nooks. Continuing along Exchange Street, we cross North Main Street, pass on the right corner of Hamilton Street Infantry Hall, a low wooden structure used as a drill hall by local militia, and a similar building, Armory Hall, on the corner of High Street. A short distance further and we emerge on Ex- change Place at the railroad station.
Starting again from the railroad, we retrace our steps to Trinity Square, but from there turn to the right along Main Street. Here at the corner of Main and Broad streets is the terminus of the horse-car line from Providence. Before the establishment of the local lines the Providence cars ran to Main Street square, connecting there with a branch to Central Falls. " A short distance up, on Bailey Street, which leads out of Main at the first turn, is the establishment of Linton Brothers & Company, card board and glazed paper manufacturers. Following the horse-car track along Main Street we turn two corners, first to the left, second to the right, still keeping on Main Street, and soon are in sight of the two mills of the Slater Cotton Company, the oldest of which was erected in 1863. Across the street, on the corner of Pine, are the extensive machine shops of James Brown. Turning up Pine Street, crossing the Providence and Worces- ter Railroad track, and passing the works of the Union Wadding Company on the right, the new freight station of the Providence and Worcester Railroad is reached. It is a large brick building, of ample length and width, probably the best of its kind in the state, having plenty of cartage-room around it on all sides. It was built in 1SS2 to
meet the growing necessity for better accommodations. Beyond the freight depot the large works of the E. Jenckes Manufacturing Company, makers of belt hooks, ring travelers, and manufacturers' supplies, loom up conspicuously. Next, on the right hand side of Pine Street, is a long, low, wooden building, the works of the Paw- tucket Manufacturing Company, manufacturers of bolts, nuts, wash- ers, etc. A short distance beyond on the left is a brick building which might with truth be called elegant. It looks like a beautiful mansion
THE OLD SLATER MILL.
PAWTUCKET.
83
house. This is the office of the Conant * Thread Company, and their factories, great, massive build- ings, cover a large extent of ground for a long distance along Pine Street, and for an equal dis- tance back. About half way down the front of the property ot the thread works, on the opposite side of Pine Street, are the works of the Fales & Jenks Ma- chine Company, manufacturers of cotton and woolen machinery, fire pumps, and fric- tional g ea r i n g . Going up Pine Street a short dis- tance further, we turn down Cross Street. This is in Central Falls. First on the right are a row of factory tene- ments. Across an
open lot to the left are the low buildings of the American File Works. A walk of about half a mile along Cross Street, through a section of residences, brings us out on Broad Street again, crossing which and continuing on we emerge on Mill Street, Central Falls, a continuation of North Main Street, Paw- tucket. On the northeast corner of this street and Cross Street is the large brick factory of the Pawtucket Hair Cloth Company, extending from Mill Street to the river, and built in 1864. Cross Street leads on to the Central Avenue Bridge, which crosses the river at this point. Looking north from this bridge, on the west bank are seen, just above the hair cloth factory, the brick mill and adjoining wooden buildings of the Central Falls Woolen Company, and beyond them the brick factory of the Stafford Manufacturing Company, thread manufacturers.
Crossing the bridge we are again in the corporate limits of Pawtucket, and
PARK PLACE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
N
PICTURESQUE NARRAGANSETT.
TRINITY CHURCH.
passing up Central Avenue, the street leading from the bridge, the large factory of Greene & Daniels is on our right. Going up the street, the elevation called Pleasant View, on the east bank of the river, is reached. On the streets nearest the mill are factory tenements, but there are also in this section many dwell- ings of a better class. Traversing Pleasant View through various streets we make a circuit and come out on North Main Street, a con- tinuation of Mill Street, Central Falls ; as we descend the hill tow- ard the bridge, in sight across the river is the large factory of the United States Cotton Company alongside the Providence & Worcester railroad track, and south of it looms up lt Our Lady of the Sacred Heart," the French Roman Catholic Church, in Central Falls. The Providence Division of the Old Colony, formerly the Boston & Providence Railroad, makes a junction with the Providence & Worcester opposite the factory of the United States Cotton Com- pany. On the right-hand side of the street approaching the bridge is Collins Brothers' Machine Shop, and on the opposite side the Eagle Dye Works. Crossing the bridge, we are again in Central Falls. Proceeding up Mill Street until Central Street is reached, let us walk up this thoroughfare. On the northeast corner of Central and Mill streets is the establishment of E. L. Freeman & Son, printers to the state, and publishers of the Weekly \ Isltor. Central Street, from Mill up to the railroad track, is the chief retail business section of Central Falls. At the further side of the track is the Central Falls station of the Providence & Worcester railroad. A short dis- tance further up is the beautiful build- ing of the Baptist Church, on the cor- ner of Broad and Central streets. In this neighborhood are a number of palatial residences. Turning into Broad Street we turn toward Paw- tucket ; the line is soon crossed, and about half way down on the right-
THE UNIVERSALIST CHURCH.
PAWTUCKET.
85
V'^-^^rxx^-Uu^ t \ ; 'ty1 ^ | ^ k '^vlf/
THE OLD QUAKER MEETING-HOUSE, LINCOLN.
A
hand side is the Broad Street Theatre, where the polo games are played few steps more bring us again to our starting point, the railroad station.
Woodlawn is the name applied to the southern portion of Pawtucket on the west side. The Providence & Worcester Railroad has a station here and a branch road leads from the place to Saylesville, about three miles distant. Other localities in the city are Pleasant View, on the heights east of the river opposite Central Falls ; East Pleasant View, on the northeast, near the Lebanon Mills ; Bunnell's, near the print works of the name, and Ingramville, both in the southern part of the city on the east side.
Notes on some of the Industries of the City. — One of the most in- teresting of the special manufactures in the line of appliances for use in cotton and woolen mills is that conducted at the Excelsior Loom Reed Works, 106 Broad Street, Pawtucket. Here, by means of machines so well adapted to the end in view that they almost do the whole of the work themselves, are manufactured the Adamson flexible bevel dent reeds, reinforced with solder, and especially adapted for the weaving ot fine worsteds, woolens, and fancy cotton goods. This is the only patent reed in the market, and is the property of Mr. Adamson, the owner of the establishment. No matter how often or how far the wires may be separated from each by the insertion of anything between them, they are so constructed as to immediately spring back to their original position, while the bevel on each individual wire formed thereon by the automatic machinery already mentioned lessens the strain on the warp and thereby prevents the breaking of the threads. A large number of the best cot- ton and woolen mills in every part of the United States constantly use this reed. Mr. Adamson also deals in belting, lace leather, pickers, heddles for woolen mills, and general mill supplies.
86
PICTURESQUE NARRAGANSETT
Among the enterprising firms of Pawtucket we note especially the Paw- tucket Manufacturing Company, whose plant is located at 64 Pine Street.
This Company was incorporated by act of the General Assembly, May* 1882, for the purpose of manufacturing bolts, nuts, and machinery used in the manufacture of the same.
Mr. Stephen A. Jenks, a prominent business man, is president, and Mr. George H. Fowler, Treasurer.
The practical management of the business is in the hands of the agent and superintendent, Mr. George H. Webb. The rapid growth which has attended this business indicates the increasing demand for goods of a superior quality. The foundation was laid December, 1881, and the first bolt headed August 12, 1882.
PAWTUCKET MANUFACTURING COMPANY'S WCRKS.
The building, which is a model of convenience, has all departments located on one continuous floor, originally occupying 15,400 square feet of space; but to meet the increasing demands of the manufactures an addition of 10,000 square feet has been made during the past year, making a total of 25,400 square feet. It is arranged around a hollow square, in a way to secure ample light and ventilation.
All the special machinery used was designed and built at the works, under the direct supervision of Mr. Webb, whose extended experience and superior ability as a mechanic enabled him to produce a class of machinery possessing many advantages over any heretofore used. As evidence that such is the case, this company has furnished nearly every extensive bolt manufacturer in the United States with some of their special machinery. They have also made ship- ments to Hutchinson, Hollingsworth & Company, of Oldham, England.
This company is now engaged in the construction of a plant of ten machines for the Amoskeag Manufacturing Company of Manchester, N. H., also a large press for the Knowles Loom Works of Worcester, Mass., designed for punching sheet steel, and will weigh when completed about ten tons. In
PAWTUCKET.
•s7
fact this department of their business has developed so rapidly that their present facilities are scarcely large enough to enable them to fill orders now on hand.
The bolts and nuts made by this corporation are of a superior quality and finish, and include all the regular sizes to be found in the market, besides many peculiar patterns made only to order. During the first two years after the works were established the business doubled and has since been steadily in- creasing.
It would repay any one to visit these works to see the various and in- genious methods employed in the process of manufacturing their regular and
NEW SQUARE AND HEXAGON BOLT CUTTING MACHINE.
special goods, and one would be both surprised and interested to see the great variety of goods required to meet the demands of the market. Great care is ex- ercised in selecting stock used, and every new lot of iron is tested by a hydraulic testing machine operated by power, which determines the actual tensile strength of the metal. By the same means the manufactured bolts are tested before they are put on the market. The machine originally employed for this purpose was the one in ordinary use, but it did not do the work satisfactorily, hence the re- quisite alterations were made to adapt it to the requirements of the business. The accompanying cut illustrates their improved machine for forging square and hexagon-headed bolts, three-fourths of an inch in diameter, and smaller. New designs are continually being turned out and already they have drawings and patterns for machines capable of heading bolts one and one-half inches in di- ameter. They are now working on a new illustrated chart showing the spe- cial machinery they are prepared to furnish.
SS PICTURESQUE NARRAGANSETT.
Among the oldest established and best known bleacheries and dye works in this part of the country are those of Robert D. Mason & Company, 75 East Ave- nue, Pawtucket. The business was first established here in 1805 by Mr. Barney Merry, whose son, Mr. Samuel Merry, succeeded him in 1847. ^n XS66 Mr. Robert D. Mason, a nephew of Samuel Merry, was admitted to partnership, and in 1S70 he assumed control as sole proprietor under the present firm name. The business carried on is in bleaching and dyeing of spool threads, knitting cotton, cords, braids, tapes, and all kinds of single and two-ply yarns, indigo blues and fast blacks for milling purposes ; also, woolen and worsted yarns and braids of every description. The works occupied for the business are among the largest and most comprehensive of the kind in the state. The main building is three stories in height, £00 x 70 teet in dimensions. The principal dye-house is 150 x 70 feet, and a second dye-house is 105 x 25 feet. The capac- ity of the works is at present five tons per day. The machinery in use is of the most modern and improved style that has been invented for this purpose, and every facility is afforded for prompt, thorough, and successful work in every de- partment. The product has always been maintained at the highest standard of quality, and finds a ready sale and a permanent patronage wherever introduced. A large and flourishing trade has long been enjoyed by this house in all parts of the United States, and it has the entire confidence of its patrons to a marked degree. Employment is given to fifty hands. The proprietor, Mr. Mason, is a native of Pawtucket, of large and valuable experience in the business.
Among the leading manufacturers of Pawtucket is Mr. John J. Kenyon, manufacturer of stay webbs, bindings, silk finished, plain, and fancy spool tapes and braids for manufacturers' use. This business was first inaugurated by Messrs. Thomas Kenyon & Son some twenty years ago, the present proprietor succeeding to the sole control some three years later. Mr. Kenyon occupies six floors, covering in all from eighteen to nineteen thousand feet, all fully equipped with every modern improvement and facility in the line of machinery and mechanical appliances for the production of first-class goods. The leading specialties are the manufacture of silk finished, plain, and fancy spool tapes and braids for use of manufacturers, and boot, shoe and corset lacings. In these special branches of manufacture Mr. Kenyon has won a wide reputation for the excellence of his product and built up a large and steadily increasing trade, which extends throughout the New England and Western States and the Can- adas. From 105 to 115 hands are daily employed, all skilled and experienced in the art of manufacture, and every effort is used to produce a class of goods which will recommend their own good qualities wherever introduced. He has also a large trade in druggists' and other fancy twines which he manufactures. His success in this laudable endeavor is clearly shown by the increasing demand made for his goods throughout the country and the name and fame thereby established for the house. Mr. Kenyon is also agent for the Pawtucket Tape Company, a newly established firm which produces the finest line of super tapes now on the market. Mr. Kenyon is a native of England, has resided
LINCOLN.
here for upwards of twenty-five years, and was time of its fall.
in the Pemberton Mill at the
LINCOLN.
The town of Lincoln extends from Pawtucket along the western bank of the Blackstone River to Woonsocket, and contains the villages of Central Falls, Valley Falls, Lonsdale, Berkeley, Ashton, Albion, Manville, all situated on the Blackstone, and engaged in the cotton manufacture. Portions of some of these villages lie across the river in the town of Cumberland. On the Moshassuck River, a short distance west of Central Falls, is Saylesville, where are the ex- tensive bleacheries of W. F. & F. C. Sayles. A branch railroad leads to the place from Woodlawn, the southern suburb of Pawtucket. Lincoln, according to the state census of 1SS5, had a population of 17,229, the largest of any town in the state. This territory was taken from Smithfield in 1871 and named in honor of Abraham Lincoln. Lime Rock, in the centre of the town, almost directly west from the village of Berkeley, has three limestone ledges, where lime-burning has been continuously carried on since the time of Roger Wil- liams. The business is still in a flourishing condition and the supply of mate- rial is almost inexhaustible.
The Providence and Worcester Railroad runs along the Blackstone River and has stations at all the villages on its banks. The valley of the Blackstone, the chief part of which is in this town, is a beautiful region. From the train, as it follows the curves of the river, are seen a succession of pictures of wooded slopes, reaches of meadow, and glimpses of the river, with its numerous artificial waterfalls, and added to these are the villages with their factories, cottages, and churches.
BLACKSTONE AT LONSDALE.
The Strangers' Guide-Pawtucket.
Armory Hall. 79 High.
Assessor's Office, 35 High.
Benedict House, corner Main and Broad.
Broad Street Theatre, 148 Broad.
City Clerk's Office, 35 High.
City Hall, 35 High.
City Records, 35 High.
City Council Chamber, 35 High.
Court House, 73 North Main.
Coggeshall Fountain, Main Street Square.
Dexter Block. 138 to 142 Main.
Dexter Building, corner Main and East Avenue.
Tin- Falls, at the Main Street Bridge.
High School. High street.
Infantry Hall. 74 Exchange.
Laurel Hill, east side river, off Central avenue.
Laurel Hill Park, junction Fountain and Park.
Masonic Temple. 98 North Main.
Music Hall Building, 139 to 147 Main.
Main Street Square, junction Main and North Main.
Odd Fellows Building, 215 to 221 Maiu.
Old Slater Mill, rear 55 North Main.
Old Town It. ill. -".School.
l'awtucket Hotel, 23 Broadway.
Police Station, 73 North Main.
Post Office, Dexter Building, corner Main aud East avenue.
Probate Court, 35 High.
Steamboat Wharf, at Division Street Bridge.
Street Railway Depot, Broad, opposite Exchange.
Town Hall, Central Falls, Summit.
Trinity Square, junction Broad and Maiu.
Weeden Block, corner Main and l'ark Place.
Wilkinson Park, bounded by Park Place, Church, George Cross.
Washington Hall, School. ■,
MANUFACTURING ESTABLISH- MENTS.
American Curled Hair Co., 367 High, corner Blackstone,
Central Falls.
.Etna Stopper Co., 20 River.
Bridge Mill. 64 Main.
Campbell Machine Co.. 106 Broad.
Central Falls Woolen Mill, 339 Mill, Central Falls.
Conant Thread Co., Conant and Pine.
Dempsey Bleachery and Dye Works. 227 North Main.
Dexter Yarn Co., 80 and 82 East avenue.
Darius Goff & Sons. 29 River.
Dunnell Print Works. 116 Prospect.
Eagle Dye Works, 408 North Main.
Electric Lighting Co., The Pawtucket, 16 Wilkinson Place.
E. Jenekes Manufacturing Co., 75 and 77 Weeden.
Fales & Jenks Machine Co., 112 Dexter.
Greene Dyeing and Finishing Co., 40 and 42 Front.
Greene & Daniels Manufacturing! 'o., lot Vntral avenue.
Hair Cloth Co., The Pawtucket, Cross, Central Falls.
James Davis Belting ( 'o., 22, 24 1 26 Pleasant.
L. B. Darling Fertilizer Co., 290 Mineral spring avenue.
Lebanon Mills Co., Lebanon.
Lorraine Manufacturing Co.. 257 Mineral Spring ave.
New American Pile ( to., 224 Dexter, Central Falls.
Pawtucket Gas Works.
Pawtucket Manufacturing Co., 64 Pine.
R. Bliss Manufacturing ( 'o., 301 and 309 Main.
R. I. Card Board Co.. 105 Exchange, corner Front.
Slater Cotton Co., Church and Main.
Stafford Manufacturing Co., 379 and 381 Mill, Central Falls.
United States Cotton Co., 11 Foundry, Central Falls.
Union Wadding Co., 24 Dexter, corner "*
William H. Haskell Co., 277 Main.
WARD ROOMS.
First Ward — Fountain, corner Clay.
Second Ward — Old Town Hall, 33 School. *
Third Ward — Police Station Building, 73 North Main
Fourth Ward —23 Mulberry.
Fifth Ward— 161 Pawtucket avenue.
CEMETERIES.
Mineral Spring, Mineral Spring avenue, corner Conant
Oak Grove, North Bend.
Riverside. Pleasant, north of Swan Point.
St. Francis, Smithneld avenue, near Providence line.
Walnut Hill, opposite 47 Brook.
CHURCHES.— Pawtucket.
Broadway Christian, opposite, 134 Broadway.
Calvary Baptist, 98 North Main.
Church of Our Father, High, near Miller.
Church of the Good Shepherd, Broadway, corner Woodbine.
Church of the Immaculate Conception, (Roman Cath- olic) Pine, corner Marion.
First Baptist, High, corner Summer.
First Methodist Episcopal, High, near Exchange.
Free Baptist, 97 Broadway.
Mission of the Advent, Pawtucket avenue, corner Trenton.
New Jerusalem, Elm.
Park Place Congregational, Park Place, near Main.
Pawtucket Congregational, junction Broadway and Walcott.
Pleasant View Baptist, Fountain, near East.
Sacred Heart of Jesus, (Roman Catholic), Park, corner Laurel.
St. Jean Baptiste, (French R. C), Quiucy avenue.
St. Joseph's, (Roman Catholic), Walcott, corner South Bend.
St. Paul's (Episcopal), Church street, corner Park Place.
Thomson M. E., Mineral Spring avenue, 'corner Conant.
Trinity (Episcopal >, opposite 9 Main.
Woodlawn Baptist Chapel, Lonsdale avenue, corner Capital.
CHURCHES.— Central Falls.
Baptist, Broad corner Central. Congregational, High, corner Jenks. Embury i Methodist Kpis.-opal). Cross, near Hawes. St. George's i Episcopal ) ( 'linton, corner Central. Our Lady of the Sacred Heart (French Roman Cath- olic), Fales, near Broad.
BRIDGES.
Division street.
Maiu street.
Exchange street.
Central avenue, from Cross street, Central Falls, to
Central a\ eiiue. Pawtucket.
Mill street, from Mill street, Central Falls, to North Main street, Pawtucket.
TELEGRAPH OFFICES.
Western Union, at P. & W. R. R. Depot. Mutual Union, 131 Main.
Pawtucket District Telegraph and Messenger Co., 9 and U Easts
NATIONAL BANKS.
First, 126 Main. Pacific, 11 7 Main. Slater, 7 East avenue.
SAVINGS BANKS.
Pawtucket Institution for Savings. 117 Main. Providence County Savings Bank. 126 Main. The Franklin Savings Bank, Main, corner East avenue.
FIRE STATIONS AND APPARATUS.
Washington Street, corner Brown — Steamer No. 1, Rhode Island Company.
Main Street, corner Bailey -Steamer No. 2. Rough and Ready Company; Slater Hook and Ladder Co., No. 1.
Water Street, corner Vernon— Steamer No. 3, Monitor Company.
Carnation Street -Steamer No. 4, Atlantic Company.
Pawtucket Hook and Ladder Company.
CHAPTER III.
MARKET SQUARE, WOONSOCKET.
MTLATIOX AND SURROUNDINGS — MANUFACTURES E ARLY HISTORY AND DEVELOPMENT
INCORPORATION — CORPORATE FACILITIES BRIDGES CHARACTER OF THE POPU- LATION—STROLLS AMONG THE FACTORIES AND ALONG THE STREETS.
Sixteen miles from Providence, on the Blackstone River, and one of the chief stations on the Providence and Worcester Railroad, is the town of "Wooii- sc) eke t, which, after Providence and Pawtucket, is the most import- ant manufacturing centre in the state. It now has a pop- ulation of nearly twenty thousand, and is the largest town in the state in point of population, — or at least, as that honor has been claimed for Lincoln, it is the largest compact community in the state or country under a town government. The Blackstone River has here a total fall of about thirty feet over three dams, and the tributary streams, the Mill and Peters, which here unite with the Blackstone, have falls respectively of sixty and fifty-two feet. These together constitute the best water-power in Rhode Island, and it is thoroughly utilized for manufacturing purposes.
The leading industry is the cotton manufacture, which is carried on in all its branches, and a larger amount of cloth is probably produced here than in any other place in the state. There are a few establishments engaged in the manufiuctiu'e of yarns. The woolen manufacture is also carried on extensively. There are, besides, a variety of other manufactures, among which are those of rubber goods, knit goods, sewing machines, shuttles and bobbins.
The first settlement made at Woonsocket Falls is supposed to have been about the year 1666, when a saw mill was erected by Richard Arnold. With the beginning of the eighteenth century, the value of the water-power was seen, and various manufactures were started. Not, however, until about 1S10 did the place grow to any extent. At that time the cotton manufacture was intro- duced, and the first mill of the Social Manufacturing Company was erected.
92
PICTURESQUE NARRAGANSETT.
Since then, on account of the unrivalled water-power, the development of this and kindred manufactures has been rapid, until Woonsocket is to-day the chief place in some lines of this business in the state. In 183 1, Edward Harris began the manufacture of woolen goods here, which has since grown to be the second industry in importance in the town. Mr. Harris, later in life, was instrumental in procuring a free public library for Woonsocket, and in various other ways was a public benefactor.
The name of Woonsocket was strictly applied to the compact village on the east in the neighborhood of the falls, and that side of the river was in Cum- berland. In 1S67, the village of Woonsocket, the neighboring village of Social, and adjoining territory, were set off from Cumberland and incorporated as the town of Woonsocket. In 1S71, the west side, consisting of the villages of Globe, Bernon, and Hamlet, and neighboring regions, were setoff from Smith- field and added to the town. The Blackstone River flows in a semi-circular course through the place, and the surrounding hills inclose it like an amphi- theatre.
Woonsocket has a well-equipped fire department, organized in 1S36, and a very efficient police force dating from 1S66. The Woonsocket Patriot, a weekly newspaper, was started in 1S33, anc^ nas been continuously published since. A daily paper, the Evening Reporter, has been published since 1873 and has enjoyed more than ordinary success. Horse-car lines were built in 1SS7, and the cars began running in August of that year. The town has seven churches of different denominations, six national and four savings banks, and a public library, and is so rapidly progressing in wealth and population, that it is but a matter of a short time before the citizens decide that it shall become the city of Woonsocket, the " spindle city" of the valley of the Blackstone.
Seven highway and two rail- road bridges span the Blackstone at Woonsocket, and there are be- sides several highway bridges over the Mill and Peters rivers. The oldest bridge is that over the river at the falls. The other bridges are the Bernon Street, the Hamlet Avenue, the Sayles Street, the River Street, and the one at Hamlet Village, besides the new one connecting Fairmount with the east side. Held back by the nat- ural falls and by the various arti- ficial ones, the river forms a num- ber of ponds, the largest of which is the Bernon between the falls and the Bernon dam. On the ^^ Mill River are two large ponds — '■•lik*^z^jy:-!r_ j-^—Se^^. - called respectively the Harris and
THE HIGH SCHOOL, WOONSOCKET. Social.
94
PICTURESQUE NARRAGANSETT.
Illlfllli'l ~^B9BHHH^^i^Hi3Hi^9l^'' There are said to be
If fm^^Sw' '% geological indications that
»"f^^ WLSmm the river in some far re-
mote age flowed through the valley on the north side of the town, near the railroad. This opinion is sustained by the fact that in making excavations water worn ledges and every appearance of the ancient bed of a stream have been unearthed.
Woonsocket probably affords one of the best examples in the country of the changes that the introduction of machinery makes in the character of a population. The first settlers, and the subse- quent ones for genera- tions, were of English birth and descent. After manufacturing began to increase rapidly, from the early years of the present century onward, the gen- eral immigration brought its share to Woonsocket. About the time of the Civil War an immigration of French Canadians set in, and Woonsocket is one of the places in which they have most thickly settled. In 1880, they constituted more than one- fourth of the population ; according to the state cen- sus in 1S85, they still held this proportion, while there were about two hundred less of Canadian birth than in 1S80, but this loss must have been by death, and would be much more than counter-balanced by the births among this class of the population, which, indeed, is clearly de- monstrated by the fact that nearly five thousand of the population of native birth had both parents of foreign birth, while about eight hundred were of mixed
WOONSOCKET.
95
THE FALLS AT WOONSOCKET.
parentage. As nearly one-half of the entire population is of foreign birth, about five thousand more of foreign parentage, and more than eight hundred of mixed parentage, there is only a small proportion left of the native born of Anglo- Saxon descent. The movement of the French Canadians to Woonsocket must have been concluded in its large manifestations between 1875 and 1880, as between those years they increased -more than a thousand, while in 1885 per- sons of Canadian birth were about two hundred less than in 1SS0. There is comparatively little, consequently, of the blood of the first settlers in the com- munity.
On account of the great number of French, their language is very gen- erally used in the town, and the retail traders find it necessary either to speak it, or employ French salesmen.
In order that an idea may be obtained at first hand of the character of the place and the extent of the manufacturing, we invite the reader to take a walk about town with us. Of course we start from Providence, and speed up the Black- stone Valley on a Providence & Worcester railroad train, reaching Woon- socket in about three-quarters of an hour. The train enters Woonsocket on a high bridge over the Blackstone and an elevated way over several streets. To the left looking from the train we catch a glimpse of the river many feet be- low, and of numerous buildings and factories perched on its steep banks, and also have a quick view of Main Street as -shown in the engraving on page 93. The station is a tasteful brick structure built in 1882, and is a story above the street on one side. Leaving it from the upper side we soon find our-
96
PICTURESQUE NARRAGANSETT.
selves in Depot Square, formed by the junction of Main with High and Clinton streets. To the right, on the corner of High and Main streets, is the Baptist Church, and to our left Main and Clinton streets diverge, leading under the rail- road tracks. The buildings around the square are three and four-story brick and wooden structures, several of which, recently erected, are tasteful and modern in design.
Proceeding up Main Street to the right, there are a number of fine brick buildings on both sides. A few steps bring us abreast of the Harris Block, a large, three-story, brick building erected in 1856, and which contains the Har- ris Institute Free Library, of about 10,000 volumes, the first Free Library organized in Rhode Island. The building and a library of 4,000 volumes were a gift to the town by Edward Harris, the pioneer woolen manufacturer. In this building on the ground floor is the post-office. In the next building on the left, the Evening Reporter and the Weekly Patriot are printed. Next beyond, still on the left, is the three-story brick factory occupied by the American Worsted Company. Then come the extensive factories of the Harris Woolen Company, consisting of many buildings of wood, brick, and stone, of various ages, the majority of which are on the left-hand side, but one is on the right, connected with the others by a bridge built over the street. Just beyond, and also on the left-hand side, are the connected brick and stone factories of the Lippitt Woolen Company, which extend to the corner of Bernon Street, with one factory across that street, below the corner.
Main Street here leads into Market Square, which is an open space formed by the junction of Main, South Main, Bernon, Arnold, and River streets. On the east side of this square at the foot of Arnold Street is the Woonsocket Hotel. From Depot Square to Market Square, Main Street is about a quarter of a mile long. On the opposite side from the factories are retail stores and offices, and the street runs along the brow of the high river bank. The rear of the fac- tories reach to the edge of Clinton Pond, through which the water passes from above the falls, supplying all the factories on this side down to the Clinton
MONUMENT SQUARE.
WOONSOCKET.
97
THE BLACKSTONE AT WOONSOCKET.
Mills. This pond and its connections make an island of the low land between it and the river, and on this territory are situated many large and small manufacturing establish- ments, y
Leaving Market Square let us proceed down South Main Street. A few steps bring us to the extensive works of the Woonsocket Rubber Company, on the left, which consist of a number of brick and stone buildings. On the right is a large, stone cotton factory, built in 1S46, and now operated by J. P. & J. G. Ray, but formerly owned by the Ballou Manufacturing Company, and known as the " White Mill." This mill stands on the river bank at the west end of the falls, and occupies the site of the saw mill and forge erected by the first set- tlers.
We have now arrived at the bridge. About a hundred feet above it are the falls, which are in two portions, being divided by a rocky island in the centre. At each side dams have been built, supplementing the natural advantages for the benefit of the factories, and the rocky island which divides the falls extends for about two hundred feet, the centre of the bridge resting upon it. This bridge consists of two stone arches. On the western bank, just below, are the Globe Mills, now the property of the Social Manufacturing Company. All this portion of Woonsocket across the bridge, southwest of the river, is known as the Globe, and is mainly a place of residence.
9S PICTURESQUE NARRAGANSETT.
A short distance above the falls is the Sayles Street Bridge, and the houses on either side of the river above it are factory tenements. North of Globe Vil- lage, on the westerly side, is Fairmount, formerly known as Old Maid's Farm, where are the works of the Woonsocket Machine & Press Company, the Per- severance Worsted Company, and the Enterprise Mill. A new bridge, finished in 1888, connects this section with the east side of the river.
Returning to Market Square we go down Bernon Street. The wooden building at the curve of the street on the right would be taken for a church, but it is the Town Hall. Passing a number of small manufacturing establish- ments we soon reach the Bernon Bridge, just above which is the Bernon Dam, retaining a wide pond of the same name, extending to the falls. Crossing the bridge we are now on Bridge Street, in that part of Woonsocket known as Bernon. The river bank rises in quite a bulky hill with an easy incline, and is covered with pleasant residences and fine mansions. Turning into Front Street, the first to the left, we pass several stone factories on the bank of the river, all now the property of the Woonsocket Electric Light & Power Com- pany, which operates its own plant in one of them, and sub-lets the others to various manufacturers. Front Street here leads along the brow of the high river bank ; it is wide, and is lined on the side nearest the river with a mag- nificent row of elm trees.
As we emerge on Hamlet Avenue, almost in front of us is St. James Episcopal Church, a brown, wooden edifice. Looking up Hamlet Avenue from this point, two blocks above, the large brick structure of the French Roman Catholic Church looms up conspicuously. Hamlet Avenue is so named from the village of Hamlet about half a mile to the southeast at the end of the ave- nue, where there is a small cotton mill and a little hamlet of factory tenements.
Turning into Hamlet Avenue, we pass down the hill, and soon reach the Hamlet Avenue Bridge, crossing which we walk along beside the elevated tracks of the railroad, and soon emerge on Clinton Street, near Depot Square. From Hamlet Avenue and bridge fine views of the river and of other portions of Woonsocket are obtained.
Leaving Depot Square let us pass up Main Street to the north. We imme- diately pass under the railroad, and are in among the retail stores again. A short distance up the street on the left is the Methodist Episcopal Church, and almost opposite just a few steps further up, on the corner of Church Street, is the Universalist Church. A few steps further bring us out on Monument Square, a large, open space, where Main, North Main, and Social streets, and several lanes converge. In the centre of the square is the Soldiers' Monument, standing in a circular, railed plat. It consists of a square granite column, surmounted by the figure of a soldier, and appropriately inscribed. Fronting on the square is the Monument House, a large hotel, consisting of several connected build- ings. From Monument •Square, past Depot Square, to Market Square, Main Street extends, and contains the principal retail business of the town. This portion of the town is the original village of Woonsocket.
On North Main Street just beyond the Monument House, the new Opera House is in process of construction. It will be one of the handsomest buildings
WOONSOCKET. 99
of its kind in the state. The front elevation is 58 feet, and the same in width, and will be constructed in modern style. The whole building will be 58 x 172 feet, with a large auditorium containing two galleries, the whole capable of seat- ing 1 ,300 persons. The structure is expected to be completed Sept. 1, iSSS. Two streets above, corner North Main and Daniels, is the St. Charles Catholic Church, a substantial, stone edifice. A few steps further North Main Street crosses the New York & New England Railroad, and on either side of the tracks are a number of establishments engaged in the manufacture of shuttles, spools, bobbins, and other mill supplies. A short distance above, near the railroad, is the Harris Woolen Mill at the Privilege. This is a large, brick factory, and is one of the largest woolen factories in the country. It is situated on Mill River, and the name is derived from the water privileges owned on the river by this company.
Leaving Monument Square by Social Street, on the right are the works of the Bailey Wringing Machine Company. About a quarter of a mile beyond we reach the Social Mill, a large brick cotton factory, built in 1874 on the site of the first cotton mill in Woonsocket. On the left, as we approach the mill, is an elegant brick building containing the offices of the Social Manufacturing Com- pany, which owns and operates this mill, the Nourse Mill, and the Globe Mills. Fronting the Social Mill, across Social Street, are rows of brick tenement houses, extending down First, Second, and Third streets to Clinton Street, on the opposite side of which, and on the bank of the river, is the Nourse Mill, a fine brick structure, erected in 1882. The Social and Nourse mills each have two towers, on one of which is a clock, and on the other a wind indicator. These mills and their tenements are in excellent condition, and the houses are tasteful and beautiful buildings, much in contrast to the ordinary factory dwell- ings. Passing down Second we turn into Clinton Street, and return along the river, on the way passing the Clinton Mills on the left, and soon again emerge on Depot Square.
The question of the adoption of a city charter will be submitted to the electors at the presidential election in November. This matter, as well as the setting apart of Northern Rhode Island into a separate county with Woonsocket as the seat of justice, is exciting much local interest and discussion, and indica- tions are not wanting that both these objects will be realized in the near future. There are movements on foot having in view the construction of a railroad from Woonsocket to Attleboro, and one from Woonsocket to a point in North Smithfield, to connect with the Providence and Springfield Railroad.
In other respects Woonsocket is showing commendable enterprise, a good example of which is the experiment with an electric motor on its street cars. With its excellent facilities, for a place of its size and the spirit of progress man- ifested, Woonsocket is bound to increase in business and wealth and to attract an intelligent and industrious population, so that the future will see it a grow- ing and prosperous city.
THE STRANGERS' GUIDE-WOONSOCKET.
POINTS OF INTEREST.
Agricultural Fair Grounds.
American Worsted Co.'s Building, 127 to 143 Main. Arnior\ Hall, 62 Arnold. Arnold Dr. SctU Medical Corporation. Ballon Mill, South Main, near Bridge. HiTiimi soiitliernpart.it' Woonsocket. Base Ball Grounds, foot Canal street. Depot Square, junction High and Main, at railroad station. District Court, 239 Main.
Kairniouiit, on west side of river, north of the Globe. Foss Memorial Building, 183 and 1*5 Main, (ilohe Mills, west of Bernon Pond, Front street, Globe
Village.
Globe Village, southwest portion of town.
(i. A. R Hall, 158 Main.
Hamlet Village, to the southeast of main town.
Hamlet Mill, at Hamlet Village.
Harris Hall. 155 Main.
Harris Institute Free Library, 155 Main.
Harris Block, 151 to 161 Main.
Harris Mo. den Mill, at Privilege.
I.x.ciim Hall, 155 Main.
L'Institute Canadien, 16 Main.
Music Hall, 12 Main.
Market Square, junction Arnold, Main, South Main and liernon.
Monument Square, junction Main, South Main and Social.
National Globe Bank Building, 2 to 6 Main.
Jenksville, east of Social.
Privilege Village, north of Social.
I'ost Office, 159 Main.
Patriot Building, 171 to 181 Main.
Poor Farm, Fairmount,
Social Mill, S.. Social Hall. 7H Social Village, west from the ra St. George's H St. .lean Bapth Street ltailwaj Temple of Hoi
Tel
BRIDGES.
Main Street, South Main, just below falls. Bernon, from Bernon to Bridge street. Hamlet. Avenue, west of railroad bridge. Sayles Street, north of the falls. River Street, from Fairinount. east of railroad. Fairmount bridge (new), between Sayles and River street bridges. Cumberland Road bridge, at Hamlet Village.
CHURCHES.
nth Main, corner Pleasant. Lvociuu Hall. 155 Main, .in. corner High.
irrineton avenue, corner Park ave. id. Main, opposite Church. T; avenue, j unction Greene.
■, North Main, corner Daniels. ' -t avenue.
street, Social village, cial.
rth of the river and a short distance oad station. 1S5 Main. Hall, 239 Main, ation. 244 Main. Hall. 191 Main.
(Western Union ).. Providence & Wor- cester Railroad depot.
Telephone Office. 239 Main, room 12. Woonsocket Agricultural Society.
Woonsocket Hospital, Cass road, near Cumberland st. Woonsocket Business Men's Association, 177 Main. Woonsocket Opera House, 5 to 11 North Main. Young Men's Christian Association, Unity Building, .Main, corner Clinton.
M ANUFACTURI N G E STABLISH-
MENTS.
American Worsted Co., 123 Main.
Bailey Wringing Machine Co.. 35 Social.
Clinton Manufacturing Co., 45 Clinton.
Dr. Seth Arnold Medical Corporation, 72 Park avenue.
Eagle Mills, 7 Clinton.
Glenark Knitting Co.. 67 South Main.
Globe Mills Globe Village.
Harris Woolen Co., mills at 73 Main, and at the Privi-
ilege.
Leicester Knitting Mills, 5li Bernon. Lippit Woolen ( '.o., 9 Bernon. Noitrse Mill, Clinton street. Perseverance Worsted Co., 251 River. Relief Washing Machine Co., 65 Arnold. Social Mill ; Social street. Social Village. Valley Falls Co., 31 Front.
Woonsocket Electric Machine and Power Co., 33 and 35 Front.
Woonsocket Gas Co., 166 Main.
Woonsocket Machine and Press Co.. 101 Second ave. Woonsocket Rubber Co., 52 South Main. Woonsocket Spool and Bobbin Co., 7(1 and 72 Pond. Woonsocket Worsted Mill, 264 River.
St. Charles C;
Universalis!.
PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
High, Boyden. Consolidated, Boyden. Grove Street. Providence Street, North Main Street. Constitution Hill. Hope.
.lellokeSYlllcmeW).
Jenckesville (old), Social Street.
Arnold Street.
Summer Street.
High street.
Fairmount, Second avenue.
Park Avenue.
Clinton, near Clinton Mills.
Hamlet, at Hamlet Village.
Union District.
CATHOLIC— Parochial Schools.
French Parish, Carrington avenue, corner Park ave. Les Dames de Jesus Marie, convent and academy, 43 Hamlet avenue. St. Bernard, convent and academy. 33 Earle. St. Charles, Earle, corner of Daniels. St. Michaels, 59 River.
NEWSPAPERS.
Evening Reporter (Daily). 143 Main. Woonsocket Patriot (Weekly). 143 Main. Newton's Textile Gazette, 226 Main.
FIRE STATIONS AND APPARATUS.
Bernon Street, Steamer No. 1, and horse hose reel, 15
At Social, in Mill yard, Steamer No. 2, and horse hose reel, 15 men. , ,
Near Monument Square, Steamer No. 3, and hose wagon, with 600 feet hose, 10 men.
STAGES.
Blackstoue and Woonsocket Omnibus, 20 Main, two
trips daily.
Slaterville and Woonsocket Stage, two trips daily, and extra one Saturday night.
NATIONAL BANKS.
First, 166 Main. Citizens, '6 Main. Globe, 6 Main. Union, 146 Main. Producers', 185 Main. Woonsocket, 166 Main.
SAVINGS BANKS.
Mechanics. 6 Main.
Peo) de's, 166 Main.
Producer's, 185 Main.
Woonsocket Institution for Savings, 166 Main.
Part Second.
CHAPTER I.
NARRAGANSETT BAY: ITS EXTENT AND CHARACTER THE FISHERIES OYSTER LEASES
AND CULTURE — OTHER SHELL FISH —IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CHANNEL EAST PROV- IDENCE— THE SHORE PLACES: FIELD'S POINT SOIJAXTUM VUE DE L'EAU CLUB
SILVER SPRING POMHAM CLUB HOUSE RIVERSIDE — BULLOCK'S POINT CRES- CENT PARK PAWTUXET — RHODE ISLAND YACHT CLUB — BARRINGTON AND NAY-
ATT POINT WARREN BRISTOL THE WARWICK SHORE ROCKY POINT WAR- WICK NECK OAKLAND BEACH THE BUTTONWOODS EAST GREENWICH WICKFORD
THE ISLANDS OF THE BAY SEACONNET POINT. FALL RIVER.
Extending northward about thirty miles into the State of Rhode Island is Narragansett Bay, on the shores of which are the chief towns and cities of the state, and the history of Rhode Island may be said to have transpired on its waters and along its shores. The bay occupies nearly two hundred and fifty square miles — about one-fifth of the entire area of the state — and its shores are much indented with inlets and coves, while it is thickly studded with large and small islands. The largest is Rhode Island, at the mouth of the bay, on the southern extremity of which the city of Newport is situated. The state takes its name from this island. Providence and Pawtucket are at the head of the bay to the north, and Fall River to the northeast, while along the shores and on inlets and coves are many smaller towns, villages, and summer resorts ; and on eligible situations, both on islands and mainland, are many hotels, places of entertainment or recrea- tion, and beautiful summer homes.
The fisheries of Narragansett Bay is one of the important interests of the state. In 1SS5 there was $688,838 invested in the business. 1.373 persons employed, and to carry on the work 14 steamers, 66 schooners, 312 sloops and sail-boats, and 90S row-boats were used. Food fish caught amounted to 6,181,- 10S pounds, valued at $228,630; 654S5 bushels of clams were dug, valued at $6o,So7 ; I7>994 bushels of quahaugs, valued at $16,461 ; 34,008 bushels of scallops were caught, valued at $18,342 ; 320,059 bushels of oysters were taken
CAPTAIN WILLIAM WINSLOW The Pioneer Proprietor of Rocky Point.
PICTURESQUE NARRAGANSETT.
CAPTAIN GEORGE H. KELLEY, Of the Continental Line.
up, valued at $422,863 ; 449,815 pounds of lobster were caught, valued at $23,357 — thus making the total value of all shell-fish $542,296.
The oyster is a natural habitat of the bay, and those native in the upper waters have always been in great demand on account of their excellent quality. A large area of the shoals of the upper portion of the bay is devoted to the cultivation of the oyster. These beds belong to the state, and are in charge of a commissioner and two assistants, under whose direction they are leased to persons desiring to use them, and all details of the business and of the leases ai'e striclty regulated by law. A uniform rent of $10 per acre is charged, and in the year 1887 about eight hundred acres were let at this figure ; about one hundred acres are leased in water over twelve feet deep at high tide, at a dollar an acre, for the purpose of planting seed oysters. The state began leasing these beds about 1S50 and the first few years the income was very small, being inside of $100 annually, but it steadily increased until in 1885 it amounted to $11,920, leaving a net income to the state of something over $10,000. Since that time a number of oyster beds have been abandoned, mainly because of the failure of the Virginia oysters which were transplanted here in the spring and taken up in the fall, and were usually placed in shoal water inside the six-foot line, where it is not safe to place the native oysters on account of the danger from ice in winter. A number of localities are reserved by law as free oyster beds, and in certain sections beds in-shore cannot be leased because of the interference with the clam and quahaug digging. Under the old charter and laws of the state the inhabitants of the state had an inalienable right to the fisher- ies on the bay and shores, and this made all the land between high and low water mark common property. The amend- ments made to the fishery laws from time to time have been mostly directed to the preser- vation and definition of these rights. The constitution of 1S42 specially declared in the seventeenth section of the first article that the people were to continue in the enjoyment of the rights of fishery and of the shore they had enjoyed under the charter.
Clam and quahaug digging, because of the shores being thus free to the people, are car- ried on by a great many persons as a busi- ness on their own account. The shores of
East Providence and Warwick have the largest colonels s atwell
amount of territory available for these pur- 0f Field's Point
ALONG SHORE.
poses. Scallop fishing is also carried on by the same class of persons exten- sively, but as boats are necessary to take these shell-fish, more capital is re- quired, and the business is being developed into one in which men are employed instead of working for themselves. Greenwich Bay is the principal fishing ground for scallops, and by law no part of this bay can be leased for oyster beds.
A great deal of work has been done by the United States Government in deepening the channel in the upper part of the. bay. The work was begun in 1851 and has been carried on at intervals since then, as appropriations have been made for the purpose. As a result, the ship-channel from Fox Point to Conim- icut Point has been increased in depth from four and one-half to twenty-five feet at mean low water. According to the plans of the United States engineers it is intended ultimately to form a channel 300 feet in width, 25 feet deep in centre, and of less depth toward the sides, from Fox Point to the deep waters of the bay. As a consequence of work already done, vessels of