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Blackrock, Rhode Island facts for kids

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Blackrock
Village
Country United States
State Rhode Island
County Kent County
Population
 • Total 40

Blackrock is a small village in Kent County, Rhode Island, United States. It is part of the town of Coventry. Blackrock is located between the villages of Anthony and Arkwright.

Blackrock Village

Blackrock is a quiet village with a small population of about 40 people. It has a rich history tied to its unique name and early industries.

What's in a Name?

The village of Blackrock got its name from a large, dark rock. This rock was very important to the local Native American people. It was rumored to be a special place for marriage ceremonies long ago. Today, you can still find this famous rock on Blackrock Road.

How Blackrock Started

Blackrock was founded in 1814. A man named William Greene sold some of his land. He sold it to a company called the Black Rock Cotton Manufacturing Company. This company wanted to build a dam on Black Rock Brook. The brook flows from Black Rock Pond.

The dam was built to provide power for a mill. Mills were very important back then for making goods. In 1824, Nicholas Potter bought the mill. He changed it into a machine shop. Later, it even became a factory that made brooms!

Blackrock Today

Over time, Blackrock has grown. It is now largely connected to the nearby village of Anthony. A well-known teacher named Samuel Greene used to live in the area. Today, there is an elementary school in the area named after the famous Black Rock.

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