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Branch Village, Rhode Island facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Branch Village RI
2008 picture of Branch Village featuring the fire station and Kennedy's Lunch
Branch Village
1920s picture of Branch Village featuring a former gas station and Kennedy's Lunch, an extant restaurant

Branch Village is a small community located in Providence County, Rhode Island, in the United States. You can find it along Rhode Island Route 146A, also known as "Great Road," near where it meets St. Paul Street in North Smithfield. The village gets its name from the Branch River, which flows right through it.

The Story of Branch Village

Branch Village has an interesting past! Back in 1795, a man named Elisha Bartlett from Glocester built a special mill here. This mill used the power of the Branch River to make tools like scythes, which are long, curved blades used for cutting grass.

After Elisha Bartlett passed away in 1805, the mill grew even bigger. It started making cotton products, which was a very important industry at that time. This shows how the river's power helped the village grow and become a place where things were made.

What You Can Find in Branch Village Today

Today, Branch Village is a lively place with many useful businesses. You can find restaurants where people enjoy meals and supermarkets to buy groceries. The village also has its own fire station, which is important for keeping everyone safe. Next to the fire station, there's even a fire lookout tower, which was once used to spot fires from a distance. These places, along with other local businesses, help make Branch Village a helpful and active community for its residents.

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