Chepachet, Rhode Island facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Chepachet Village Historic District
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Chepachet depicted in a 1905 postcard
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| Location | Glocester, Rhode Island |
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| Built | 1799 |
| NRHP reference No. | 71000031 |
| Added to NRHP | March 31, 1971 |
Chepachet is a small village in the town of Glocester, located in the northwestern part of Rhode Island. It's known as a census-designated place (CDP). The village is found where two main roads, U.S. Route 44 (also called Putnam Pike) and Rhode Island Route 102, come together. Chepachet's ZIP code is 02814. In 2010, about 1,675 people lived in the village.
Contents
Discover Chepachet's Past
Early Days and the American Revolution
The name "Chepachet" comes from the Pequot and Nipmuc native people. It means "where rivers meet."
Before the American Revolution, Chepachet was a place where many people supported independence. The Gloucester Light Infantry, a group of local soldiers, was started here in 1774. During the war, some people who supported the British, called Loyalists, were sent to live near Chepachet. One of them, Thomas Vernon, wrote about election celebrations in Chepachet in 1776. He described a big party with many people and cakes being sold.
Important Moments in History
In 1842, Chepachet was the site of the end of the Dorr Rebellion. This event was very important because it helped people who didn't own land get the right to vote in Rhode Island.
Famous horror writer H. P. Lovecraft visited Chepachet in 1923. He was looking for a mysterious place called "Dark Swamp." Even though he didn't find it, the area inspired parts of his story "The Colour Out of Space". Chepachet is also mentioned in his story "The Horror at Red Hook".
Since 1926, Chepachet has hosted the Ancients and Horribles parade. This is a fun Fourth of July event. It's known for its funny political jokes and lively humor.
A Ship and an Elephant
In the 1940s, a US Navy ship was named after the Chepachet River. This ship was a fuel tanker called the USS Chepachet. The ship's bell is now displayed at the town hall. In 1998, the ship's surviving crew members had a special reunion in Chepachet.
May 25 is celebrated as "Elephant Day" in Chepachet. This day remembers an event from 1826. A popular elephant named Betty the Learned Elephant was part of a traveling show. She was sadly shot and killed while crossing a bridge over the Chepachet River. A group of six people faced legal issues for this act. Today, a special plaque on the bridge marks this historic spot.
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Thomas W. Dorr, who led the 1842 rebellion.
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An antique store in Chepachet.
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Chepachet Free Baptist Church, built in 1821.
Chepachet Today
People and Numbers
The 2020 United States census counted 1,704 people living in Chepachet. Most residents (about 93%) are white. About 17% of the population is under 18 years old. The average age in Chepachet is about 47.8 years.
The average household income in Chepachet was about $80,759 between 2016 and 2020. A small number of families and people live below the poverty line.
Learning in Chepachet
Chepachet is part of the Foster-Glocester Regional School District. This means students in Chepachet go to Ponaganset High School for their high school years. West Glocester Elementary is the local elementary school.
The regional school district is currently looking at the mascot for Ponaganset High School and Middle School, which is the Chieftain. The local Native American tribe, the Nipmuc, have asked for it to be changed for many years.
Notable People from Chepachet
- Asa Aldis: A judge who became Chief Justice of the Vermont Supreme Court.
- Phil Paine: A player in Major League Baseball.
See also
In Spanish: Chepachet (Rhode Island) para niños
