East Natick, Rhode Island facts for kids
East Natick is a small village located in Warwick, Rhode Island. It's easy to find, as it's centered around where Bald Hill Road and East Avenue meet.
This village is separated from another area called Natick (which is part of West Warwick) by a railroad line. This old railroad is now a walking and biking path called the Washington Secondary Trail. The Pawtuxet River also helps separate the two areas. Another nearby village, Pontiac, is just north of East Natick, across the Pawtuxet River.
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A Look at East Natick's History and Buildings
East Natick was once home to many people who worked in factories, especially the textile mills in nearby Natick. These workers lived in special houses built for them. You can still see examples of these traditional "mill housing" buildings in the northern part of the village.
One of the most interesting buildings in East Natick is the Warwick Ice Cream Company. It was started in 1930, and its main building was built in 1940. This building is special because it's one of the few examples of Art Deco style architecture in Warwick. Art Deco is a cool, sleek design style from the 1920s and 1930s, known for its geometric shapes and fancy decorations. A famous architect from Providence named Francis Chiaverini designed it. You can also find an old farmhouse from the colonial era at 697 East Avenue.
Important Places in East Natick
East Natick is home to two well-known places in Rhode Island: the Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI) and the Rhode Island Mall.
Community College of Rhode Island
The Community College of Rhode Island, often called CCRI, is built on what used to be the Knight Estate. This large property was once owned by the Sprague and Knight families. These families were very important in manufacturing (making goods) a long time ago.
The main house of the estate is still standing at 486 East Avenue. People believe it was built by William Sprague between 1827 and 1836. Later, the estate was given to the state of Rhode Island. The Rhode Island Junior College, which is now CCRI, opened its doors there in 1972.
Rhode Island Mall
The Rhode Island Mall first opened in 1967. It was originally known as the Midland Mall. Today, much of the building is empty, but it remains a notable landmark in the area.
