Fiskeville, Rhode Island facts for kids
Fiskeville is a small village located in Rhode Island, United States. It sits where three towns meet: the southwest part of Cranston, Rhode Island, the southeast part of Scituate, Rhode Island, and the northern side of Coventry, Rhode Island. The main street of Fiskeville actually forms the border between Cranston and Scituate.
Fiskeville became known as a "mill town" in the mid-1800s. This means it grew up around a factory, or "mill," that made things. Many mill towns were built along rivers, like the Pawtuxet River where Fiskeville is located. The river provided power for the machines in the mills.
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The Fiskeville Mill
The Fiskeville mill was a textile mill, which means it made fabric and cloth. It was started in 1812 by Dr. Caleb Fiske. He was a doctor during the American Revolutionary War who later became a businessman.
Who Lived in Fiskeville?
The village of Fiskeville became home to the people who worked in the mill. Many of these workers were immigrants. Immigrants are people who come from other countries to live in a new place. In Fiskeville, many workers came from countries like Portugal, France, Italy, and England.
Even though parts of Fiskeville are in Scituate, the village is usually thought of as part of Cranston. This is because most of the original buildings, including Dr. Fiske's own home, were located in Cranston. However, the mill itself and about a dozen houses for mill workers were in Scituate.
Mail Delivery in Fiskeville
Fiskeville has a unique situation when it comes to mail delivery. It is the only neighborhood in Cranston where residents do not get their mail delivered directly to their homes. Instead, people living in Fiskeville can only get their mail by using a Post Office Box at the small Fiskeville Post Office.
Why is Mail Delivery Different?
For many years, residents of Fiskeville have faced problems because their street addresses are not fully recognized by the United States Postal Service (USPS). This has led to issues like mail not being delivered correctly and difficulties when trying to register to vote.
Efforts to Change Mail Delivery
Because of these ongoing problems, the Cranston City Council took action. On April 22, 2024, the City Council voted unanimously to ask the USPS to start regular mail delivery for Fiskeville residents. This request aims to improve the quality of life for people living in the village.
