Fox Island (Rhode Island) facts for kids
Fox Island is a small island located in Narragansett Bay, Rhode Island, in the United States. It sits between Conanicut Island and the town of North Kingstown, just south of the village of Wickford, Rhode Island. The island is officially part of North Kingstown.
Contents
Fox Island: A Little Island with a Big Story
Early Days and First Owners
Long ago, the Native Americans who lived in this area called the island "Nanaquonset." This name was also sometimes spelled "Nonequasset" or "Sonanoxet." In 1659, two men named Randall Holden and Samuel Gorton bought the island from the Native Americans. Since then, many different private owners have owned Fox Island.
Life on the Island
Around the 1860s, a Christian preacher known as Captain Jimmie Hammond became the first person to live on Fox Island full-time. He lived there with his chickens and his cat, making him the island's first permanent resident!
Later, in 1880, a pastor from a nearby church, Rev. William Pendleton Chapman, wrote an adventure book. The book was titled “Budd Boyd’s Triumph: The Boy Firm of Fox Island.” This story helped to make the island well-known.
Modern Times
Since the year 2000, a private company has owned Fox Island. This company uses a large wind generator on the east side of the island. This wind generator helps to create electricity, showing how the island is used in modern times.
