Gladstone Springhouse and Bottling Plant facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Gladstone Springhouse and Bottling Plant
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Gladstone Springhouse and Bottling Plant, 145A Boon St., Narragansett
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 Location in Rhode Island
Location in the United States
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| Location | Narragansett, Rhode Island |
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| Built | 1899 |
| Architect | Hazard, T. G., Jr. |
| Architectural style | Colonial Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 84002051 |
| Added to NRHP | May 10, 1984 |
The Gladstone Springhouse and Bottling Plant is a historic building in Narragansett, Rhode Island. It is located at 145a Boon Street. This site was once used to collect and bottle fresh spring water. It played an important part in the history of the area.
The springhouse was built in 1899 by T. G. Hazard, Jr. The building where water was bottled might have been built as early as 1911. This important site was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1984. This means it is recognized as a special place in American history.
What is the Springhouse?
The springhouse is where the water from Gladstone Springs is collected. It holds about seven and a half feet of water. It is a round building made of stone. It is about 30 feet (9.1 meters) wide. The stone part stands only about 18 inches (460 mm) above the ground. A cone-shaped roof covers the springhouse. There is a small roofed entrance, like a dormer, that leads into the building.
The Bottling Plant Building
Southwest of the springhouse is another building. It is a two-story building made of wood. It also has a large, one-story addition made of concrete blocks. This building has been used for many different things over the years.
The first floor of the wood building was likely used as offices. Later, it was changed into apartments. The upstairs part seems to have always been an apartment. It was probably where the manager of the water facility lived. The concrete block part of the building was where the water was bottled and prepared for shipping.
History of Gladstone Springs
The fresh water from Gladstone Springs was very important. It helped Narragansett Pier, Rhode Island grow as a popular resort area. This happened in the years after the Civil War. In 1899, T. G. Hazard, Jr., built the springhouse. He wanted to make the pit where water was collected larger and cover it.
In 1911, a group of people bought the property. They were Syria W. Mathewson, William R. Sweet, and Frederick C. Olney. They started a company called the Gladstone Springs Water Company. Frederick C. Olney was a very important person in this group. He was one of the first African-American lawyers allowed to practice law in Rhode Island.
The company built the bottling plant building. They also made the facilities larger. Their plan was to start making bottled sodas, not just spring water.
See also
