Hard Scrabble and Snow Town facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Hard Scrabble
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Former neighborhood
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 Hard Scrabble
Location in Rhode Island
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| Country | United States |
| State | Rhode Island |
| City | Providence |
| Established | circa 1800 |
Hard Scrabble (also known as Addison Hollow) and Snow Town were two neighborhoods in Providence, Rhode Island. They existed in the 1800s. These areas were unfortunately known for serious race riots in 1824 and 1831. During these events, groups of white residents attacked and destroyed many homes and businesses belonging to Black people.
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Hard Scrabble: A Neighborhood's Story
Hard Scrabble was a neighborhood in northwestern Providence, Rhode Island, in the early 1800s. Most of the people living there were Black. It was a bit far from the main part of town, which meant that rents were cheaper. This made it a good place for free Black people, poor families of all backgrounds, and small businesses that might not have been welcome elsewhere.
However, some white neighbors saw Hard Scrabble as a problem for the town. This led to growing disagreements and bad feelings between the people of Hard Scrabble and other residents of Providence. Hard Scrabble was one of many similar neighborhoods in cities across the Northeast. These places allowed free Black people to gather and help each other improve their lives socially and financially. Other communities like this included the northern slope of Boston’s Beacon Hill, Little Liberia in Bridgeport, Connecticut, and Sandy Ground on New York's Staten Island.
The 1824 Hard Scrabble Riot
On October 18, 1824, a fight started in Hard Scrabble. This happened after a Black man was told to get off the sidewalk by some white people, and he refused. The very next evening, a large group of white residents attacked the homes and businesses of Black residents. Many other people watched without helping.
Eyewitnesses said that between 40 and 60 people were actively damaging homes. Some of them even had tools like axes and clubs. In total, about 20 buildings were ruined by the attackers. The violence lasted from around 7 PM until about 2 or 3 AM, when the attackers decided to stop.
Where Were Hard Scrabble and Snow Town?
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The exact spots where Hard Scrabble and Snow Town were located in northwestern Providence have been a bit unclear. This made it harder to create memorials for Hard Scrabble. One reason for this is that these neighborhoods were not well documented in official state papers.
Based on records from the riot, Hard Scrabble might have been around the corner of Smith Street and North Main Street. However, other ideas about its location have also been suggested. In 2006, a special plaque was placed on a grassy area at the corner of North Main and Canal Streets, close to the State House. This plaque was moved in 2024 to Francis Street, south of Gaspee Street.
Snow Town was located on Smith Hill. Today, the State House and the Providence Train Station stand in that area. Some buildings from the Snow Town neighborhood were still there when the State House was being built, but they have all been torn down since then. A memorial for the Snow Town riot is located nearby at the Roger Williams National Memorial.
Images for kids
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Map of Providence in 1823, one year before the Hard Scrabble Riot.
