Hillsgrove, Rhode Island facts for kids
Hillsgrove, originally called Hill's Grove, is a small community located in the western part of Warwick, Rhode Island. It's a place with a rich history, especially known for its connection to industry and, more recently, a major airport.
Contents
The Story of Hillsgrove
Hillsgrove was officially started in 1867. It grew up around the area where Kilvert Street and Jefferson Boulevard meet, with railroad tracks running through it. Just north of the main village is a neighborhood called North Hillsgrove, which developed in the early to mid-1900s.
Early Industry and Growth
A businessman named Thomas Jefferson Hill was very important to Hillsgrove's early days. In 1867, he built the Rhode Island Malleable Iron Works. This was a factory that made strong metal parts. A few years later, in 1875, he opened another factory called the Elizabeth Mill. He named it after his wife, Elizabeth C. Kenyon. These factories helped the village grow and provided jobs for many people.
Community Buildings
As Hillsgrove grew, so did its community buildings. The Hillsgrove Methodist Episcopal Church was built in 1887, thanks to a donation from Thomas Jefferson Hill. Even though it has changed over time because of the nearby airport, the church building is still used today.
Another important church, St. Francis of Assisi Roman Catholic Church, was started in 1899. Its first building was put up in 1900, but it was later replaced in 1960 by the church and school building you see now. The original Hillsgrove School also became too small by 1915 and was replaced, though that building is no longer standing.
Hillsgrove State Airport
One of the biggest changes for Hillsgrove happened in 1929. The village was chosen as the location for the new Hillsgrove State Airport. This airport, now known as T. F. Green Airport, is the largest and most important airport in Rhode Island.
Airport Development
The airport officially opened in 1931. Its very first terminal building was constructed in 1932. Over the years, more buildings were added, like large hangars for airplanes. As the airport grew, some older buildings were taken down to make space for new runways or facilities. For example, a new, much larger terminal was built in 1961, and then replaced again in 1995.
A more recent addition to the airport is a railway station and parking garage. This makes it easier for people to get to the airport using trains, connecting it to the main terminal with a long skybridge.
Modern Hillsgrove
Over time, the area around Hillsgrove has changed a lot, especially because of the airport. Many of the old factories have closed or been torn down. For example, the Elizabeth Mill, which once housed a company called Leviton Manufacturing that made electronic parts, was taken down in 2015.
Today, the main roads in Hillsgrove are Post Road, Jefferson Boulevard, and Coronado Road/Kilvert Street. The southern part of Hillsgrove, closer to the airport, has mostly become an industrial area with businesses. Even Post Road, which used to have many homes, now has lots of hotels, restaurants, and car rental places that serve airport travelers.
