Little Compton, Rhode Island facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Little Compton, Rhode Island
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Town
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Town Common and the United Congregational Church
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Location of Little Compton in Newport County, Rhode Island
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| Country | United States |
| State | Rhode Island |
| County | Newport |
| Settled | 1675 |
| Incorporated | June 6, 1682 |
| Annexed by Rhode Island | January 27, 1747 |
| Government | |
| • Type | Town Council-Town Administrator |
| Area | |
| • Total | 28.9 sq mi (74.9 km2) |
| • Land | 20.9 sq mi (54.1 km2) |
| • Water | 8.0 sq mi (20.8 km2) |
| Elevation | 85 ft (26 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 3,616 |
| • Density | 173/sq mi (66.8/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−5 (Eastern) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (Eastern) |
| ZIP Code |
02837
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| Area code(s) | 401 |
| FIPS code | 44-42400 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1220062 |
Little Compton is a small town located on the coast of Rhode Island, in Newport County. It's bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the south and the Sakonnet River to the west. The town is known for its beautiful beaches and quiet, rural feel.
About 3,600 people live in Little Compton. However, during the summer, the population almost doubles because many tourists come to enjoy the town's charm and coastal scenery.
Little Compton was first home to the Sakonnet Native Americans. Their settlement was called Sakonnet, which might mean "where the water pours forth." The first European settlers arrived in 1675 from Duxbury, Massachusetts. The Native American leader, a female chief named Awashonks, was friendly with the new settlers. She allowed them to divide the land for farms. One of the first settlers was Colonel Benjamin Church, who built a house in Little Compton in 1675. You can still see a plaque marking the spot today.
In 1682, the area was officially named Little Compton, possibly after a place in England. In 1747, Little Compton became part of Rhode Island, moving from the Massachusetts Bay Colony. Since the late 1800s, the town has been a popular summer spot. People love its beaches, farms, and cool ocean air.
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Exploring Little Compton's History
Historic Buildings and Landmarks
Little Compton has many interesting historic places. The Wilbor House, built in 1692, is now a museum run by the Little Compton Historical Society. Other old sites include the Friends Meeting House and Cemetery and the William Whalley Homestead. There are also about 57 historic cemeteries in the town.
The Town Common
Little Compton is special because it has one of only three town commons left in Rhode Island. The Common was set aside in 1677 and has always been a central spot for the town. It's where churches, the school, town hall, and library are located. A large cemetery is also on the Common. Famous people buried here include Benjamin Church and Elizabeth Pabodie, who was the first white girl born in New England. The entire Common is listed as a historic district.
Unique Local Sights
You can also find the "Spite Tower" in the village of Adamsville. It was built around 1905 as a water tower. People say it was built to block the view of a neighbor who lived nearby!
Off the coast, you'll see the Sakonnet Point Lighthouse. It was built in 1884 and was fixed up in 2012.
There was once a famous fishing club called the West Island Club on West Island, near Sakonnet Point. It operated from 1864 to 1906 and had famous members like Grover Cleveland and J.P. Morgan. A big hurricane in 1938 destroyed most of the buildings.
During World War II, Fort Church was built near Sakonnet Point. It was named after Benjamin Church.
Little Compton's Population and Community
Who Lives in Little Compton?
In 2021, about 3,600 people lived in Little Compton. Many homes in the town are used only during the summer by visitors.
Most residents in Little Compton are white. Many adults in Little Compton have earned a college degree. The average age in town is 58, which is older than the average age for all of Rhode Island. This means many older adults live here. Only a small number of children under 10 live in the town.
Homes in Little Compton are quite expensive. The average price for a home in 2022 was about $797,000. This makes Little Compton one of the most expensive places to live in Rhode Island.
The Geography of Little Compton
Land and Water Features
Little Compton covers about 28.9 square miles, with 20.9 square miles of land and 8.0 square miles of water. One of the largest freshwater ponds is Quicksand Pond.
At Sakonnet Point, the southernmost tip of the town, you can see the Sakonnet Point Lighthouse and small rocky islands. On a clear day, you might even see Martha's Vineyard and Newport.
Stone Walls and Regional Identity
Little Compton is famous for its many stone walls. There used to be thousands of miles of stone walls across New England, and Little Compton has a lot of them!
Sometimes, Little Compton is grouped with the "South Coast" region of Massachusetts. This is because it shares similar features with nearby towns like Westport and Dartmouth. Recently, it's also been called part of the "Farm Coast," which includes coastal farming communities in Southern New England.
Local Neighborhoods
Little Compton has several smaller areas, or "localities." These include Adamsville, Pottersville, the Commons, Sakonnet, Warren Point, and Chase Point. Adamsville is the only one with its own post office.
The Little Compton Commons is the area around the historic town common. This is where most of the town's government buildings are, and where many events happen. The Sakonnet area is near Sakonnet Point, and it has several private clubs like the Sakonnet Golf Club and the Sakonnet Yacht Club.
Warren Point and Chase Point are areas with private homes, many of them along the waterfront.
Beaches to Enjoy
Little Compton has five beaches, but only two are open to the public: South Shore Beach and Goosewing Beach. You usually need a pass or proof of residency to park at South Shore Beach.
Briggs Beach and Tappens Beach are private beach clubs for members and their guests. Lloyd's Beach is a gravel beach only for residents of the nearby Sakonnet neighborhood.
Protecting Little Compton's Land
Little Compton has a special tax on real estate sales. This tax helps the town's Agricultural Conservancy Trust buy and protect farmland. It also helps protect the town's drinking water. As of 2021, the Trust has saved over 2,100 acres of land. Some of this land is leased to local farmers.
The Trust also creates public walking paths on some of the protected land. This is a unique way to allow people to enjoy the preserved areas.
Education in Little Compton
Little Compton has one school, the Wilbur and McMahon School, often called "Wilbur School." It teaches students from Kindergarten through 8th grade. About 208 students attend classes here. High school students usually go to Portsmouth High School in Portsmouth, Rhode Island.
The Wilbur McMahon School is special because it offers the International Baccalaureate (IB) Program. It's the only middle school in Rhode Island to have this program.
The Brownell Library
The Little Compton Public Library started in 1879. In 1929, the Brownell Library was built. The two libraries joined together in 1963.
Today, the Brownell Library is Little Compton's only public library. Besides borrowing books, you can find programs, events, and other resources there.
The Famous Rhode Island Red Chicken
The Rhode Island Red is a famous type of chicken that was first bred in Adamsville, Little Compton. It's known as a great "dual-purpose" bird, meaning it's good for both eggs and meat.
In 1925, a monument to the Rhode Island Red was built in Adamsville. Another plaque honoring the chicken was put up in 1954. These memorials show how important this chicken breed is to the area's history.
Getting Around Little Compton
Little Compton is one of the few towns in Rhode Island that doesn't have public bus service. Main roads include Route 77 and Route 81. Historically, there have never been railroads or streetcar lines in Little Compton. People have always traveled by road.
Famous People from Little Compton
- Awashonks (around 1620–1684), a female chief of the Sakonnet tribe.
- Jack Brennan (born 1937), who was President Richard Nixon's chief of staff after the Watergate scandal. He has a summer home here.
- J. C. Chandor (born 1974), a writer and director, known for Margin Call. He is a summer resident.
- Colonel Benjamin Church (around 1639–1718), who founded Little Compton and was a famous military leader. He is buried in Little Compton.
- Sylvester Graham, an early vegetarian and the person the Graham Cracker is named after.
- Christopher R. Hill (born 1952), a former U.S. Ambassador. He lived in Little Compton.
- Henry Demarest Lloyd (1847–1903), a political activist and journalist. He lived in Little Compton.
- J. William Middendorf (born 1924), a former U.S. Ambassador and Secretary of the Navy. He lives in Little Compton.
- Arden Myrin (born 1973), a comedian and actress. She was born in Little Compton.
- Elizabeth Pabodie (1623–1717), the daughter of Mayflower settlers John Alden and Priscilla Mullins. She is buried in Little Compton.
- Paul Suttell (born 1949), the current Chief Justice of the Rhode Island Supreme Court. He lives in Little Compton.
- Charles Edwin Wilbour (1833–1896), a journalist and Egyptologist who translated Les Misérables. He was born in Little Compton.
- Isaac Wilbour (1763–1837), a former Governor of Rhode Island and U.S. Congressman. He was born and died in Little Compton.
- Rupert von Trapp (1911–1992), the eldest son from the Trapp Family Singers, who inspired The Sound of Music. He lived in Little Compton.
Places to Visit and Historic Sites
- Friends Meeting House and Cemetery (1815)
- Little Compton Common Historic District, including the United Congregational Church and the Town Hall.
- Rhode Island Red Monument (1925)
- Sakonnet Light Station (1884)
- Stone House Inn (1854)
- Wilbor House Museum (1692)
- William Whalley Homestead
Images for kids
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The Stone House Inn was built in 1854. It was once the biggest house in the area.
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The Sakonnet Light Station was built in 1885 and fixed up in 2012.
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The Sakonnet Lodge was built in 1840 as a church. It's part of the Little Compton Common Historic District.
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The United Congregational Church dates back to 1704. Its steeple is the tallest building in town.
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The First Methodist Meeting House was built in 1825 and moved to its current spot in 1839.
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The "Spite Tower" in Adamsville is a water tower. Some say it was built to annoy a neighbor.
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The William Whalley Homestead is a 19th-century farm with a house, barn, and other buildings.
See also
In Spanish: Little Compton (Rhode Island) para niños
