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Misquamicut, Rhode Island facts for kids

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Misquamicut, Rhode Island
Andrea Hotel, c.1930s
Andrea Hotel, c.1930s
Misquamicut, Rhode Island is located in Rhode Island
Misquamicut, Rhode Island
Misquamicut, Rhode Island
Location in Rhode Island
Misquamicut, Rhode Island is located in the United States
Misquamicut, Rhode Island
Misquamicut, Rhode Island
Location in the United States
Country United States
State Rhode Island
County Washington
Area
 • Total 1.25 sq mi (3.23 km2)
 • Land 1.17 sq mi (3.04 km2)
 • Water 0.07 sq mi (0.19 km2)
Elevation
3 ft (1 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total 434
 • Density 369.99/sq mi (142.89/km2)
Time zone UTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
 • Summer (DST) UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP code
02891
Area code(s) 401
FIPS code 44-46000
GNIS feature ID 1217591

Misquamicut (pronounced MISS-kwahm-eh-kut) is a small community located in southern Washington County, Rhode Island. It is part of the larger town of Westerly. In 2020, about 434 people lived there. Misquamicut is known for its beautiful beaches and is a popular spot for visitors.

What's in a Name?

The name Misquamicut comes from the Narragansett language. It means "Red Fish Place" or "Salmon Place." This suggests that the area was once rich in these types of fish.

Misquamicut's History

Misquamicut was first known as Pleasant View. The land was bought from Chief Sosoa of the Montauks in 1661. The name changed to Misquamicut in 1928.

The area has faced tough times due to powerful storms. Major hurricanes hit in 1938, 1944, and 1954. These storms destroyed many beach homes, hotels, and other buildings. After these events, a part of the oceanfront became Misquamicut State Beach in 1959. This is now a public beach for everyone to enjoy.

Atlantic Beach Park

Atlantic Beach Park is a fun amusement center in Misquamicut. It covers about 12 acres of land. This park is located near Misquamicut State Beach. It is also close to Winnapaug Pond, where people find tasty Rhode Island quahogs and bay scallops.

The park used to be called "Atlantic Beach Casino." It still has a classic carousel with an old-fashioned band organ. You can also find rides, bumper cars, a game room, and an ice cream stand. More recently, they've added miniature golf, go-carts, a batting cage, water slides, and a gift shop. It's a great place for families to have fun!

Geography of Misquamicut

Misquamicut covers a total area of about 1.25 square miles (3.23 square kilometers). Most of this area is land, about 1.17 square miles (3.04 square kilometers). The rest, about 0.075 square miles (0.19 square kilometers), is water.

People of Misquamicut

Historical population
Census Pop.
2010 390
2020 434 11.3%
U.S. Decennial Census

In 2020, the population of Misquamicut was 434 people. Most residents are white or European American. A small number of people are Native American or Asian. About 1.15% of the population identifies as Hispanic or Latino.

The community has a mix of families and individuals. Many households consist of single people, and a good number of residents are 65 years or older. The average age in Misquamicut is about 63.7 years.

Many people in Misquamicut have Italian, Irish, English, or German backgrounds. Other ancestries include Polish, French, and Scottish.

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See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Misquamicut (Rhode Island) para niños

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