Pawtuxet Village facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Pawtuxet Village Historic District
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Pawtuxet is known for its annual Gaspee Days celebration
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 Location in Rhode Island
Location in the United States
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| Location | Bounded roughly by Bayside, S. Atlantic, and Ocean Aves., Pawtuxet and Providence Rivers, and Post Rd., Cranston, Rhode Island, U.S. |
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| Built | 1638 |
| Architect | Multiple |
| Architectural style | Late Victorian |
| NRHP reference No. | 73000050 |
| Added to NRHP | April 24, 1973 |
Pawtuxet Village (pah-TUCKS-it) is a special part of the New England cities of Warwick and Cranston, Rhode Island, in the United States. It is located right where the Pawtuxet River flows into the Providence River and Narragansett Bay. This area has a rich history and is known for its beautiful old buildings and important events.
Contents
A Look Back: Pawtuxet Village History
Early Days and Native Americans
The name Pawtuxet means "Little Falls" in the Narragansett language. This area was first home to the Sononoce Pawtuxet band. They were a part of the larger Narragansett Indian tribe.
In 1638, Roger Williams, who started Rhode Island, bought land here. This land stretched south from Providence to the Pawtuxet River. Soon after, some of his followers settled along the rich meadows of the Pawtuxet. These settlers included William Arnold, William Harris, William Carpenter, and Zachariah Rhodes.
A Busy Port and Mill Town
In the early 1700s, people living here used the power of the Pawtuxet River. They built many mills. They also used the great harbor to create one of America's best shipping ports. Pawtuxet Village has many old Colonial buildings that are still standing today.
The mouth of the Pawtuxet River was a very important place to settle. It gave boats a safe place to dock. This made the village very important for trade. Shipyards were built here for trading along the coast and with the West Indies.
The First Blow for Freedom
Pawtuxet Village is famous for a big event in 1772. Rhode Island patriots took action against the British. They attacked and burned a British ship called the HMS Gaspée. This ship was collecting taxes, and people hated it.
This event was called the Gaspee Affair. It was America's "First Blow for Freedom." It helped lead to the start of the American Revolution. Today, the cities of Cranston and Warwick celebrate this event. They host the annual Gaspee Days Parade every June.
From Shipping to Textiles
In the early 1800s, two brothers, Christopher and William Rhodes, started a textile company. This company became very important to Pawtuxet. The village changed from a shipping port to a mill town. Textile mills were built at both ends of the Pawtuxet Falls. Old maps from the 1860s show the shops and businesses of Pawtuxet.
Fun Times at Rhodes-on-the-Pawtuxet
Later in the 1800s, the Rhodes family built a popular attraction. It was called Rhodes-on-the-Pawtuxet. It had a casino, a dance hall, and a place for canoes. Trolley lines from Providence brought many people to Pawtuxet for fun.
Pawtuxet Today: A Food Hotspot
In the 2000s, Pawtuxet Village became known for its food. It has many different places to eat. You can find a tea room, a Parisian cafe, an Irish pub, a Thai restaurant, and even a creperie. The Friends of Pawtuxet Village group hosts an event called Taste of Pawtuxet. This event helps show off the local eateries.
Gaspee Days Celebration
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Since 1965, Pawtuxet Village has hosted a special event called Gaspee Days. This event lasts several days. It remembers the Gaspee Affair from 1772. That's when the British ship HMS Gaspée was burned.
The Gaspee Days events include many fun activities. There's an arts and crafts festival, fireworks, and concerts. There's also a 5k race and a colonial encampment. The big Gaspee Days Parade happens every year on the second Saturday in June.
The parade shows off Rhode Island's many special military groups. It also features Colonial Fife & Drum Corps. Bands from other states like Connecticut and Massachusetts also join in. Local leaders and community groups take part too.
The Gaspee Days celebration ends with a reenactment. This is a play that shows the burning of the Gaspée. It takes place at Pawtuxet Park.
Notable People from Pawtuxet
- Elisha Hunt Rhodes (1842–1917): He was a soldier in the 2nd Rhode Island Volunteers. He kept a diary during the Civil War.
- Vanessa Carlton (1980–): She is an American singer-songwriter and pianist.
Images for kids
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Pawtuxet Baptist Church
