Pontiac, Rhode Island facts for kids
Pontiac is a historic village located in Warwick, Rhode Island, in the United States. It is part of the beautiful Pawtuxet River Valley.
Contents
A Village Through Time: The History of Pontiac
This section explores the interesting history of Pontiac, from its first inhabitants to how it got its name.
Early Days: Native Americans and English Settlers
Long ago, Native Americans lived in this area. They called it "Papepieset" or "Toskiounke."
When English settlers arrived in 1642, they named the area "Great Weir." This was because they used special structures called fishing weirs to catch fish near the waterfalls. A fishing weir is like a fence built in the water to trap fish.
Changing Names: From Bridges to Clarksville
Over time, the area's name changed several times. After a bridge was built, people started calling it "the great bridge near the weir." Later, it became known as "Captain Benjamin Greene's bridge" and then "Arnold's bridge."
A man named John Hopkins Clarke, who was a senator (a type of elected official who helps make laws for the country), bought the water rights in the area. After his purchase, the village was called "Clarksville."
How Pontiac Got Its Name
The name "Pontiac" came about after the Pontiac Manufacturing Company bought the area. They decided to name the village after Chief Pontiac, a famous Native American leader from the Northwest.
It's said that Mr. Clark saw a picture of Chief Pontiac while traveling in Michigan. He liked it so much that he had it engraved to use as a label for his company's products. Slowly, the name "Pontiac" stuck to the village, even though some people still called it "Arnold's Bridge."
The Pontiac Mills
In 1863, two brothers, Benjamin Knight and Robert Knight, built the famous Pontiac Mills in the village. These mills were important factories that helped the area grow.
