Potowomut, Rhode Island facts for kids

Potowomut (POT-uh-WAHM-ut) is a special neighborhood and a piece of land surrounded by water on three sides, called a peninsula. It's located in Warwick, Rhode Island. To its northwest is the town of East Greenwich, and to its southeast is North Kingstown. Greenwich Bay wraps around all its other sides.

The name Potowomut comes from the Narragansett Indian language. It means "land of fires."

A Look Back at Potowomut's History

Potowomut was once a small village within Warwick. It's a bit like an island because you can't reach it directly by land from the rest of Warwick. People often think Potowomut is part of East Greenwich because they share the same ZIP code, 02818. Also, East Greenwich is the name used for mail.

A famous general from the American Revolutionary War, Nathanael Greene, was born here in 1742. His birthplace was on Forge Farm. Long ago, in the 1600s, traveling by sea was easier than by land. So, Potowomut's location made it simple to cross Greenwich Bay to other parts of Warwick.

The first European settlers arrived in the 1680s. James Greene and his family came to what was then called Greene's River. His son, also named James, built a dam and a mill. Later, his family created a place to make anchors, which you can still find near Old Forge Road today. The Greene family mostly raised cattle and harvested hay. They would then ship the hay across Greenwich Bay to a dock in Apponaug, Rhode Island.

How to Get to Potowomut

If you want to visit Potowomut by land, you have to leave the main part of Warwick. The most common way is to follow US Route 1 (Post Road). After leaving East Greenwich, you turn onto Forge Road and head east.

Emergency Services in Potowomut

For many years, the town of East Greenwich provided fire services to Potowomut. They did this for a yearly fee. But in December 2015, the City of Warwick opened a new fire station. Now, the Warwick Fire Department handles all fire and emergency medical services for the area. This station, Fire Station 10, is home to Engine Co. 10. People sometimes call it "The Outpost" because it's a bit separate from the rest of the department. The Warwick Police Department provides police services.

Fun Things to See and Do

Today, Potowomut reminds us of Warwick's past. From the eastern tip of the peninsula, you can see beautiful views of Greenwich Bay. The narrow streets have a mix of old and new homes. Some houses were once just for summer beach visits but are now lived in all year round.

One of the most special places in Potowomut is Goddard Memorial State Park. This park is very popular and brings in thousands of visitors every year. It has a 9-hole golf course designed by a famous golfer named Donald Ross. You can also rent and ride horses at the park's horse barn. There's a beach with a bathhouse, large open fields, and a building with a carousel that can be used for events. Right next to the park is the Potowomut Golf Club, which is a private club.