Slatersville, Rhode Island facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Slatersville Historic District
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Town Hall
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 Location in Rhode Island
Location in the United States
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| Location | Main, Green, Church, and School Sts. and Ridge Rd., Slatersville, Rhode Island |
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| Built | 1805 |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 73000002 |
| Added to NRHP | April 24, 1973 |
Slatersville is a small village in North Smithfield, Rhode Island. It sits right by the Branch River. This village is very special because it's home to the Slatersville Historic District. This historic area is so important that it's listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It's also part of the Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park. You can even find the North Smithfield Public Library here!
Slatersville got its name from two important people: Samuel and John Slater. They were part of a famous family known for their work in industry.
Later, in the 1800s, a railroad line was built through the village. This helped move goods in and out of Slatersville.
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The History of Slatersville Village
People first settled in this area in the 1600s. They mostly worked as farmers. Then, in 1803, Samuel and John Slater started something new. They teamed up with a company from Providence to buy land here. Their plan was to build a textile mill.
Building the First Mill
By 1807, the village was growing fast. It had the Slatersville Mill, which was one of the biggest and most modern factories of its time. There were also two houses for workers, a house for the owner, and a company store. This first mill building was unfortunately destroyed by fire in 1826.
The Stone Mills and Village Green
After the fire, a new, large stone mill was built in 1826. This is the mill you can still see today. Another stone mill, similar in design, was built behind it in 1843. These mills used water from the big Slatersville reservoir to power their machines.
In 1838, the village got its beautiful village green. This is a common feature in old New England towns. Many of the houses around the Green were built by the Slater company between 1810 and 1820. They were later updated to make Slatersville look even more like a classic New England village.
The Slatersville Congregational Church
At the top of the Green stands the Slatersville Congregational Church. It's a beautiful building with a tall steeple. This church is special because it has the oldest Sunday School in America that has been open continuously.
New Owners and Improvements
The Slater family owned the entire village until 1900. Then, they sold it to James R. Hooper. He used the mills to bleach and dye cloth. In 1915, Henry P. Kendall bought Slatersville. Kendall really cared about the village. He made many improvements that gave Slatersville its traditional New England look.
Today, Slatersville is owned by many different people. In 1973, it became a National Historic District. This means its important history and buildings are protected. The district covers about 3,100 acres and includes 149 buildings.
Images for kids
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Slatersville Green and the Congregational Church
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John Slater and Ruth Slater, who helped start Slatersville
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The Union Grange Hall, built in 1897 as a chapel
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The Stone Arch Bridge, built in 1857, over the Branch River. It replaced an older wooden bridge.
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The Slatersville Mill in North Smithfield, Rhode Island
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Slatersville Common
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Slatersville Common
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Slatersville Common
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The Slatersville Mill
