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Smith Hill, Providence, Rhode Island facts for kids

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Smith Hill Historic District
Holden Street Providence.jpg
Holden Street Providence, part of Smith Hill Historic District
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Location Providence, Rhode Island
Architectural style Italianate, Greek Revival
NRHP reference No. 93001183
Added to NRHP November 4, 1993

Smith Hill is a neighborhood in Providence, Rhode Island. Its traditional bounds are the Woonasquatucket River, the Chad Brown public housing complex, Interstate 95 and West River.

The Roger Williams Medical Center (RWMC) is located in the Smith Hill neighborhood and is adjacent to the VA hospital.

The Rhode Island State House is also located on the border with Downtown. The name 'Smith Hill' is therefore used as a metonym for the Rhode Island state government and the Rhode Island General Assembly.

History

Provneigh-smithhill
Providence neighborhoods with Smith Hill in red

During the 19th and 20th centuries, Smith Hill became a densely populated area owing to its proximity to the Woonasquatucket and Moshassuck Rivers, which provided the power needed for the industrial mills.

Demographics

The neighborhood is home to whites of European descent and an increasing number of minorities. As of the 1990 census, Smith Hill was 20% Hispanic, 17.2% Asian and 12.2% black. The neighborhood's unemployment and poverty rates are above average for the city, though efforts have been made to revitalize the area, although, without success.

Related links

Smith Hill Community Development Corporation, neighborhood non-profit dedicated to community building and affordable housing


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