Watch Hill, Rhode Island facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Watch Hill
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Coastal Neighborhood
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Panorama of Watch Hill
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| Country | United States |
| State | Rhode Island |
| Town | Westerly |
| Area | |
| • Total | 0.82 sq mi (2.1 km2) |
| • Water | 0.014 sq mi (0.04 km2) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 212 |
Watch Hill is a beautiful coastal neighborhood located in Westerly, Rhode Island. It's known for being a special summer spot where families have enjoyed vacations for many years. This charming area is found at the very southwestern tip of Rhode Island.
In the late 1800s and early 1900s, Watch Hill became a popular place for wealthy families. They built large, fancy Victorian-style "cottages" along the coast. It's a quiet community that values privacy, unlike some of the huge, grand mansions found in nearby Newport.
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Discovering Watch Hill's Past
The land where Watch Hill now stands was once home to the Niantic Native American tribe in the 1600s. Later, during the French and Indian War and the American Revolutionary War, colonists used the hill as an important lookout point. This is how the community got its name, "Watch Hill."
Some famous landmarks in the village include:
- The Watch Hill Lighthouse: The first lighthouse here was built way back in 1745.
- The Flying Horse Carousel: This is the oldest carousel in the United States where the horses hang from above! It's a National Historic Landmark.
- The Ocean House hotel: A grand hotel with a long history.
- The Olympia Tea Room: A popular spot that opened in 1916.
Fort Mansfield: An Old Coastal Fort
At the end of a sandy strip called Napatree Point, you can find the ruins of Fort Mansfield. This was an old military fort built to protect the eastern entrance to Long Island Sound. It was part of a defense system for New York City during the Spanish–American War.
The fort operated from 1901 to 1909. After it closed, the land was sold, and most of the buildings were taken down in the late 1920s. However, three large concrete gun placements were left behind, and you can still see them today.
The Great Hurricane of 1938
A road called Fort Road used to connect Watch Hill to Fort Mansfield. But the terrible 1938 New England hurricane destroyed it. The hurricane also wiped out 39 houses, the Yacht and Beach Clubs, and a bathing area. Sadly, fifteen people lost their lives. Some survivors clung to wreckage and were swept across the bay to Connecticut.
After the hurricane, several new channels were created in Napatree Point. Today, Sandy Point is a separate island, not connected to Napatree Point anymore. The shorter Napatree Point is now a natural barrier beach without any roads or houses. It's a great place for bird watching and fishing.
Exploring Watch Hill's Location
Watch Hill is located at the most southwestern tip of Rhode Island. It sits on a small piece of land that sticks out into Block Island Sound. This area includes a narrower strip of land called Napatree Point, which is about 1.5 miles (2.4 km) long. It also includes Sandy Point, which used to be connected to Napatree Point.
Both Napatree Point and Sandy Point help protect Little Narragansett Bay. This makes Watch Hill a popular harbor, and the town's main area has grown around it.
Watch Hill is about a two-hour drive from Boston and a three-hour drive from New York City. On clear days, you can see Montauk, New York to the south and Block Island, Rhode Island, to the southeast.
The entire area of Watch Hill is about 0.82 square miles (2.11 square kilometers). Most of this is land, with a small amount of water.
Watch Hill's Unique Culture
Historically, Watch Hill has been a place for "a select group of wealthy families." Their lives often involved activities like golf and tennis at the Misquamicut Club, swimming and boating at the Watch Hill Yacht Club, and enjoying tea and drinks at the Ocean House and other grand hotels.
The village was known as a calm and family-focused community. It was different from the more flashy summer colony of Newport. Many famous people have visited this seaside resort, including Albert Einstein, Douglas Fairbanks, Groucho Marx, and Jean Harlow.
For many generations, Watch Hill has kept its "old-money summer colony" feel. This is different from how some other traditional summer communities have changed. People here enjoy classic New England hobbies like golf, sailing, and tennis. Many families have lived in their century-old shingled houses for generations, passing them down through the family.
The New York Times describes Watch Hill as a place that feels private and shows wealth in a quiet way. The large, old-fashioned Victorian summer houses with porches and soft lawns are very different from the huge, grand castles in Newport.
Hotels and History
The waterfront in Watch Hill used to have many huge Victorian hotels. However, most of them were destroyed by fires and hurricanes during the 1900s. Today, two main hotels remain: the Ocean House and the Watch Hill Inn. Both have been beautifully renovated.
The Ocean House first opened in 1868. It was taken down in 2005 but then completely rebuilt and reopened in 2010. Today, it has both hotel rooms and private apartments. It's the only hotel in Rhode Island with a Forbes Five-Star and AAA Five Diamond rating. It reminds people of an earlier time, when life was perhaps a bit more formal and elegant. Famous people like Hugh Jackman and Regis Philbin have stayed there.
Watch Hill is also a special kind of area called a "census-designated place." It's also a Fire District, which means it can tax residents to help fund its volunteer fire department. However, most property taxes go to the town of Westerly to pay for local services and schools. The most expensive private home in Rhode Island, called the High Watch, is located in Watch Hill.
Watch Hill Historic District
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Watch Hill Historic District
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The High Watch on Watch Hill
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| Location | Roughly bounded by Breen, Watch Hill & E. Hill Rds., Block Island Sound, Little Narragansett Bay, & Pawtucket River, Westerly, Rhode Island |
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| Area | 629 acres (2.55 km2) |
| Architect | Multiple |
| Architectural style | Late 19th and 20th Century Revivals, Bungalow/craftsman, Late Victorian |
| MPS | Lighthouses of Rhode Island TR (AD) |
| NRHP reference No. | 85001948 |
| Added to NRHP | September 5, 1985 |
The Watch Hill Historic District was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1985. This means it's a special area with many old buildings and objects that are important to history. It covers about 629 acres (2.55 square kilometers) and includes 176 buildings and two objects that contribute to its historical value.
Some notable buildings in the historic district include:
- Inglecote (around 1733): This was originally a farmhouse that was later changed into a "Swiss Chalet" style home.
- The Misquamicut Inn (1778, 1896): Originally a farmhouse, it became a hotel in 1896.
- Highwatch (1931): Also known as Holiday Inn, this building is located at the very top of Watch Hill.
- Echo Lodge (around 1886): This is a beautiful Queen Anne style house with an interesting octagonal tower.
The two important historical objects in the district are:
- The Ridley Watts Memorial (1940): A drinking fountain with a bronze sculpture called "The Dreamer."
- The Ninigret Statue (1911): A bronze statue of the Native American chief Ninigret. It's located in a waterfront park.
Famous People Connected to Watch Hill
Many well-known people have lived in or visited Watch Hill, including:
- Taylor Swift, a famous singer-songwriter.
- Conan O'Brien, a popular television host.
- Andrew Mellon (1855–1937), a banker and former Secretary of the Treasury.
- Henry Ford (1863–1947), who founded the Ford Motor Company.
- Clark Gable (1901–1960), a famous film actor.
- Rebekah Harkness (1915–1982), an heiress and founder of the Harkness Ballet. She used to own the house that Taylor Swift now owns.
Images for kids
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Panorama of Watch Hill
See also
In Spanish: Watch Hill (Rhode Island) para niños
