West End, Providence, Rhode Island facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
West End
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Location of the West End within Providence
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| Country |  United States |
| State |  Rhode Island |
| City | Providence |
The West End is a neighborhood in the city of Providence, Rhode Island. It is located in the southwestern part of the city. This area is sometimes called the South Side.
The West End has clear borders. Westminster Street is to the north. Huntington Avenue is to the south. Elmwood Avenue is to the east. Railroad tracks and Route 10 are to the west. Cranston Street runs right through the middle of the West End. It goes past the Cranston Street Armory. Because of this armory, the neighborhood is also known as the "Armory District."
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A Look Back: West End's History
The West End area was first settled a long time ago. This happened shortly after King Philip's War. Early settlers used the land for farming. In 1739, a man named Obidiah Brown built a place called Hoyle Tavern. It was at the corner of Westminster and Cranston Streets. People started building houses near this tavern.
How the West End Grew
In the 1800s, the West End started to grow a lot. Factories were built near a pond that is now filled in. More homes were built after new ways to travel came along. A horse-drawn coach started serving the area in 1855. Then, a streetcar began running in 1865.
The area north of Cranston Street became a neighborhood for white middle-class families. They lived in houses with one or two families. South of Cranston Street, larger homes were built. These were called "double" and "triple decker" houses. They had space for more people. Many Irish, French Canadians, and African-Americans moved into these homes.
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Changes Over Time
After the 1930s, the West End faced some challenges. Many middle-class families moved away. The area needed improvements. A nearby industrial park in Olneyville used to have many factories. But when the Gorham Manufacturing Company left, that area became less important for shipping goods by train. Also, Route 10 was built. This highway separated the West End from other parts of the city.
Making the West End Better
In recent years, many new residents have worked hard to improve the West End. They are fixing up and updating homes. They especially focus on older, historic houses. Some old houses are being turned into affordable places to rent.
Cool New Projects
For example, the Mechanical Fabric Company building was once a factory. It is located between Sprague and Cromwell Streets. In 2019, it was completely updated. It is now called "Rooms & Works." This building has both homes and workspaces. It includes apartments, a place that makes doughnuts, and even a brewery and bar.
Also in 2019, a plan was approved to fix up the old Citizens Bank Building. This building is at Canonicus Square. This spot is seen as the main entrance to the West End.
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The Mechanical Fabric Company complex, now a mix of homes and work spaces.
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The Former Citizens Savings Bank building, which is being updated.
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The beautiful Wedding Cake House, now owned by an art group.
Who Lives in the West End?
The West End is a very diverse neighborhood. This means people from many different backgrounds live there. In 1990, about one in three residents were Hispanic. About 30% were Black. And 14% were Asian.
Today, about half of all West End residents are Hispanic. About 19% are African-American. 14% are white. 13% are Asian. And 1.6% are Native American. It's interesting that 68% of children under six years old speak a language other than English at home.
Schools in the West End
The West End has schools for younger students. Alfred Lima Elementary School and Asa Messer Elementary School are both in the area. There is also the West End Community Center. This center offers after-school programs for kids. It is located on Bucklin Street.
