Woonsocket Hill facts for kids

Woonsocket Hill, originally called Niswasocket, is a high point in Rhode Island. It's the highest spot in the town of North Smithfield, Rhode Island, reaching 586 feet (about 178 meters) above sea level. This hill is located right in the middle of the town.

A Look Back at Woonsocket Hill

What's in a Name?

The name Woonsocket Hill comes from the Nipmuc language. The original name was Niswasocket. This word means "place of steep descent."

A Famous Hilltop

In 1659, Roger Williams mentioned Niswasocket. For a long time, people thought Woonsocket Hill was the highest point in all of Rhode Island. While it's not the very highest, it's still one of the most impressive. This is because its sides are very steep, and it rises high above the land around it.

From the top of Woonsocket Hill, you can see far in every direction. On clear days, you might even see Mt. Wachusett in northern Massachusetts.

The Fire Tower

In the early 1900s, a fire tower was built on the top of the hill. This tower is still used today during dry times. People watch from the tower to spot any forest fires.

Special Rocks and Visitors

In the 1800s, the rocks at Woonsocket Hill were very important. They were a special kind of stone that could handle a lot of heat. Because of this, they were used as hearth stones for furnaces. These special stones were sent to homes and businesses all along the Atlantic coast.

During the late 1800s, many groups of people would visit the hill for fun outings.

How Woonsocket Got Its Name

The nearby area of Union Village was once called Woonsocket. This was because it was so close to Woonsocket Hill. Later, the name of the hill was given to northern Rhode Island's largest city.

Today, Jerimoth Hill is known as the highest point in Rhode Island. Many local places are named after Woonsocket Hill. These include Woonsocket Hill Road and Woonsocket Hill Bridge. The nearby City of Woonsocket, Rhode Island also shares its name with the hill.