Take A Walk!
Walking Tour of Hill & Harbour District, Main & Peirce Streets
Geographically the 16 square miles of East Greenwich is located in the
center of the state. It is the eighth oldest town in the state and was
home to many early American Patriots. The town was established in the
1600’s. The land upon which East Greenwich sits was originally owned by
the Pequot Indians and was acquired by King Charles II in 1644. The
General Assembly incorporated the Town in 1677.
The Town is bounded on the East by
Narragansett Bay and four hills roll up from the coast to the West
Greenwich town line. The downtown area of East Greenwich was initially
settled to support the surrounding farming area. As the town grew, so
did the commercial center. The protected cove brought trade ships from
the far corners of the world and gave safe harbor to local fishermen.
As East Greenwich grew as a trade center so did the need for goods and
services, both for the townsfolk and those passing through. Industry
flourished with the manufacture of textiles, brushes, machinery and and
shipbuilding. This has left behind a legacy of fine historic buildings
for people of the 21st century to enjoy. The town of East Greenwich is
proud of its’ heritage and its’ National Historic District.
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Abraham Greene House
58 Main Street - Colonial Built in 1770
Little is known of Abraham Greene. Originally this building was a
residence but now houses commercial tenants. This house has been nicely
restored and maintained and has features such as moulded cornices on
the windows and wooden shutters.
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36 Main Street
Greek Revival Built 1830
The original owner of this property is unknown. This building now
houses commercial tenants on the first floor and residential apartments
on the second.
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Varnum Armory
6 Main Street - Early 20th Century / Medieval - Built 1914
Built 1914 as an armory and as the headquarters for the Varnum
Continentals, this building contains a rifle range and drill hall. Also
within the armory walls is a Military Museum exhibiting an extensive
array of over 1200 military items dating back to 1500. The Museum was
started after World War I. www.varnumcontinentals.org
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Post Office
11 Main Street - Early 20th Century / Colonial - Revival Built in 1932
The first Post Office in East Greenwich was established in 1789. It was
one of the first in the nation. Giden Mumford was the first postmaster.
The Post Office building is now a successful restaurant maintaining the
original postal theme.
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Greenwich Odeum
65 Main Street - Early 20th Century / Neo-Federal - Built May 1926
Built by local men the Odeum was the first movie theater to be built in
East Greenwich. In 1933 the Odeum showed the first sound move in town.
The Odeum now operates as a traditional theater featuring plays and
concerts. www.greenwichodeum.org
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W.P. Salisbury House
69-75 Main Street - Late Victorian Second Empire - Built C. 1870
William Page Salisbury was a partner with James Peirce in a hay and
grain business. They had a wharf located at the foot of Queen Street.
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Spencer House
99-101 Main Street - Early 20th Century, Colonial - Revival Built C. 1800
This house was originally constructed as a wood frame building around
1800 It was extensively rebuilt in 1933 and unfortunately most of its
historic fabric is gone.
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Kent County Courthouse / East Greenwich Town Hall
125 Main Street - Colonial built 1804
The original courthouse was constructed on this site as a county seat
in 1750. In 1775, while the general assembly was sitting at the
courthouse, they enacted a resolution creating the first U.S. Navy. The
original building was outgrown by the residents of Kent County and in
1804 was replaced by the current structure. This was constructed by
Oliver Wickes, a Revolutionary War veteran. In front of the courthouse
stood the pillory where wrongdoers were punished. This building was
used as a courthouse until 1978 and until 1993 essentially remained
vacant, falling into a state of disrepair. IN 1933 restoration and
rehabilitation of the building was started. The courthouse was
dedicated as the East Greenwich Town Hall on May 4, 1995.
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Dr. Peter Turner House
21 Courthouse Lane - Colonial Built in 1774
Built in 1774 by John Shaw, this house was purchased by Dr. Peter
Turner in 1783. Dr. Turner was a Revolutionary War surgeon and a great
horticulturist. The doctor used the first floor as his office, with a
horticultural garden on the East side of the house. He died in 1822.
The house was then owned by the Proud Family and then Silas Weaver. Dr.
Bowen purchased the house in 1893 and in 1894 added the stone steps
from Peirce Street, making Main Street more accessible.
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First Baptist Church
Corner of Montrose and Peirce Streets
Late Victorian built in 1887 Baptists are the oldest religious body in
continuous existence in East Greenwich. The founding fathers of East
Greenwich were Baptist, not Quakers as commonly thought. Originally the
church was located at Division and Wine streets. It was blown down by a
gale in 1815. The Baptists then relocated to Main Street. The First
Baptist Society of East Greenwich grew until it became necessary to
construct the building on Peirce and Montrose Streets. The church was
used in part for three years until it was finally completed and
dedicated in 1887. The original plans did not include a steeple. It was
feared a steeple could be toppled by a New England Noreaster, sending
it through the church roof. www.firstbaptisteg.com
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Varnum House
57 Peirce Street - Colonial Built in 1773
In 1773 James Mitchell Varnum paid John Peirce $90 for the land upon
which he built his colonial mansion overlooking Narragansett Bay. In
September of 1774 James Varnum and Nathanael Greene formed the Kentish
Guard in anticipation of a war with Britan. James Varnum was elected
Commander. During the Revolutionary War General Varnum and his wife
lived in this home, entertaining lavishly. General Lafayette was a
frequent guest, staying in the Southeast chamber overlooking the
garden. www.varnumcontinentals.org
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St. Luke's Church
Corner of Church and Peirce Streets - Neo-Gothic style built in 1875
St. Luke’s Church was organized in 1833 and incorporated by the General
Assembly in 1834. Construction took one year, during which services
were held in the courthouse. Built of Coventry Granite, the interior of
the church measured 87 by 42 feet and cost $32,000. There are forty
three stained glass windows. Some are signed by Tiffany and some by the
artist Wright Goodhue. Goodhue was probably the finest stained glass
window artist of the early 20th century.
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East Greenwich Free Library
80 Pierce Street - Built 1914
In 1914, on the site of his boyhood home, Daniel Albert Peirce built,
equipped and endowed the East Greenwich Free Library. It was built of
coventry granite without regard for cost and entirely for the pleasure
and convenience of the townspeople. the children’s room is a memorial
to his daughter Adeline, who died at an early age. www.eastgreenwichlibrary.org
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Kentish Guard Armory
90 Peirce Street - Greek Revival, Built 1843
The armory was built after the Dorr War (1842). the Kentish Guard and
met and drilled here since then and remain part of the State Militia.
They are the fifth oldest chartered command in continuous existence in
the United States.
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Samuel Knowles House
100 Peirce Street - Greek Revival, built in 1850
This house was built by Samuel Knowles in 1850. Samuel Knowles was a
scholar who served as President of the Town Council and as a State
Senator. He was a self educated lawyer and an expert on probate
matters. He was also an authority on town records and regulations.
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Rose Cottage
112 Peirce Street - Mid-Victorian, Italian Villa style built in C. 1850
This house was purchased by the East Greenwich Academy in 1888 as a
home for the Headmaster. Academy meetings and social events were held
there. Originally there were trellises of climbing roses.
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Crandall-Stanley House
162 Peirce Street - Late Victorian Italinate Style - Built 1873
This house is of wood framed construction and features 2 / 2 window
sashes with the original shutters. It has a bracketed entry hood over
double leafed round arched panel doors with a transom light.
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Anjoorian Building
333 Main Street - Early 20th Century, built 1922
This building housed the first commercial garage in East Greenwich. It
started as a small repair shop and grew to employ more than 30 people.
At one time it was the largest Buick distributor in the state.
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Residential House
319 Main Street - Early Republican, Greek Revival - Built in C. 1880
This building was once home to a blacksmith shop. It still has some
structural decorative elements of its original architectural style.
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Old Baptist Church
301 Main Street - Built 1847
The present Baptist Church in town was organized in 1839. This building
was their first church and served them until 1884. This building is now
the site of a Restaurant. The second story arched window is the last
vestige of the original church use.
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Brick House
295 Main Street - Built in 1767
John Reynolds built the first brick house in East Greenwich in 1767. It
was sold to Stephen DuBlois of Newport in 1771. Colonel Whitmarsh, a
revolutionary war veteran and his family, lived here for many years.
This house is commonly known as the Micah Whitmarsh House. It is
possible that somewhere around 1882 the house was sold to Aaron Lopez
of Newport. Lopez was a ship owner and importer who perhaps had a
branch trading office on the first floor. The gambrel roofed building
may also have had a store in one corner of the first floor.
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Normandie Rooms
279-285 Main Street - Late Victorian C. 1885
This building has been restored to its original clapboard siding. Its’
original use was for commercial purposes on the first floor and
residential on the upper two floors, just as it is being used now.
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Old Brown Hotel
252-254 Main Street - Mid-Victorian Italian Bracketed - Built 1850
In 1879 this building is identified as the R.G. Brown Hotel. The central second story porch has been re-established.
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Methodist Church
220 Main Street - Greek Revival Built 1831
The land upon which the church is built was donated by Mrs. Joseph
Greene. In 1846 the parsonage was built at the rear of the church. The
original building was enlarged in 1850 and in 1876 an addition for the
organ and choir stall was constructed. Prior to 1891 there was a flight
of 6 or 8 steps leading to the door, which was flanked by Corinthian
columns. the Constitutional Convention was held here in 1846 with
former Governor James Fenner presiding. The Convention ended the
charter form of government.
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Greenwich Hotel
162-168 Main Street - Late Victorian Colonial Revival - Built 1896
This has been the site of a tavern/hotel since 1740. The current
building was constructed in 1896. During prohibition the hotel became a
notorious gambling house. It is rumored that Babe Ruth frequently
visited the hotel.
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Masonic Building
165-175 Main Street - Late Victorian Built 1893
This building was the site of social events for the townsfolk. They
attended dances here and it was rumored that Dr. Daniel Greene’s wife
Jane (Hazard) was the best dancer in town. Every year on Thanksgiving
night the ladies of the Baptist Church held their annual fair here. The
tavern kitchen next door was at the disposal of the ladies. The Post
Office was also located here until the building at 11 Main Street was
constructed in 1932.
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Retail Store
130 Main Street - Built C. 1865
William R. Sharpe opened a hardware store on this site in 1878. He
operated this store until his death in 1897. The store's operation
continued under his son William L. Sharpe for a number of years.
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Browning Block
110-112 Main Street - Late Victorian Built C. 1876
This originally was the site of the John Tibbits Tavern, which burned
down in 1872. The current building was built by William G. Browning. He
ran a household furnishing store at this location until his death. His
sons continued to operate the store until they sold out to Howard Stark
in 1939.
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East Greenwich Fire Station
262 Main Street
The East Greenwich Fire Station was incorporated in 1797 with the right
to levy taxes. It wasn’t until 1914 that an official fire station was
built. Several of the original leather buckets used to fight blazes are
kept at the second Kent County Jail and at the Varnum House on Peirce
Street.
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Bay Mill
83 King Street
This structure is a good example of the typical Green Revival mill
building in Rhode Island from this era. Built in 1840, it has stone
lintels and sills and a later addition with a mansard style roof. It
was a cotton mill that has been converted into residential units.
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Second Kent County Jail
110 King Street
Built circa 1795 and serving as the town jail for 150 years, this
building replaced the old jail on Marlborough Street. It has always
been painted yellow and at one time had carved figures over the door
depicting tow handcuffed men of different races, signifying equal
justice for all.
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Railroad Bridge
This landmark was built in 1837 when the Providence-Stonington Railroad
was constructed. The town asked that the line be built along the
waterfront to help improve commerce. The arched bridge over King Street
was designed by Major William Gibbs MacNeill, uncle of the prolific
American painter James MacNeill Whistler. The square openings on either
side of the bridge are thought to have allowed gutters to run through,
carrying large amounts of silt and rainwater that ran down King Street
into East Greenwich Cove. This silt eventually filled the cove enough
to close the area as a viable shipping port.
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Varnum Bailey House
42 King Street
This federal style doorway with narrow pilasters supporting a wide
entablature and the narrow brackets supporting a projecting cornice is
common to the King Street area. This house was built circa 1800 in the
early Republican style.
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Bernet Marvel House
3 Crop Street
This is one of the oldest and least altered houses in a district that
is important not because of any one house but because of the general
style of the whole area. The house, built circa 1800, has an extremely
well preserved interior.
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Nathaniel Cole House
50 King Street
This house, designed in the Early Republican style, was built in 1800
and was home to Mr. Cole who lived to be 101 years old.
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The Pink House
39 King Street
The late Victorian addition to this 1830 Greek revival house, along
with other modifications done recently, has substantially compromised
the architectural integrity.
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Benrett House and Carriage House
32-34 King Street
Built in 1870 during the late Victorian period, this building has a
mansard style roof and a carriage house which was a popular feature of
the time in which to store horse and buggy equipment. The carriage
house has been converted into an apartment.
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Nathan Whiting House
20 King Street
Originally from Franklin, Massachusetts, Mr. Whiting studied law at
Brown University and was the preceptor of the East Greenwich Academy
from 1822 to 1823. The house was built in 1811.
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Captain Jonathan Salisbury House
19 King Street
Captain Salisbury was a ship captain during the early eighteen hundreds
whaling period who owned the nicest house on King Street. It was built
in 1785 in early Republican style and Captain Salisbury was fond of
relaxing on his front porch. He was a large man, rumored to be in
excess of 400 pounds, and when he read the paper out loud his voice
carried all the way up to the courthouse and down to the cove.
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Miller-Congdon House
20 Division Street
This gambrel style house, the oldest building in town, was built in
1711. Mr. Miller was a silversmith and Mr. Congdon was a legendary ship
captain. it is the only house remaining from this period.
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Dr. Eldredge House
28 Division Street
This Georgian style house, built in 1773, was first occupied by Nathan
Green who operated the first tannery in East Greenwich. Doctor Charales
Eldredge and his son, Doctor James Henry Eldredge, were the next
occupants. The door that used to lead to the medical office can still
be seen from Peirce Street. These two men were important in both state
and local government activities.
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Allen Fry House
40 Division Street
The front door and side lights of this 1785 house were built in a style
that was popular in East Greenwich and can be seen in other houses from
this era.
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Ichabod Northop House
82 Division Street
This house, built in 1874, was owned by Solomon Fry. It has a mansard
roof, louvered doors with sidelights and was remodeled in 1934. the
origin of the name Ichabod Northop is unknown.
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Windmill Cottage
144 Division Street
In 1886 the famous American poet, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, purchased
this house for his friend Professor George Washington Greene. In 1870
he added the windmill, where each of the two men had a study.
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Burdick-Gould House
80 Rector Street
This house, built in 1885, is one of the nicest examples of Victorian
architecture in East Greenwich. Mr. Gould was an important businessman
and was active in civic activities.
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Old Rectory
89 Rector Street
This was built in 1874 as the rectory for St. Luke’s Episcopal Church
and this gave rise to the name Rector Street. Notice the symmetry of
the building, which was common at the time of construction.
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Moses Barber House
95 Rector Street
This Italianate style house, built circa 1875, has a three bay wide
front porch, arched windows on the second floor, and a projecting two
story oriel bay on the southern elevation.
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First Swedish Church / Boy Scout House
62 Spring Street
When the congregation moved out to another church the town bought this
building and used it as a school. In the early 1900’s the Boy Scouts of
Troop 2 began to use it as a meeting place and have met there ever
since.
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For more information on printed walking tour publications and the
information here you may contact the East Greenwich Planning Department
at 125 Main Street, P.O. Box 111, East Greenwich, RI 02818. The Town
web site is http://www.eastgreenwichri.com/
For more pictures on East Greenwich and Rhode Island go to The Millennium Project at www.quickpix.com/library.html
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