~* A Rhode Island Road Trip *~
Point Judith Light This photograph and many more on this site.. used with written permission.. Richard Benjamin * RI_Collection Placed on a white field is a circle of thirteen gold stars representing the first thirteen states. The stars surround a gold ship's anchor. The states motto "Hope" is on a blue ribbon below the anchor. Rhode Island is the smallest state in size in the United States. It covers an area of 1,214 square miles. Its distances North to South are 48 miles and East to West 37 miles. The state flower is the violet. Polo was played for the first time in the United States in 1876 near Newport. Rhode Island has no county government. It is divided into 39 municipalities each having its own form of local government. Ann and Hope was the first discount department store in the United States the property was opened in Rhode Island. This photograph and many more on this site.. used with written permission.. Richard Benjamin * RI_Collection Built in 1880 Channing Memorial Church was named for William Ellery Channing, a leader in the Unitarian Church and the abolitionist movement. Julia Ward Howe, author of the "Battle Hymn of the Republic", attended this church.
Settled in 1642 Pawtuxet Village in Warwick lays claim to being New England’s oldest village. Since 1785 Bristol has the longest running, unbroken series of 4th of July Independence Day observances in the country. CRANSTON, RHODE ISL
And Copyrighted ©Richard Benjamin 2002.. Richard Benjamin ... .All Rights Reserved.
Thanks Richard
Located in the heart of New England, Rhode Island offers urban excitement, rural tranquility, & 100 miles of beautiful sandy beaches along 400 miles of unsurpassed coastline.
Rhode Island shares a state water border with New York.
Rhode Island was the last of the original thirteen colonies to become a state.
The Red Maple is Rhode Island's State Tree.
The Rhode Island Red Hen became Rhode Island’s
official state bird on May 3, 1954.
Mr. Potato Head, that lovable toy star of television and movies, is one of Rhode Island's native sons.. he's manufactured by Pawtucket-based Hasbro. And while he's entertained children of all ages since 1952.
Rhode Island never ratified the 18th Amendment prohibition.
Judge Darius Baker imposed the first jail sentence for speeding in an automobile on August 28, 1904 in Newport.
Rhode Island was home to the first National Lawn Tennis Championship in 1899.
The state was home to the first open golf tournament. The event occurred in 1985.
FLYING HORSE CAROUSEL, a working merry-go-round built around 1883, oldest in America. Each horse is hand-carved and has recently been restored. The horses are suspended from above, swinging out or flying when in motion. They are exquisite. The carousel is open from Memorial Day through Columbus Day. It is located in the resort town of Watch Hill.
The first circus in the United States was in Newport in 1774.
Rhode Island is home to the Tennis Hall of Fame.
Rhode Island's official state name is Rhode Island and Providence Plantations.
Rhode Island is known for making silverware and fine jewelry.
The world's largest bug is on the roof of New England Pest Control in Providence. It's a big blue termite, 58 feet long and 928 times actual termite size.
At the Point Judith corrosion test site material samples sit exposed for years and are analyzed to determine the toll taken by ocean air and the sun.
Rhode Islanders were the firsts to take military action against England by sinking one of her ships in the Narragansett Bay located between Newport and Providence. The english ship was called "The Gaspee".
Roger Williams, founder of Rhode Island, established the first practical working model of Democracy after he was banished from Plymouth, Massachusetts because of his "extreme views" concerning freedom of speech and religion.
Thomas Jefferson and John Adams publicly acknowledged Roger Williams, as the originator of the concepts and principles reflected in The First Amendment. Among those principles were freedom of religion, freedom of speech, and freedom of public assembly.
The era know as The Industrial Revolution started in Rhode Island with the development and construction in 1790 of Samuel Slater's water-powered cotton mill in Pawtucket.
And Copyrighted ©Richard Benjamin 2002.. Richard Benjamin ... .All Rights Reserved.
Thanks Richard
The first British troops sent from England to squash the revolution landed in Newport.
Though second in command to George Washington, Nathaniel Greene, a Rhode Islander, is acknowledged by many historians as having been the most capable and significant General of the Revolutionary effort. Cornwallis feared Greene and his forces most. Greene ultimately defeated Cornwallis.
A reproduction of the original Liberty Bell is in the entrance hall on the south entrance to the State House. It was donated to the people of the state by the United States Treasury Department in 1950, when Harry S. Truman was president. It is about 3-1/2 feet tall and the diameter of the bell at its widest part is approximately 3-1/2 feet. It is such a realistic copy that is even has a crack similar to the original Liberty Bell.
Little Compton is home to the gravesite of the first girl born to colonists in New England. The baby was the daughter of pilgrims John and Priscilla Alden.
Warwick enjoys a reputation of being Rhode Island’s Retail Capital.
The White Horse Tavern was built in 1673 and is the oldest operating tavern in the United States.
Rhode Island Red Monument in Adamsville pays homage to the world-famous poultry breed.
Rhode Island founder Roger Williams established the First Baptist Church in America in 1638. The existing structure was built in 1775.
The Redwood Library and Athenaeum in Newport is the United States' oldest library building.
New England's oldest Masonic Temple in Warren was built in the 18th century with timbers from British frigates sunk in Newport Harbor during the Revolutionary War.
Nine Men's Misery monument in Cumberland is the oldest known monument to veterans in the United States. It was erected in memory of the colonists killed in Pierce's Fight during King Phillips War in 1676.
Portsmouth is home to the oldest schoolhouse in the United States. The school was built in 1716.
The Touro Synagogue is the oldest synagogue in North America. Built in 1763 the synagogue houses the oldest torah in North America.
Swamp Meadow Covered Bridge in Foster is the only remaining covered bridge in Rhode Island.
On May 4, 1776 Rhode Island was the first colony to renounce allegiance to Great Britain and declare independence.
The first Afro-American regiment to fight for America made a gallant stand against the British in the Battle of Rhode Island.
The first torpedo boat "Stiletto" was built in Bristol in 1887.
Pelham Street in Newport was the first street in the country to use gas-illuminated streetlights.
Cumberlandite is the official state rock. It is dark brown or black with white markings and found on both sides of Narragansett Bay but not north of Cumberland.
The Quonset hut was invented at Quonset Point a key naval reserve base.
Jerimoth Hill is the state's highest point at 812 feet above sea level.
Rhode Island The "Ocean State" is a nickname used to promote tourism. The nickname "Plantation State" is derived from the states official full name "The State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations".
Interesting Facts about RHODE ISLAND
Nicholas "Coach" Colasanto is buried here in Saint Annes Cemetery in Section 31, Lot 217. He played the bartender "Coach" on "Cheers."
NEWPORT, RHODE ISL
Admiral Oliver Perry, naval hero is buried here in Island Cemetery.
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