Located in the southwestern corner of the State,
the Town of Westerly has an atmosphere of an old New England village.
Westerly has a history unique in the annals of U.S. History,
The Indian name for Westerly was Misquamicut - a place for taking salmon.

Westerly was the first town incorporated in the King's Province on May 13, 1669.. the fifth town in the colony.
On the 23rd of June 1686, the name was changed from Westerly to Haversham, but former name was restored in 1689.
The Towns of Charlestown, Hopkinton & Richmond were later taken from the Town of Westerly.

In its early beginnings, Westerly was the frontier town of the colony.
Out of this beginning many diversified industries grew,
but Westerly has been best known for the granite that was once taken from its quarries..
for building purposes in neighboring towns/cities..
for monuments in various parts of the country.



Westerly is also known as a vacation area.
The position of Watch Hill almost surrounded by the ocean and bay with beautiful formation of rocks and sand beaches all contribute to its beauty. The winds bring in the cool bracing sea air and the temperature in the summer is rarely oppressive. Rowing, swimming, ocean sailing, fishing and hiking make this a favorite resort area.

Scents of bayberry carried on a sea breeze, sprawling gabled victorian cottages with vast green lawns and awe inspiring ocean views greet those visiting the coastal resort of Watch Hill. This was a favorite hideaway for famous visitors, Groucho Marx, Isadora Duncan, David Niven, Clark Gable, and Douglas Fairbanks to name a few, were drawn to the beauty and privacy of this seaside retreat.



BABCOCK-SMITH HOUSE.
(c.1734) 124 Granite Street. Early Georgian-style.
The home of Dr. Joshua Babcock, Westerly's first physician and postmaster and friend of Benjamin Franklin, who was a frequent visitor. Later owned by Orlando Smith, who in 1846 discovered granite on the property which later became one of the country's leading granite centers.



FLYING HORSE CAROUSEL.
Bay St., Watch Hill.
Oldest in America, used prior to 1879.
The horses are not attached to the floor but instead are suspended from a center frame, swinging out or flying when in motion. Each horse is hand carved from a single piece of wood and is embellished with real tails and manes, leather saddles and agate eyes.



NINIGRET STATUE.
Bay St., Watch Hill.
Sculpted by Enid Yandell in Paris in 1914.
Ninigret was Chief of Rhode Island's branch of the Niantics and first appeared in Colonial history in 1637. Indian model for statue was with Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show in Paris.



WATCH HILL LIGHTHOUSE KEEPERS ASSOCIATION.
(1858) 14 Lighthouse Road, Watch Hill.
The present white brick structure with granite tower is situated on the north side of the east entrance to Fisher's Island Sound. Exterior viewing only.



WATER WIZZ.
(1986) 330 Atlantic Avenue.
Six giant waterslides; 4 serpentine slides including kiddies slide, 2 speed slides at approx. 45 degree angle.
Across from Misquamicut Beach.



WILCOX PARK.
(1898) 71 1/2 High Street.
An historic park originally designed by Waven Manning with specimen trees, shrubs, and display flower beds on 18 acres. Also a koi pond, dwarf conifer collection, fountain, monuments, daylily collection and perennial borders.



NAPATREE POINT.
Napatree Point Conservation Area.
The long sandy spit of Napatree Point is an excellent example of a barrier beach.
It is also one of the best places in the state to view migrating birds.
During the fall, many species are funneled along the Rhode Island coast to Napatree before "jumping off" to Long Island and points further south.
This area is especially noteworthy for hawk-watching.
During September and October, many species of hawks, including the engangered peregrine falcon, are easily observed as they fly low over the dunes. The beaches and small marshes on the inland side of Napatree are important shorebird feeding locales. Some of the species regularly seen here include brant (winter), American oystercathcer (spring through fall), and roseate tern (summer).

Please Click on the license plate to continue your tour..