RetroBlast

35 Ocean Road, Narragansett, Rhode Island

The Towers is a historic structure located in Narragansett, Rhode Island. It is the only remnant of the Narragansett Pier Casino built in the 1880s. This casino was the center of social life in Narragansett during the late 19th century. The Casino rivaled the Newport Casino’s popularity as a resort for the social elite until it burned down in 1900.

The Narragansett Casino was a great example of Victorian Shingle Style architecture, designed by McKim, Mead, and White. The Casino offered a variety of sports, including boating, tennis, billiards, bowling, cards, and shooting, restaurants, stores, reading rooms a theatre, a bandstand, a ballroom, and of course a beautiful beach.

The Casino burned down during the Great Fire of September 12, 1900. That horrible day, a fire broke out in the neighboring Rockingham Hotel. The flames spread quickly to the Casino, leaving only the granite walls of The Towers standing. More recently, Hurricane Sandy has uncovered the foundation and part of the old boardwalk belonging to the old casino that had been buried by sand.

Today, these famous Towers have survived numerous fires, nor’easters and hurricanes, yet they still remain standing. They symbolize an almost magical reputation for indestructibility, Narragansett’s good luck symbol. The Towers currently host weddings, dances, dinners, plays, and fashion showers. It is an incredible venue for any social event! There are events happening all year long, check out what’s coming up: https://www.thetowersri.com/events/

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The Breakers is tucked away on Ochre Point Avenue, just a short distance from most of the other Newport mansions on Bellevue Avenue. It is less than half a mile from Ochre Court, another mansion that is now part of Salve Regina University. Built in just two years (1893-1895) at a cost of over 7 million dollars (equivalent to over $150 million today), this National Historic Landmark was the summer home of Cornelius Vanderbilt II.

Mr. Vanderbilt was the President and Chairman of the New York Central Railroad, and was the grandson of Commodore Cornelius Vanderbilt. The Commodore made the family fortune in the steamship and railroad industries.

The Breakers mansion was given its name for the waves that continually crash into the cliffs below. You can see the mansion from the Cliff Walk (another must-see Newport attraction), Newport’s 3.5 mile long scenic trail.

Please note: The Breakers, Marble House, The Elms and Rosecliff are partially wheelchair accessible. For detailed information about access for visitors with special needs, please call (401) 847-1000. Book your tour today: http://bit.ly/2J4mk9z!

The Tavern on Main was built in the early 1700’s. It was originally a two and a half story colonial dwelling, built on a stone foundation. The founders started with a huge center fireplace (the upper portions unfortunately, have been removed over the years) as a building block. Framed walls and floors extended from the fireplace using hand hewn native chestnut and oak lumber in a post and beam construction. These beams and timbers are evident throughout the building as it stands today.

The village of Chepachet was the site of the most controversial political upheavals in Rhode Island’s history. In 1842, Chepachet resident Thomas Door, a well respected lawyer was a duly elected Rhode Island governor by the people’s party. The incumbent governor, Samuel King refused to step down. Governor Door called the RI general assembly to convene in this building on July 4, 1842.

The struggle for power prompted Governor King to order a general call to arms to quell Dorr’s rebellion. King’s forces arrived to do battle with Dorr’s troops who were entrenched atop Acote’s Hill (Cemetery Hill located 1/4 mile east on Rte. 44 on the left). Dorr, realizing that he was out numbered and outgunned, withdrew the night before King’s troops arrived. King and all his men fired right into the front door of the building.

Shots were fired through a locked tavern door. Horace Bordeen was struck in the thigh. Jedediah Sprague (tavern keeper in 1842) in order to save his patrons and establishment, was forced to submit to King’s troops and he allowed them lodging. This occupation of troops continued throughout the summer, much to tavern keeper Sprague’s dismay.

An 1844 volume discloses that these troops consumed 37 gallons of Brandy, 29 gallons of West India Rum, 34 flasks of liquor, dozens of bottles of old Madeira and Sherry, 12 dozen bottles of Champagne, and 2 dozen bottles of cider. In addition, 820 bushels of oats, 17 tons of hay, 50 bushels of corn, 16 bushels of meal, and a quarter ton of straw were consumed. 2,400 dinners were served, and 11,500 cigars the soldiers enjoyed. All these items were charged and Jedediah Sprague never collected a penny for this bill.

The 20th century has witnessed many owner changes at the Tavern on Main. First, as a drab apartment building, a billiard parlor, a pub, then a restaurant, upgraded as it passed to each new Tavern keeper. The Tavern on Main has once again assumed its position in today’s busy, competitive community, and has continued to maintain its popularity. The tradition of hospitality will always continue at the Tavern on Main.

1157 Putnam Pike, Chepachet, Rhode Island, 02814 | 401-710-9788.
Content curtsy: Tavern on Main.

Aunt Carrie’s is celebrating it’s 98th year of being family owned and operated.

Located in Narragansett Rhode Island Aunt Carrie’s is just a few short minutes from the local beaches and fishing spots, situated in the heart of Point Judith. For years, Aunt Carrie’s has been a place where locals, tourists, friends and families alike can relax and enjoy a taste of traditional Rhode Island seafood and homemade cooking while taking in the cool ocean breezes and wonderful views.

Carrie Cooper and her husband Ulysses lived in Connecticut and enjoyed riding to Narragansett with their six children, cramped in a Model-T. They came to fish, swim, and camp-out on the beach. Ulysses talked about the fact that there was no place in Point Judith to get any thing cold to drink.

Soon, the family started selling cold lemonade to the local fishermen and the nearby campers. Brought up on a farm, Carrie always made use of everything. The children would bring clams to her and she would make chowder. Her original corn fritter recipe soon became her clam cake recipe. Of course, the smell would travel to all the other campers and fishermen around. Every time she made some, someone would stop and ask her what she was making. And of course, the more people who tasted them, the more she would have to make. Ulysses thought maybe they should try selling the clam cakes and chowder along with their lemonade.

A small stand was built down near where the Point Judith Light house stands now. Ulysses bought the property where the restaurant is now located, and the restaurant was built in 1920. The counter area and front dining room is the original building, and over several years, the building grew. And how did Aunt Carrie’s get its name? Well, besides their six children, lots of nieces and nephews came along to the beach. Some one always seemed to be calling “Aunt Carrie!” It soon became known as Aunt Carrie’s.

Over the years, many of Carrie’s relatives have worked there. The white haired lady most of you think of as Aunt Carrie was actually her daughter, Gertrude. Gertrude married William Foy, who worked at the restaurant while his family camped here in the summers. Gertrude and William took over the restaurant in 1953 when her father, Ulysses, died, and her mother retired. The kitchen was then expanded to its present size. In 1964, Aunt Carrie died.

In 1984, the next generation – son Bill and daughter-in-law Elsie, with the help of Gertrude and William – took over. William died in 1991 and Gertrude died in 1997. Many of you will remember William as the bald gentleman who worked in the middle of the kitchen.

In 1994, Bill died. Elsie now runs the restaurant with her two daughters – Aunt Carrie’s fourth generation – and a wonderful staff. Take time to look around at some of the old pictures. You may even find someone you know. If you are around very early in the morning, you will find our bakers busy peeling apples for pies and making homemade raisin bread.

Content curtsy: Aunt Carrie’s.

Frank and Joyce Galleshaw bought the property in 1972, and went about doing what most families do – grow. That was the beginning of a dedication from the two of them and their children Frank and Tammy. They all worked together to keep up the good old fashion tradition of spending quality time with the ones you love centered around food for the entire family. 

Frank kept to tradition keeping finely manicured grounds for people to walk, play or just to sit and enjoy while incorporating a vision of expanded seating, shopping, and implementing the RI Lottery. 

The Galleshaw’s single simple focus of offering a true family style experience for everyone has been a success for over 50 years! Wright’s Farm is “Good Food for Good Times, Family Style” and the Galleshaw family wants your Wright’s Farm experience to become a ritual that you will return for again and again!

Blackstone Valley Tourism Council explains how family style chicken dinners became so popular in our area below.

“Chicken family-style is an all-you-can-eat meal of roasted chicken, salad, pasta, potato, and rolls, arguably unique to the Blackstone River Valley. Born at the home of Italian immigrants in Woonsocket in 1930s, this inexpensive meal of roasted chicken is the solution for family and friends, who’d love to get together, drink homemade wine and play Italian lawn bowling game of bocce during the Depression years.”

Content curtsy: Wright’s Farm.

Recognized internationally as the birthplace of the American Industrial Revolution, the museum celebrates innovation and the entrepreneurial spirit by engaging audiences in relevant cultural, historic, and artistic endeavors. 

In 1921, a group of visionary business leaders with ties to the textile industry convened to form the Old Slater Mill Association (OSMA), to prevent the mill’s demolition and to preserve the physical presence of the birthplace of the American Industrial Revolution.

In the 1950s, OSMA opened a museum of industrial history at Slater Mill, and by the 1970s, the U.S. Department of the Interior recognized the campus, including its three historic structures and mill race, as a National Historic Landmark District.

Nearly 100 years later, OSMA continues to fulfill and further this mission, and serves as an educational anchor and community champion in the Blackstone River Valley and statewide.

Slater’s Mill is currently visited by 10,000 school children each year, and 25,000 additional adult and family visitors who come for tours, events, festivals, to make research inquiries, and to experience a physical connection with American History. View upcoming events by clicking here:http://bit.ly/2XfxKLr.

The Crescent Park Carousel was built in 1895 by Charles I.D. Looff, one of the earliest and foremost carousel designers. It is nationally recognized as a true masterpiece of wood sculpture. The carousel contains 62 beautifully hand carved figures and four fanciful chariots. Elaborate embellishments of decorative panels, beveled mirrors, faceted glass jewels, electric lights, colored sandwich glass windows and its original band organ music surround flying steeds to create Looff’s “Total Carousel Experience.”

Saved in the 1970’s by a handful of residents, the Crescent Park Carousel was placed on the National Register of Historic sites and places in 1976. In 1985, the Rhode Island General Assembly proclaimed the carousel as the State Jewel of American Folk Art and in 1987, the Department of the Interior, National Park Service, designated the carousel as a National Historic Landmark.

In the 116 years of operation, the ride rotated enough times to have gone around the Earth 33 times! With an annual average ridership of 100,000, the Crescent Park Carousel has had 11.6 million riders, and still counting. Their goal has always been and remains — to keep the carousel alive for generations to come.

The Crescent Park Carousel Preservation Association is dedicated to the continued restoration of the historic carousel, located at 700 Bullocks Point Avenue in Riverside, Rhode Island. The preservation is a 501c3 non-profit organization without the support and generosity of the community, this would not be possible. Located at 700 Bullocks Point Ave, Riverside, Rhode Island. Restore the Magic, Preserve the Tradition, Support the Carousel! 

Donations can be sent to: Crescent Park Carousel Preservation Association, 145 Taunton Avenue, East Providence RI 02914.