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The Reporter January 2014
It Takes a Village...Townies Speak Out!
Is it East Providence, Rumford, Riverside, Kent Heights, Watchemoket...? By Bob Rodericks
the East and Pawtucket makes the border along the North. The Providence River (Narragansett Bay) and Seekonk River separates East Providence from its’ large neighbor to the West - Providence. A town of less than 2,200 in 1865 now has about 48,000 residents. The once old-time Protestant population grew into a melting pot of Irish, Portuguese, Italian, and eventually Cape-Verdeans and others. After the Civil War, four distinct villages developed; Watchemoket, Rumford, Philipsdale and Riverside. Watchemoket retained its’ Indian name and was the hub of this ‘new’ town, just across the river from bustling Providence. Watchemoket grew to become the center of East Providence. In 1869 the Red Bridge was completed and a new Washington Bridge was built in 1885. There were rails and ships and Watchemoket was very busy. In 1889 the town hired its’ first Police Chief, Charles Pierce. Pierce had five men who patrolled Watchemoket, Riverside and Phillipsdale. These cops rode horseback and worked eleven hour days for an annual salary of $1200. (Officer PRod would look good on a horse today!). An 1875 police report indicates that 230 men and 13 women were arrested. The charges included bathing against ordinance, maintaining a grog shop, reveling, recreation on Sunday and doubtful reputation to name a few. (One assumes reveling didn’t occur in Rumford). East Providence had all volunteer firemen until 1911. Rumford was marked by an area called the “Ring of the Green”. It encompasses most of the area north of the Ten Mile River. In its’ early years this area was called Seekonk Centre, Rehboth and East Providence Centre. The city’s official town hall was originally located in Rumford until 1889. Rumford was a population center for the town housing many farms and mills along the Ten Mile River. A water tower in the shape of a Rumford Baking Powder can was a hallmark in the area’s industrial development. This is the oldest section of East Providence. The Rumford Chemical Works gave the area its’ new name, Rumford. Phillipsdale is a narrow section of the city along Roger Williams Avenue from Omega Pond to Pawtucket Avenue. It once housed a flourishing mill complex. The Omega Mills was an important manufacturer of cotton cloth. Although thought of as a “ragged edge of Rumford” by the Providence Journal, Eugene Phillips moved his copper mill and other businesses to the area and Phillipsdale was born. By 1909, the once very small village - Phillipsdale became the largest manufacturing center in East Providence. About 2000 people lived in model factory tenements or homes of their own. Washburn Wire company was • competent, honest service, that is responsive to your needs huge and became the biggest employer • state-of-the-art tax preparation and accounting software and manufacturer in the city. • over 20 years of experience in public accounting By late in the 19th century, there were more than 100 farms throughout East Providence. There were large potato and vegetable crops. A number of dairy farms also 20 Newman Avenue, Unit 9010 • East Providence, RI provided milk, butter and cheese for resi(In Building #9 in Rumford Center) dents as well as neighboring Providence. Riverside coves the lower or southern part of the city. Its northern border more or less was set by John Brown’s 1645 pured@edsimpsoncpa.com • www.edsimpsoncpa.com chase from the Indians; ‘...a line running
If you live in East Providence, R.I., you may have a different name for your city other than its’ official name, in case you’re not fond of “East Providence”. History buffs point out how the birth of East Providence has its’ roots squarely planted in the birth of a nation. While many “Pilgrims” and “Puritans” were fleeing England and settling in Massachusetts colonies, Roger Williams became an outspoken critic of the time and was slated for arrest and deportation back to England. Williams and a small group of supporters began their own settlement in what is now the Rumford section of East Providence (to give you the short-hand version). Roger Williams and friends purchased land from the local Indians around 1636. This land was known then as Seekonk Cove which is now known as Omega Pond (Joseph Conforti - Monarch Publishing). Officials from Plymouth, however, challenged Williams and his followers and what came next was a 226 year long boundary battle between Rhode Island and Massachusetts. Things were finally settled when East Providence was placed in Rhode Island from Massachusetts and incorporated in 1862. Roger Williams and friends next rowed canoes across the river and purchased more land from local Indians, thus founding the city of Providence, R.I., and were given a charter from England in 1644. Thus, East Providence was born. Much of East Providence is bordered by water. Narragansett Bay is to the south and west while the Runnins and Ten Mile Rivers cover much of the city’s northern and eastern edge. Also included is the Turner Resevoir and Central Pond. There is a land area of about 13.7 square miles within EP borders. Barrington borders the South while Seekonk is along
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