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History of West Warwick, Rhode Island, USA
Journey back in time to West Warwick, Rhode Island, USA
(Arctic) (Natick) (Phenix) (Crompton)
Visit West Warwick, Rhode Island, USA. Discover its history. Learn about the people who lived there through stories, old newspaper articles, pictures, postcards and ancestry.
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West Warwick, Kent, Rhode Island, USA
West Warwick was incorporated in 1913. It is the youngest town in the state of Rhode Island.
Villages of West Warwick include: Arctic,
Centerville, Crompton, Riverpoint, Natick, and
Phenix
There is MUCH more to discover about West Warwick, Rhode Island, USA. Read on!
West Warwick Nostalgia: Vintage Photos, Ads, and Postcards
West Warwick, Rhode Island, USA
Postcard
 (Natick) (Phenix) (Crompton) - B.B. & R. Knight's Mills, Natick, R.I.
...In a relatively short time, the owners of the firm of B.B. & R. Knight were able to use their great business skill to forge an even greater textile company. In 1883, the Knights purchased the four Natick mills for $200,000 from the Union Company, which represented the creditors of the Spragues. In the following year, the Knights bought the Spragues' Arctic Mill, one of the finest in the state, for $175,000...
warwickhistory.com)
B.B. & R. Knight's Mills, Natick, R.I.
...In a relatively short time, the owners of the firm of B.B. & R. Knight were able to use their great business skill to forge an even greater textile company. In 1883, the Knights purchased the four Natick mills for $200,000 from the Union Company, which represented the creditors of the Spragues. In the following year, the Knights bought the Spragues' Arctic Mill, one of the finest in the state, for $175,000...
warwickhistory.com
West Warwick, Rhode Island, USA
Postcard
 (Natick) (Phenix) (Crompton) - L'Eglise St. Jean Baptiste, Arctic Centre, R.I.
Currently St. John & James Church, formerly St. Jean Baptiste Eglise - French church/school that was built in 1938. Church rectory on the left built in 1899.)
L'Eglise St. Jean Baptiste, Arctic Centre, R.I.
Currently St. John & James Church, formerly St. Jean Baptiste Eglise - French church/ school that was built in 1938. Church rectory on the left built in 1899.
West Warwick, Rhode Island, USA
Postcard
 (Natick) (Phenix) (Crompton) - Greetings from West Warwick, R. I.)
Greetings from West Warwick, R. I.
West Warwick, Rhode Island, USA
Postcard
 (Natick) (Phenix) (Crompton) - St. John's Convent, West Warwick, R. I.)
St. John's Convent, West Warwick, R. I.
West Warwick, Rhode Island, USA
Postcard
 (Natick) (Phenix) (Crompton) - Quidnick Street, Arctic Centre, R.I.)
Quidnick Street, Arctic Centre, R.I.
West Warwick, Rhode Island, USA
Postcard
 (Natick) (Phenix) (Crompton) - Arctic Centre Square, looking down Main St., Arctic, R.I.)
Arctic Centre Square, looking down Main St., Arctic, R.I.
West Warwick, Rhode Island, USA
Postcard
 (Natick) (Phenix) (Crompton) - W. Warwick High School, Arctic - W. Warwick, R.I.
In 1905, the Knight family in what was the first of what would become a series of donations to the West Warwick Public Schools provided the land for this high school. All of this was run on a budget of only $69,195.75. Most students did not go onto high school and 87 1/2 % of female students became homemakers.
westwarwickpublicschools.com)
W. Warwick High School, Arctic - W. Warwick, R.I.
In 1905, the Knight family in what was the first of what would become a series of donations to the West Warwick Public Schools provided the land for this high school. All of this was run on a budget of only $69,195.75. Most students did not go onto high school and 87 1/ 2 % of female students became homemakers.
westwarwickpublicschools.com
West Warwick, Rhode Island, USA
Postcard
 (Natick) (Phenix) (Crompton) - Phenix Hotel and Square, Phenix, R.I.)
Phenix Hotel and Square, Phenix, R.I.
West Warwick, Rhode Island, USA
Postcard
 (Natick) (Phenix) (Crompton) - Main Street, Phenix, R.I., 1906)
Main Street, Phenix, R.I., 1906
West Warwick, Rhode Island, USA
Postcard
 (Natick) (Phenix) (Crompton) - Car Barn, Clyde, R.I.
postmarked 1908)
Car Barn, Clyde, R.I.
postmarked 1908
West Warwick, Rhode Island, USA
Postcard
 (Natick) (Phenix) (Crompton) - French Parochial School, Arctic, R.I.
postmarked 1910)
French Parochial School, Arctic, R.I.
postmarked 1910
West Warwick, Rhode Island, USA
Postcard
 (Natick) (Phenix) (Crompton) - Centreville National Bank, Arctic, R.I.
In 1828, only 38 years after Rhode Island was made a state, Centreville Bank, or the Bank of Centreville as it was originally known, was founded in West Warwick by local business and civic leaders, textile manufacturer John Greene and surgeon Sylvester Knight. Following the Civil War, a national charter was taken out to become Centreville National Bank and in 1888 the Bank's sister organization, Centreville Savings Bank was founded.
The year 1901 saw Centreville National Bank/Centreville Savings Bank relocate to Main Street in the village of Arctic...
centrevillebank.com)
Centreville National Bank, Arctic, R.I.
In 1828, only 38 years after Rhode Island was made a state, Centreville Bank, or the Bank of Centreville as it was originally known, was founded in West Warwick by local business and civic leaders, textile manufacturer John Greene and surgeon Sylvester Knight. Following the Civil War, a national charter was taken out to become Centreville National Bank and in 1888 the Bank's sister organization, Centreville Savings Bank was founded.
The year 1901 saw Centreville National Bank/ Centreville Savings Bank relocate to Main Street in the village of Arctic...
centrevillebank.com
West Warwick, Rhode Island, USA
Postcard
 (Natick) (Phenix) (Crompton) - Quidnick Street, South from the Square, Arctic, R.I.)
Quidnick Street, South from the Square, Arctic, R.I.
West Warwick, Rhode Island, USA
Postcard
 (Natick) (Phenix) (Crompton) - Phenix Baptist Church, Phenix, R.I.)
Phenix Baptist Church, Phenix, R.I.
West Warwick, Rhode Island, USA
Postcard
 (Natick) (Phenix) (Crompton) - The Square and Himes Block, Phenix, R.I.)
The Square and Himes Block, Phenix, R.I.
West Warwick, Rhode Island, USA
Postcard
 (Natick) (Phenix) (Crompton) - Lippitt Mill, Lippitt, R.I.)
Lippitt Mill, Lippitt, R.I.
West Warwick, Rhode Island, USA
Postcard
 (Natick) (Phenix) (Crompton) - Main Street, Riverpoint)
Main Street, Riverpoint
West Warwick, Rhode Island, USA
Postcard
 (Natick) (Phenix) (Crompton) - Riverpoint Square, R.I.)
Riverpoint Square, R.I.
West Warwick, Rhode Island, USA
Postcard
 (Natick) (Phenix) (Crompton) - Main Street looking North from the Square, Arctic, R.I.)
Main Street looking North from the Square, Arctic, R.I.
West Warwick, Rhode Island, USA
Postcard
 (Natick) (Phenix) (Crompton) - Theatre Odeon, Arctic, R.I.)
Theatre Odeon, Arctic, R.I.
West Warwick, Rhode Island, USA
Postcard
 (Natick) (Phenix) (Crompton) - St. Peter and St. Paul Church, Phenix, R.I.)
St. Peter and St. Paul Church, Phenix, R.I.
West Warwick, Rhode Island, USA
Postcard
 (Natick) (Phenix) (Crompton) - The Majestic Theatre, Arctic, R.I., 1915)
The Majestic Theatre, Arctic, R.I., 1915
West Warwick, Rhode Island, USA
Postcard
 (Natick) (Phenix) (Crompton) - Railroad Station, West Warwick, R.I.)
Railroad Station, West Warwick, R.I.
West Warwick, Rhode Island, USA
Postcard
 (Natick) (Phenix) (Crompton) - Crompton Company, Crompton, Near Arctic, R.I., 1920
It was named after English inventor Samuel Crompton, inventor of the spinning mule. rhodetour.org
The company was founded in 1807 as the Providence Manufacturing Co. in West Warwick, Rhode Island, and by 1808 was operating a cotton mill. Its name changed in 1823 to Crompton Co., and it expanded to include a bleachery and by 1832 calico printing.
rmc.library.cornell.edu
Crompton Mill, home of the “Velvet Mills,” the first U.S. company to manufacture velveteens and corduroys, by 1888 employed 600 and operated 40,000 spindles and 1,000 looms in buildings on the west and east side of the river. Sadly the west building, built in 1882-85, burned in 1992 due to arson... rhodetour.org)
Crompton Company, Crompton, Near Arctic, R.I., 1920
It was named after English inventor Samuel Crompton, inventor of the spinning mule. rhodetour.org
The company was founded in 1807 as the Providence Manufacturing Co. in West Warwick, Rhode Island, and by 1808 was operating a cotton mill. Its name changed in 1823 to Crompton Co., and it expanded to include a bleachery and by 1832 calico printing.
rmc.library.cornell.edu
Crompton Mill, home of the “Velvet Mills,” the first U.S. company to manufacture velveteens and corduroys, by 1888 employed 600 and operated 40,000 spindles and 1,000 looms in buildings on the west and east side of the river. Sadly the west building, built in 1882-85, burned in 1992 due to arson... rhodetour.org
Read more about Samuel CROMPTON
West Warwick, Rhode Island, USA
Postcard
 (Natick) (Phenix) (Crompton) - Phoenix Square, Arctic, R.I.)
Phoenix Square, Arctic, R.I.
West Warwick, Rhode Island, USA
Advertisement
 (Natick) (Phenix) (Crompton) - Valley Farms Dairy bottle)
Valley Farms Dairy bottle
West Warwick, Rhode Island, USA
Postcard
 (Natick) (Phenix) (Crompton) - Post Office, West Warwick, R.I.)
Post Office, West Warwick, R.I.
West Warwick, Rhode Island, USA
Postcard
 (Natick) (Phenix) (Crompton) - Junior High School)
Junior High School
West Warwick, Rhode Island, USA
Postcard
 (Natick) (Phenix) (Crompton) - Washington Street, West Warwick, R.I.)
Washington Street, West Warwick, R.I.
West Warwick, Rhode Island, USA
Advertisement
 (Natick) (Phenix) (Crompton) - The Carillon)
The Carillon
West Warwick, Rhode Island, USA
Advertisement
 (Natick) (Phenix) (Crompton) - The Centreville Savings Bank
Incorporated 1888)
The Centreville Savings Bank
Incorporated 1888
Discover West Warwick: History, News, Travel, and Stories
Add History/News/Story-
1834 - The Original Bradford Soap Works was built in 1834
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1913 - West Warwick is a New Town Now
Warwick, R. I., Nov. 4 - Today's election added a new town to Rhode Island. The town of West Warwick, authorized to separate from the town of Warwick by the last Legislature, had its first election today. The Democrats won and will be sworn into office tomorrow morning.
West Warwick brings the number of towns in Rhode Island to thirty-three and adds one senator to the Assembly. Albric A. Archambault, a Democrat, was elected to that office. The population of West Warwick is 17,000 as compared with 10,000 for that of the town of Warwick.
Date: November 05, 1913
Location: Massachusetts
Paper: Boston Journal
NOTE: West Warwick split with Warwick because of political reasons. Eastern Warwick was mainly a farm area. Western Warwick was a heavily populated mill area. Western Warwick was democrat and the eastern part of town was republican. The people in eastern Warwick were often out voted and were tired of losing. They wanted to split with the western part of town because the... Read MORE...
1914 - WEST WARWICK HAS MYSTERY IN KILLING. Italian Dies from Shooting, Cousin Arrested Held for Grand Jury. NO QUARREL IS HEARD.
WEST WARWICK, Oct. 5 - Giovanni di Chistofero, a mill weaver, was fatally shot yesterday ad his cousin, Michele di Ciumino as arrested later in Natick by Chief of Police Andrews.
He waived examination before Judge Felix Herbert at a special sesion of the District Court on a charge of manslaughter and was bound over to the grand jury. Bail was fixex at $2000.
A broken watch which was found in the bedroom is believed by police to have been the cause of the quarrel which led to the shooting.
The circumstances leading to the death of Cristofero are unknown. Relatives and intimate friends of both men say that they never quarreled and were on the best of terms.
Di Cristofero and Ciumino, cousins, boarded with their uncle, Michel Baradi, on the West Warwick side of Natick. They occupied a room on the third floor, together with Angelo Petraca.
All three young men were in their room during the morning; about 11 o'clock Petraca went to Westcott. According to members of the Baradi ... Read MORE...
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1917 - HIGHWAY MAN ROBS WEST WARWICK MAN
Aime Grenier, a former member of the Town Council of West Warwick, was held up by a maked man at 5:15 yesterday morning near his home in Phenix and robbed of $20. The bandit pointed a pistol at Mr. Grenier's head and demanded his money, threatening to shoot if the order was not obeyed. Mr. Grenier handed over the money.
Mr. Grenier, who is the proprietor of a market in the village, was on his way to open the store when he was robbed.
The Evening Times
Pawtucket, Rhode Island
January 4, 1917
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1918 - West Warwick Commissioners Deny Petition Endorsed by Governor
Although an application for a license for a Sunday motion picture show to be held in Riverpoint was accompanied by an indorsement from Gov. Beeckman, the West Warwick board of police commissioners last evening refused the license and went on record as firmly opposed to these entertainments on Sundays.
In the communication to the police commission it appeared that the proposed entertainment was for the benefit of the Eleventh Company Aid Association, but Chairman Quinlan of the board of police commissioners said he had been reliably informed that the matter had been initiated by a person not connected with that organization. He declared it another attempt to let down the bars for Sunday picture shows.
The Evening Times
Pawtucket, Rhode Island
June 19, 1918
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1919 - West Warwick Liquor Men Are Opposed to 2.75 Beer
Prominent liquor dealers in West Warwick are strongly opposed to the movement of brewers throughout the country to secure the privilege of manufacturing and selling 2.75 per cent beer and they say that the West Warwick Liquor Dealers Association will not in any way assist this movement.
'We want to sell real beer or none at all' is the reported declaration of the members of the association. Some of them assert that the whole scheme is cooked up by the big brewers so that grocers, ice cream shops and candy stores can sell the near-beer throughout the country and ruin the business of the regular liquor dealers.
genealogybank.com
Pawtucket Times
Pawtucket, Rhode Island
July 3, 1919
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1922 - As early as 1922, town leaders recognized the need for a unified fire department.
In that year, town council members passed an act authorizing the Warwick/ Coventry, Crompton, Riverpoint, and Phenix fire departments to be abolished if the districts themselves voted to do so and authorized the formation of a town fire department. Despite these initial efforts, it would be years before further steps were taken to dissolve the separate village departments and form the town-wide fire department.
www.westwarwickfirefighters.org/ history.html
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1928 - SCOUR RHODE ISLAND FOR MISSING GIRL. State Police Trying to Find 11-Year-Old Mary Gallagher of West Warwick
Providence, R.I., Dec. 20. (AP) - Rhode Island state police and police departments throughout the state were aiding the West Warwick police early today in a state-wide search for 11-year-old Mary Gallagher of West Warwick, who had not returned to her home since leaving yesterday to attend the afternoon session at St. James parochial school, Arctic.
No Clue Found
No tangible clue has been found as to the girl's whereabouts and her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Gallagher, are at a loss to explain her disapearance.
Joseph J. B. Gamlin of 39 McNiff street, West Warwick, reported to the West Warwick police yesterday that a small girl had run in front of his automobile on Main street at noon and that the girl had run into one of the front fenders of his car. Gamlin said that the child ran away before he could ascertain whether she was injured. The police theory that the child was the missing Gallagher girl was abandoned when it was found that the descriptions of the two girls did... Read MORE...
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1930 - A NATURAL CHANGE
The proposal of citizens of the district that the present boundary between Warwick and West Warwick be moved eastward to follow the new Bald Hill road would throw into the town of West Warwick a considerable area which is now part of Warwick.
The area involved, however, belongs naturally in the former town, as it consists of a spearhead of territory which projects into West Warwick and is surrounded on three sides by it. Furthermore, residents of the district ar so far removed from the more populous part of Warwick that, as they point out, they have little in common with that community, while they have a great deal in common with West Warwick.
They would have, they believe, more convenient school facilities if they ware a part of the latter, and their other municipal needs would receive greater attention.
As the town line is now fixed, part of the village of Centreville is in West Warwick and part of it is in Warwick. The same thing is true of Natick and Westcott. The... Read MORE...
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2003 - Nightclub fire in West Warwick, 100 die
The Nightclub fire in West Warwick, Rhode Island, occurred on February 20, 2003, and is also known as "The Station nightclub fire." It was a tragic event that resulted in one of the deadliest nightclub fires in United States history.
On that fateful night, the rock band Great White was performing at The Station, a popular nightclub located in West Warwick. As part of their stage setup, the band used pyrotechnics, which involved the use of indoor fireworks. During the performance, these pyrotechnics ignited the highly flammable soundproofing foam that was used as part of the club's interior decorations. The foam quickly caught fire, and within seconds, the entire nightclub was engulfed in flames.
The fire spread rapidly due to the flammable materials used in the club's construction, and thick, toxic smoke filled the venue. The rapid escalation of the fire made it difficult for the patrons to escape, and many were trapped inside. Chaos ensued as people tried to find exits, leading ... Read MORE...
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2023 - Here's a list of things to do and places to visit in West Warwick:
Museum of Work and Culture: Located in the nearby town of Woonsocket, this museum provides a fascinating look into the history of Rhode Island's industrial past. Learn about the state's textile mills, immigrant workers, and the role they played in shaping the region.
Arctic Playhouse: Enjoy a night of entertainment at the Arctic Playhouse in West Warwick. This community theater offers a diverse lineup of live performances, including plays, musicals, and comedy shows.
Spring Lake Beach: On a warm day, head to Spring Lake Beach for some outdoor fun. This freshwater lake in West Warwick offers swimming, picnicking areas, and a playground, making it a great spot for families to relax and enjoy the water.
Bazaar Castelo Branco: Explore the vibrant Portuguese community in West Warwick by visiting the Bazaar Castelo Branco. This marketplace offers a taste of Portuguese culture with food, music, crafts, and traditional products.
J.L. Curran Fishing Area: If you enjoy fishing, head ... Read MORE...
Discover Your Roots: West Warwick Ancestry
Ancestors Who Were Born or Died in West Warwick, Rhode Island, USA
We currently have information about ancestors who were born or died in West Warwick.View Them Now (sorted by year of birth)
Waldo Francis RAYNSFORD (1825, - 18 November 1916, West Warwick, Rhode Island, USA (Arctic) (Natick) (Phenix) (Crompton))Charles Harris POTTER (1 June 1830, - 22 August 1915, West Warwick, Rhode Island, USA (Arctic) (Natick) (Phenix) (Crompton))Pierre ETHIER (1831, - 30 July 1914, West Warwick, Rhode Island, USA (Arctic) (Natick) (Phenix) (Crompton))Asa MALTESON (1833, - 7 January 1914, West Warwick, Rhode Island, USA (Arctic) (Natick) (Phenix) (Crompton))Bruno LAVOIE (1837, - 20 May 1914, West Warwick, Rhode Island, USA (Arctic) (Natick) (Phenix) (Crompton))
John POTTER (1838, - 27 October 1915, West Warwick, Rhode Island, USA (Arctic) (Natick) (Phenix) (Crompton))Malfred Alburtus ARNOLD (1839, - 8 January 1916, West Warwick, Rhode Island, USA (Arctic) (Natick) (Phenix) (Crompton))Agnan (Ignace) MARCHESSAULT (18 November 1842, L'Acadie, Québec, Canada (Sainte-Marguerite-de-Blairfindie) - 19 August 1915, West Warwick, Rhode Island, USA (Arctic) (Natick) (Phenix) (Crompton))John BAGLEY (1843, - 10 October 1915, West Warwick, Rhode Island, USA (Arctic) (Natick) (Phenix) (Crompton))Ancestors Who Were Married in West Warwick, Rhode Island, USA
We currently have information about ancestors who were married in West Warwick.View Them Now
Jean Baptiste ASHEY (ACHEZ) (25 March 1854 - 21 September 1917) and 
Marguerite MARTIN (9 August 1857 - 11 February 1922) married 3 August 1873George Edward BAKER (15 September 1871 - 1 March 1936) and Exilda ROBERGE (28 March 1881 - 30 December 1909) married 8 October 1898William W BAKER (20 September 1878 - 27 April 1942) and Rose-Anna LAFERRIERE (5 June 1878 - 10 February 1927) married 10 June 1899Harry BAKER (27 July 1886 - 20 September 1958) and 
Leah Anna MCDERMOTT (4 August 1888 - 2 September 1972) married 25 October 1909Jean "John" Baptiste ASHEY (ACHEZ) (29 August 1889 - 16 January 1951) and Elizabeth LYONS (1899 - ) married 5 April 1924Ancestors buried in West Warwick - Cemeteries in West Warwick, Rhode Island, USA
St. Mary's Cemetery
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