Central Falls, Rhode Island, USA
1892 - Central Falls

Like all the other New England colonists, the people of Rhode Island for many years devoted themselves almost entirely to agricultural and maritime pursuits. This was true especially as to commerce, inasmuch as it led more rapidly to the acquirement of wealth, and also involved less personal labor.

'Farming the sea' was long the chief occupation of Rhode Islanders, the peculiar situation of the State and the commodiousness of its harbors being prime factors in turning the attention of the early settlers upon these shores to commercial pursuits. An extensive coasting and foreign trade was developed, and whaling and fishing were at one time quite important industries. These have all declined of late years, however.

Within the life-time of a generation the manufacturing industries in and around Providence have grown from comparatively limited extent to vast magnitude, and energy and capital are constantly seeking new fields to develop. In the past few decades many flourishing towns and villages have sprung up hereabouts, and to-day Providence County is one of great hive of industry. Some of these places that now fairly hum with human activity are of quite recent origin. One of the most important among the latter is Central Falls, whose corporate existence extends but a few years back. This thriving and prosperous village, which is situated in the town of Lincoln, is virtually part of the city of Pawtucket, as Pawtucket is practically part of Providence, the boundaries being scarcely more than arbitrary lines, invisible to the observer's eye. The town of Lincoln was formerly an integral part of the old town of Smithfield, from which it was formed in 1871. Although young in years, Lincoln has become one of the most important manufacturing centers in the State.

The village of Central Falls lies in the southeasterly section of the town of Lincoln, and forms the chief portion thereof, the population having almost doubled in the decade 1880-1890. Although within the corporate town limits of Lincoln, Central Falls enjoys complete autonomy. It is a distinct and separate bailiwick, with absolute control of its local affairs. The village was incorporated by a special act of the Legislature under the name of the 'Central Falls Fire District'. Speaking of this somewhat unique state of affairs, a writer, referring to the town of Lincoln, says: 'The principal, if not the only peculiarity of this town in its government, as distinguished from other towns of this State, is, that while it is governed by a town council, as other towns are, yet the southeasterly portion of it, embracing the most thickly settled part, is specially incorporated by the Legislature under the name of the Central Falls Fire District, with power to elect a moderator, clerk, treasurer, three assessors, and a collector of taxes; to elect fire-wards and presidents of fire-wards; to order, assess and collect taxes on persons and property within such district for fire-extinguishing apparatus, and keeping the same in order, and using it; to prescribe the duties of fire-wards and of citizens of said district in case of conflagration; to provide for suppressing disorder and tumult; for the lighting of streets, and the maintaining of such a police force as they may deem necessary.'

The Blackstone River flows through the village, and affords abundant water-power facilities along its banks, and the situation of the place is peculiarly adapted to the successful prosecution of manufacturing upon an extensive scale. During the past ten or a dozen years the growth and development of manufacturers along the Blackstone have been especially notable, and there is every indication that the tide of prosperity throughout the valley is bound to increase.

Central Falls is an excellent type of the progressive New England manufacturing village. The peculiarity of its civil and local government has given the district an independence, in addition to that bestowed upon the community by capital, enterprise and well-directed effort, which give to the place all the advantages of a municipality, without many of the disadvantages that may pertain to a city.

And it is a village of homes, as well as a great industrial center, most of the families in the district owning the houses in which they reside. The situation, too, is pleasant and healthful, there is an abundant supply of pure water, and the sanitary condition of the place is above the average in point of excellence. The streets are well kept, the district is well lighted, and the affairs of the community are efficiently administered.

Central Falls is provided with a splendid system of water-works, direct from the reservoir at Pawtucket, the water being obtained from Abbot's Run, which has a watershed of over twenty-six miles. The taxes and assessments are low, the protection afforded to life and property admirable, and, altogether, the citizens of Central Falls may consider themselves exceptionally favored.

The Boston & Providence Railroad runs through the center of the town, and there is a handsome depot eligibly located here. The facilities afforded for freight and passenger traffic are excellent, and all points of interest, as well as the business centers all around are easy of access.

In the summer season ample opportunities are presented for visiting the various shore-resorts throughout the State. There are numerous excursions in all directions, both by rail and water, while enjoyable trips may be made to the suburbs of Pawtucket and Providence in the open horse cars.

A ride by rail from the latter city of a little more than an hour brings one to Narragansett Pier, while Mount Hope, the ancient seat of King Philip, the famous Indian chief, can be reached in a short time by boats from Providence on the Fall River line.

Then there is Rocky Point, with its mammoth dining-rooms for shore dinners, its lofty tower, summer theater, groves and other attractions scarcely an hour's ride from the last-named city, while Oakland Beach, Bullock's Point, Riverside, Buttonwood, Silver Spring and various other pleasant watering-places are quickly and easily reached from there.

In respect of educational facilities, Central Falls is certainly well abreast with the times. The district schools offer unsurpassed advantages to the young for obtaining a sound and thorough education to fit them for any sphere of life.

The district also possesses a free public library, containing over one thousand five hundred volumes, with a circulation of upward of ten thousand. This institution is under the management of an experienced librarian, and its influence for good cannot be overestimated.

The various religious denominations are represented in the community, each with its place of worship, and there are several fine church edifices in the district.

Some of the largest plants devoted to the manufacture of cotton and woolen fabrics, files, castings, etc., in Rhode Island, are located in Central Falls. Among the most important industrial enterprises in the district may be named the Stafford Cotton Manufacturing Company, the United States Cotton Company, the Central Falls Woolen Mill, the Pawtucket Hair Cloth Company, the New American File Company, the Eagle Dye Works, Collins Bros.' Iron Foundry, Robert Plews & Co., manufacturers of tin cylinders, Weatherhead, Thompson & Co., manufacturers of belting and thread spools, and a number of other big concerns.

Industries and Wealth of the Principal Points in Rhode Island, being the city of Providence, Pawtucket, Central Falls, Woonsocket, Newport, Narragansett Pier, Bristol & Westerly.
New York: A. F. Parsons Publishing Co., 1892



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