WATCH HILL INN - HISTORY

The Watch Hill Inn has history dating back to 1845 hosting guests who enjoy the splendor and pleasures of historic Watch Hill Rhode Island.  ................  For information and reservations please call us at 401-348-6300

"The Watch Hill Inn was built in 1845 and is the tallest existing original structure in Watch Hill"

Photo taken from Napatree Beach in 2007 after total renovation.

WATCH HILL INN

Located on Bay Street in the center of the Historic Watch Hill Village, the Watch Hill Inn is the tallest dwelling with its roof peak at 75' above sea level giving it the most beautiful vistas of its western coast line. The Watch Hill Inn being the oldest and original structure in Watch Hill Village was totally renovated in 2006 by WHI Inc a corporation owned Dana and Peter Catalano, then converted to condominiums in 2007.

It is a perfect location from which to experience a whole range of excursions and activities along the eastern Atlantic coastline. Such as day trips Mystic Seaport and Stonington Village in Connecticut; Newport and Providence Rhode Island; and short ventures to the wonders of Foxwood's and Mohegan Sun Casinos.

In the 1600's, the "Niantics", a Narragansett Indian Tribe, lived on this beautiful piece of land. The colonists used it as a lookout point during the French and Revolutionary wars. As a result, this lookout post was named Watch Hill. In the 19th century, the Federal Government purchased the land for $500,000.  
  
In 1806, the famous and historic Watch Hill Light House was built on the tip of the peninsula of land jutting into the Atlantic Ocean.

In 1845, the land fronting the Little Narraganset Bay forming the crescent shaped bulk head was owned by Jonathan Nash, the village's first lighthouse keeper who was responsible for establishing the "Narraganset House"  (the building's original name) is listed in the National Historical Landmark Register, Washington DC.

The building set on a hill 25 feet above sea level, was built on heavy timber foundation reaching four stories to 75 feet above sea level. It was the first building to be built as an inn from conception and reported to be the oldest of its kind in the country. A trolley car system with overhead electric cables transported guest, employees and visitors from the town of Westerly resulting from the extension of the railroad from Boston MS to Stonington CT. Developers soon realized the area with its natural beauty could be a prime destination resort. 

By the end of the 19th century,  the Narraganset House was one of seven sumptuous hotels wrapping the water's edges. Also, at this time the first "summer cottages" were built by a syndicate of Cincinnati industrialists. By 1920, most of the Watch Hill cottages that stand today had been constructed by people from such places as Philadelphia and St. Louis.  The seclusion of the resort attracted the rich and famous: Isadora Duncan, Clark Gable, Douglas Fairbanks Jr., Mary Pickford, Andrew Mellon and Henry Ford.
 
In 1938 the power of mother nature devastated Watch Hill with a hurricane so destructive it destroyed all but two original hotels, the Narraganset House (circa 1845) and the "Ocean House" (circa 1865).  The Great Depression and the Second World War brought about hard times and not much was done to preserve these Landmarks.

In 1955, the Santura family built the west side of the building which was extended towards the bay with a two story section creating a lower floor below the main entrance located on the upper ramp. From the Street Level the building was now 5 stories high. The upper level "ballroom" and Reception Office was used for banquets and major events making this the most popular location for weddings in the area.

In 1977, the Santura's sold the property to the Quinn Family who after 8 years of operation, sold the 2/3 acre land and building to singer Dana Valery Catalano and her husband, Architect / Real Estate Developer Peter Catalano in December 1985.
Immediately, the building was renamed and the "Watch Hill Inn" as born.

In 1986, the upper ballroom was modernized and the bar dance floor was extended to the newly enclosed porch hosting events for up to 200 persons. The street level "Sunset Deck Restaurant"  (180 capacity) was totally renovated and became the "place to be" where one could enjoy a martini and spectacular sunsets. The upper bedroom floor was converted from 12 rooms to 8 rooms with private baths matching the 2nd floor giving the Inn a total of 16 hotel rooms, plus one top story apartment used by the on-site resident Mark Szaro, who became the General Manager.

While there were minor improvements and repairs over the year that followed, the tragic Station Club fire in Wakefield Rhode Island caused the State Fire Department to revise their Codes and forced older buildings to conform to the new regulations. This could have been the end of the Watch Hill inn, however, in November 2005, the Catalano opted to closed the building and perform an extensive renovation which brought about ten residential condominiums (one and two bedroom units) and the relocation of the restaurant to the rear of the building. Six dormers approved by the Historical Society were added to the roof line and the entire floor was converted to a two bedroom penthouse apartment with 360 degree views of Watch Hill and the ocean.

In November 2010, the restaurant was closed and converted to a large two bedroom residence bringing the property to its highest and best use, thereby preserving this national treasure forever. The Watch Hill lives on to record more history for its owners, and guest for a long time to come.

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