Watch Hill History

HISTORY

VIEW OF WATCH HILL HISTORIC BUSINESS AREA

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 bought the land for $500,000.

In 1806, the famous Watch Hill Lighthouse was built. About 90 years later, Jonathan Nash, the village's first lighthouse keeper, started to rent rooms in his house, and so the first hotel was born. With the extension of the railroad from Boston to neighboring Stonington, in the late 1830's, developers realized that the area, with its natural beauty, could be a prime resort.

By the turn of the century, there were seven sumptuous hotels on the water's edge. 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. The power of mother nature devastated Watch Hill in 1938 with a hurricane so destructive that it destroyed all but one hotel and claimed hundreds of lives. However, the beauty of Watch Hill was still a popular drawing card, entertaining such visitors as Mary Tyler Moore, Phyllis Diller, Sergio Franchi, John McEnroe, David Niven and even such Newport associated people as John. F. Kennedy and Claus Von Bulow.

Today, Watch Hill is still a secluded and fashionable resort and one of the best kept secrets in the Northeast. Traveling along winding roads past mansions built as summer cottages, you will arrive at the village of Watch Hill. This charming village, with its small quiet business district featuring exclusive shops and antique stores, boasts the country's oldest flying carousel.

Watch Hill, situated at the southwest tip of Rhode Island on Little Narragansett Bay, is surrounded by white sandy beaches. Napatree Beach, stretching into the Bay, is a popular spot for bird watchers, saltwater anglers, and sun worshipers alike. The remains of an old Spanish American fort at the very end is a special attraction for those who wish to just stroll along the two mile stretch of beach.

Facing west over Little Narragansett Bay, Watch Hill boasts one of the best sunset views on the East Coast. Because Watch Hill is located midway between historical Mystic Seaport and the mansions of Newport, it is a perfect pivotal point for Spring and Summer excursions.

In the Fall, a long winding drive along little traveled roads lined with brilliant Fall foliage will take you past shops offering home made cider and the ancient art of wine making in the Connecticut countryside.

Whatever the reason, Watch Hill is central enough to offer something to everyone.

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