Rhode Island

Name: Providence
Brand: Louis McGowan
SKU: 9780738544625
Price: 24.99 USD
Availability: InStock

Rhode Island’s small size belies an immense legacy, from the outsized impact on World War II to the bygone grandeur of downtown Providence. In spite of the storms that battered its coasts and sunk its ships, the Ocean State has never been overwhelmed by its namesake. Enjoy the undiminished pleasures of an iconic clam shack, the celebrated thrills of Rocky Point Park or the matchless vistas of the Newport Bridge. Our catalogue of Rhode Island history books extends a sturdy causeway to the state’s capacious past. [View all Rhode Island books]

6 products

Sort

Narragansett in Vintage Postcards

Providence

9780738544625

$24.99

This volume offers a glimpse at what Providence citizens found important, funny, and poignant during the early 20th century, when postcards were a popular medium of communication. Within Providence, people frolic during Old Home Week and enjoy the entertainment of the WJAR Kiddie Revue. Important landmarks like the Brown & Sharpe and Gorham companies stand proudly when they were the largest toolmaker and silver maker, respectively, on the planet. Views of buildings long gone but fondly remembered, such as the Outlet Store and the E. F. Albee Theater, are also displayed. Through stunning postcards, readers will delight in seeing more than 200 fantastic views of this fascinating city.

Narragansett Bay

9780738544588

$24.99

Rhode Island, "the Ocean State," consists of only 1,200 square miles, and one-quarter of the state is tidewater. With over 350 miles of coastline, a third of the citizens live within a mile of the seashore. The Narragansett Bay, spanning 102 square miles, is the heart of the state. From the early 19th to the mid-20th century, the shell and finfish industries flourished within the bay. Amusement parks and seaside dining halls sprang up on both sides. Beaches catered to Victorian ladies and gentlemen who took in the air but never wet their feet. The nation's security has also played a major role in these waters. Through more than 200 stunning images, readers will see how Rhode Islanders found their fortune and character on the Narragansett Bay.

Westerly

9780738549507

$24.99

Westerly is a stunning coastal community located in Rhode Island's southwest corner. It is rich in history, being the first town incorporated in the King's Province and the fifth town in the colony. These pages offer a glimpse of everyday life in old Westerly as well as amusing mishaps and historical events that have been hidden until now. Many colonial patriots, such as Benjamin Franklin, left their footprints upon the sandy soil of this tranquil place. Westerly also abounds with commercial heritage, such as the shipbuilding industry on the banks of the Pawcatuck River and the granite industry, which made Westerly famous. In addition this volume captures the tragic events that touched the majestic shores and strong citizens of Westerly.

Narragansett in Vintage Postcards

9780738500867

$24.99

From the 1890s through the 1920s, the postcard was an extraordinarily popular means of communication, and many of the postcards produced during this "golden age" can today be considered works of art. Postcard photographers traveled the length and breadth of the nation snapping photographs of busy street scenes, documenting local landmarks, and assembling crowds of local children only too happy to pose for a picture. These images, printed as postcards and sold in general stores across the country, survive as telling reminders of an important era in America's history. This fascinating new history of Narragansett, Rhode Island, showcases more than two hundred of the best vintage postcards available.

Bristol

9780738539218

$24.99

Bristol, a shire town in the smallest county in the smallest state, is nestled between the Narragansett and Mount Hope Bays. Most of the town is surrounded by water, and its history lies therein. Bristol is ever changing, yet it manages to retain a small hometown character. This nostalgic postcard history of Bristol leads readers down dusty, mid-19th-century streets and into the bustling mid-1950s historic center. Today, people sail leisurely into Bristol's snug harbor, dock at the many public landings, and dine on the waterfront. Other visitors stroll down tree-lined streets, take in the many beautiful seascapes, or marvel at the aristocratic 18th-century homes built by wealthy merchants, slavers, and privateers.

Misquamicut

9780738565682

$24.99

Originally named Pleasant View, Misquamicut is a lovely stretch of beach located in southern Rhode Island. Court Bliven and his wife named the area for its remarkable views. They built the first cottage, called the Pioneer, in 1894 and the Wigwam Hotel in 1905. The trolley came to the area in 1908, and by 1911, there were three major hotels, a casino, a village square, and 150 cottages. Its Victorian charm attracted visitors from all parts of the country, but the Hurricane of 1938 devastated Misquamicut and destroyed many of its photographs. Misquamicut brings together more than 200 vintage postcards, many very rare, in chronological order dating from 1894 to today.