Town of Narragansett

Updated Demographic and Economic Characteristics

* Annual information for 2000-2008 is available by downloading this Excel file.

Government

Town Hall
25 Fifth Ave.
Narragansett, RI 02885
Fax: 401-783-9637
Hours: 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.

Census 2000 Data

A summary profile of Census 2000 characteristics is available from the RI Office of Statewide Planning at: http://www.planning.ri.gov/census/citytown.htm

Community Links

Hyperlinks provided by the Office of Municipal Affairs, Rhode Island Department of Administration.

History

A narrow strip of land running along the eastern bank of the Pettaquamscutt River to the shore of the bay, Narragansett was separated from South Kingstown in 1888, and incorporated as a town in 1901. The early history of Narragansett is shared with the adjoining town of South Kingstown. It was in this area that the rival Narragansett and Niantic Indians hunted, fished, tilled the soil and fought. Narragansett was originally a farming area but rapidly developed into a summer resort and fishing community. Residential development was predominantly single family dwellings with a major portion used as seasonal residences. Today, the year-round population is rapidly increasing.  The parallel pair of stone arches spanning Ocean Road, anchored on either side by curved towers, are a powerful image today of a glorious bygone era. The Towers, all that remains of the famous Casino (burned in a fire in 1900), are a testament to the Golden Victorian resort era. Designed in 1883 by the famous New York architectural firm of McKim, Mead and White, the three-story blocks of granite, with semi-circular ends, topped by conical roofs, are connected by one long gallery room.

Commercial development is limited to tourist oriented businesses. Other developments are centered on the waterfront (fishing) and research activities of the state of Rhode Island, and the federal government at the University of Rhode Island's Narragansett Bay Campus.

 


Contact Information