Little Compton, RI

Located at the far southeastern tip of Rhode Island and stretching into the Atlantic Ocean, Little Compton remains the most bucolic and countrified of the thirty-nine communities in the state. It has little commercial activity and serves primarily as a vacation community and an hourly commute to Providence or Boston for those who must enjoy it's solitude for twelve months Little Compton is accessed from I-195 in Massachusetts to Route 24 to Route 77.

Little Compton was incorporated as a part of Plymouth Colony in 1682, after having been settled by Captain Benjamin Church, the noted Indian fighter, and others seven years previously. In 1746, under Royal Decree, it was transferred to Rhode Island together with the Towns of Cumberland, Barrington, Bristol and Tiverton.

The town was originally the home of the "Sagonate" or "Sakonnet" Indians, a particularly independent group of native Americans that fought with the settlers against the notorious King Philip, Sachem of the Wampanoags. King Philip waged a bloody war against the white settlers and tried to induce other neighboring tribes to join him.

The southern end of the town bordering the Atlantic is still known as "Sakonnet". It was here that Captain Church cleared the area for settlement.

Following the end of Indian hostilities, the small settlement in Little Compton enjoyed comparative peace and prosperity until a new threat arose; the British occupation of Newport during the Revolution. Foraging parties from the British garrison invaded Little Compton several times. The British raiders met with stiff resistance from the settlers, and were "bushwacked" several times as in the skirmish at the Taggart House.

Today, Little Compton is a rural-farming community. It was in Little Compton that the famous Rhode Island Red, (a breed of fowl and the State Bird), was developed. Fishing is still a major industry in the town, as one can observe with the daily departure of the fishing fleet from the Sakonnet Wharf. The town has also developed into an ideal vacation spot with the traditional atmosphere of colonial New England.

Town Hall: 40 Commons Box 226 Little Compton, RI 02837
Phone: (401) 423-7200

Website: www.little-compton.com

Other Links

Little Compton, RI
Sakonnet Vineyards