The territory which in 1862 became the town of East Providence was in the mainstream of early American history. The original settlement and development of the area take us back to two of the most famous movements in our history - the coming of the Pilgrims to Plymouth, and the Puritans to the Boston area. Both groups contributed settlers, ideas, and disagreements to the early history of East Providence.

East Providence was first settled in 1636. Earlier in that year, Roger Williams and his followers were banished from the Massachusetts Bay Colony and founded a new community called "Seacunke", (Seekonk). Shortly thereafter Roger Williams and his group were informed by the Governor that their land was within territorial limits claimed by the colony of Massachusetts. Williams' party quickly departed and settled nearby, starting what would eventually become the City of Providence.

In 1862, when East Providence was incorporated as a part of Rhode Island, many older residents of the community could boast of having lived in 3 towns and 2 states without ever having moved.

In 1862 the westerly part of Seekonk was annexed to Rhode Island and incorporated as a town, which was named East Providence, Thus settling the Massachusetts-Rhode Island Boundary question. East Providence's proximity to Providence, and strong ties with Rhode Island, made this action inevitable.

The city of East Providence is situated between the urban center of Rhode Island and rural southeastern Massachusetts. A large proportion of the city is bordered by bodies of water: The Seekonk and Providence Rivers to the west, Narragansett Bay to the south, and the Running and Ten Mile Rivers (including the James V. Turner Reservoir and Central Pond) along most of its eastern border.

The land east of the Seekonk River was occupied by the Wampanoag Indians. Their villages were not permanent, but were moved with seasonal and agricultural changes. The Indian civilization nearly vanished by the turn of the eighteenth century, but had left East Providence with two legacies: the names Wampanoag and Sachem are used for everything from shopping areas to country clubs, and Indian trails have formed major present day transportation routes.

Today, East Providence is a growing city with easy accessibility. Its modern development has been attributed to its central location on an available waterway, its modern highway and railroad routes, and to the suburban outgrowth from the City of Providence.

CRESCENT PARK CAROUSEL. (1895) At the end of Bullock's Point Avenue. Celebrating it's 100th Anniversary. Designed by Charles I. D. Looff, there are 66 beautifully carved figures. The band organ by A. Ruth and Sohn, in neo-baroque style, is carved with moving figures. The finest surviving example of its type in America, the carousel was proclaimed the State Symbol of Folk Art in 1985. OPEN: Easter Sunday-Memorial Day: Sat, & Sun, 12-9 p.m. After Memorial Day: Fri, Sat & Sun, 12-9 p.m. July-Labor Day: Wed-Sun, 12-9 p.m., closed Mon & Tue, except for summer holidays. After Labor Day-Columbus Day: Sat & Sun, 12-9 p.m. 435-7518 (433-2828 during season).

THOMAS WILLET BURIAL SITE. Little Neck Cemetery, Little Neck Avenue. First English-speaking mayor of New York. He settled Wannamoisett (Riverside) in 1660. City of New York placed a large granite memorial on his grave in 1913, located in historic Little Neck Cemetery. Open daylight hours.

Population: The population count for the City of East Providence as of April 1, 2000, was 48,688. This represented a -3.4% change (-1,692) from the 1990 population of 50,380. 

Population Density: East Providence contains 34.707 square kilometers of land area (13.400 Sq. Miles) and 8.340 square kilometers of water area (3.220 Sq. Miles). Total area is 43.047 square kilometers or 16.620 square miles.

The 2000 population density of East Providence is 3,633.4 persons per square mile of land area.

Age Distribution: In 2000, 38,142 persons residing in East Providence were 18 years of age or older.

More Census 2000 data on East Providence and the State of Rhode Island is available at the Statewide Planning Program Website.

City Hall
145 Taunton Avenue
East Providence, RI 02914
FAX: 438-1719
Hours: 8:00 am - 4:00 pm

**Information above provided by the Rhode Island Department of Economic Development Corporation

Web Links

City of East Providence East Providence School Department