Jutting out into the Atlantic Ocean, the allure of the ocean fog can be a part of your everyday experience in Narragansett as water borders you on three sides. Once a vacation paradise for the rich, the then summer cottages are now prime executive residences. Narragansett is famous for its beaches, saltwater fishing and other summer sports, such as biking and surfing. Narragansett can be reached by following Route 1 or I-95 to Route 4 to Route 1 and is a 35 to 45-minute commute to Providence.

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 Casino, 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 3-story blocks of granite, with semi-circular ends, topped by conical roofs, are connected by one long gallery room. The main Casino building burned in a fire in 1900.

Commercial development is limited to tourist oriented type businesses. Other development is 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.

ADVENTURELAND. (1986) Point Judith Road. Unique miniature golf course- only one of its kind in R.I. with waterfalls, caves, streams and an island. Bumper boats. Hardball and softball batting cages. State of the art go-kart track. OPEN: Weekends, Apr 15- Oct 15. Daily, Jun 15- Labor Day. 789-0030.

 CANONCHET FARM. Strathmore StreetAnne Hoxsie Lane. 174-acre park. 19th century working mini-farm. Historic cemetery with graves dating to 1700. Myrtle J. Wheeler Memorial Fitness Trail, South County Museum, nature trails, picnic areas. OPEN: Daily, daylight hours. Recreation Dept., 789-1044.

 CANONCHET MEMORIAL. On the green at Gazebo Park, corner of Beach Street & Ocean Road. A 6,000 lb. limestone statue of historical Narragansett Tribal Chief, Canonchet. Sculptured in 1977 by Robert K. Carsten.

 NARRAGANSETT INDIAN MONUMENT. Kingstown Road. and Strathmore Street. Carved from a single Douglas Fir by Peter Toth, this 23' sculpture is one a series of 4l throughout the country honoring the American Indian.

 POINT JUDITH LIGHTHOUSE. 1460 Ocean Road. An octagonal brick building erected in 1816. A Coast Guard and tower beacon were maintained at the point during the Revolution. Original wooden lighthouse, built 1806, blown down in the Great Gale of September, 1815. Last German U-Boat sunk in World War II, two miles off of light. Visitors welcome to grounds; lighthouse and Coast Guard Station restricted. School and civic groups allowed access with prior arrangements. OPEN: Daily, 9-4 p.m. 789-0444.

 SOUTH COUNTY MUSEUM. on Canochet Farm, off Boston Neck Road (Scenic 1-A). Exhibits of articles of early Rhode Island life. Country kitchen. Maritime exhibit. Cobbler shop, tack and livery, antique toys and dolls. A working print shop. Antique carriage collection. Events, demonstrations and lecture series. OPEN: May-Oct, Wed-Sun, 11-4 p.m. 783-5400.

 ST. PETER'S-BY-THE-SEA CHURCH. (1869) Central Street & Caswell Street. Site of Varina Winnie Davis memorial stained glass window. Daughter of the Confederacy, vacationed at Narragansett Pier where she died. Window is one of 17 Tiffany stained glass windows in the church. OPEN: Mon-Fri, 9-2 p.m. or by appt. Sat, 10-12 noon. Sunday services, 8 & 9:30 a.m. 783-4623.

 SUNSET FARM. 505 Pt. Judith Road, Rte. 108. Historic 150 acre working farm. The property is one of the areas original Plantation Farms. The impressive Kinney Bungalow was built in 1899 by Francis Kinney, a successful New York tobacco magnate and used as a private country club. 789-1044.

TOWERS, THE. (1883) Ocean Road. Last remaining section of the famous Narragansett Pier Casino designed by Stanford White which in its heyday was the center of the summer social season in this famous seaside resort. The restoration process is continuing with the ground floor housing the Chamber of Commerce Visitor's Center and first floor gallery and exhibit space. Summer tours are available. Daily; 9-4 p.m. 783-7121.

 UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND, NARRAGANSETT BAY CAMPUS. South Ferry Road. Graduate School of Oceanography, Department of Ocean Engineering, Pell Marine Science Library, Rhode Island Sea Grant, National Sea Grant Depository, Office of Marine Programs, Narragansett Bay Classroom, and the University Research Vessel ENDEAVOR (when in port). Also the United States Environmental Protection Agency, Environmental Research Laboratory, the National Marine Fisheries Service Narragansett Laboratory, and the Rhode Island Nuclear Science Center. OPEN: Group tours by appt. 792-6211.

Population: The population count for the Town of Narragansett as of April 1, 2000, was 16,361. This represented a 9.2% change (1,376) from the 1990 population of 14,985. 

Population Density: Narragansett contains 36.640 square kilometers of land area (14.147 Sq. Miles) and 61.197 square kilometers of water area (23.628 Sq. Miles). Total area is 97.837 square kilometers or 37.775 square miles.

The 2000 population density of Narragansett is 1,160.4 persons per square mile of land area.

Age Distribution: In 2000, 13,528 persons residing in Narragansett were 18 years of age or older.

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

Town Hall
25 Fifth Avenue
Narragansett, RI 02885
Hours: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
FAX: 783-9637

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

Web Links

Town of Narragansett Narragansett Chamber of Commerce The Narragansett Times