Conimicut: A Modern Village
During the first decades of the twentieth century a number of very
significant changes took place in Conimicut Village. Much of the
growth and popularity of the village was due to the electrification
of the old Warwick Railroad and the creation of the trolley. The
trolley meant inexpensive fares and access to other parts of Warwick
and Rhode Island. Conimicut historian, Dorothy Andrews, noted in
a Warwick Beacon interview with Jennette Barnes in 1985, “I
loved to ride on the open cars in the summer. We used to go to Rocky
Point and to Providence. It was a thrill, stopping at every station.
I couldn’t wait for the open cars in the summer.”
One of the many attractions for both year round residents and many
“day-trippers” was the Conimicut Casino. In 1906, it
was a thriving enterprise enjoyed by young and old. The nostalgia
surrounding the casino has lived on long after the building was
demolished. For many, the memories of bowling and taking part in
other activities at this facility recapture the fun of rainy summer
days.
Conimicut during the early 20th century was, however, much more
than a place for summer pleasure. It was also beginning to develop
as a desirable place to work, worship and raise a family. Thanks
to the trolley, Conimicut now could be home to those who worked
in mills and offices as well as the more affluent members of society.
St. Benedict’s Church
As the trolley brought more and more Roman Catholics to the area,
the need for a Catholic Church became apparent. As a result, St.
Benedict’s Church was established by 1908. When the number
of parishioners grew, the church attained a significant role in
the growth of the village as the twentieth century progressed.
The early St. Benedict’s Church was housed in a small building
on Beach Avenue, not far from the railroad station and the post
office. At first, the congregation was small, patronized mainly
by summer visitors. The ability to work in Providence or elsewhere
soon saw more working families enjoying Conimicut as a suburban
community. Irish, Italian and French immigrants, once confined to
living in the mill villages, now found Conimicut more to their liking
and the number of Catholics attending St. Benedict’s Church
increased rapidly, creating a need for expansion and eventually
a new church. In the manner of the Woodbury Union Church, St. Benedicts’
became a vital part of community life and the center of activity
for many.
Conimicut Grammar School
Along with the influx of new residents came the necessity for schools.
The old Conimicut Grammar School which was where those who organized
the Woodbury Union Church met in 1906, soon became too small to
meet the new demands. Conimicut’s wood-framed schoolhouse
at 820 West Shore Road was Colonial Revival in style to keep in
accordance of the village’s heritage. The new residents of
the village were very pleased to find a well-built, functioning
schoolhouse in the center of the village but soon, that too was
inadequate to meet their needs. In 1925, according to the Rhode
Island Historical Preservation Commission Report K-W-1 (1981) Gothic
style wings were added to the Conimicut school.
During the 1920s it seemed that all children in Conimicut and the
surrounding area went to the same school, had the same teachers,
read the same books, engaged in the same activities and enjoyed
a common culture which carried them through the difficult times
of the Great Depression and World War II.
After World War II, Warwick’s population expanded once more
and Warwick embarked on a new style of building based on the concepts
of S. Wesley MacConnell, These were low-lying structures which were
functional and relatively inexpensive to build and maintain. MacDonnell
, and his associate, James Walker, built all the schools erected
from 1947 until 1958. With the coming of the automobile and school
busses, the old wooden building in Conimicut gave way to the more
modern schools and was no longer used for educating youngsters.
The building continued to function well into the late twentieth
century in another significant capacity. For many years, the building
served as a health center, dedicated to Dr. John Ferris, a much
beloved Warwick physician.
The
former Conimicut School at 821 West Shore Road in the heart
of the village as it looks today after remodeling and renovations
is now part of the Elizabeth Buffum Chace Center. Photo by Don D’Amato 2004 |
Today the building at 821 West Shore Road continues
in education and help of a different sort. It is now part of the
Elizabeth Buffum Chace Center, which will provide outreach services
and education for community residences and for victims of domestic
violence. The center was started by the Warwick Junior Women’s
Club in 1979 as a domestic abuse crisis hotline and opened a shelter
at the old Conimicut School in 1981. The organization is named in
honor of Elizabeth Buffum Chace, a 19th century crusader for human
rights and the abolition of slavery. Mrs. Chace (1806-1899) spoke
out against the political and social subjugation of women at a time
when those issues were extremely controversial. In March 2002, Rhode
Island recognized Elizabeth B.Chace’s contribution and erected
a statue in her honor at the State House.
Recently, the City of Warwick has donated the old Conimicut School
buildings to be utilized as a new center which will provide elder
services, support groups, court advocacy and individual and group
counseling. At the opening of the center, Mayor Scot Avedisian commented
that, “These issues and societal problems will not be swept
under the rug in our city. Our people look to one another with care
and concern.” These words mirror the feelings the Conimicut
School has inspired for many decades. Although it is used for a
different purpose, long time residents can continue to see the school
and indulge in a little nostalgia now and then.
Conimicut Point Park & Lighthouse
The Point at Conimicut , which is now the site of one of Warwick’s
loveliest parks, has always been an important part of Conimicut’s
history. It is believed that it was just south of the Point where,
in 1642/3 Samuel Gorton and his followers met with the Narragansett
sachem, Miantonomi, to purchase the area we today call Warwick,
West Warwick and Coventry. It was then called Shawomet and near
here was the first settlement. For much of the early Colonial Period,
the settlers kept their animals here to protest them from danger.
The Conimicut Shoals Lighthouse, built in 1869 to help aid boats in the dangerous waters between Rocky Point and Bristol, continues to be a visual delight for those viewing it from the park |
By 1858, the Conimicut Shoal was considered so dangerous
that a beacon was erected there to warn vessels of the sunken rocks
near the center of the bay between Rocky Point and Bristol. According
to A Brief History of Lifesaving Stations by Mildred Santille Longo,
this early warning device was washed away in 1860 and it was decided
in Congress that a more substantial beacon should be erected. In
1868 a beacon or lighthouse built of granite was erected and in
November of that year it was lighted. In the following year, Mrs.
Longo’s history tells us that Ferdinand Healey was appointed
lightkeeper. As there was no dwelling at the light, it seems that
Healey had to make a dangerous one-mile rowboat trip to tend the
light. To take care of this problem, a five-room house was built
on the pier at the light. Unfortunately, this dwelling had a very
short life as it was destroyed by heavy ice. The keeper at the time,
Horace Arnold, and his son barely escaped with their lives. For
a number of years, until 1890, the lighthouse keepers resided at
Nyatt Point and rowed out to the lighthouse.
In 1882, the old granite tower was torn down and the present day,
3 story, cast-iron lighthouse was built with a 58 foot tower and
rooms for a lighthouse keeper and his family. Until 1960, when the
Conimicut Light became the last house in the United States to be
electrified, the light was powered by kerosene. By 1966, the lighthouse
was fully automated and has continued to be an active U.S. Coast
Guard aid to navigation.
On September 29, 2004, the lighthouse was turned over to the City
of Warwick. The Coast Guard will still maintain the lighthouse,
but the City will have the opportunity to make it part of the Conimicut
Point Park attraction. As it will be difficult for all to get to
and view the lighthouse at the site, plans are being made to erect
a number of kiosks in the park to enable all to view the history
of the light and its interior via pictures.
This addition to the already beautiful park will make the 14 acre
site even more popular and will attract visitors all year round.
Ever since Conimicut Point was certified by the State of Rhode Island
as a public site, constant changes and improvements have been made.
In 1965, the state deeded the land to the city, which began work
in the late 1960s to extend the beach area. In the 1980s, a roadway
was added and the park was made easily accessible to all who want
to enjoy the bay whether it be for bathing, fishing or just relaxing
and enjoying the fresh sea breezes. Conimicut Point Park is one
of Warwick’s most treasured summertime recreation areas. Residents
and visitors from eight to eighty and beyond can and do come and
enjoy this beautiful seaside facility.
The Conimicut Improvement Association
Thanks to many inspired Conimicut residents and sympathetic city
administrations over the years, Conimicut has been one of the areas
that has undergone a great renaissance since the 1980s. Much of
this has been due to the hard work of members of the Conimicut Improvement
Association. Led by the Rev. William G. Lover of the Woodbury Union
Church, the Association was formed in December 1984 with the goal
to improve the social, economic and environmental qualities of life
in the village. Many of its goals have been met in partnership with
the City of Warwick’s Office of Community Development. The
village has seen new sidewalks, tree plantings, 19th century street
lighting, logo street signs and many other positive accomplishments.
Today, Conimicut still retains the features that attracted many
to ride the trolley line in the early 20th century and has other
newer attractions as well.
One
of the major attractions in the City of Warwick is the Conimicut
Park and lighthouse. The lovely park has been a source of
pride for Conimicut residents. On September 29, 2004, the
ownership of the lighthouse was conveyed to the City of Warwick.
T. Daniel Smith, of the Department of the Interior, and Stephen
A. Perry, GSA administrator officially conveyed the lighthouse
to Mayor Scott Avedisian and Council President Joseph Solomon.
Now that the city owns the lighthouse, more attractions, such
as kiosks telling the story of the lighthouse, will be added
for historical interest. Photo by Don D’Amato 2004 |