What is now the South Street Landing, which we see from the Pedestrian Bridge at the beginning of our walking tour, started out as the Narragansett Electric Company Power Station. It was built between 1912-1952, and burned coal to provide electric power for Providence. It was gradually replaced by the nearby Manchester Street Station and…
On WaterFire Saturdays, you can see the volunteers and vendors setting up for the evening’s festivities. Many roads are blocked, tables are set with linens for special events, music is being tested, and wood for the fires in the river is being dumped, corralled, marshaled onto boats, and delivered to the braziers and storage areas.…
Providence became an international shipping port fairly early in its history, although that trade was severely curtailed during the Revolutionary War. After the war, however, Providence merchants once again took up international commerce, this time venturing to Asia which they had not previously been allowed to do by the British. The China Trade brought a…
The city of Providence first developed in 1636 on the east side of the river, along what we now know as North and South Main Streets. The west side of the river was used for cattle grazing, and other agricultural uses, and could be forded at low tide until a permanent bridge was built in…
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Hi, I’m Cathy. In addition to the walking tours, I’m happy to share some observations about Providence history here—especially about places we’ll see or history we’ll hear about on a walking tour!
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Providence on Foot