DOWNTOWN PAWTUCKET HISTORIC WALKING TOUR 1) Blackstone Valley Visitor settle the boundary dispute with and establish a forge along the river. On Center, former Peerless Building Massachusetts, and in 1734, he became October 10, 1671 he purchased sixty (1973) Judge of the Court of Common Pleas. acres of land on the west side of Pawtucket Falls, and Pawtucket’s 175 Main Street Cross Main Street to East Avenue. Walk development as an industrial community down East Avenue. began. This transaction marks the On this location originally stood the establishment of the first permanent home of Judge William Jenks (ca. 1675- 2) McHale Building (1947) settlement of Pawtucket. Jenks 1765), built late 17th century. It stood 34 East Avenue employed and trained blacksmiths and until being demolished around 1830, as other iron workers, for the task of Main Street Square began to change “building Pawtucket on a cornerstone of from a residential area to a commercial A 2-story, brick commercial building with a concrete cornice (ornamental iron.” The fields of Pawtucket were business district. mowed by the new kind of scythe By the early 1970s this site was a molding along top) and the date “1947” centered over the facade that replaced patented by his father and at his forge, vacant lot, until a Peerless department hatchets and other domestic iron store was constructed here in 1973. The two late 19th century industrial/commercial buildings, one implements needed in the households of Peerless Company, which had been in Providence Plantations were made. operation on Main Street since 1937, called the Jenks Building. The first occupants of the McHale Building, Later, Jenks built a sawmill, a carpenter erected a new “modern” two-story shop, an iron furnace and foundry. building at this location to relocate its constructed 1947, included Bob Gray’s Tog Shop, Tapp Hamilton Company, the Timber was cut from the forest and Pawtucket department store. The made into lumber at the mill to build Peerless Department store opened on E.L. Freeman Company, and the Prudential Insurance Company of homes for the new settlers. Joseph April 29, 1973 and remained in operation Jenks Jr. was a real pioneer with the until 1990. Following a couple years America on the ground floor, with real estate and law offices on the second courage and foresight to overcome the vacancy, this building was purchased by many hardships of those early years. the Pawtucket Redevelopment Agency, floor. This property has been placed on the National Register of Historic Places, However, soon after founding his little who, along with the City of Pawtucket settlement, it was burned to the ground agreed on a plan to renovate the and currently remains in commercial use. in 1675 during King Philip’s War, which obsolete department store into first-class broke out as a result of hostilities office space and a new visitor center for 3) Former site of Joseph Jenks, between the Wampanoags and English the Blackstone River Valley National colonists in the southeastern New Jr. House (1671)/Pawtucket Boys Heritage Corridor. A design competition England region. Fortunately the Jenks for renovating the exterior was held and Club (1902) settlement had been warned that the the architecture firm of Robinson Green 53 East Avenue Wampanoags were on the warpath Beretta was selected for their innovative seeking revenge for the white man’s plan. In 1995, the complete renovation of A plaque was placed on the front of appropriation of their land, and most of the building’s interior and exterior was the Pawtucket Boys Club Building by the people had fled to the colony of completed. It was renamed the “The Citizens of Pawtucket” that Rhode Island (Aquidneck Island) for “Benjamin C. Chester Building,” in honor commemorates the approximate spot safety. Many colonial towns were either of the long-serving chairman of the where Joseph Jenks Jr. (1632-1717) wholly or partly destroyed during this Pawtucket Redevelopment Agency, and built the first house in what would war, which ended in 1676. Jenks and the in 1998, the Blackstone Valley Visitor become Pawtucket. It was near this little band of settlers returned and rebuilt Center officially opened on the first floor building that Joseph Jenks Jr. their settlement following the war, and of this building, along with the constructed his home and started a soon there was a small village clustered Blackstone Valley Tourism Council and settlement in 1671. Jenks, a skilled near the Pawtucket Falls. Despite the the Slater Mill gift shop. There is also an ironworker, came here with his wife and small size of the village it became an art gallery and theater on the first floor of young family, drawn to Pawtucket from important center for iron products such this building, with office space on the Warwick by the possibilities of as farm tools and house wares that were second floor. For more information on harnessing the Pawtucket Falls on the vital to the survival of early settlers. the Blackstone Valley Visitor Center, Blackstone River to run a forge. During When Joseph Jenks, Jr died in 1717, the please visit: this time, this area was the northern nucleus of an industrial village had been http://www.tourblackstone.com/visitorcen boundary of Roger Williams’ settlement permanently established on the western ter.htm of Providence and a quiet wilderness bank of the Blackstone River at Note: Judge William Jenks was with fertile meadows. Prior to Jenks, Pawtucket Falls. Today, no trace of the one of four sons of Pawtucket's founder, some farmers from Providence Joseph Jenks, Jr. House survives. Joseph Jenks Jr. In addition to serving cultivated the meadows on the western The current building, now on the as the chief Justice of Providence side, but never permanently settled. With National Register of Historic Places, was County Court and Deputy to the a readily available supply of timber and completed in 1902 for the Pawtucket Assembly at Newport 1727, William nearby bog iron ore it was the ideal Boys Club, an organization founded in Jenks was also on the commission to place for Jenks to build his settlement 1900 by local industrialist Col. Lyman

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Bullock Goff (1841-1927) in memory of Furniture Company, which had been spans of approximately 40 feet. Railed his son Lyman T. Goff (who died that established on Main Street in 1938, walkways are projected on iron brackets year at the age of 32) “for the purpose of relocated to this building in 1967, and as from both sides of the bridge. promoting moral, social, physical, and part of mid-late 20th century alterations Discernible alterations of the original intellectual improvement of the boys and to the building, added the deep metal structure are the present asphalt paving youth of Pawtucket and vicinity.” This and plastic sign band above the of the roadway, and the reinforced building originally contained a library, storefront that says “Adams Furniture.” concrete sheathing over the footings of games room, three bowling alleys, a They were the sole surviving furniture the river piers. In 1985, the bridge deck swimming pool, a large auditorium with store on East Avenue until closing in was widened by the Department of seating for 800 and a motion picture 2013. Property has been placed on the Transportation to accommodate a jersey projection room, as well as classrooms, National Register of Historic Places. barrier for protection of pedestrians, and exercise rooms, and music practice the wooden walkways and cast railings rooms. While membership was offered Across from Adams Furniture take stairs were faithfully reproduced. The Division to all, the Pawtucket Boys Club was down to Roosevelt Avenue Extension. Street Bridge has been placed on the specifically established to benefit Cross street and go right to small park National Register of Historic Places and underprivileged boys, and was one of across from Jenks Way. remains the largest and most impressive the first such recreation centers for 19th century highway bridge in Rhode urban boys in the country. Aside from Island. standing on the former site of the Jenks 5) View of the Division Street House, this red brick, vaguely Georgian Bridge (1875-1877) Go left (facing river) on Roosevelt Revival clubhouse replaced a late 19th Roosevelt Avenue Extension Avenue Extension to next site. century commercial building, that had and Jenks Way itself replaced an earlier dwelling. The facade of the Boys Club has a slightly 6) Bridge Mill Power Plant (1893- projecting center pavilion with Doric Looking downriver (to the right) offers a view of the Division Street 1894) columns surrounding the main entrance. 25 Roosevelt Avenue Extension Above the entryway a wrought iron Bridge, visible just below the newly balcony protrudes from the front of the reconstructed I-95 Pawtucket River The Bridge Mill Power Plant was building. The archway behind the Bridge (officially completed and built in 1893-1894 on the western bank balcony is flanked by pairs of Corinthian- dedicated in 2013). The Division Street of the Pawtucket River just below the capped brick pilasters supporting a brick Bridge is a nine-arch, stone and brick falls, constructed over what was once and stone entablature above, with highway bridge approximately 425 feet known as “The Fishing Rock,” a popular “Pawtucket Boys Club” in applied metal long between abutments, approximately spot for Native Americans and early lettering. The Pawtucket Boys Club 45 feet in height. It is the finest and settlers to fish. (A portion of this rock is operated from this location for many longest stone-arch highway bridge in still visible beneath the plant by the years, but today this building stands Rhode Island and was erected 1875- river’s edge.) vacant. 1877 to link the two rapidly growing Shortly after its completion, the neighborhoods then developing along Bridge Mill Power Company which had the banks of the Pawtucket River which built the plant, was merged into the 4) Costello Brothers Inc. later had belonged to separate towns, and even to separate states in earlier years. Pawtucket Electric Lighting Company Adams Furniture (1921) In 1874 the west village of Pawtucket, (owned by the Pawtucket Gas 65 East Avenue then still the easternmost section of Company) to form the new Pawtucket North Providence, was merged with the Electric Company. The electricity Costello Brothers Incorporated, a Town of Pawtucket, creating a single generated by this new water-powered wholesale tobacconist and confectionery municipality. Politically united, rapidly station was then used to augment the previously located on North Main Street, growing and enjoying a period of general production of the Electric Lighting constructed this two-story, red brick prosperity, Pawtucket in the years after Company’s older, steam-fired plant commercial building with a single Art- 1874 carried out an ambitious expansion located a half-mile further south. An Deco style storefront in 1921. This of city services including the construction electric generating plant which could be building replaced a much smaller two- of a new highway bridge across the powered by either steam or water, the story commercial structure that was built Pawtucket River at Division Street. This plant was considered a civic around 1884. Costello Bros. remained in project was authorized by vote of the improvement for the City of Pawtucket. business here until 1937, with the town meeting on March 1, 1875, and the Electricity was generated at the Bridge Brunswick Bowling Alley also occupying Division Street Bridge was completed in Mill Power Plant until a period of space during the 1930s. Costello Bros.' 1877 at a cost of $95,000. inactivity in the 1960s, when the station successor in this building was the Smith- The bridge’s nine segmental remained unused. During the 1970s, Harriet Furniture Company, one of arches have an approximate 50-foot new equipment was installed by the several furniture stores on this end of span, and the six shore arches (4 on the Blackstone Valley Electric Company and East Avenue in the 1930s-1950s. Adams western bank, 2 on the eastern) have the plant reactivated. Architecturally, the

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Bridge Mill Power Plant is perhaps the specializing in ships’ anchors, firearms, the current site of the Ann & Hope Mill in finest 19th century example of this and assorted tools, and household the Lonsdale area of Cumberland. The building type remaining in Rhode Island implements, in addition to, equipment for Providence town records of 1671 have a and is one of the earliest surviving hunters, fishermen, farmers, and other reference concerning “Mr. Blackstone’s electric-power plants in the state. Today, local residents. The Jenks’ success river;” the first time the name of the river National Grid operates one of their attracted more settlement to Pawtucket, as such was recorded.(Blackstone was substations from this building, which has as well as industrial development on also the first European to settle in been placed on the National Register of both sides of the river that included saw Boston, where he arrived in 1625, living Historic Places. mills, grist mills, oil mills, potash alone on what would become Boston manufacture, and shipyards. Common and Beacon Hill.) In parking lot adjacent to left side of Note: A dam was built by the The Blackstone River has Bridge Mill Power Plant, look left over Jenks’ in the 1670s on the top edge of been a factor of tremendous importance wall for a view of Pawtucket Falls Pawtucket Falls, now known as the in the development of Pawtucket. Since cascading under the Main Street Bridge. lower dam, to funnel water toward their long before the arrival of European forge on the west side of the river below settlers, the Blackstone was an obstacle the falls. The lower dam, in a “U” shape, to overland travel and thus funneled 7) Site of the Jenks Forge has been rebuilt several times according traffic over the fords, and later bridges, (Pawtucket Falls) to the needs of nearby mills. It was at Pawtucket Falls. This resulted in revamped in the late 20th century by Pawtucket being a node of major Looking to the left, as the Blackstone Electric Company to transportation network for hundreds, Blackstone River flows over Pawtucket reactivate the Bridge Mill Power Plant. perhaps thousands, of years. In addition, Falls, the river changes names to the the Blackstone’s 50 foot drop in its last Pawtucket River becoming tidal as it Walk back to Roosevelt Ave. Extension two miles takes place in Pawtucket, continues toward Narragansett Bay. This and turn right toward Main Street. Once representing a considerable amount of was once a focal point of Native at intersection of Main and Roosevelt, potentially usable power, first harnessed American activity, who called this place take right over Main Street Bridge, turn during the 1670s by Joseph Jenks, Jr., a "pawtucket," the Algonquin word for left and enter park along the river. pioneer ironworker and Pawtucket’s “place of rushing waters” or “river fall.” It founder. In 1790 this water power drove was here that major overland trails Almy, Brown and Slater’s completed converged and the river could be 8) View of Blackstone River Arkwright cotton spinning machinery, an crossed in the shallows both above and event which marked the opening of below the falls. This was also an ideal This location offers an iconic view of the America’s Industrial Revolution. Looking spot to catch salmon, shad and alewives Blackstone River as it flows through upriver to the right offers a view of the which seasonally ran up the river. Historic Pawtucket. The Blackstone river as it flows over the upper dam built From early times Pawtucket Falls River is formed at the confluence of the for Samuel Slater to power his spinning was a strategic place-as the water level Middle River and Mill Brook in mill. Oziel Wilkinson oversaw drops 25 feet the falling water creates a Worcester, MA and flows southeast for construction of Slater’s dam, which was natural source of power. When Joseph 46 miles to Pawtucket, Rhode Island. completed in November 1792 spanning Jenks, Jr. (1632-1717), a skilled Looking to the left, the Blackstone the entire 185-foot width of the ironworker, arrived here in 1671, he comes to an end as it passes under the Blackstone River. The dam ensured a expressly intended to use the water Main Street Bridge and flows over large, consistent seven foot fall of water power of Pawtucket Falls for Pawtucket Falls, where it becomes to turn the mill’s water wheel. manufacturing, and it was at this location known as the Pawtucket River. The The water power of the Blackstone below the falls that Jenks built his forge original Native American name for the made Pawtucket an early industrial and Pawtucket's development as an Blackstone was the “Kittacuck”, meaning community, and was the reason for this industrial community began. On October “the great tidal river,” a plentiful spot to area becoming one of the most compact 10, 1671, Joseph Jenks, Jr. purchased catch salmon and lamprey in pre- industrial corridors in the Northeast. The sixty acres of land on the west side of colonial and colonial times. The river got success of the Slater Mill began the the Blackstone, marking the its current name from the first colonial transformation of America from farm to establishment of the first permanent settler in the valley, Reverend William factory, inspiring other entrepreneurs to settlement of Pawtucket. The iron ore for Blackstone (1595-1675), who in 1635 build their own mills throughout the his forge was dug from bogs near rode down from Massachusetts to Blackstone Valley and eventually Mineral Springs and cast into the Rhode Island on a bridled bull. throughout New England and the rest of necessary tools. The original Jenks Blackstone was the first European to the country, making this location on the forge was burned by the Wampanoags settle in what is today Rhode Island, a Blackstone River the “Birthplace of the in 1676 during King Philip's War, but was year prior to Roger Williams’ arrival and American Industrial Revolution.” By 1880 immediately rebuilt following the war. establishment of a colony in Providence. the Blackstone was considered “the This ironworks became a successful, Blackstone's home, which he called hardest working river,” as well as the multi-generational family business, "Study Hill," and his farm were located at most thoroughly exploited and polluted rivers in America. Cleanup efforts since

Updated Nov. 2013 | ExperiencePawtucket.org | Walking Tour is a joint project of the Pawtucket Foundation & Preservation Society of Pawtucket 3 DOWNTOWN PAWTUCKET HISTORIC WALKING TOUR the 1970s have improved the health of communities where they were placed. structure beneath. The footings used for the Blackstone River, although it is still They were ridiculed, reviled and in some the arches of the Main Street Bridge are threatened by industrial and increasingly cases, demolished by angry crowds. The the outcropping of rocks that form the residential pollution sources. Pawtucket fountain was originally natural waterfall known as Pawtucket erected at its current location in the heart Falls, which flows under the bridge. Exit park, take right on Main Street to of downtown, but due to its unpopularity, Note: The Main Street Bridge has corner of Main Street and Roosevelt Pawtucket’s City Council banished it to been placed on the National Register of Avenue. Oak Grove Cemetery shortly after being Historic Places, and was dedicated the built. Then in 1904, the Cogswell Sri Chinmoy Peace Bridge in 1989 by Fountain was moved to the entrance of Pawtucket Mayor Brian Sarault as the 9) Cogswell Fountain (1880) Slater Park on Newport Avenue, where it 3rd dedication of over 1000 Sri Chinmoy Corner of Main Street and stood until 1990. Finally in 1991, as part Peace Blossoms around the world. Sri Roosevelt Avenue of a facelift to the Blackstone River Chinmoy (1931-2007) was an Indian waterfront carried out by the City, it was spiritual teacher and philosopher who

restored and returned to its original site emigrated to the U.S. in 1964, and The Cogswell Fountain is a 20-foot at the corner of Roosevelt Avenue and dedicated his life in the service of granite monument with a heron set on Main Street. A new heron statue had to humanity, perhaps best known for top that was donated to the City of be purchased and fortified to the top of holding public events on the theme of Pawtucket in 1880 by Dr. Henry the fountain because the original one inner peace and world harmony. Since Cogswell (1820-1900), a prominent had been lost during the hurricane of 1986, many significant landmarks philanthropist from Connecticut who 1938, which blew through Rhode Island around the globe, from natural wonders made a fortune during the California with devastating force. This fountain, as to entire nations, have been dedicated to Gold Rush. Cogswell was also an well as other temperance monuments peace as part of the Sri Chinmoy Peace- advocate for the temperance movement, remaining around the country are relics Blossoms program. The Main Street a campaign for total abstinence from of a movement that swept the nation Bridge is joined by Niagara Falls, the Taj alcohol in this country led by crusaders beginning in the early 1800s that Mahal, 13 nations, the state of RI, and who blamed drunkenness for poverty, ultimately resulted in passage of the 34 Rhode Island towns & cities including crime, wife-beating and other social ills. 18th Amendment to the Constitution Pawtucket, which was dedicated a Sri The temperance movement began in the establishing Prohibition in the U.S., Chinmoy Peace City in 1993 by Mayor U.S. in 1826 when the American which became effective on January 17, Robert Metivier. The bridge was Temperance Society was founded, 1920. rededicated in 2001 by Mayor James E. followed by many other organizations, Doyle. with the goal of making alcohol illegal. Walk into park - go to wall and look right Dr. Cogswell planned to erect 50 for next site. Pawtucket Falls flowing under Main temperance fountains in various parts of Street Bridge (1910) the country, and he dreamed of building one for every 100 taverns. A directory of Walk into park along river. this period listed 140 saloons in 10) The Main Street Bridge

Pawtucket. Starting this project in 1878, (1858) he managed to put up fountains in Corner of Main Street and 11) Hodgson Park (1969) Boston, Washington, D.C., San Roosevelt Avenue Francisco, Rockville, Connecticut, and (Sargent's Trench) the one here in Pawtucket, among other The Main Street Bridge, called Roosevelt Avenue locations. The premise behind the "The New Stone Bridge," was built in fountains was that the availability of cool 1858 as the last in a series of five Located next to the Slater Mill drinking water would make alcohol less bridges constructed to span the Historic Site along the Blackstone River, tempting. Some of Cogswell’s fountains Blackstone River at this point, with the Hodgson Rotary Park was donated to were capped with statues of himself first being erected in 1713. This double- the Old Slater Mill Association in 1969 holding a cup in one hand and a arched granite structure was the first as a gift from the Rotary Club of temperance leaflet in the other, while masonry bridge built at this location Pawtucket in celebration of the Rotary others were crowned with mythological following a long succession of wooden Club’s 50th anniversary in this city and in maidens dispensing water from a jug. A bridges. The Main Street Bridge was honor of Dr. Percy Hodgson (1901- heron statue stands atop the fountain in erected by Luther Kingsley, a Fall River 1986), a distinguished citizen and Pawtucket, as well as the one in mason, from the designs of Samuel B. Rotarian. This city park was refurbished Washington, D.C. Each side of this Cushing, a Providence engineer, and is and redesigned to provide a better view monument has inscriptions and carvings believed to be the earliest highway of the river as part of the City of of animals, as well as water basins for bridge surviving in Rhode Island. Pawtucket’s efforts to revamp the the original fountain. Widened twice in the 20th century, the waterfront along Roosevelt Avenue in Cogswell’s temperance fountains bridge now carries a modern deck and the early 1990s. This also included were not well received in the road bed, hiding the original stone landscaping the front of the city hall

Updated Nov. 2013 | ExperiencePawtucket.org | Walking Tour is a joint project of the Pawtucket Foundation & Preservation Society of Pawtucket 4 DOWNTOWN PAWTUCKET HISTORIC WALKING TOUR property and the addition of an privileges between mill owners at when the British lost control of the amphitheater and memorial at Veteran’s Pawtucket Falls and those on the trench. American colonies in the Revolutionary Memorial Park. Court cases concerning water rights War, they tried to prevent the export of Hodgson Rotary Park offers an ensued, many of which were never their latest technology and skilled urban perspective from a different resolved. On a positive note, the technicians to the new nation, both of century, affording a view of the Old Sargent’s Trench cases produced a which had made England the world’s Slater Mill, Wilkinson Mill, and the great deal of testimony of many older first industrial power. In this climate, Sylvanus Brown House, as well as citizens, which was recorded and Samuel Slater, an ambitious textile Pawtucket City Hall and the Blackstone provides us today with an excellent worker from Belper, Derbyshire, River as it flows over Slater Dam (Upper resource for understanding Pawtucket’s England, who had risen to the position of Dam) before coursing to Pawtucket Falls past. Currently, Sargent’s Trench still overseer of machinery and mill under the Main Street Bridge. exists but runs underground through construction, decided to secretly leave Note: In honor of the Rotary pipes beneath the streets and Hodson for America in November 1789. After International’s Centennial Celebration of Rotary Park. disappointment in New York City, Slater 2004-2005, the Rotary Club of At the end of Hodgson Park behind came to Pawtucket in January 1790 with Pawtucket funded the illumination of Wilkinson Mill stands a steel sculpture the designs of the Arkwright system Slater Dam, which can still be witnessed 22 feet tall and weighing approximately etched into his memory and instantly after sundown. 2,000 pounds, known as “The Bobbin,” began work on Moses Brown’s Hodgson Rotary Park was once the which was installed on December 16, machinery. In the rented space of location of a waterway known as 2011. This colorful sculpture, painted Ezekiel Carpenter’s fulling mill, Slater Sargent’s Trench, which was cut in 1714 turquoise with a red ball on top, was worked alongside Pawtucket artisans as a fishway around Pawtucket Falls to created by Pawtucket-based artist and mechanics, such as Sylvanus facilitate salmon and shad migration up Donald Gerola as an integral part of his Brown and David and Oziel Wilkinson, the river to spawn. Farmers and “Weaving the Blackstone” exhibit that as well as ten children. Over the next fishermen fought development of the featured fibers stretched across the river eleven months they transformed Moses waterway but eventually lost out to the to the opposite bank in a geometric Brown’s machinery into a workable industrial interests. The trench began a celebration of the city’s historic role in Arkwright system. On December 20, short distance above the falls on land, fibers manufacturing, while also 1790, Slater commenced spinning cotton now part of Hodgson Rotary Park, then symbolically linking past and present. yarn full time and the industrial age was curved westward to approximately the This exhibit was believed to be the first underway. Providence investors and entrance to the Visitor Center at the time a river in the United States had merchants Moses Brown, Smith Brown, corner of Main Street and Roosevelt been “woven” by an artist. The Bobbin and William Almy financially supported Avenue, crossed Main Street and still stands, as well as another massive Slater, and in 1793, they built the first continued 100 feet or so in a southerly steel sculpture on the opposite bank of water-powered, cotton spinning factory direction before arching its way around the Blackstone, titled the “Wind Rotor,” in North America at this location. to a point below the falls, returning to the which Gerola loaned to the city in 2007. The achievement of Samuel Slater, river at a spot early settlers called "Weaving the Blackstone" his investors, and the Pawtucket “Fishing Rock,” a portion of which is still mechanics and artisans who assisted visible beneath the Bridge Mill Power Continue to Slater Mill Historic Site. him, was of major importance to the Plant. Sargent’s Trench proved to be a newly independent nation, inspiring dismal failure as the anadromous fish of other entrepreneurs to build their own the Blackstone never used the trench. 12) Old Slater Mill (1793) mills, first throughout the Blackstone By the mid-1700s, forges and mills had 69 Roosevelt Ave Valley and then eventually all over New been built along and over the trench, England. Because of Slater Mill’s each using flowage from the stream as a The original Slater Mill, built in success, numerous other mills copied power source until at times there was 1793 for the firm of Almy, Brown and the architectural style, management not enough water power remaining for Slater, is the center section of the procedures, and use of women and the shops below. This caused serious current structure. Three years prior children as workers known as the Rhode conflicts among the villagers, further (1790), Samuel Slater (1768-1835) Island system of manufacture, created complicated by construction of Samuel arrived in Pawtucket where Providence by Slater to manage his operations. Slater’s Dam (the upper dam) further up industrialist Moses Brown (1738-1836) Now much altered, the Old Slater the river and the Great Flume, the power had been funding unsuccessful efforts to Mill as originally built was a 43’ x 29’ canal for Slater Mill. To ease protests set up cotton spinning machinery and two-and-a-half-story structure of timber from lower mill owners, the Swift Flume establish a cotton mill here. During this post-beam construction, representative was built in 1796 to connect the Great time, the manufacture of textiles was of the first period of factory building. Flume and Sargent’s Trench. However, When its demolition was threatened completely dominated by the British due th the outcome was a great deal of water to the development of the Arkwright early in the 20 century, a private group power being siphoned off the Blackstone system, a series of water-powered was formed to fight for its preservation, and into Sargent’s Trench, resulting in a machines for spinning cotton. However, known as the Old Slater Mill Association, long controversy over water rights and who succeeded in their efforts to buy the

Updated Nov. 2013 | ExperiencePawtucket.org | Walking Tour is a joint project of the Pawtucket Foundation & Preservation Society of Pawtucket 5 DOWNTOWN PAWTUCKET HISTORIC WALKING TOUR

Old Slater Mill. Organized in 1921 this addition, David cast the first carding and engineering - it was designated a association is one of the oldest spinning machines used by Slater, and National Historic Mechanical preservation groups in America, and the Oziel oversaw construction of the dam Engineering Landmark by the American very first to be concerned with industrial for Slater’s new mill. When Samuel Society of Mechanical Engineers history. Under their direction the mill was Slater arrived in Pawtucket in 1790, he (ASME) in 1977. Today the Wilkinson restored to its conjectured appearance boarded in Oziel’s house, and became Mill is part of the Slater Mill Historic Site, of about 1835. In 1955, the Old Slater close to his daughter, Hannah, who with the first floor containing an Mill Association set up within it one of ended up marrying Slater. operating machine shop, a tribute to the the finest museums of technology in Considered to be the “Father of the inventive genius of the Wilkinson family America. Designated a National Historic American Machine Tool Industry,” David located in the same space used by Landmark and nationally recognized as Wilkinson trained in his Pawtucket shop David Wilkinson. For information on the birthplace of the American Industrial most of the nation’s first generation of visiting and touring the Slater Mill Revolution, the Old Slater Mill is of great machine builders and laid the Historic Site: http://www.slatermill.org/ importance to the history of this country foundations for America’s modern and was the first property to be listed in machine-building industry in the 1790s the National Register of Historic Places by designing a screw-cutting lathe with a 14) Sylvanus Brown House when it was created in 1966. Renamed slide rest that allowed the tool to work at (1758) the Slater Mill Historic Site, this location a constant speed and guided the cutting 71 Roosevelt Ave was given status as a National Historic tool properly so that it produced an Landmark District consisting of Old accurate thread. He also built the steam Originally located on East Avenue Slater Mill, Wilkinson Mill, and the engine which supplemented the (previously Quaker Lane), this one and Sylvanus Brown House. For information Wilkinson Mill’s water power system, half story gambrel-roofed cottage with a on visiting and touring the Slater Mill making it one of the first steam powered summer kitchen below was built for Historic Site: http://www.slatermill.org/ textile mills in the country and the first in blacksmith Nathan Jenks, Sr. in 1758. Rhode Island. In 1817, Wilkinson Sylvanus Brown (1749-1824), a assembled the first successful power woodworker, pattern maker (of wood loom in Rhode Island, the “Scotch loom,” 13) Wilkinson Mill (1810) patterns from which machinery were from patterns supplied by its inventor, 67 Roosevelt Ave cast), millwright, and dam builder later David Gilmour. In combination with the became part owner and occupied the mechanized cotton picker, the power The 3 ½-story rubble-stone house between 1784 and 1824. It is loom made it possible for all the Wilkinson Mill, topped by a gable roof recorded that when Samuel Slater processes of cotton cloth production to with a trapdoor monitor, is characteristic arrived in Pawtucket in 1790, he spent be brought together in factories whose of the second generation of Rhode his first night in this house as a guest of size was no longer limited by the number Island textile mills and demonstrates the Sylvanus Brown. Along with David of cotton pickers and weavers on changes in mill design after twenty years Wilkinson and several other local skilled neighboring farms. The rise of great mill of industrial experience. Because of the mechanics, Brown worked closely with cities such as Lowell, Lawrence and highly combustible nature of cotton fiber, Samuel Slater to transform Moses Manchester were the direct result. In the exterior and bearing walls were built Brown’s collection of spinning frames addition, working with Elijah Ormsbee, of granite rubble rather than the timber- into a workable Arkwright system. He David Wilkinson built the first steamboat frame construction of earlier mills to made patterns for Samuel Slater’s early to come up the Pawtucket River, lessen the fire hazard. This building is textile machines and was instrumental in probably the first steamship in America. also larger than the earliest mills, the production of the first successful During a depression in the textile considerably taller and longer than the spinning factory in America under the industry in 1829, David Wilkinson was 1793 Slater Mill that stands to the rear. direction of Slater. Sylvanus Brown was forced to sell the mill and moved West. The Wilkinson Mill was built next to also a veteran of the American In subsequent years, the Wilkinson Mill Slater Mill in 1810 for machinist Oziel Revolution serving as master-at-arms on was used by various industries and Wilkinson (1744-1815) and his five sons Commodore Esek Hopkins’ ship during much altered during its active life, with as a combination spinning mill and the war. the brick exterior stair tower being added machine shop. The upper floors housed This house was moved to its at the western end around 1840. As part the spinning frames, and on the first floor present location in the 1960s and of the Slater Urban Renewal Project of was the machine shop for Oziel’s most thereafter restored and furnished as an the 1960s the building was acquired by gifted son, David Wilkinson (1771-1852), early 19th century artisan’s home. The the Pawtucket Redevelopment Agency, where mechanics built or repaired house is used to draw contrasts and and thereafter turned over to the Old whatever machinery the mill required. parallels between the life of a middle Slater Mill Association, who oversaw David and Oziel Wilkinson were class artisan family in the pre-industrial restorations to the mill. The Wilkinson instrumental to the success of Samuel age with life and work after the Industrial Mill has been placed on the National Slater in transforming Moses Brown’s Revolution. With the demonstration of Register of Historic Places and is one of machinery into the first successful water- hand spinning and weaving with flax and the most important landmarks in the powered textile machinery in 1790. In wool, the Brown House demonstrates history of American mechanical

Updated Nov. 2013 | ExperiencePawtucket.org | Walking Tour is a joint project of the Pawtucket Foundation & Preservation Society of Pawtucket 6 DOWNTOWN PAWTUCKET HISTORIC WALKING TOUR the shift from pre-industrial production of the new I-95 Pawtucket River Bridge, Corner of Roosevelt Avenue and textiles to industrial manufacturing. Now completed in 2013. Exchange Street part of the Slater Mill Historic Site, the The tower originally bore an elaborate Sylvanus Brown House is one of only cast-stone ornamentation of eagles Veteran's Memorial Park is located three dwellings remaining in Pawtucket leaned out from each corner, but these adjacent to Pawtucket City Hall at the built before the American Revolution. It were allowed to deteriorate and one intersection of Roosevelt Avenue and has been placed on the National corner eagle actually fell from the tower Exchange Streets. As part of the City of Register of Historic Places. For in 1974. In 2005, City Hall Tower was Pawtucket’s efforts to revamp the information on visiting and touring the restored to its original design, leaving waterfront along Roosevelt Avenue in Slater Mill Historic Site: out the corner eagles. the early 1990s, a Veterans Memorial http://www.slatermill.org/ The facade of Pawtucket City Hall’s monument dedicated to all Pawtucket The Sylvanus Brown House being main block is organized in a basically Veterans was constructed at the front driven down Main Street, Pawtucket on classical manner and includes a dozen corner of the park, and a 225 seat way to its new home at the Slater Mill cast-stone bas-relief panels located just amphitheater-bandstand was added in Historic Site. below the first-floor windows, which the rear. Today Veteran’s Memorial Park illustrate some of the people, buildings, is home to concerts, celebrations and Walk out to Roosevelt Avenue and go scenes, and events important to the other special events, and is also a place right to next site. city’s history. Going from left to right for visitors and residents to relax along (starting to the right of the Fire Station) the river. the panels depict: St. Mary’s Church, the At the corner of Veteran’s Memorial 15) Pawtucket City Hall (1933- First Forge, Pawtucket Falls in 1812, Old Park along Exchange Street just before 1935) Slater Mill, Joseph Jenks House, the bridge, the River and Fields at 137 Roosevelt Avenue Franklin D. Roosevelt, Pawtucket’s First Pawtucket historic marker was placed at Mayor (Frederic Sayles), Old Pidge this location on the western bank of the House, Town Hall, Main Street, First Pawtucket City Hall was Blackstone by the Colonial Dames of Railroad Station, First Baptist Church. constructed in the years 1933-1935 on Rhode Island. The sign marks one of the On each side of the stairs leading up to the western bank of the Blackstone bounds of Providence mentioned in the the main doorway, there are eagles River and is architecturally noteworthy deed granted to Roger Williams by sculpted in a manner to make them as an outstanding Rhode Island example Narragansett Chieftain Miantonomi, appear as if they are landing on the of the Art Deco style of the 1930s. This shortly after Williams arrived in 1636 and doorstep to city hall. The segments on prominent Pawtucket landmark is also founded his new colony of Providence each end of the main block of City Hall significant as an early example of the as a place unique in its commitment to house the Fire Department headquarters consolidated city hall, housing all city full liberty in religious beliefs. This deed on the northern wing and the Police department headquarters within a single granted Williams the use of certain Department Headquarters on the building. Replacing a much smaller City “meadows” up the stream of Pawtucket southern wing. Memorials dedicated to Hall on High Street, it was designed to for cow pasture, and established the the fallen Pawtucket Policemen and bring the city hall offices, the courthouse, northeastern boundary of his new Firemen stand near the front of each and the police and fire headquarters territory at “the river and fields of respective department. Pawtucket City under one roof. This consolidation was a Pawtucket,” probably referring to the Hall has been listed on the National novel idea at the time and is perhaps land bordering the western bank of the Register of Historic Places. Pawtucket symbolic of Mayor Thomas P. McCoy’s river, now known as the Blackstone. This City Hall website: (served 1937-1945) iron grip on virtually is the first mention of Pawtucket in http://www.pawtucketri.com/ all aspects of Pawtucket’s city recorded history, however, there is no Note: In front of City Hall is a time government in the 1930s. Under indication that Williams ever visited the capsule, placed here in 1986 during McCoy’s leadership, Pawtucket was one lands deeded to him in this area. Pawtucket’s Centennial Celebration. It is of the first American cities to benefit from planned to be opened in 2036, then the federal recovery programs initiated Walk back down Roosevelt Avenue to resealed and rededicated for by President Franklin Roosevelt during parking lot adjacent to Blackstone Valley Pawtucket's Bicentennial in 2086. the Great Depression. Visitor Center. Take stairway up to High

This building is composed of three Street and go right on High Street for Continue down Roosevelt Avenue to different segments: a four and half story next location. corner of Roosevelt and Exchange main block that rises into a 209 foot high Street. central tower and two shorter sections 17) New England Telephone & on each side. The landmark central Telegraph Building (1948;1972) tower is stepped back at the top and 85 High Street adorned with eagles stretched across its 16) Veteran's Memorial Park/River and Fields at face on each side, and is capped with a Founded in 1879, the Providence tomahawk weathervane. The eagles Pawtucket Marker Telephone Company opened a branch wings on City Hall inspired the design of office on Pawtucket’s Main Street the

Updated Nov. 2013 | ExperiencePawtucket.org | Walking Tour is a joint project of the Pawtucket Foundation & Preservation Society of Pawtucket 7 DOWNTOWN PAWTUCKET HISTORIC WALKING TOUR following year, before moving to 100 This 2 ½-story red brick, Colonial High Street in 1897 (now site of the Revival style commercial building with a 20) Pawtucket Progressive Salvation Army). By the late 1940s the large addition at the northwest corner Spiritualist Lyceum (1921) Providence Telephone Company had was constructed in 1914 on the location 9 Montgomery Street grown into a regional entity, constructing of an earlier wood-frame dwelling. It was this new branch office at 85 High Street built as the fourth Pawtucket location for Currently in use as studio and living in 1947, in conjunction with changing its the Providence Telephone Company space. This property has been listed on name to New England Telephone & (founded 1879). Fireproof construction the National Register of Historic Places. Telegraph Company. This structure, was utilized, including brick and terra which replaced three earlier wood-frame cotta walls, as well as concrete floors Continue to corner of Montgomery and dwellings, is a 3-story Colonial Revival and roof. The main entrance, on the east Exchange Streets. Next two sites are style commercial building with a 3-story facade (fronting High Street), has a located across Exchange Street to the addition built in 1972 at the rear heavy terra cotta surround with a right. northeast corner. The first floor is pediment and curved brackets. The finished in sandstone, with the upper cornice (decorative molding) is heavily floors of brick trimmed in sandstone, and ornamented with classical detailing, and 21) Graham Building (ca.1926- a facade that is divided vertically (by the first floor windows have splayed terra brick quoins). The main entrance to the cotta lintels and keystones, while the 1929) building is signified by a projecting second floor windows have terra cotta 58-64 Exchange Street middle bay that is capped by a pediment keystones. The Providence Telephone rising above the roofline. Above the Company remained at this location until The Graham Building is located to detailed sandstone surround of the main 1948, by which time its new office the right of the attached Veloria entryway, a sandstone bell sits as a relic building had been constructed across Apartments across Exchange Street. of the former Bell System. This was the the street at 85 High Street. After being This is a two-story red brick, commercial system of companies led by the Bell vacant for most of the 1950s, the building constructed with 3 storefronts, Telephone Company, and subsequently Salvation Army moved here in 1960, all of which were altered in the late 20th AT&T, that provided telephone services adding the lettering “Salvation Army” and century. "Graham Building" appears to much of the United States from 1877 the organization’s crest to the facade. above the central main entrance, which to 1984, operating at various times as a Today, the Salvation Army chapel and features a decorative cast stone monopoly. New England Telephone & office, as well as youth center occupy surround. The upper floors feature Telegraph Company, more commonly this building. This property has been decorative tapestry brick and cast stone known as New England Telephone, listed on the National Register of Historic detailing, including belt courses with served most of the New England area as Places. square and diamond ornamentation. A part of the original AT&T for seven one-story addition built in the late 20th decades. Following the breakup of the century is visible from Montgomery Bell System into independent companies 19) Monast Apartments (1927) Street. Prior to the Graham Building, 3 or by a 1984 United States Justice 110 High Street (corner of High & 4 wood frame structures stood from 1880-1923 on this site. While some were Department mandate, New England North Union Streets) Telephone merged with New York originally residences, all were in commercial use by 1923 with H.L. Telephone to form NYNEX. Bell Atlantic The Monast Apartments is a large, Graham & Sons operating a plumbing later acquired NYNEX in 1997, however, 3-story Colonial Revival style multi- business at one of these buildings New England Telephone retained its family residential building, with a roughly beginning in 1915. Construction on the original corporate name. In 2000, Bell H-shaped footprint constructed in 1927 current edifice began around 1926, Atlantic bought GTE (General Telephone using red brick. An elegant cornice when all of the previous businesses & Electronics Corporation) and changed wraps around the top of the building, except for H.L. Graham & Sons had its own name to Verizon. New England with the name “Monast Apartments” in vacated the premises, and was Telephone was then renamed Verizon applied copper lettering above the completed about 1929, when six other New England, Inc., which still uses this deeply recessed entrances of both street new businesses were listed at this building as one of its branch offices. This facades. The Monast Apartments first location. The Graham Building remains property has been listed on the National appeared in the 1927 directory with four in commercial use with retail space on Register of Historic Places. tenants listed. The following year, there the first floor, and has been listed on the were 12 residents, and soon all 24 National Register of Historic Places. apartments were fully occupied. This

18) Providence Telephone property has been listed on the National

Company Building, now Register of Historic Places. 22) Veloria Apartments (1928) Salvation Army Building (1914) 50-54 Exchange Street (corner of 102 High Street Take left on North Union, then take first right onto Montgomery Street. Exchange and Montgomery Streets)

Updated Nov. 2013 | ExperiencePawtucket.org | Walking Tour is a joint project of the Pawtucket Foundation & Preservation Society of Pawtucket 8 DOWNTOWN PAWTUCKET HISTORIC WALKING TOUR

At left is the 3-story, red brick now the Gerald S. Burns Library Annex. extensive cast-stone detail of a slightly Veloria Apartments building, originally Adorned with sandstone trim elements paler hue. The first floor level is treated designed for mixed use with 5 including ornamentally detailed panels, as an open, glazed storefront within a storefronts on the ground floor and this building is slightly V-shaped to rusticated, cast-stone enframement. The multiple dwelling units above. The upper accommodate the curve of the corner second floor level consists of floor length floors are designed with tapestry brick, and well set back from the street. A windows in a rusticated cast-stone and trimmed with brick and cast stone or broad flight of eight stone steps leads up enframement, each capped by a concrete elements. A belt course with to the pedimented front pavilion where projecting pediment (triangular diamond decorations is visible between “United States Post Office” in applied architectural element). Balconies along each floor, with similar diamonds in the gold lettering is situated above two the second floor level are each designed parapet (low wall along the edge of a freestanding Corinthian columns. Set with wrought iron railings and supported roof) at top of the Exchange Street back behind the columns is the main by a single, massive console. All the facade. During the late 20th century, the entrance, which has a surround of balconies are linked by a moulded string entire ground floor level was remodeled classically detailed sandstone along with course to form a continuous, undulating using different red brick on its walls. The the original molded wood paneling and line along the building’s facade. A broad rear of the building now has an overlay fanlight above the replacement metal- belt course with a running foliate design of aluminum siding, seen from the framed doors. The secondary entrances marks the level of the third floor, which is Montgomery Street elevation above a in each wing of the building also feature developed as a glazed loggia under slightly set-back 1-story red brick replacement metal-framed glass doors broad, bracketed overhangs. addition. A wood-frame dwelling with and retain their original woodwork and At the western end of the several additions originally stood at this classically detailed sandstone Exchange Street facade, there is a location, which was occupied by Xaviere surrounds. Like its predecessor, this slightly projecting hip-roofed tower that Bachand starting around 1915. Bachand post office is a notable architectural stands taller than the rest of the building, then moved his barber shop here from landmark on the Downtown Pawtucket because the added height softens the the Beswick Building during the 1920s. landscape. As the first post-1930 otherwise abrupt transition to the Times There were four commercial businesses building to appear in the downtown area, Building next door. This tower contains operating from Bachand’s house by the circumstances of its construction the entrance to the upper floors and in 1924, including his own shop. In 1928, during the Great Depression were due to addition to the second floor balcony, Bachand tore down his home and in its Pawtucket’s mayor, Thomas P. McCoy, there is a small, semi circular balcony at place built a lodging house called the taking advantage early of the federal the third floor level with the primary Veloria Apartments, changing the name government’s economic recovery ideals of the Elks scrolled on each side: in 1931 to the Veloria Hotel. Xaviere programs in an effort to stave off the Charity and Justice to the left, Brotherly Bachand continued to live and maintain city’s financial collapse. The result was Love and Fidelity to the right. Below the his barber shop here until his death, Pawtucket receiving not only a new post roofline of the entry tower is the figure of after which his widow Claudia Bachand office, but also a new City Hall, high an elk’s head. ran the hotel business until 1956. The school (Pawtucket West High School- The parent body of America’s local Veloria Hotel remained open for nearly now known as Shea), municipal stadium Elks lodges, the Benevolent and another decade, finally closing in 1965. (now McCoy Stadium), as well as a Protective Order of Elks, was founded This building has been listed on the filtration and water plant. This property 1868 in New York City by members of National Register of Historic Places and has been listed on the National Register the acting profession, and was initially remains in residential and commercial of Historic Places. only open to those in that field. By the use today, with the All Nations Revival 1880s, the order was opened up to Center occupying the first floor as of Cross Montgomery to traffic island, then members of other professions, and thus 2013. cross Exchange Street to opposite side. began a period of steady growth. Locally, the Pawtucket Lodge of Elks Take left to opposite corner of Exchange #920 was founded on June 10, 1904 and and Montgomery Streets. 24) Pawtucket Elks Lodge was one of perhaps a dozen or more Building (1926) fraternal organizations then active in the 27-37 Exchange Street city. The Elks held their meetings in 23) United States Post Office rented halls until purchasing their first (1933) The Pawtucket Elks Lodge permanent quarters on School Street in 40-42 Montgomery Street (corner of Building, listed on the National Register 1914. Membership increased over the Exchange & Montgomery Streets) of Historic Places, is a three-story next decade, moving the Elks to structure of irregular form remarkably construct a new Lodge building in 1926 on the corner of Exchange and This monumental, red brick and detailed in the Spanish Renaissance Montgomery Streets, site of the former sandstone Colonial Revival style civic Revival Style of the early 20th century. Briggs Block (razed in 1924). This new building with two wings is substantially The building’s distinctive wrap-around structure was unique among Rhode larger than Downtown Pawtucket’s facade is finished with buff tapestry brick Island Elks’ Lodges in that its first floor previous post office at 1 Summer Street, laid in Flemish bond, accented by was designed to be rented out as

Updated Nov. 2013 | ExperiencePawtucket.org | Walking Tour is a joint project of the Pawtucket Foundation & Preservation Society of Pawtucket 9 DOWNTOWN PAWTUCKET HISTORIC WALKING TOUR commercial space. The rental income aluminum-framed windows to the left of Beswick, widow of a saloon keeper and produced by this space turned out to be the single entrance dating from a 1960s brewer who lived on the opposite corner a boon during the lean years of the modernization. of Exchange and Summer Streets in the Great Depression, a time of serious The Pawtucket Times is the longest early 1890s. The original tenants are not financial trouble for fraternal running and most successful newspaper known, but in 1915 a liquor store, organizations when the Pawtucket Elks in Pawtucket’s history, founded by pharmacy, and barber were on the membership dropped significantly. This George O. Willard as an afternoon daily, ground floor, with offices for a dentist, a group eventually recovered, and by the known as The Evening Times, with the painter, a confectioner, and a real estate early 1950s the local lodge was reported first edition hitting the streets on the agent on the upper floors. The first floor to be the largest fraternal body in the afternoon of April 30, 1885. Five years storefronts of the Beswick Building, or Blackstone Valley area. The Elks Lodge later, David O. Black, manager of the “Beswick Block,” have been altered over Building is significant as one of three Providence Telegram, bought the Times, the years, with remodelings ca. 1920- important buildings in Pawtucket and quickly improved the paper and built 1930 and again mid-late 20th century. designed by famed Providence architect up its circulation. Originally located at The main entryway on the Exchange John F. O'Malley. (The other two are 170 Main Street, Black commissioned Street facade has a concrete surround Pawtucket City Hall and Pawtucket West this building in 1895 as the newspaper’s with a large, semicircular wood-framed High School-now Shea). It has the most new and permanent home. On March 1, projecting bay window (oriel window) distinguished facade of any downtown 1896, the first issue of the Times was above, where “Beswick Building” building of this period, and along with the published at this location. Following four appears in applied lettering. On the attached Pawtucket Times Building, the generations in the Black family, the Broad Street elevation, there is a large Elks Building forms one of the most newspaper was sold in 1957 to New rectangular oriel window with the date distinctive urban streetscapes in England Newspapers Inc., a forerunner “1891” in applied lettering. The upper Downtown Pawtucket. During the late of Ingersoll Publications. This company stories of this building are faced in brick 20th century, a landscaped planting bed was then purchased in 1989 by the with granite trim and a heavy bracketed was adopted in front of the Elks Building Journal Register Company. In 2007, a metal cornice (decorative molding). The memorializing deceased Elks members. new company, RISN (Rhode Island Beswick Building still commands the While the neon sign for Pawtucket’s Elks Suburban Newspapers), formed to intersection of Broad and Summer Lodge 920 is still attached above the purchase the Journal Register's Rhode Streets, but nowadays the urban square entryway, the Elks no longer occupy this Island properties, including The Times. which it originally fronted has building. However, the first floor remains This building is still used by the Times, disintegrated with the removal of the in use by several retail establishments. which maintains office space here, buildings that once defined its edges. although the newspaper is published Seen today out of context, the Beswick elsewhere. The Times Building and the Block stands alone on its corner as one 25) Pawtucket Times Building adjoining Pawtucket Elks Lodge Building of the few late 19th century business (1895) together constitute one of the most blocks surviving in downtown Pawtucket. 23 Exchange Street impressive urban streetscapes This building has been listed on the remaining in Pawtucket. National Register of Historic Places and Designed in the Colonial- Note: A Print Annex was added to remains in commercial use with the Romanesque Revival style, the 1895 the Times Building around 1922 for the News Cafe and Riverside Diner Pawtucket Times Building is a 5-story newspaper's Print Department. It occupying space on the first floor as of office building with an imposing facade extends from the rear of the Times 2013. that originally faced a bustling urban Building back to North Union and The Riverside Diner is notable for square, and has been placed on the Montgomery Streets. The Times Print appearing in the 1996 movie American National Register of Historic Places. All Annex also houses a garage and a Buffalo, filmed in several locations the exterior walls except the Exchange loading dock. around Pawtucket. Formerly called the Street facade are of red brick laid in red Times Square Restaurant, the Riverside mortar. The ground story of the Continue along Exchange Street and Diner was renamed to fit the script of Exchange Street facade includes granite cross Summer Street to corner of American Buffalo, and has retained that piers surrounding the windows and Exchange, Summer and Broad Streets. name since. Metal framing with an entrance, while the four floors above are elaborate neon marquee were applied to faced with yellow brick laid in yellow the facade of the diner for the movie, mortar. A pale buff limestone was used 26) Beswick Building (1891) giving it a mid 20th century look. This for trim on the middle three floors and a 1-3 Exchange Street (corner of remained on the building several years darker, orange-brown terra-cotta used Exchange, Summer, Broad Streets) after filming, but has since been for the columns and arches on the removed and the marquee replaced by a crowning fifth story. Some changes have This 3-story brick and granite Late simpler sign and wood paneling. been made over the years to the Victorian commercial building on a five- Another point of interest related to building’s facade, most notably the sided lot was constructed 1891 in the the filming of American Buffalo is the so- present arrangement of three large Queen Anne style in 1891 for Frances called Hollywood Walk of Fame - located on the sidewalk in front of the Beswick

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Building. In July 1995, on the eve of the Broad Street, and in 1921 the building store was first listed at this address in end of filming, the movie’s stars, Dustin was renamed “McDevitt’s Block.” This 1910, and by 1916, there was also a Hoffman, Dennis Franz, and Sean three story, red brick, triangular-shaped barber shop here, which persisted under Nelson, along with director Michael building was originally constructed in the various Italian operators through at least Corrente (born and raised in Pawtucket) Queen Anne style and included a 4-story 1949. In 1921, the Edle Cohen Furniture immortalized their handprints and corner tower at the intersection of Broad, store changed its name to the Slater signatures in wet cement at this location. Main, and North Union Streets in Trinity Furniture Company. Later businesses (Hoffman allegedly refused to put his Square. Built as a commercial block with here (through the 1980s) included a hand and footprints in cement outside 7 storefronts (all altered), a 1923 Art stationery store, a candy store, a photo Grauman’s Chinese Theater in Deco-style alteration removed the top supply shop, and a tailor. This building Hollywood, so Pawtucket is the only floor of the tower while the upper floors has been listed on the National Register place where you’ll find his prints.) Stars were refinished in concrete. of Historic Places, and as of 2013, the were carved around the handprints and This remodeling also introduced a first floor is occupied by a hair salon and signatures, with smaller bronze star concrete door surround at the Broad vacant retail space, and the second floor plaques placed next to each, all Street entrance to the upper floors and used for commercial retail space. surrounding a bronze buffalo in the added the name “McDevitt Building” to center. The date 7-10-95 was also the top of the tower as well as over the carved in cement here, but is barely Broad Street main entry. The lettering for 29) Morris Plan Company decipherable. “McDevitt’s” can still be seen on the tile Building, later Chamber of The optimistically named flooring outside two of the Broad Street Commerce Building (1924) Hollywood Walk of Fame is a memorial entryways, marking the location of the 29-33 Summer Street (corner of to the making of this single movie. former W.H. McDevitt clothing store. Summer and North Union Streets) Apparently, it was thought at the time Additional modifications in the late 20th that these would be the first in a long line century further altered the Broad and of celebrity visitors eager to put their North Union sides, and all that remains At right is the two-story yellow hands in cement here. Unfortunately, of the Queen Anne-styled Kinyon brick, V-shaped, Morris Plan Company over the years all of the bronze plaques Building is the detailed brickwork above Building, erected in 1924 on the site of a have been pried up except for the star the 3rd floor windows and the copper former 2 story wood frame dwelling. It is plaque for Dennis Franz and the buffalo cornice along the top of these two trimmed in concrete or cast stone as well at center. elevations. This building remains in as copper. A green marbled stone is commercial use, with a hair salon and a featured in the diamond details on the Walk down Broad Street to next location yoga studio occupying space on the first parapet (low protective wall along the at corner of Broad and North Union floor as of 2013. This property has been edge of roof). The Pawtucket branch of Streets. listed on the National Register of Historic the Morris Plan Company of R.I., a Places. financial services company involved with loans and investments, was originally 27) Kinyon’s Block, now Walk up North Union Street to located here, along with a dressmaker and a trucking business office. In 1925, McDevitt Building (1888) intersection with Summer Street. Look toward left for next two sites. there were six other tenants on both 9-27 Broad Street (Corner of Broad floors, in addition to the Morris Plan and North Union Streets) Company. From 1949-1970 the 28) Edle Cohen Furniture Pawtucket Business Chamber (later This corner of Trinity Square was known as the Pawtucket-Blackstone originally occupied by the Adams House Building (1910) Valley Chamber of Commerce) was (ca. 1830), which was moved to Summer 41-45 Summer Street located in this building. Somewhat Street around 1872 when a three-story altered in the mid-late 20th century, wooden building called the Adams Block The two-story, red brick “Tom’s Restaurant” is now lettered on took its place. The Adams Block was commercial building on left was built in two of the wooden sign bands above the replaced when Myron T. Kinyon, an 1910, originally constructed with 3 storefronts, and “Tom’s” on the sign insurance agent, had this building storefronts; altered into 2 storefronts band above the corner entryway. The constructed as an investment property. It mid-late 20th century. A rear ell was Morris Plan Company Building has been first appears in the 1888 directory as added to the structure at an unknown listed on the National Register of Historic “Kinyon’s Block,” and Kinyon himself had date. A sign band and a wood cornice Places, and is currently occupied by a an office in this building, along with other (molding) are situated above the hair salon and restaurant on the first tenants, including the YMCA on the storefronts, and the roof of the building floor (as of 2013), with commercial retail second floor. In 1914 the Kinyon’s features a large wood cornice. At the space on the second floor. Commercial School, founded by Myron’s western end of the facade is an entrance son, W. Hervey Kinyon, opened here. By to the upper floor, with a modern metal- Cross Summer Street to opposite corner 1915 the W.H. McDevitt clothing store framed glass door recessed into a metal- of Summer and North Union Streets. had moved into one of the storefronts on paneled opening. Edle Cohen’s furniture

Updated Nov. 2013 | ExperiencePawtucket.org | Walking Tour is a joint project of the Pawtucket Foundation & Preservation Society of Pawtucket 11 DOWNTOWN PAWTUCKET HISTORIC WALKING TOUR 30) Henry F. Arnold Livery 31) Young Men’s Christian swimming pool. At the southwest corner Stable, later Feldman Furniture Association Building (1905-1907, of the building is a large, modern Building (1892) additions 1966 and 1974) concrete enclosed loading dock that was added in 1974. Extensive renovations in 21-23 Summer Street(corner of 20 Summer Street the early 21st century were carried out Summer and North Union Streets) on the interior of this building, which is The Young Men’s Christian still home to the Pawtucket YMCA. The Henry F. Arnold Livery Stable Association was founded 1844 in is a three story red brick, very large and London with a mission to provide both irregularly massed Late Victorian style evangelical and educational services to 32) Deborah Cook Sayles Public commercial building with one storefront, young men employed in various built in 1892 for Henry F. Arnold. Also industries. The YMCA’s first American Library (1899-1902) known as the Summer Street Stables, branch was established 1851 in Boston, 13 Summer Street this was the Arnold family's second and by 1856 the national YMCA had stable and the largest of its kind in the grown significantly. This organization In 1898, Pawtucket’s first Mayor Frederic city. It housed 176 horse stalls on the promoted the spiritual, mental, and Clark Sayles (served 1886-1888) gave first floor, in addition to carriage and feed physical health of young men, this plot of land for the construction of a storage on the upper floors. The stable particularly those newly arrived in free public library. Prior to construction, was converted into a vehicular garage in industrialized urban areas by providing Sayles, who was also a leading 1921 by H.M. Arnold & Son Co., who temporary room and board, help with industrialist and philanthropist, traveled maintained a business here until 1940. finding a job and a place to live, spiritual to Europe seeking architectural After a few years standing vacant, sustenance, moral guidance and inspiration from Europe’s most majestic Feldman Furniture Co. moved to this opportunities for physical exercise and buildings. The library was dedicated on location in 1945, with retail space on social interaction. Pawtucket’s YMCA October 15, 1902 in memory of his late Summer Street and storage along the was founded in 1889 and originally wife, Deborah Cook Sayles, who had North Union side. At the corner of located on the 2nd floor of Kinyon’s died in 1895. Shortly after the Summer and North Union, a white- Block (9-27 Broad St). This building was dedication, Frederic Clark Sayles painted modern storefront was added on constructed 1905-1907 as the Pawtucket passed away. the first floor level that wraps around YMCA's new facility, with dormitories, a This facility was one of the first in both street facades, featuring a two story reading room, parlor, game room, the nation to provide open access to the neon “Feldman Furniture” sign above the swimming pool, gymnasium, and stacks, and to open on Sundays, old entryway for their retail store. bowling alley for members' use. affording mill workers the opportunity to The “bare bones” design of this The Pawtucket YMCA Building is a use the library on their one day off. building is distinguished by an massive four-story Georgian Revival Minerva Sanders, the first librarian, is idiosyncratic terra-cotta, inscribed panel institutional building that has been credited with making the library one of located between the second and third placed on the National Register of the first in the United States to serve story windows on the North Union Street Historic Places. It is composed of red children under the age of fourteen. facade, which reads: “How Do The brick on a granite foundation, with cream Listed on the National Register of Beasts Groan!”-a Biblical verse (Joel terra-cotta trim and ornamentation. The Historic Places, the Deborah Cook 1:18) particularly appropriate for a Summer Street (east) facade contains a Sayles Public Library is an impressive stable. Also on this elevation, ghosts of centered main entrance that is framed example of Classical Revival painted signs for “Arnold Garage” and within pairs of cast stone columns and architecture. Built of the finest white “Feldman Furniture” as well as two brick an entablature with carved lettering granite, it is indicative of the wealth and chimneys above the roofline are still reading “Young Men’s Christian civic-minded pride that prevailed at the visible. Additional painted Association.” A concrete wheelchair turn of the 20th century in Pawtucket. advertisements for the furniture store are ramp with decorative wrought iron railing The library was built to give the affixed to the opposite side of the leads up to the entryway. On this appearance of a Greek temple, featuring building, which can be viewed from the elevation, the window openings on the an extremely wide fleet of steps leading Pawtucket Library parking lot on first three floors have beveled cast stone from the street to the colonnaded Summer Street. Another notable feature lintels (a horizontal architectural member entrance pavilion with four fluted Ionic of this building is the cast-iron cornice supporting the weight above an opening, columns fronting the former grand (decorative molding) that runs around as a window or a door) with keystones, entryway. At the roofline stone lion-head the top of the structure. Feldman while the fourth floor openings have flat water spouts alternate with a banding of Furniture is no longer in operation; this cast stone lintels with keystones. The copper palmette ornamentation, and the building is currently used by Major Maple Street (south) facade repeats this tops and corners of the pediment are Electric for office space and storage. treatment, and also has a center distinguished by large carved acroteria This property has been listed on the entrance of cast stone surround with (shell-like or petal shaped architectural National Register of Historic Places. entablature. A large and unsympathetic ornaments). Along the front wings of the three-story brick and concrete addition to building above the windows there are six

the west elevation built in 1966 houses a white panels in high relief, which were

Updated Nov. 2013 | ExperiencePawtucket.org | Walking Tour is a joint project of the Pawtucket Foundation & Preservation Society of Pawtucket 12 DOWNTOWN PAWTUCKET HISTORIC WALKING TOUR executed by sculptor Lee Lawrie. These of the library. The Fairbrother family typically Beaux Arts fashion, this building panels represent the first commission of owned and operated a leather tanning was sited to command the view up High the German-born Lawrie who would go business which once stood at the end of Street from the commercial district. On on to fame as the sculptor of hundreds Leather Lane (just south of City Hall). axis with this vista is the tower at the of works around the world, most notably corner of High and Summer Streets as chief sculptor at Rockefeller Center, which signals the original entrance to the with his work including the giant “Atlas” 33) Old Pawtucket Post Office building and provides a central focus for and the god-like “Wisdom” over the main (1896-1897) the structure. Granite Doric columns entrance of that building. The panels on 1 Summer Street (Corner of supporting an entablature and two stone the Sayles library are divided into triads Summer and High Streets) American Eagles frame the former depicting scenes from the great ancient doorway of the tower. The ribbed copper and modern civilizations of the western dome atop the structure is supported on Completed on November 1, 1897, world. a copper-covered drum articulated with the Pawtucket Post Office was erected To the right of the entryway, from piers separated by Roman thermal by the federal government following right to left they are: (1) Egyptian; (2) windows, and capped by a small lantern- plans of William K. Aiken and James Greek, with three figures representing shaped cupola topped by a ball finial. As Knox Taylor, consecutive Supervising architecture, war and epic poetry; and originally constructed, the facade along Architects of the U.S. Treasury. At the (3) a combination of Roman and Hebraic Summer Street consisted of four window time of its construction, this new post civilizations centering on the theme of bays, while that on High Street was office was seen as an affirmation of law. composed of three arched units. In the prosperity and progress, and looked To the left of the entryway, from early 20th century, the building was upon as a symbol of the community's right to left, they are: (1) Italian, where extended 30 feet to the northwest along growing size and importance at the close Dante is leading a typical Medieval Summer Street and 25 feet to the of the 1800s. A century after the figure through the Inferno; (2) Anglo- northeast along High Street, equalizing industrial revolution in the United States Saxon, showing King Arthur and the two main facades in five arched bays began at Slater Mill, the city saw rapid Shakespeare as symbols of British each, with the ends of each side economic expansion in the textile power; and (3) Teutonic, represented by emphasized by slightly projecting industry, and by the end of the 19th a scene from the epic poem the pavilions containing a window with an century, Pawtucket residents were proud Nibelungenlied, in which Wotan (the elaborate surround. of their position as an industrial center of supreme god in Germanic mythology) This building served as national importance and eager to erect binds Brünnhilde in a magic sleep. Pawtucket’s downtown post office until a structures physically expressive of their (Translated as The Song of the new U.S. Post Office was constructed at prosperity. The post office was national Nibelungs, the Nibelungenlied is an epic 40-42 Montgomery Street in 1933. It was recognition by the federal government poem in Middle High German based on later acquired by the City of Pawtucket for a community that had grown quickly pre-Christian Germanic heroic motifs.) and served as the Municipal Welfare and was gradually evolving a self image. All of these phases are preambles to Building until 1967. In 1981, the Old Post Built of red brick on a granite modern democratic civilization which the Office building was renovated and pedestal, this tall, wedge-shaped Sayles Library as a whole was meant to connected with the Deborah Cook building with central domed tower and symbolize and foster. Sayles Memorial Library next door and copper-trimmed slate mansard roof (a In 1981, a one story beige brick newly dedicated as the Gerald S. Burns roof having two slopes on all sides with and concrete addition was constructed Annex to the Pawtucket Public Library. the lower slope steeper than the upper between the library and the adjacent Old The original corner entrance has since one) stands as an excellent example of Pawtucket Post Office (rededicated the been infilled with a concrete panel and the architectural environment of the Gerald S. Burns Annex) combining the metal-framed, single-light window, 1890s, and the early 20th century, that two buildings into a single, enlarged matching other replacement windows reflected the enthusiasm for library facility now known as the and doors throughout the building. The Renaissance classicism and Pawtucket Public Library. In May 2013, words “Public Library” are now affixed on monumental urban planning popularized the Elizabeth J. Johnson Pawtucket the entablature above the former by the Chicago World’s Columbian History Research Center was opened at entryway. Despite these alterations, the Exposition of 1893. Emphasizing the the library, which consists of an exterior of the Old Pawtucket Post Office principles of design learned by American extraordinary and unique collection of retains its original character and remains architects at the Ecole des Beaux Arts in materials vital to Pawtucket’s history a key visual landmark, prominently sited Paris, the buildings of the Columbian gathered by Elizabeth (Betty) Johnson in the center of the city. This property Exposition introduced Americans to the during her lifetime. For more information has been listed on the National Register world of symmetry, axial planning and about the library: of Historic Places, and stands as the the classical forms of the Beaux Arts http://www.pawtucketlibrary.org only example of Beaux Arts architecture style. In subsequent years, these styles Note: This site was where Lewis remaining in Pawtucket. would have a pervasive influence upon Fairbrother’s house stood until 1898, architecture in this country, as exhibited when it was moved to Philipsdale in East Cross to other side of Summer Street in the Old Pawtucket Post Office. In Providence to make way for construction

Updated Nov. 2013 | ExperiencePawtucket.org | Walking Tour is a joint project of the Pawtucket Foundation & Preservation Society of Pawtucket 13 DOWNTOWN PAWTUCKET HISTORIC WALKING TOUR where plaque marks former site of the 36) Pacific National Bank (1890) listed on the National Register of Historic First Baptist Church. 255-261 Main Street Places.

The Pacific National Bank, previously Next site is across Main street. 34) Site of First Baptist Church located at 201 Main Street, constructed Corner of Summer and High Streets this building as its new headquarters in 1890. Also known as the “Safe Deposit 37) W.T. Grant Building, now The Go to corner of Summer and Maple Building,” this red brick structure with Grant (1934) Streets and turn left down Maple to next one storefront was originally four stories 250-254 Main Street site. with a conical tower, and designed in a blend of the Queen Anne Revival and In 1934 this two story building was Gothic styles. Once considered a constructed as a department store for 35) Pawtucket Mutual Insurance fashionable Victorian building, the Safe the W.T. Grant Company, a large retail Building (1906; 1936) Deposit Building has been modified over chain. The W.T. Grant store was one of 25 Maple Street the years including the removal of the several major department stores on conical tower and addition of a fifth floor Main Street in the early-mid 1900s, but Founded 1873 on Mill Street (now in 1937. The deeply recessed main stands today as the only surviving Roosevelt Avenue), the Pawtucket entrance situated at the east end of the purpose-built early 20th century Mutual Fire Insurance Company, later Main Street facade has a polished department store on Main Street. Its known as the Pawtucket Mutual granite surround with terrazzo walls and yellow brick terra cotta-ornamented Insurance Company, had this building floor. The corner storefront, with its own facade is testament to at least one erected in 1906 as its new headquarters. centered entrance, wraps around the retailer’s optimism that Pawtucket would Constructed on the site of two 19th Maple Street side of the building. The come out of the Great Depression and century wood-frame dwellings, this upper floors are highly decorated with a survive the decline of the cotton textile Georgian Revival style building with copper cornice (decorative molding) industry. W.T. Grant was this building’s pressed brick and limestone trim was above the 4th floor level, a cast stone sole occupant until 1975, after which it built in two phases: the right half in 1906 and brick trim, pairs of windows on the was converted into a multi-tenant and the left addition in 1936. The Maple 2nd and 3rd floors grouped vertically and shopping mall. In 1984, the Mill River Street facade is articulated by brick recessed into tall pointed arches, and Arcade shopping center opened here pilasters with stone bases and capitals. multi-story turrets at the southwest and with 22 tenants. The building was then Trim elements include a belt course southeast corners of the building both occupied by a Christian urban/hip-hop between the 1st and 2nd floors, a heavy, with pointed arched window openings at themed group of retail businesses decorative cornice, and urn finials (a the 4th floor level. known as the Poam Lands Mall. Poam finial is a sculptured ornament) on top of In 1900 the Pacific National Bank Lands (Prospectors and then Preachers the rooftop parapet. Applied metal merged with the Pawtucket Institution for on a Mission) occupied this space from lettering at the top reads “1936,” Savings, the city’s oldest bank, which 2001-2006. Now known as simply the “Pawtucket Mutual Insurance Company,” subsequently moved into this building Grant, the layout of this building’s interior “1906,” with the dates corresponding to from its previous location at the corner of still resembles a small shopping center the construction of each respective Main and High Streets. The proposed and is utilized as mixed-use retail and section. The 1936 north side addition widening of High Street in 1899 had office space. This property has been was designed to integrate seamlessly forced the Pawtucket Institution for listed on the National Register of Historic with the facade of the original building, Savings to find a new home, and its Places. however, this elevation as viewed from merger with Pacific National Bank http://www.thegrantat250.com/home.php the parking lot on side of building provided the perfect location. The features very large, horizontally Pawtucket Institution for Savings and the Go left to next location. proportioned window openings with associated Pawtucket Safe Deposit & continuous cast stone stills at both 1st Trust Company remained in business and 2nd floor levels. Pawtucket Mutual here until 1971, after which a succession 38) Wheaton-Toole Building Insurance operated from this location of jewelry stores occupied the corner (1892; 1922) storefront. The upper floors have until moving to the adjacent building 228-230 Main Street (built 1979) at 237-241 Main Street. This consistently housed a variety of professional offices and service property has been placed on the This red brick, Late Victorian style businesses. National Register of Historic Places and commercial building with copper, cast Today, this structure is known as is currently occupied by Narragansett iron, and red sandstone trim was the H&G Professional Building, with the Bay Insurance. constructed in 1892 as an investment corner storefront occupied by a pawn property for Dr. James K. Wheaton on shop as of 2013 and office space on the Walk to corner of Maple and Main the former site of his home known as upper levels. This property has been Streets for next location. “Walker House,” where he had lived since 1864. This structure was originally

Updated Nov. 2013 | ExperiencePawtucket.org | Walking Tour is a joint project of the Pawtucket Foundation & Preservation Society of Pawtucket 14 DOWNTOWN PAWTUCKET HISTORIC WALKING TOUR built with three stories and slightly brick structure was originally built for the angled to conform to the curve in Main Providence Country Savings Bank in Street. Dr. Wheaton sold the building in 1901, who were previously located next 40) Site of the Red School House 1922 to one his tenants, William K. door at 210 Main Street. The Providence (1793) Toole, whose hardware store had moved County Savings Bank was eventually High Street (rear corner of Visitor into the ground floor storefront the absorbed by the Rhode Island Hospital Center) previous year. Toole had the building Trust Co., one of the state’s major enlarged with a two story addition financial institutions. Hospital Trust Prior to 1828, education in the carefully designed to blend in with the remained at this location until its new western half of Pawtucket was provided earlier facade. On the 2nd floor over the branch office was erected in 1977 by a variety of private schools, the most doorway for the upper floors, the window across the street at 215 Main Street. notable being the one held in “the Old has a decorative wrought iron French Constructed in the Neoclassical style Red Schoolhouse” on High Street from balcony and is sheltered by a copper featuring pediment, Ionic columns and 1793. This school was built and run by a roof that mimics Spanish clay tiles. The ornate facade in white marble, with the joint-stock company which included most bracketed ornamental metal cornice sides and rear of brick. The original 1901 of the local manufacturers and (decorative molding) and sign band at building has a rusticated 1st floor businessmen at the time. Although the the top of the building includes the containing storefront display windows. building was intended primarily to house applied lettering reading “1892-Toole On the west side, a few inches forward the school, every kind of public meeting Building-1922.” of the original bank, stands a 1948 was held here, making it the first real The upper floors of this building addition with a white marble facade that public building in the village. East-side have held dozens of different tenants complements the detailing on the residents were allowed to attend the Old over the years and with the exception of original building. Both storefront and Red School for a fee if they preferred it the modern storefront, new windows and main cornice (decorative molding) to the public schools maintained on their the removal of a bay window on the right treatments carry across, while the upper own side of the river. front, the current structure looks very floors have much simpler marble window much as it did in 1922. The Wheaton- trim. Toole Building has been listed on the This building’s architecture was FOR MORE INFORMATION ON National Register of Historic Places, and influenced by the "White City” of the DOWNTOWN PAWTUCKET is still in commercial use with the Artee’ 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition HISTORICAL WALKING TOUR: Fabrics & Home store on the ground (World’s Fair) held in Chicago to floor. celebrate the 400th anniversary of Contact the Preservation Society of Note: During the 1940s this space Christopher Columbus’ arrival in the Pawtucket: was home to the S.S. Kresge Co. “5- New World in 1492. Most of the Call (401) 725-9581, and-10- Cent Store,” one of several buildings of the fair were designed in the E-mail: discount department stores on Main classical style of architecture, with the [email protected] Street in that era. Sebastian Spering area in the Court of Honor, known as the Web: www.pawtucketpreservation.com (SS) Kresge (1867-1966) opened his White City, containing buildings clad in first discount stores in Detroit and white stucco, which seemed illuminated Or Contact the Pawtucket Foundation Memphis, and these two 5 and-10-Cent in comparison to the tenements of Call: (401) 725-4400 stores turned into a highly successful Chicago. The White City is largely E-mail: [email protected] chain, which still exist today as “K-Mart.” credited with ushering in the City Web: www.pawtucketfoundation.org (The S.S. Kresge Company was Beautiful movement and planting the renamed the Kmart Corporation in seeds of modern city planning, inspiring For more information on Pawtucket, visit: 1977.) K-Mart made Kresge rich, but he cities around the country to focus on www.ExperiencePawtucket.org or was a philanthropist and used his money beautification efforts. The designs of the www.Pawtucketri.com to start the Kresge Foundation in 1924, City Beautiful Movement are identifiable with an initial gift of $1.6 million by their classical architecture principles, “Creating opportunity for low-income such as symmetry, balance, splendor, people.” and magnificent scale, as exhibited in this building which has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places. 39) Providence County Savings The sign bank over the storefront now Bank, now the Albert J. Vitale reads in painted lettering “Albert J. Vitale Building (1901; 1948) Building” (a previous owner), however 216 Main Street this building is currently vacant.

Walk to corner of Main and High Streets, Known as the Albert J. Vitale go left up High Street to rear corner of Building, named in honor of longtime Blackstone Valley Visitor Center for next previous owner, this white marble and site.

Updated Nov. 2013 | ExperiencePawtucket.org | Walking Tour is a joint project of the Pawtucket Foundation & Preservation Society of Pawtucket 15