A Walking Tour of A Providence, Rhode Island

By Doug Gelbert

There is no better way to see America than on foot. And there is no better way to appreciate what you are looking at than with a walking tour. This walking tour of Providence, Rhode Island from walkthetown.com is ready to explore when you are. Each walking tour describes historical, architectural landmarks, cultural sites and ecclesiastic touchstones and provides step-by-step directions.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Doug Gelbert
• Release date: Nov 11, 2010
• ISBN: 9781452395609

Book preview

A Walking Tour of Providence, Rhode Island

a walking tour in the Look Up, America series from walkthetown.com

by Doug Gelbert

published by Cruden Bay Books at Smashwords

Copyright 2010 by Doug Gelbert

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or by any information storage and retrieval system without permission in writing from the Publisher.

What do you do if you are a 30-year old Oxford, England-educated minister and you sail across the Atlantic Ocean to practice your religious beliefs in the way you desire and you discover the new boss is the same as the old boss? Well, if it is 1636 and the Massachusetts Bay colony and you are banished for your newe and dangerous opinions against the authorities like Roger Williams you go and live with a people who know nothing about such authority. And when you get lucky enough to be given some land on a navigable harbor you name your new settlement in gratitude for God’s merciful providence unto me in my distress.

Williams made only civil laws for his new town. Each person would have the right to worship without interference or regulation by the state. Despite its welcoming disposition Providence grew slowly, due in large part to its topography. Williams’ land was dominated by hills that would in the future draw comparisons to the beauty of Rome and the splendid city that grew on its seven hills. But in the beginning it impeded farming and instead the early days found Providence a shipping and shipbuilding town. Trade was especially brisk between Providence Harbor and the West Indies in rum and molasses and slaves.

Following the war, the economy shifted from maritime endeavors to manufacturing, particularly machinery, tools, silverware, jewelry and textiles. Providence boasted some of the