The History of the Warwick Police Department
As the municipal center of Warwick, Apponaug was also the center of the early police stations. Whenever old-time Warwick residents gather, colorful stories of the early fire and police departments are told. Time and time again, the names of Forrest Sprague, Theodore Andrews, Elias Cranston, Albert Izzi, Amasa Sprague and, of course, Apponaug’s Lynch family, are cited. For over sixty years now, members of the Lynch clan have had a profound effect on law enforcement in the city.
The Origin of the Seal of the City of Warwick
Warwick was founded in 1642 as a town called Shawomet, after the local Indian tribe from whom the land on the west shore of Narragansett Bay was purchased. Two years later, Samuel Gorton sailed to England in the hopes of obtaining an official charter to maintain ownership and independence. His mission was successful, thanks to Sir Robert Rich, the Earl of Warwick, then Governor-on-Chief of Foreign Plantations. When the charter was granted in 1647, the grateful townsmen promptly re-named the settlement after their benefactor and his family coat-of-arms became its seal.
The Burning of the H.M.S. Gaspee
Shortly before midnight on June 9, 1772, approximately sixty armed men from Providence, Rhode Island set out in eight longboats for Namquid Point where His Majesty's Ship Gaspee had run aground. The majority of these men, who comprised the social elite of Providence, were disguised with black-smeared faces or Indian headdresses. Led by John Brown, a wealthy merchant and member of one of Rhode Island's most prestigious families, their intentions were nothing less than the deliberate destruction of the government ship on duty in Narragansett Bay.
The Story of Rocky Point Park
The Rocky Point Amusement Park was a highly popular destination on the Narragansett Bay side of Warwick, Rhode Island. It operated from the late 1840s until its financial collapse in 1995. First conceived by Captain William Winslow, Rocky Point began to offer amusements and serve dinner in 1847 ... then went on to be the stage for some of remarkable historical events.
Historic Walking Tours of Warwick
The historic Village of Pawtuxet is unique in many ways. First, it is the oldest village in New England and is one of the very few villages that span two communities - the Cities of Warwick and Cranston. Founded in 1638, it is the site of the 1772 burning of the H.M.S. Gaspee - the first armed conflict of the American Revolution. So put on some comfortable walking shoes, use this book as your guide, and prepare to step into Pawtuxet Village' colorful past.
Welcome to WarwickHistory.com, our site dedicated to preserving, promoting and sharing the rich history of Warwick, Rhode Island.
Each month, the Warwick Historical Society prepares and displays historically significant memorabilia in the main lobby of Warwick City Hall. Stop by and learn more about the history of Warwick today!
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