If I could live anywhere in Rhode Island, it would likely be Jamestown. With little to no commercial development or chain stores, Jamestown is bucolic, restful and relaxed year round.
Although it gets a bit crowded in summer, it’s nothing like Newport, which lies just over the bridge.
Used to be, you’d hop a ferry from the mainland of Rhode Island to Jamestown on Conanicut Island (you’d have to take another ferry to Newport on Aquidneck Island). But that was before the bridges were built! The original Jamestown bridge (1940) was narrow with an iron grating at the top that was very slippery in wet weather. The newer bridge, the Jamestown-Verrazano bridge, was completed in 1992, but the old bridge remained next to it until it was finally demolished in 2006.
Best places to visit in Jamestown? Well, Beavertail Lighthouse of course, especially if you can grab a spot on the rocks with a view of the waves. Eat fancy at the Trattoria Simpatico or be casual at Chopmist Charlie’s. Listen to great music at the Narragansett Café and stop in at Slice of Heaven the next morning for Grand Marnier French toast!
In 1728, the town of Jamestown built a windmill for grinding corn, which used the sea breeze for power since there was no source of running water to turn a waterwheel. The windmill was rebuilt in 1787 after the British destroyed the first one.
I’ll have to try some of your recommendations the next time I’m down in Rhode Island…thanks.
What a quaint and lovely place. I love where we live, but wish the coast was closer. http://mpaxauthor.com/blog/
Everyone has an “old bridge” story. One guys said he loved that bridge because each
time over it seemed like your last minutes on earth, and you were grateful for everything after that!
Ha!
Jim remembers riding his motorcycle on it! Thanks, John.
Oh, I remember that iron grate on the Jamestown Bridge very well. When I was in second grade, I was on a school bus crossing the bridge and the bus driver down shifted just as we hit the grate. I thought we were goners!
Loving these posts – well done!