It seemed appropriate this year to feature a theme that kept me close to home, so I give you my A to Z within the small acreage that is Rhode Island. I tried to be creative (you’ll see!) but I hope you learn something about Little Rhody, too. Whether you’ve lived here all your life, grew up within the boundaries, or have never set foot on one of our many beaches, come along for a virtual tour.
A little village in the town of Cumberland, Valley Falls sits on the border of Central Falls and Lincoln. Valley Falls is known for being the starting place of Warren Buffett’s company Berkshire Hathaway. That’s right! Berkshire Hathaway was actually founded in 1839 by a businessman named Oliver Chace, who founded several textile manufacturing companies in the 1800s. Originally called the Valley Falls Company, the company manufactured cotton.
Like most mills, the river and its dam helped to power operations. The textile empire built by the Chace family lasted for 70 years, with mills on both sides of the dam pictured above. As the company grew, other manufacturers came to the area to use the labor force. Valley Falls became Cumberland’s downtown and the seat of town government.
The Valley Falls Company closed in the 1930s, and the mills on the Cumberland side were torn down to avoid property taxes. In 1991, the town of Cumberland and the Blackstone Valley National Heritage Corridor, an area dedicated to the history of the early American Industrial Revolution, transformed the site into a historic park. Sadly, the area has been marked by graffiti and vandalism, and a number of homeless people have set up tents down by the river.
Fascinating tidbit about Buffet!! The bike path along the Blackstone River (including Valley Falls) has a lot of plaques telling about the different mills on the river…past and present!
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So much history. Too bad the little park at Valley Falls was in such bad shape.
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I love that photo of the ruined stone arch. It certainly shows how a properly placed keystone can do its job! Graffiti, vandalism, homeless encampments… we have so much of that here too. I have no answers, not even suggestions on that one.
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I know, Lisa, I don’t have an answer, either.
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Having been raised in Central Falls,, this area is familiar to me and brings back lots of fond memories. From the time I was sixteen until I had my first son twelve years later, I worked at Ann & Hope, part time as a student, full time after graduating from college, in Lonsdale, just beyond the Valley Falls village. As you may know, Ann & Hope was founded in one of those old mill buildings.
The third photo with the mirror-like water reflecting the bare trees is stunning, and frameable. This is how I know the river.
As April, 2021, winds toward its end and spring’s lovely rebirth has begun, I think about those bare trees having their own stark beauty.
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Thank you, Connie – close to home for you today!
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Hari OM
All though a scar, in some ways, I also enjoy seeing relics of the industrial past in such places… shame about the wild campers; for them as well as for locals. YAM xx
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I do think we should consider a book or Newport magazine monthly feature!
Beth
https://bethlapinsatozblog.wordpress.com/
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You’re the third person to suggest a book, Beth – I guess I’d better crack on…
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