People of the Small Point

Native American names abound throughout the United States, especially here in tiny Rhode Island. A small town whose population nearly doubles during the summer, the name 'Narragansett' is actually an English corruption of the Algonquin tribal name Nanhigganeuck, which means 'people of the small point.'Matunuck ('Mah-TOO-nick') is a village set between Narragansett and Charlestown, whose name means 'lookout.' The Narragansett tribe used Matunuck as a summer encampment. The beaches at Matunuck and East Matunuck are both great, with direct exposure to the Atlantic Ocean.Quonochontaug (go ahead, try it - okay, it's 'QUON-ah-kah-tawg') might be hard to pronounce, but according to the American Indian Place Names page, Quonochontaug means 'extended deserted place/two long ponds in succession.' The photo above shows the breachway, which provides access to both Quonochontaug Pond and Block Island Sound. The pond is a large salt pond with many coves and channels to explore in a kayak or other small boat.Almost in Connecticut, Misquamicut extends from Weekapaug to Watch Hill (all part of the town of Westerly). The area once known as 'Pleasant View' changed its name in 1928 to Misquamicut, an Indian name that means 'red fish,' a reference to the Atlantic salmon common to the Pawcatuck River. And if you didn't know before reading this, now you know why Rhode Island is The Ocean State!