Barrington

For more Community Information Visit:	Population:	16,819 (As of April 1, 2000)
	Established in:	1653
	Incorporated in:	June 16, 1770

Located on a peninsula in the East Bay, three sides of this shore community face upper Narragansett Bay. Long recognized as the prime executive suburb of Providence; it is home to many of the professional and business leaders of the state. It is a short and scenic twenty-minute commute to Providence via Routes 114 and Interstate 195.

Barrington was originally known as Sowams, the residence of Massassoit, Chief of the Wampanoag Indians.

In 1653, the Pilgrim Fathers, including Captain Miles Standish, Governor W. Bradford, and others bought the area between Narragansett Bay and the Taunton River from Massassoit. In 1637, this area was incorporated under the name of Swansea as part of the Plymouth Colony. In 1717, Barrington was set off as a separate town, as part of the State of Massachusetts. In 1746, by Royal Decree, it was made part of Rhode Island, together with Bristol, Tiverton, Little Compton, and Cumberland. In 1747, the name was changed to Warren in honor of Sir Peter Warren of the British Navy. Barrington was taken from Warren and incorporated June 16, 1770.

In the early days, Barrington was a farming community, and in the 19th Century was popular as a summer resort area.

Although Barrington has several manufacturing establishments, it is best known as a place of beautiful homes and country estates. At Nayatt Point, in the southwestern part of the town, is a beautiful summer colony on the shores of Narragansett Bay. Here also is located the Rhode Island Country Club, whose golf course is rated among the best in the east.

The Barrington River offers safe anchorage for a large number of motor and sailing craft, providing convenient access to the broad reaches of Narragansett Bay.

BARRINGTON CIVIC CENTER HISTORIC DISTRICT. County Road. Barrington Town Hall (1877-1888) was designed by Stone, Carpenter, & Wilson, architects of Providence. The medieval style 1 1/2 story building, constructed with three flank gable units of varying height, has two circular towers. The basement, first, and second stories of the towers are constructed of boulders. The historic district also includes the library which is located in the early 20th century school, 18th century cemetery and pond. OPEN: Library: Mon-Thu, 9-9 p.m.; Fri & Sat, 9-5 p.m.; Sun, 1-5 p.m. (during school year except when holidays fall on Sunday). Town Hall: Mon-Fri, 8:30-4:30 p.m. 247-1900.

Population: The population count for the Town of Barrington as of April 1, 2000, was 16,819. This represented a 6.1% change (970) from the 1990 population of 15,849.

Population Density: Barrington contains 21.805 square kilometers of land area (8.419 Sq. Miles) and 18.146 square kilometers of water area (7.006 Sq. Miles). Total area is 39.951 square kilometers or 15.425 square miles.

The 2000 population density of Barrington is 2,002.3 persons per square mile of land area.

Age Distribution: In 2000, 12,074 persons residing in Barrington were 18 years of age or older.

Population:	1990	2000	Change
Total	15,849	16,819	970

Location:	Bristol County
Form of Government:	Town Manager with five-member Town Council
Council Meetings:	The first and second Monday of each Month at 7:30 pm. Annual financial Town Meeting held the fourth Thursday in May.
Fiscal year begins:	July 1