This southern Rhode Island community fronting the Atlantic Ocean has long been recognized as a naturalist's paradise. Much of the community is set aside as a nature reserve or management area, along it's barrier beaches or the shores of it's interior ponds and swamps. Housing south of Route 1 was primarily vacation properties, but is slowly being converted to a more twelve-month community. Commute to Providence is a 50-minute drive on Route 1 to I-95.

Charlestown, named for King Charles II, was taken from the Town of Westerly, and incorporated in 1738. In 1747, it was divided, and the portion north of the Pawcatuck River became the Town of Richmond.

Some time before white settlers came to Rhode Island, that section of the state south of Narragansett Pier, and Westerly, in Hope Valley, had been the prize fought for by the three local tribes of Indians: the Pequots, Niantics and Narragansetts. Each saw in the region a land of plenty whose ocean frontage and great tidewater inland ponds would furnish sea foods in abundance, and whose fertile meadows would yield a fertile harvest.

The Niantics first held possession of this fertile land, but finally their title was disputed by the powerful Pequots, who had extended their lands north and east from New York. The Niantics and the Narragansetts formed an alliance and finally repelled the invading Pequots. This coalition finally resulted in the absorption of the Niantics by the Narragansetts.

On a bluff over looking the salt waters of Charlestown pond is the site of Old Fort Ninigret, named for Niantic Sachems, but now believed to have been built by Dutch traders before the pilgrims landed at Plymouth. Bastions and other evidence of military engineering skill found in the Fort, whose original outlines are now preserved by an iron fence, seem to support this theory.

A mile north of the Post Road, in the midst of dense woods, is the Royal Indian Burial Ground, where Sachems of both the Narragansett and Niantic tribes were buried.

Charlestown, on the shores of the Atlantic, is an ideal spot for surf swimming, and offers admirable camping places for tourists. Quonochontaug Beach has a flourishing summer colony.

CHARLESTOWN HISTORICAL SOCIETY. (1838) Route 1A. On grounds of Cross Mills Public Library. A one-room schoolhouse authentically restored and furnished in 19th century-style. OPEN: Jul-Aug, Wed, 2:00-4:00 p.m., and Sat, 10-12 noon. Groups by appt. 364-7507.

KIMBALL WILDLIFE REFUGE. Off Prosser Trail. 29-acre Audubon Society of Rhode Island refuge on Watchaug Pond. Trails and outstanding habitat for water fowl and migrating birds. Free parking. OPEN: Daily, dawn to dusk. 949-5454.

NINIGRET PARK. Off Route lA. On 172 acres. Picnic grounds, ball fields, ten-speed bike course, BMX race course, tennis and basketball courts. 3-acre, spring-fed swimming pond. Frosty Drew Memorial Nature Center with trails. Observatory. Displays and programs. OPEN: Daily, year-round. 364-1222, 364-6244.

ROYAL INDIAN BURIAL GROUND. Narrow Lane, off US Route 1. Resting place of sachems (chiefs) and families of the Narragansett Indian Tribe.

Population: The population count for the Town of Charlestown as of April 1, 2000, was 7,859. This represented a 21.3% change (1,381) from the 1990 population of 6,478. 

Population Density: Charlestown contains 95.420 square kilometers of land area (36.842 Sq. Miles) and 58.150 square kilometers of water area (22.452 Sq. Miles). Total area is 153.570 square kilometers or 59.293 square miles.

The 2000 population density of Charlestown is 213.5 persons per square mile of land area.

Age Distribution: In 2000, 6,147 persons residing in Charlestown were 18 years of age or older.

More Census 2000 data on Charlestown and the State of Rhode Island is available at the Statewide Planning Program Website.

Town Hall
4540 South County Tr.
Charlestown, RI 02813
Fax: 364-1238
Hours: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm

**Information above provided by the Rhode Island Department of Economic Development Corporation

Web Links

Town of Charlestown Charlestown, RI -  A Visitor's Guide