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This island community sits at the mouth of Narragansett Bay and looks out to the Atlantic Ocean. Development on the island was earlier restricted by the ferry access, then the construction of Jamestown Bridge connecting the island with the mainland opened the island. Today, modern bridges connect the island to the mainland and to Newport. Jamestown is now a residential destination. The island residents are striving to maintain the island's country atmosphere while permitting new development.
Conanicut Island, because of its location at the mouth of Narragansett Bay, has been considered strategically important since the first white colonists settled in Rhode Island. John Winthrop, governor of Massachusetts Bay Colony, wrote to Roger Williams asking that the island be settled and fortified to deter any attack through the "back door of Boston". In 1656, Benedict Arnold, William Coddigan, and several others from Newport purchased the island, whose name commemorates the Sachem Canonicus, of the Narragansett Indians.
Jamestown was incorporated on November 4, 1678, and was renamed in honor of Pronce James, later James II. Because it is an island, it has never been developed as a commercial area or port, but rather as a quiet residential town. The new Newport Bridge, completed in 1969, gave Jamestown access to both sides of Narragansett Bay. In 1940, the Jamestown Verrazano Bridge was completed connecting Jamestown with the mainland.
The island is 9.5 square miles with a good highway system following most of its shoreline. The south end of Beaver Tail Light is a high rocky coast projecting into the Atlantic Ocean, where some of the best surf cast fishing in the world can be found. Narragansett Bay surrounds the northern end of the island.
Historically, Jamestown is in the middle of the Bicentennial picture. You may walk Narragansett Avenue where the British marched in 1775 while burning the town; Indian and colonial artifacts from pre-historic and early settlements are displayed in the Sydney L. Wright Museum; and Memorabilia from the 300 year old Jamestown Ferry System can be seen in the Jamestown Museum.
BEAVERTAIL LIGHTHOUSE. Beavertail Point, Beavertail State Park. The l938 hurricane uncovered the original base of the third lighthouse established in America (l749), an interesting example of early Colonial stonework. The present granite tower, just north of the original light, was erected in l856. The point also offers spectacular views of Rhode Island's Atlantic coastline. Park-naturalist on duty. OPEN: Jun-Aug: 3 lectures/tours daily, Wed-Sun. 423-9941.
FIRE DEPARTMENT MEMORIAL BUILDING. 50 Narragansett Avenue. Exhibits include horse-drawn 1894 steam engine, other antique fire fighting equipment, and photographs. OPEN: Mon-Fri, 9-3 p.m. 423-0062.
JAMESTOWN MUSEUM. (1886) 92 Narragansett Avenue. 19th century schoolhouse with permanent exhibit of memorabilia from Jamestown ferries and annual special exhibits. OPEN: Mid-Jun-end of Aug, Tue-Sat, 1-4 p.m. 423-0784.
JAMESTOWN WINDMILL. (1787) North Road, off Rte. 138. Owned by Jamestown Historical Society; recently restored. OPEN: Mid-Jun-mid Sep, Sat & Sun, 1-4 p.m., and by appt. 423-1798.
REVOLUTIONARY EARTHWORKS BATTERY. Prospect Hill, off Beavertail Road. Second highest point on island. Outstanding view.
SYDNEY L. WRIGHT MUSEUM. Jamestown Philomenia Library, 26 North Road. Indian and Colonial artifacts from prehistoric and early settlements on Conanicut Island. OPEN: Mon & Wed, 10-5 p.m. & 7-9 p.m.; Tue & Thu, 12-5 p.m. & 7-9 p.m.; Fri & Sat, 10-5 p.m. (Sat, Jun 15-Sep 15, 10-1 p.m.) 423-7280.
WATSON FARM. (1796) North Road. This 280 acre farm on Conanicut Island is a working farm with cattle, sheep, horses, chickens and a large garden. A 2-mile walking trail with alternate shorter routes provides a picturesque vistas of farmland and Narragansett Bay. Self-guided walking brochure describes history of the farm and region, annual cycles for plants and animals, natural resources, and current products of the farm. 423-0005.
Population: The population count for the Town of Jamestown as of April 1, 2000, was 5,622. This represented a 12.5% change (623) from the 1990 population of 4,999.
Population Density: Jamestown contains 25.108 square kilometers of land area (9.694 Sq. Miles) and 66.418 square kilometers of water area (25.644 Sq. Miles). Total area is 91.526 square kilometers or 35.338 square miles.
The 2000 population density of Jamestown is 579.6 persons per square mile of land area.
Age Distribution: In 2000, 4,384 persons residing in Jamestown were 18 years of age or older.
| Population: | 1990 | 2000 | Change |
| Total | 4,999 | 5,622 | 623 |
More Census 2000 data on Jamestown and the State of Rhode Island is available at the Statewide Planning Program Website.
Town Hall
93 Narragansett Avenue
Jamestown, RI 02835
FAX: 423-7229
Hours: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
| Location: | Newport County |
| Form of Government: | An appointed Town Administrator and a five-member Town Council headed by the Council President. |
| Council Meetings: | The second and fourth Mondays of each month at 7:30 p.m. Financial Town Meeting held annually the first Monday in March. |
| Fiscal year begins: | March 1 |
**Information above provided by the Rhode Island Department of Economic Development Corporation
