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Tiverton was originally incorporated in 1694, as part of the Massachusetts Bay Colony. A long boundary dispute between Rhode Island and Massachusetts was settled in 1746, and Tiverton, by Royal Decree, together with the Towns of Cumberland, Barrington, Bristol and Little Compton was annexed to Rhode Island. The town was incorporated in 1747.
For approximately three years during the Revolution when the British held Aquidneck Island, Tiverton was an asylum for Americans fleeing from British occupation, and the town became a mustering point for Colonial forces who gathered together to drive the British off the island.
In its early day, Tiverton was chiefly a farming community with some fishing and boat construction. Until 1900 the manufacture of menhaden oil, a fish derivative, was one of the primary industrial pursuits. Cotton and woolen mills were established as early as 1827. Today, trade establishments are the major employers in the town. Recent years have seen Tiverton grow as a summer resort and residential area. Development hes been concentrated in the area known as North Tiverton.
CHASE-CORY HOUSE. (1730) 3908 Main Rd. at Tiverton Four Corners. Historic District. This gambrel-roofed building is now owned by the Tiverton Historical Society. Special exhibits throughout the season. OPEN: May-Sep, Sun, 2:00-4:30 p.m., and by appt. 624-4013, 624-8881.
FORT BARTON. Highland Road. Original redoubt built during the American Revolution. It was the troop staging area for the invasion of Aquidneck Island and Newport and the eventual Battle of Rhode Island. Observation tower and 3 miles of trail walks. OPEN: Year-round, sunrise to sunset.
RUECKER WILDLIFE REFUGE. Seapowet Avenue. Audubon
Society of Rhode Island sanctuary. 48 acres, with 1.5-mile trails winding through
woodland, meadow, salt marsh, and open water. Feeding herons, egrets, and osprey. Variety
of plant life. Gift of Miss Emilie Ruecker.
OPEN: Daily, dawn to dark. 949-5454.
Population: The population count for the Town of Tiverton as of April 1, 2000, was 15,260. This represented a 6.6% change (948) from the 1990 population of 14,312.
Population Density: Tiverton contains 76.039 square kilometers of land area (29.359 Sq. Miles) and 18.034 square kilometers of water area (6.963 Sq. Miles). Total area is 94.073 square kilometers or 36.322 square miles.
The 2000 population density of Tiverton is 519 persons per square mile of land area.
Age Distribution: In 2000, 11,893 persons residing in Tiverton were 18 years of age or older.
| Population: | 1990 | 2000 | Change |
| Total | 14,312 | 15,260 | 948 |
More Census 2000 data on Tiverton and the State of Rhode Island is available at the Statewide Planning Program Website.
Tiverton Hall
343 Highland Road
Tiverton, RI 02878
Hours:
8:30 am - 4:00 pm
FAX: 624-8640
| Location: | Newport County |
| Form of Government: | Seven-member Town Council headed by a Council President. |
| Council Meetings: | The second and fourth Monday of each month at 7:30 p.m., Financial Town Meeting held the first Wednesday in May. |
| Fiscal year begins: | July 1 |
**Information above provided by the Rhode Island Department of Economic Development Corporation
