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Located in the southwestern corner of the State, the Town of Westerly has an atmosphere of an old New England village. Westerly has a history unique in the annals of U.S. History, The Indian name for Westerly was Misquamicut - a place for taking salmon.
Westerly was the first town incorporated in the King's Province on May 13, 1669, and the fifth town in the colony. On the 23rd of June 1686, the name was changed from Westerly to Haversham, but the former name was restored in 1689. The Towns of Charlestown, Hopkinton and Richmond were later taken from the Town of Westerly.
In its early beginnings, Westerly was the frontier town of the colony. Out of this beginning many diversified industries grew, but Westerly has been best known for the granite that was once taken from its quarries, for building purposes in neighboring towns and cities, and for monuments in various parts of the country.
Westerly is also known as a vacation area. The position of Watch Hill almost surrounded by the ocean and bay with beautiful formation of rocks and sand beaches all contribute to its beauty. The winds bring in the cool bracing sea air and the temperature in the summer is rarely oppressive. Rowing, swimming, ocean sailing, fishing and hiking make this a favorite resort area.
BABCOCK-SMITH HOUSE. (c.1734) 124 Granite Street. Early Georgian-style. The home of Dr. Joshua Babcock, Westerly's first physician and postmaster and friend of Benjamin Franklin, who was a frequent visitor. Later owned by Orlando Smith, who in 1846 discovered granite on the property which later became one of the country's leading granite centers. OPEN: May & Jun, Sun, 2-5 p.m.; Jul & Aug, Wed & Sun, 2-5 p.m.; Sep & Oct, Sun, 2-5 p.m., and by appt. 596-4424.
FLYING HORSE CAROUSEL. Bay St., Watch Hill. Oldest in America, used prior to 1879. The horses are not attached to the floor but instead are suspended from a center frame, swinging out or flying when in motion. Each horse is hand carved from a single piece of wood and is embellished with real tails and manes, leather saddles and agate eyes. OPEN: Jun 15-Labor Day, 1-9 p.m. (children only)
NINIGRET STATUE. Bay St., Watch Hill. Sculpted by Enid Yandell in Paris in 1914. Ninigret was Chief of Rhode Island's branch of the Niantics and first appeared in Colonial history in 1637. Indian model for statue was with Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show in Paris.
WATCH HILL LIGHTHOUSE KEEPERS ASSOCIATION. (1858) 14 Lighthouse Road, Watch Hill. The present white brick structure with granite tower is situated on the north side of the east entrance to Fisher's Island Sound. Exterior viewing only. OPEN: Watch Hill Lighthouse Museum, Tue & Thu, 1-3 p.m., July & August
WATER WIZZ. (1986) 330 Atlantic Avenue. Six giant waterslides; 4 serpentine slides including kiddies slide, 2 speed slides at approx. 45 degree angle. Across from Misquamicut Beach. Memorial Day- Labor Day. Weekends only until Jun 15th. Daily 10-6:30 p.m. 322-0520.
WILCOX PARK. (1898) 71 1/2 High Street. An historic park originally designed by Waven Manning with specimen trees, shrubs, and display flower beds on 18 acres. Also a koi pond, dwarf conifer collection, fountain, monuments, daylily collection and perennial borders. Easy access from Merchants Parking area. OPEN: Year round, dawn-11 p.m. 596-8590.
Population Density: Westerly contains 77.936 square kilometers of land area (30.091 Sq. Miles) and 106.231 square kilometers of water area (41.016 Sq. Miles). Total area is 184.167 square kilometers or 71.107 square miles.
The 2000 population density of Westerly is 725.5 persons per square mile of land area.
Age Distribution: In 2000, 17,560 persons residing in Westerly were 18 years of age or older.
| Population: | 1990 | 2000 | Change |
| Total | 21,605 | 22,966 | 1,361 |
More Census 2000 data on Westerly and the State of Rhode Island is available at the Statewide Planning Program Website.
Town Hall
Broad Street
Westerly, RI 02891
Hours: 8:30 am - 4:30
pm
FAX: 596-2906
| Location: | Washington County |
| Form of Government: | Town Manager and a seven-member Town Council headed by a Council President. |
| Council Meetings: | The second and fourth Mondays of each month at 7:30 pm. |
| Fiscal year begins: | July 1 |
**Information above provided by the Rhode Island Department of Economic Development Corporation
