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The "Vacant Land Tract" lying to the west of the Town of East Greenwich was the favorite hunting grounds of the Narragansett Indians. Game animals were abundant and the Big River and Wood River were fished for salmon and trout. Several wigwams and early shelters were built in the Mishnock area, and the woods surrounding Nooseneck and Rattlesnake Ledge.
On June 10, 1709, a group of thirteen men purchased 35,000 acres of the "Vacant Lands" for the sum of 1,000 pounds. A signed petition was submitted in October, 1740, to Governor Richard Wandd, requesting that the area be set off as a separate town. It was not until April 1741, that the General Assembly for the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, at the request of the freemen of this area incorporated West Greenwich as a separate town.
The settlers of West Greenwich were a hardy and handy lot accustomed to hard work and the use of the gun and axe. After the American Revolution farming and lumbering became the main occupations of the townspeople. During the Civil War manufacturing goods took precedence and contributed considerably to the town's development during this period.
West Greenwich is noted for its fine riding trails and rural countryside.
ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION CENTER. 401 Victory Highway. The EEC offers an ideal year-round setting for the study of the world around us. Rustic heated cabins accommodate up to 94 individuals and main lodge contains a 200-seat dining hall. The main floor of lodge contains newly remodeled conference rooms with audio-visual equipment. OPEN: Daily, year-round. 397-3304.
STEP STONE FALLS. Falls River Road, off Escoheag Hill Road. View of unusual rock formations beneath and around a stepped falls in a wooded setting. Open, dawn to dusk. 539-2356, 277-1157.
WHISPERING PINES CONFERENCE CENTER. University of RI, W. Alton Jones Campus, 401 Victory Highway. An executive conference center designed specifically to provide a total environment geared primarily for conferences. The facility offers a full-service dining room, conference rooms designed to meet the International Association of Conference Center standards, and sleeping accommodations in three lakeside guest houses. OPEN: Daily, year-round. Reservations required. 397-3361, Ext. 6056.
Population: The population count for the Town of West Greenwich as of April 1, 2000, was 5,085. This represented a 45.6% change (1,593) from the 1990 population of 3,492.
Population Density: West Greenwich contains 131.135 square kilometers of land area (50.631 Sq. Miles) and 1.782 square kilometers of water area (0.688 Sq. Miles). Total area is 132.917 square kilometers or 51.319 square miles.
The 2000 population density of West Greenwich is 73.3 persons per square mile of land area.
Age Distribution: In 2000, 3,641 persons residing in West Greenwich were 18 years of age or older.
| Population: | 1990 | 2000 | Change |
| Total | 3,492 | 5,085 | 1,593 |
More Census 2000 data on West Greenwich and the State of Rhode Island is available at the Statewide Planning Program Website.
Town Hall
280 Victory Highway
West Greenwich, RI 02817
Hours: 9:00 am -
4:00 pm
FAX: 397-6890
| Location: | Kent County |
| Form of Government: | Five-member Town Council headed by a Council President. |
| Council Meetings: | The second Wednesday of each month at 8:00 pm. Financial Town meeting held the third Monday in May. |
| Fiscal year begins: | July 1 |
**Information above provided by the Rhode Island Department of Economic Development Corporation
