VISITOR INFORMATION

Founded by Samuel Gorton in 1642, Warwick has witnessed the major events of American history. Warwick was decimated during King Philip’s War (1675-76) and was the site of the first shot fired of the American Revolution against the British schooner Gaspee. Warwick is also the home of revolutionary war General Nathaniel Greene, George Washington’s second in command, and the Civil War hero of the battle of Gettysburg, General George Sears Greene.

 

Whether it is Warwick’s rich military, nautical, or industrial history, historians can find a treasure-trove of information within our heritage.

 

 

ONLINE BOOKS

THE WALKING TOUR OF HISTORIC PAWTUXET VILLAGE

 

The historic Village of Pawtuxet is unique in many ways. First, it is the oldest village in New England and is one of the very few villages that span two communities - the Cities of Warwick and Cranston.
Founded in 1638, it is the site of the 1772 burning of the HMS Gaspee - the first armed conflict of the American Revolution. Click the book cover to learn how to step into Pawtuxet Village's colorful past.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

To download this book, click the above link. Requires Adobe Reader.

 

 

WALKING TOUR OF APPONAUG

An informative booklet, The Walking Tour of Historic Apponaug Village, published in 1998, is available at no cost from the Department of Tourism, Culture, and Development in City Hall. This book features over 30 historic structures in Apponaug Village, and for those who enjoy walking, helps to reveal the beauty and history that is Apponaug. CLICK HERE for free copy of booklet.

 

 

FAMOUS WARWICK CITIZENS:

NELSON ALDRICH,
former U.S. Senator

BILL ALMON,
Major League baseball player

JOHN H. CHAFEE,
former U.S. Senator

GEORGE CHAMPLIN,
Philanthropist

 

SARA DECOSTA,
Olympic women’s ice hockey goalie

THEODORE FRANCIS GREENE,
former U.S. Senator

GEORGE SEARS GREENE,
Civil War General

 

NATHANIEL GREENE,
Revolutionary War General

MAXWELL MAYS,
Painter

DR. CHARLES ROUND, JR.
Amateur Golf Champion

CHRIS TERRERI,
NHL hockey player

JAMES WOODS,
Actor

 

 

 

 

 

FACTS ABOUT WARWICK

 

FOUNDED: 1642

 

Warwick was founded by Samuel Gorton and eleven of his followers when the men purchased 107 square miles of land from Miantonomi, chief sachem of the Narragansett Indian tribe. Gorton had arrived from London in 1636.

 

Name: Warwick’s name came from that of the second earl of Warwick in England, Robert Rich. When Samuel Gorton wanted the Massachusetts Bay Colony to stop its encroachments against him and his followers, Gorton traveled to England to plead his case to Rich, who had been named ‘Governor in Chief and Lord High Admiral of the English Plantations in America.’ Rich ruled in Gorton’s favor, and in return, Gorton renamed the town Warwick.

 

DATE OF INCORPORATION: 1931

 

POPULATION:  82,672

 

TOTAL LAND AREA: 35 SQ. MILES

 

COASTLINE: 39 MILES

 

GOLF COURSES: 5

 

PARKS & PLAYGROUNDS: 50+

 

STATE PARK: GODDARD MEMORIAL STATE PARK

 

AIRPORTS: 1 (T.F. GREEN AIRPORT PVD)

 

HOTELS & MOTELS: 16

 

HOSPITALS: 1 (KENT HOSPITAL)

 

LIBRARIES: 4

 

MUSEUMS: 3

 

FIRE STATIONS: 8

 

POLICE STATIONS: 1

 

HIGHEST POINT: SPENCER HILL, 350 FT. ABOVE MEDIAN SEA LEVEL

 

BEACHES: 8

(3 SALT-WATER, 5 FRESH-WATER)

 

MARINAS AND YACHT CLUBS: 15

 

DESTINATION TRAVEL TIME:

PROVIDENCE, RI: 10 MIN.

BOSTON, MA: 1 HOUR

NEWPORT, RI: 30 MIN.

SOUTH SHORE BEACHES:
30 MIN.

CT CASINOS: 45 MIN.

CAPE COD, MA:
1 HOUR, 15 MIN.

NEW YORK CITY:
3 HOURS, 30 MIN.