Hopkinton Rhode
Island Home Improvement
Hopkinton
was established in 1669, as a part of the Town of Westerly, as
were Richmond and Charlestown. However, after the people
petitioned the General Assembly to divide it, the town of
Hopkinton was incorporated on March 14, 1757. Hopkinton was named
in honor of Stephen Hopkins, who was then Governor of Rhode
Island, and also a signer of the Declaration of Independence.
In
the years prior to its independence, the Hopkinton side of the
Pawcatuck River was the religious, business and civic center of
Westerly. Even earlier, the entire Misquamicutt Region located in
the southwestern part of what was then Narragansett County, was
inhabited by Indian Tribes. Today there is evidence of the former
presence of Indians thousands of years ago in Hopkinton - the
Indian Rock Shelters, Indian Signal Rocks, and numerous other
artifacts. At the point where Hopkinton, Richmond, and Westerly
crossed paths, stood the first Meeting House in Southern Rhode
Island, built by the Seventh Day Baptists in 1680. One member of
the church was Samuel Ward, governor of Rhode Island, who later
joined in the founding of Brown University.
Similar
to other Rhode Island cities and towns the early settlements in
Hopkinton were centered around its rivers. On Wood River were
Barberville, Hope Valley and Woodville; on Brushy Brook and its
tributaries were Rockville, Centerville, Moscow, and Locustville;
on the Cononchet River was Ashville; on the Ashawog River were
Bethel and Ashaway; and on the Pawcatuck River was Burdickville.
Each of these little villages has an interesting history of its
own.
For
example, one of the early trades in Ashaway was blacksmithing.
This village is also known throughout the world because here is
located the Ashaway Line & Twine Mfg. Co., a manufacturer of
top quality sport fishing lines and products. On January 20, 1939,
Ashaway placed the first commercial product made of nylon on the
market- the Ashaway Nylon Bait Casting Line.
Today,
Hopkinton is still a rural town. Recreation is highlighted in
Hopkinton with fresh water fishing facilities, parks and numerous
campgrounds. Hopkinton is one of the popular vacation areas of
southern Rhode Island and convenient to miles of ocean front
beaches. Camp Yawgoog, operated by the Narragansett Council, Boy
Scouts of America, and located in Rockville, is one of the largest
Boy Scout camps in the United States.
In
1876, and again in 1976, during the Bicentennial Celebration,
Hopkinton took great pride in participating in the celebration of
America. There was a comprehensive program for Bicentennial
activity, and Hopkinton received an American Revolution
Bicentennial certificate and flag designating Hopkinton as a
bicentennial community.
Our Handy Men are fully equipped and
ready to serve your needs.
info@RhodeIslandHomeImprovement.com
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Hopkinton Rhode Island Home Improvement
