In My Footsteps
Christopher Setterlund
Trip 47: Jamestown, RI
May 13, 2010
Perhaps known by many as a throughway connecting Newport and Narragansett, Jamestown and Conanicut Island are filled with amazing sites. The Newport Bridge brings you into Jamestown from the east and the Jamestown Verrazzano Bridge takes you to Narragansett to the west, but anybody who decides to visit either of those two incredible destinations needs to stop and give Jamestown a longer look.
The island was home for hundreds of years to the Narragansett tribe of Native Americans, at least during the warmer months. Conanicut Island is named for the Narragansett ‘sachem,’ or chief, Canonicus, who gave the English settlers permission to let their sheep graze on the island in 1638. The oldest Native American artifacts
found on the island an in the surrounding waters date back to 3,000 B.C. It is here on Conanicut Island that the largest number of Native American burying ground in New England exists.
found on the island an in the surrounding waters date back to 3,000 B.C. It is here on Conanicut Island that the largest number of Native American burying ground in New England exists.
Jamestown itself was incorporated as a town in 1678 and named for James, Duke of York who would become King James II in 1685. In addition to having strong ties to early-American and Native American history, Jamestown boasts several spectacular historic and natural landmarks that are must see attractions.
The first spot I went to was the home of the third oldest lighthouse in America: Beavertail State Park. Located on the southern tip of Conanicut Island, Beavertail State Park is more than just the home to Beavertail Light, but let’s start there. Beavertail Light(above) was originally established in 1749 but has been rebuilt a few times in the years since, most recently after the Hurricane of 1938
. It has a very unique look, a smoky-gray stone rectangle; overlooking Narragansett Bay it is an incredible site.
. It has a very unique look, a smoky-gray stone rectangle; overlooking Narragansett Bay it is an incredible site.
Beavertail State Park is not just about the lighthouse though. The shores all around the point are filled with slopes of rocks where the waves crash, while I was there I spotted many people sitting on their beach chairs perched on the rocks enjoying the sun. There are small beaches along the shore as well if you are willing to climb down the rocks to get to them.
Another great spot to visit is the site of the Jamestown Windmill. The current windmill, standing thirty-feet tall, was built in 1787 for the purpose of grinding corn. The previous mill was destroyed by British troops around the time of the Battle of Rhode Island. While it was operational it had to rely on the ocean’s breezes to power the windmill since Jamestown does not have any sort of running water to do that job. The windmill is located on North Road and is open to the public on weekends during the summer.
Fort Wetherill(right) was a strategic military location a few miles north of the southern tip of Conanicut Island. It became a government run military base named in 1899, during the Spanish-American War. It was named for Jamestown native Alexander Macom Wetherill who was killed at the Battle of San Juan Hill
. Inside the fort has been basically untouched since it was shut down in 1946. The concrete structures that are built into the granite hillside were put in place prior to World War II. Now there are trees and plants growing along the openings to the concrete structures. It is a very eerie feeling going inside and walking down the hallways littered with crumbled concrete. I found it ominous that each of the other openings down one of the hallways were blocked by growing trees.
. Inside the fort has been basically untouched since it was shut down in 1946. The concrete structures that are built into the granite hillside were put in place prior to World War II. Now there are trees and plants growing along the openings to the concrete structures. It is a very eerie feeling going inside and walking down the hallways littered with crumbled concrete. I found it ominous that each of the other openings down one of the hallways were blocked by growing trees.
The site became a state park in the early-1970’s, it is fifty-two acres of amazing scenic views. A dirt pathway takes you up a hill and lets you see the fort from above. It is fenced in and not accessible but that should not take away from the trip. From atop this hill there are no limit of sights: Narragansett Bay, Castle Hill Lighthouse in Newport, and Fort Adams which is almost directly across from Fort Wetherill. I had a great time exploring this area; the beautiful sunny day only added to my experience.
The final spot I visited during my time in Jamestown was the East Ferry Landing(right). This is the area where ferry boats came across Narragansett Bay from Newport until 1969 when the Newport Bridge was opened. The sailboats 
that are a symbol of the sea life around the Rhode Island coast were on display along Narragansett Bay stretching all the way down to the Newport Bridge. It was around this time that I felt like I was seeing the soul of Rhode Island, the boats on the water, the shops on the wharf, all images I needed to burn into my mind.
that are a symbol of the sea life around the Rhode Island coast were on display along Narragansett Bay stretching all the way down to the Newport Bridge. It was around this time that I felt like I was seeing the soul of Rhode Island, the boats on the water, the shops on the wharf, all images I needed to burn into my mind.
Though there are these sites I have listed here that should be visited it is just as good to come over either of the bridges and simply drive all over Conanicut Island. I enjoyed doing just that. It is while you take your time and explore a place like Jamestown that you really get a feel for what it is like. Being that it is less than twenty-five square miles in size it is very easy to see all of the island in a day.
Whether visiting Beavertail State Park, Fort Wetherill, Jamestown Windmill, or simply cruising the beautiful island roads you can’t go wrong. I did both and loved it all. Jamestown and Conanicut Island are one and the same, they are filled with history and house incredible views of the sea from all sides. I highly recommend taking the time to cross either the Jamestown Bridge or Newport Bridge(left) and giving some time to this beautiful island town. Have fun and happy traveling!
My first book, In My Footsteps: A Cape Cod Travel Guide, is now available at SchifferBooks.com, BarnesandNoble.com, and Amazon.com, soon to be in stores everywhere! Follow me on Twitter!
My first book, In My Footsteps: A Cape Cod Travel Guide, is now available at SchifferBooks.com, BarnesandNoble.com, and Amazon.com, soon to be in stores everywhere! Follow me on Twitter!
Directions: Beavertail State Park: From I-195 headed west take Exit 8A for Rt. 24, continue on Rt. 24 until exiting for Rt. 114, turn right at Coddington Highway. Continue onto JT O’Connell Rd., take 3rd exit at rotary for Admiral Kalbfus Rd., Take ramp onto Rt. 138 West. Take Jamestown Bridge-it is a toll road, right at E. Shore Rd., right at Canonicus Ave., Canonicus Ave. becomes Walcott Ave. Turn right at Hamilton Ave., Hamilton Ave. becomes Beavertail Rd. follow it to the park.
Fort Wetherill: From I-195 headed west take Exit 8A for Rt. 24, continue on Rt. 24 until exiting for Rt. 114, turn right at Coddington Highway. Continue onto JT O’Connell Rd., take 3rd exit at rotary for Admiral Kalbfus Rd., Take ramp onto Rt. 138 West. Take Jamestown Bridge-it is a toll road, right at E. Shore Rd., right at Canonicus Ave., Canonicus Ave. becomes Walcott Ave. Take slight left at Fort Wetherill Rd., take the 2nd right, turn right park will be on the left.
Jamestown Windmill: From I-195 headed west take Exit 8A for Rt. 24, continue on Rt. 24 until exiting for Rt. 114, turn right at Coddington Highway. Continue onto JT O’Connell Rd., take 3rd exit at rotary for Admiral Kalbfus Rd., Take ramp onto Rt. 138 West. Take Jamestown Bridge-it is a toll road, right at E. Shore Rd., left at Canonicus Ave., take 3rd right onto Bryer Ave., turn right at Prudence Lane. Prudence Lane turns left and becomes Whittier Rd., turn right at N. Rd. The windmill is .1 miles up on the right.
East Ferry Landing: From I-195 headed west take Exit 8A for Rt. 24, continue on Rt. 24 until exiting for Rt. 114, turn right at Coddington Highway. Continue onto JT O’Connell Rd., take 3rd exit at rotary for Admiral Kalbfus Rd., Take ramp onto Rt. 138 West. Take Jamestown Bridge-it is a toll road, right at E. Shore Rd., right at Canonicus Ave., East Ferry Landing is on the left.
References: Jamestown, RI Visitor Info
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