Watch Hill, Rhode Island - History

History

Once occupied by Niantic Indians in the 17th century, European colonists used the area as an important lookout point during the French and Indian War and the Revolutionary War, hence the community’s name. Some landmarks in the village include the Watch Hill Lighthouse the first of which was built in 1745, and The Flying Horse Carousel, the oldest continuously-operated carousel in the United States and a National Historic Landmark.

The Hurricane of 1938 caught Watch Hill by surprise and took a terrible toll. On Fort Road, which connected Watch Hill to the old Fort Mansfield, all the 39 houses, the Yacht and Beach Clubs, as well as the bathing pavilion were destroyed. Fifteen people were killed there alone and others survived by clinging to wreckage as they were swept across the bay to Connecticut.

Several breachways were created in Napatree Point after the hurricane has passed. To this day Sandy Point, once the northern extension, remains an island. Google Earth now shows the northernmost corner of Sandy Point as being in Connecticut. The shortened Napatree Point is now a barrier beach without any roads or houses. It is open to the public, and offers great bird watching and surf casting. The community is a secluded and seasonal resort community with shopping, a golf and beach club, yacht club and public and private beaches.