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Coordinates: 41°37′01″N 71°18′59″W / 41.6170°N 71.3164°W / 41.6170; -71.3164
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{{Short description|Island in Narragansett Bay, Rhode Island, US}}
{{Coord|41.6170|N|71.3164|W|display=title|region:US-RI_type:isle}}
{{Coord|41.6170|N|71.3164|W|display=title|region:US-RI_type:isle}}


[[File:Prudenceisland.GIF|thumbnail|right|300px|Prudence Island, shown in red, in the inner part of Narragansett Bay]]
[[File:Prudenceisland.GIF|thumbnail|right|300px|Prudence Island, shown in red, in the inner part of [[Narragansett Bay]]; the islands to the south are [[Conanicut]] and [[Aquidneck]] (formerly called Rhode Island)]]
[[File:Prudence Island.jpg|thumb|250px|right|[[Prudence Island Light]] in the early twentieth century]]
[[File:Prudence Island.jpg|thumb|250px|right|[[Prudence Island Light]] in the early 20th century]]
[[File:Sand Point Light.jpg|thumbnail|right|250px|A more recent view of the [[Prudence Island Light]], with the [[Mt. Hope Bridge]] in the background.]]
[[File:Sand Point Light.jpg|thumbnail|right|250px|A more recent view of the Prudence Island Light, with the [[Mt. Hope Bridge]] in the background]]
[[File:Prudence-island-schoolhouse-in-2007.jpg|thumbnail|right|250px|The Prudence Island Schoolhouse, built in 1896 (with indoor plumbing and a kitchen added to the side in 1951). On the corner of Broadway and Mt. Pleasant Ave.]]
[[File:Prudence-island-schoolhouse-in-2007.jpg|thumbnail|right|250px|The Prudence Island Schoolhouse, built in 1896 on the corner of Broadway and Mt. Pleasant Ave.]]


'''Prudence Island''' is the third largest island in [[Narragansett Bay]] in the [[U.S. state]] of [[Rhode Island]] and part of the [[New England town|town]] of [[Portsmouth, Rhode Island|Portsmouth]]. It is located near the geographical center of the bay. It is defined by the [[United States Census Bureau]] as Block Group 3, [[census tract|Census Tract]] 401.03 of [[Newport County, Rhode Island]]. As of the [[United States Census, 2000|2000 census]] the population was 88 people living on a land area of 14.43&nbsp;km² (5.57 sq mi).<ref>[http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/DTTable?_bm=y&-show_geoid=Y&-tree_id=4001&-_caller=geoselect&-context=dt&-errMsg=&-all_geo_types=N&-mt_name=DEC_2000_SF1_U_P001&-redoLog=true&-transpose=N&-search_map_config=|b=50|l=en|t=4001|zf=0.0|ms=sel_00dec|dw=0.4059938129615691|dh=0.22713288188657324|dt=gov.census.aff.domain.map.EnglishMapExtent|if=gif|cx=-71.28235972838506|cy=41.640898925982675|zl=5|pz=5|bo=318:317:316:315:314:313:323:319|bl=362:393:392:358:357:356:355:354|ft=350:349:335:389:388:332:331|fl=381:403:204:380:369:379:368|g=01000US&-PANEL_ID=p_dt_geo_map&-_lang=en&-geo_id=15000US440050401033&-CONTEXT=dt&-format=&-search_results=14000US44005040103&-ds_name=DEC_2000_SF1_U Block Group 3, Census Tract 401.03, Newport people have to take a ferry every day to get off and that is not easy County] United States Census Bureau</ref>
'''Prudence Island''' is the third-largest island in [[Narragansett Bay]] in the state of [[Rhode Island]] and part of the town of [[Portsmouth, Rhode Island]], United States. It is located near the geographic center of the bay. It is defined by the [[United States Census Bureau]] as Block Group 3, Census Tract 401.03 of [[Newport County, Rhode Island]]. As of the [[2010 United States census|2010 census]], the population was 278 people living on a land area of {{convert|14.43|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}}.<ref>[https://www.census.gov|b=50|l=en|t=4001|zf=0.0|ms=sel_00dec|dw=0.4059938129615691|dh=0.22713288188657324|dt=gov.census.aff.domain.map.EnglishMapExtent|if=gif|cx=-71.28235972838506|cy=41.640898925982675|zl=5|pz=5|bo=318:317:316:315:314:313:323:319|bl=362:393:392:358:357:356:355:354|ft=350:349:335:389:388:332:331|fl=381:403:204:380:369:379:368|g=01000US&-PANEL_ID=p_dt_geo_map&-_lang=en&-geo_id=15000US440050401033&-CONTEXT=dt&-format=&-search_results=14000US44005040103&-ds_name=DEC_2000_SF1_U Block Group 3, Census Tract 401.03, Newport people have to take a ferry every day to get off and that is not easy] . United States Census Bureau</ref>


==History==
==History==
The [[Narragansett language|Narragansett]] name for the island was ''Chibachuweset'' (or ''Chibachuwese''), and the Narragansetts originally offered to gift it to [[John Oldham (colonist)|John Oldham]] if he would settle there and set up a trading post. Oldham failed to meet the condition, so they gave the island to [[Roger Williams]] and [[John Winthrop]] in 1637, with each man retaining a one-half interest. Williams took the northern side of the island, and Winthrop took the southern side.


The Native American name for the island was "Chibachuweset" (or "Chibachuwese"), and the [[Narragansetts]] originally offered it for sale to [[John Oldham (colonist)|John Oldham]] if he would settle there and set up a trading post. Oldham failed to meet the condition, so in 1637 the Narragansetts sold the island to [[Roger Williams (theologian)|Roger Williams]] and [[John Winthrop]] with each man retaining a one-half interest: Roger Williams took the northern side of the island while John Winthrop took the southern side. Division wall divides the two sides. Pulpit Rock can still be found today on the northern side of the island. Williams and Winthrop hoped to farm pigs on the island. Williams named the island "Prudence" and shortly afterwards purchased and named nearby [[Patience Island]] and [[Hope Island (Rhode Island)|Hope Island]]. Williams sold his half interest in Prudence Island while in England on behalf of the colony, and Winthrop willed his land to his son Stephen.<ref>''Letters of Roger Williams. 1632-1682. Now first collected'', Oct. 28 1637, (Providence: Printed for the Narragansett Club, 1874) pg. 70 (accessed through The Library 0f Congress on July 19, 2009)[http://www.archive.org/details/lettersofrogerwi00will]</ref><ref>Samuel Greene Arnold, ''History of the state of Rhode Island and Providence plantations'' Volume 1, (D. Appleton, 1859) pg. 105 [https://books.google.com/books?id=_cITAAAAYAAJ&source=gbs_navlinks_s]</ref>
Williams and Winthrop hoped to farm pigs on the island. Williams named it "Prudence" and shortly afterwards purchased and named nearby [[Patience Island]] and [[Hope Island (Rhode Island)|Hope Island]]. He sold his half interest in Prudence Island while in England on behalf of the colony, and Winthrop willed his land to his son Stephen.<ref>''Letters of Roger Williams. 1632-1682. Now First Collected'', Oct. 28 1637, (Providence: Printed for the Narragansett Club, 1874) pg. 70 (accessed through the Library of Congress on July 19, 2009)[https://archive.org/details/lettersofrogerwi00will]</ref><ref>Samuel Greene Arnold, ''History of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations'' Volume 1, (D. Appleton, 1859) pg. 105 [https://books.google.com/books?id=_cITAAAAYAAJ]</ref>


In colonial times, the island was used mainly for farming. During the [[American Revolution]], the [[British Empire|British]] forces under Captain [[James Wallace (Royal Navy officer)|James Wallace]] raided Prudence Island for livestock and engaged in a skirmish with American forces, losing approximately a dozen soldiers. In the 20th century, farming began to decline and the island began to attract summer residences. In [[World War II]], the U.S. Navy established an ammunition depot on the {{convert|400|acre|km2}} southernmost of the island. In 1972, the Navy turned the base over to the [[Rhode Island|state of Rhode Island]], leaving bunkers, roads, and a large deep-water pier.
In colonial times, the island was used mainly for farming. During the [[American Revolution]], the British forces under Captain [[James Wallace (Royal Navy officer)|James Wallace]] raided Prudence Island for livestock and engaged in a skirmish with American forces, losing approximately a dozen soldiers. In the 20th century, farming began to decline and the island began to attract summer residents. In [[World War II]], the Navy established an ammunition depot on the southernmost {{convert|400|acre|km2}} of the island. In 1972, the Navy turned the base over to the State of [[Rhode Island]], leaving bunkers, roads, and a large deep-water pier.


Along with nearby [[Hope Island (Rhode Island)|Hope Island]] and [[Patience Island]], the former Naval Base is now home to the [[Narragansett Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve]], as well as the former Garland Estate on the northernmost part of the island. The [[Farnham Farm]] is a national historic site. The island is served by [[ferry]] service to [[Bristol, Rhode Island]]. Parts of the 2012 film, [[Moonrise Kingdom]], were filmed on the island and nearby [[Jamestown, Rhode Island]].<ref>http://www.newportri.com/features/film/enchanted-kingdom/article_af6edf4e-af3f-11e1-98ac-001a4bcf887a.html</ref>
Several buildings and businesses that once stood on the island were destroyed by the [[1938 New England hurricane]] and [[Hurricane Carol]].<ref name="prudbiz">{{cite web |title=Island-Hopping in Narragansett Bay |url=https://www.rimonthly.com/narragansett-bay-islands/ |website=Rhode Island Monthly |access-date=4 February 2020 |date=18 June 2018}}</ref> As of 2018, the only business in operation on the island is a general store that doubles as the post office.<ref name="prudbiz"/> The former naval base is now home to the [[Narragansett Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve]], while [[Farnham Farm]] is a national historic site. The island is served by ferry service to [[Bristol, Rhode Island]]. Parts of the 2012 film ''[[Moonrise Kingdom]]'' were filmed on the island and nearby [[Jamestown, Rhode Island|Jamestown]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newportri.com/article/20120606/ENTERTAINMENT/306069960 |title=Enchanted "Kingdom"|author=Jennifer Nicole Sullivan|website=The Newport Daily News|access-date=29 April 2019}}</ref>

Prudence Island is the location of Rhode Island's last one-room schoolhouse. It is operated by the Prudence Island School Foundation in cooperation with the Portsmouth school district and educates island children from kindergarten through fourth grade.<ref name="oneroom">{{cite web |last1=Reynolds |first1=Mark |title=Portsmouth may close the state's last one-room schoolhouse |url=https://www.providencejournal.com/news/20190512/portsmouth-may-close-states-last-one-room-schoolhouse |website=providencejournal.com |access-date=30 October 2019 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Prudence Island School Foundation {{!}} Prudence Island School Foundation |url=http://prudenceislandschool.org/about-us/about-us-prudence-island-school-foundation |access-date=30 October 2019}}</ref> The school has served the community on the island since 1896, with a six-year hiatus from 1982 to 1989.<ref>{{cite web |title=Photos: Prudence Island one-room schoolhouse |url=https://www.providencejournal.com/photogallery/PJ/20190512/NEWS/512009998/PH/1 |website=providencejournal.com |access-date=30 October 2019 |language=en}}</ref> In 2019, three students were enrolled.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Damon |first1=Laura |title=Prudence Island School will remain open |url=https://www.providencejournal.com/news/20190514/prudence-island-school-will-remain-open/1 |website=providencejournal.com |access-date=30 October 2019 |language=en}}</ref>


== Summer colonies on Prudence Island ==
== Summer colonies on Prudence Island ==
⚫
There are several different summer colonies on the island. These are in order from the south:


⚫
* Prudence Park: on the west side of the island at the western end of Broadway. Development began in 1872 with the building of the Stone Wharf on the west side of the island which became a stop on the [[Fall River Line]] steamers running from Providence and [[Fall River, Massachusetts|Fall River]] to New York City. Most of the summer homes in this area of the island are fine examples of [[Victorian architecture|Victorian]] and [[Beaux-Arts architecture]], in a similar style to those at [[Oak Bluffs, Massachusetts|Oak Bluffs]] on [[Martha's Vineyard]]. The Stone Wharf was severely damaged and many houses were lost in the [[New England Hurricane of 1938|hurricane of 1938]].<ref name="Unknown">{{Cite map | publisher = Unknown| title = Chippaquasett: Indian Name of Prudence Island, Circa 1895| cartography = Francis Curran| year = 1970}}</ref>
⚫
There are several different summer colonies on the island, named after either their plat names or by the original owner of the land / subdivision. These are in order from the south:
⚫
* Bristol Colony: on the east side of the island at the eastern end of Broadway.<ref name="Unknown"/>
⚫
* Sandy Point: on the eastern side of the island, along Narragansett Avenue. Site of [[Prudence Island (Sandy Point) Light|Prudence Island Light]] and the Town Dock, and a former landing point for the ferry.
⚫
* Homestead: plat of summer homes along the east coast of the island, north of Pier Road, to the north of the former Homestead Casino, which was lost in the hurricane of 1938, now the site of the island's post office, general store, and ferry landing.
⚫
* Warnerville: directly north of the Homestead Plat, on Warner Avenue off Narragansett Avenue.
* Boystown Fly-in-Ranch: a small private airport on the northern part of the island.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://accounts.google.com/ServiceLogin?passive=1209600&osid=1&continue=https://plus.google.com/114384744629732154078?gl%3Dus%26hl%3Den&followup=https://plus.google.com/114384744629732154078?gl%3Dus%26hl%3Den&hl=en |title=Google site|website=google.com|access-date=29 April 2019}}</ref>


== In popular culture ==
⚫
* Prudence Park- Located on the west side of the island at the western end of Broadway. Development began in 1872 with the building of the Stone Wharf on the west side of the island which became a stop on the [[Fall River Line]] steamers running from [[Providence, Rhode Island|Providence]] and [[Fall River]] to [[New York City|New York]]. Most of the summer homes in this area of the island are fine examples of [[Victorian architecture|Victorian]] and [[Beaux-Arts architecture|Beaux Arts]] summer homes, in a similar style to those at [[Oak Bluffs, Massachusetts|Oak Bluffs]], [[Martha's Vineyard]]. The Stone Wharf was severely damaged and many houses were lost in the [[New England Hurricane of 1938|Hurricane of 1938]].<ref name="Unknown">{{Cite map | publisher = Unknown| title = Chippaquasett: Indian Name of Prudence Island, Circa 1895| cartography = Francis Curran| year = 1970}}</ref>
[http://www.katherinetowler.com/books/snow-island The ''Snow Island'' Trilogy] tells the story of a fictionalized version of Prudence Island across two generations. The 2012 film [[Moonrise Kingdom]] was filmed in part on Prudence.
⚫
* Bristol Colony- Located on the east side of the island at the eastern end of Broadway. A more modern summer colony, near the site of Bullock's Warf from the 1840s.<ref name="Unknown"/>
⚫
* Sandy Point- Located on the eastern side of the island, along Narragansett Avenue. Site of [[Prudence Island (Sandy Point) Light|Prudence Island Light]] (commonly known as "Sandy Point Light"), the Town Dock and a former landing point for the ferry.
⚫
* Homestead- Plat of summer homes along the east coast of the island, north of Pier Road, to the north of the former [[Homestead Casino]] which was lost in the [[New England Hurricane of 1938|Hurricane of 1938]], now the site of the island's post office, general store, and ferry landing.
⚫
* Warnerville- Located directly north of the Homestead Plat, on Warner Avenue off Narragansett Avenue.
* Boystown Fly-In Ranch Airport is located on the northern part of the island.<ref>https://plus.google.com/114384744629732154078/about?gl=us&hl=en</ref>


==References==
==References==

{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}

{{Portsmouth, Rhode Island}}
{{Narragansett Bay}}
{{Narragansett Bay}}
⚫
{{Islands and Peninsulas of Rhode Island}}


{{authority control}}
⚫
[[Category:Islands of Rhode Island]]

[[Category:Landforms of Newport County, Rhode Island]]
[[Category:Islands of Newport County, Rhode Island]]
[[Category:Portsmouth, Rhode Island]]
[[Category:Portsmouth, Rhode Island]]
[[Category:Islands of Narragansett Bay]]
[[Category:Islands of Rhode Island]]

Latest revision as of 11:43, 2 November 2024

41°37′01″N 71°18′59″W / 41.6170°N 71.3164°W / 41.6170; -71.3164

Prudence Island, shown in red, in the inner part of Narragansett Bay; the islands to the south are Conanicut and Aquidneck (formerly called Rhode Island)
Prudence Island Light in the early 20th century
A more recent view of the Prudence Island Light, with the Mt. Hope Bridge in the background
The Prudence Island Schoolhouse, built in 1896 on the corner of Broadway and Mt. Pleasant Ave.

Prudence Island is the third-largest island in Narragansett Bay in the state of Rhode Island and part of the town of Portsmouth, Rhode Island, United States. It is located near the geographic center of the bay. It is defined by the United States Census Bureau as Block Group 3, Census Tract 401.03 of Newport County, Rhode Island. As of the 2010 census, the population was 278 people living on a land area of 14.43 km2 (5.57 sq mi).[1]

History

[edit]

The Narragansett name for the island was Chibachuweset (or Chibachuwese), and the Narragansetts originally offered to gift it to John Oldham if he would settle there and set up a trading post. Oldham failed to meet the condition, so they gave the island to Roger Williams and John Winthrop in 1637, with each man retaining a one-half interest. Williams took the northern side of the island, and Winthrop took the southern side.

Williams and Winthrop hoped to farm pigs on the island. Williams named it "Prudence" and shortly afterwards purchased and named nearby Patience Island and Hope Island. He sold his half interest in Prudence Island while in England on behalf of the colony, and Winthrop willed his land to his son Stephen.[2][3]

In colonial times, the island was used mainly for farming. During the American Revolution, the British forces under Captain James Wallace raided Prudence Island for livestock and engaged in a skirmish with American forces, losing approximately a dozen soldiers. In the 20th century, farming began to decline and the island began to attract summer residents. In World War II, the Navy established an ammunition depot on the southernmost 400 acres (1.6 km2) of the island. In 1972, the Navy turned the base over to the State of Rhode Island, leaving bunkers, roads, and a large deep-water pier.

Several buildings and businesses that once stood on the island were destroyed by the 1938 New England hurricane and Hurricane Carol.[4] As of 2018, the only business in operation on the island is a general store that doubles as the post office.[4] The former naval base is now home to the Narragansett Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, while Farnham Farm is a national historic site. The island is served by ferry service to Bristol, Rhode Island. Parts of the 2012 film Moonrise Kingdom were filmed on the island and nearby Jamestown.[5]

Prudence Island is the location of Rhode Island's last one-room schoolhouse. It is operated by the Prudence Island School Foundation in cooperation with the Portsmouth school district and educates island children from kindergarten through fourth grade.[6][7] The school has served the community on the island since 1896, with a six-year hiatus from 1982 to 1989.[8] In 2019, three students were enrolled.[9]

Summer colonies on Prudence Island

[edit]

There are several different summer colonies on the island. These are in order from the south:

  • Prudence Park: on the west side of the island at the western end of Broadway. Development began in 1872 with the building of the Stone Wharf on the west side of the island which became a stop on the Fall River Line steamers running from Providence and Fall River to New York City. Most of the summer homes in this area of the island are fine examples of Victorian and Beaux-Arts architecture, in a similar style to those at Oak Bluffs on Martha's Vineyard. The Stone Wharf was severely damaged and many houses were lost in the hurricane of 1938.[10]
  • Bristol Colony: on the east side of the island at the eastern end of Broadway.[10]
  • Sandy Point: on the eastern side of the island, along Narragansett Avenue. Site of Prudence Island Light and the Town Dock, and a former landing point for the ferry.
  • Homestead: plat of summer homes along the east coast of the island, north of Pier Road, to the north of the former Homestead Casino, which was lost in the hurricane of 1938, now the site of the island's post office, general store, and ferry landing.
  • Warnerville: directly north of the Homestead Plat, on Warner Avenue off Narragansett Avenue.
  • Boystown Fly-in-Ranch: a small private airport on the northern part of the island.[11]
[edit]

The Snow Island Trilogy tells the story of a fictionalized version of Prudence Island across two generations. The 2012 film Moonrise Kingdom was filmed in part on Prudence.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Block Group 3, Census Tract 401.03, Newport people have to take a ferry every day to get off and that is not easy . United States Census Bureau
  2. ^ Letters of Roger Williams. 1632-1682. Now First Collected, Oct. 28 1637, (Providence: Printed for the Narragansett Club, 1874) pg. 70 (accessed through the Library of Congress on July 19, 2009)[1]
  3. ^ Samuel Greene Arnold, History of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations Volume 1, (D. Appleton, 1859) pg. 105 [2]
  4. ^ a b "Island-Hopping in Narragansett Bay". Rhode Island Monthly. 18 June 2018. Retrieved 4 February 2020.
  5. ^ Jennifer Nicole Sullivan. "Enchanted "Kingdom"". The Newport Daily News. Retrieved 29 April 2019.
  6. ^ Reynolds, Mark. "Portsmouth may close the state's last one-room schoolhouse". providencejournal.com. Retrieved 30 October 2019.
  7. ^ "Prudence Island School Foundation | Prudence Island School Foundation". Retrieved 30 October 2019.
  8. ^ "Photos: Prudence Island one-room schoolhouse". providencejournal.com. Retrieved 30 October 2019.
  9. ^ Damon, Laura. "Prudence Island School will remain open". providencejournal.com. Retrieved 30 October 2019.
  10. ^ a b Chippaquasett: Indian Name of Prudence Island, Circa 1895 (Map). Cartography by Francis Curran. Unknown. 1970.
  11. ^ "Google site". google.com. Retrieved 29 April 2019.
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