Misquamicut, Rhode Island

Misquamicut is a census-designated place and fire district in southern Washington County, Rhode Island. It is part of the town of Westerly and is a census-designated place.[3] The population was listed as 390 in 2010.[4]

Misquamicut, Rhode Island
Census-designated place
Andrea Hotel, c.1930s
Misquamicut, Rhode Island
Location in the state of Rhode Island
Misquamicut, Rhode Island
Misquamicut, Rhode Island (the United States)
Coordinates: 41°19′26″N 71°49′19″W
CountryUnited States
StateRhode Island
CountyWashington
Area
 • Total1.25 sq mi (3.23 km2)
 • Land1.17 sq mi (3.04 km2)
 • Water0.075 sq mi (0.19 km2)
Elevation
3 ft (1 m)
Population
 (2010)
 • Total390
 • Density310/sq mi (120/km2)
Time zoneUTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP code
02891
Area code(s)401
FIPS code44-46000[1]
GNIS feature ID1217591[2]

Name

Misquamicut is a word in the Narragansett language or in another Algonquian language closely related to Narragansett. It can be derived from the roots mish 'red' + kwam 'fish' + k (plural) + -t 'at', meaning 'At the Place of the Red Fish,' that is, 'At the Salmon Place'.[5]

History

The district was once known as Pleasant View. The land was purchased from Chief Sosoa of the Montauks in 1661. The name was changed from Pleasant View to Misquamicut in 1928. The area suffered a series of devastating hurricanes that wiped out beach homes, hotels, and other structures in 1938, 1944, and 1954. A portion of the oceanfront became Misquamicut State Beach in 1959.[6]

1940s postcard

Atlantic Beach Park (41.324438°N 71.794386°W / 41.324438; -71.794386) is a privately-operated amusement center with 12 acres (49,000 m2) of land and buildings within the Misquamicut section of beachfront.[7][8][9] It lies south of Misquamicut State Beach[10] and north of Winnapaug Pond, a source of Rhode Island quahogs (clams) and bay scallops. The first parcel of this property was purchased in 1920 from the Norwich and Westerly Railway by Julia and Harry Trefes. Subsequent purchases by them and their two sons eventually totaled 12 acres (49,000 m2). The property is still owned and operated by the Trefes family. This section of Misquamicut was originally called "Atlantic Beach Casino".[11] It retains a carousel with antique band organ,[12][13] kiddie rides, bumper cars, game room, and ice cream stand.[14] More recently, mini-golf, go-karts, batting cage, water slides, gift shop, and more have been added.[15]

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Misquamicut has a total area of 1.25 mi2 (3.23 km2), of which 1.17 mi2 (3.04 km2) is land and 0.075 mi2 (0.19 km2), or 6.0%, is water.[16]

References
  1. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2020-07-19.
  2. "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. Retrieved 2020-07-19.
  3. U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Misquamicut, Rhode Island
  4. "Population and Housing Unit Counts: Rhode Island" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. p. 11. Retrieved September 1, 2014.
  5. Francis Joseph O'Brien, Jr. (Moondancer) and Julianne Jennings (Strong Woman), An Introduction to the Narragansett Language: A Study of Roger Williams' A Key into the Language of America. Newport, Rhode Island: Aquidneck Indian Council, 2001, PP. 131, 136; https://www.scribd.com/doc/299109237/Introduction-to-the-Narragansett-Language , accessed September 29th, 2017
  6. "Misquamicut State Beach History". State of Rhode Division of Parks & Recreation. Retrieved September 1, 2014.
  7. "Your Kids Will Have A Blast At This Miniature Amusement Park In Rhode Island Made Just For Them". www.onlyinyourstate.com. 2019-03-26. Retrieved 2020-07-19.
  8. "Rhode Island's Classic Carousels: A Seaside Tour". www.wsj.com. 2017-09-01. Retrieved 2020-07-19.
  9. "Amusement Parks In Rhode Island: A Huffington Post Travel Guide". www.huffpost.com. 2017-12-06. Retrieved 2020-07-19.
  10. Tobyne, Dan (June 15, 2016). Beachcomber's Guide to the Northeast. Down East Books. ISBN 9781608934041 – via Google Books.
  11. Gentile, Donald L.; Gordon, Bernard L. (April 12, 2010). Misquamicut. Arcadia Publishing. ISBN 9781439637579 – via Google Books.
  12. "Atlantic Beach Park". WESTERLY RI. February 26, 2016.
  13. "National Carousel Association - The Atlantic Beach Park Carousel - Atlantic Beach Park Carousel". carousels.org.
  14. "The 7 Best Beaches in Rhode Island". www.afar.com. 2019-03-20. Retrieved 2019-07-19.
  15. "Things to Do in Misquamicut, Rhode Island". www.traveltips.usatoday.com. Retrieved 2020-07-19.
  16. "US Gazetteer files: 2019". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2020-07-19.
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