Kings Towne was incorporated in 1674, and included the vast area of Narragansett County. While it encompassed the present towns of North Kingstown and South Kingstown at that time, it was not until 1722-23, that they were established as separate towns. Best known as Rhode Island’s sea town, North Kingstown’s contributions are as historically significant as they are unique.

Because of its location and natural harbor and beaches, North Kingstown is famous as a summer resort and haven for pleasure. Among its many historic sites still standing are Smith’s Castle at Cocumscussoc, built in 1640, by Richard Smith as a trading post and used as a rendezvous point for troops who fought in the Great Swamp Fight in 1675. North Kingstown is also the birthplace of America’s foremost portrait artist of George Washington, Gilbert Stuart. Rolling Rock and Queens Fort indicate the strong presence and tradition of Narragansett Indians in our area.

The mid 18th century homestead- Casey Farm- overlooks Narragansett Bay and still operates as one of the oldest working farms in New England. Its stone walls and beautiful view of the bay are one of the most photographed sites in our community. Adding another dimension to our deep history is the Old Narragansett Church, built in 1707, the oldest Episcopal Church building north of Philadelphia. History books tell us it was rolled to its present location in Wickford from a site several miles south in Saunderstown. Wickford village, which contains an impressive collection of houses dating back to the late 18th and early 19th centuries, is most likely the largest concentration of colonial houses in such a small area in the nation. It truly is one of the gems of North Kingstown!

The beautiful old mill buildings (such as Lafayette Mill) still standing in town reflect another era in the rich history of North Kingstown. As mechanized cotton textile manufacturing took hold in the Pawtucket/ Providence area, North Kingstown became one of the centers of woolen textiles manufacturing. The beauty of these structures has been preserved for both commercial and residential use.

North Kingstown’s much loved mill villages, farms and summer colonies changed significantly with the onset of World War II. In 1938, the point of land north of Wickford village was identified as a favorable site for the protection of the Northeast coast during the war. The development of the Quonset Naval Air Station and the Davisville Construction Training Center in North Kingstown changed the character of North Kingstown from an historic seaside village to a key naval station during World War II. Quonset huts were designed and built in town prior to shipment around the globe. And North Kingstown will forever be the home of the "Seabee" which was designed by a native Rhode Islander and now is part of an historic museum at Quonset. Both facilities have subsequently closed and given the state of Rhode Island and North Kingstown a unique opportunity to develop 2500 acres. Today, North Kingstown is home to Rhode Island’s largest economic potential featuring a deep-water port, rail lines and the state’s longest runway.

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