Wickford – July 24, 2020

The Castle

I wasn’t sure what the conditions would be like, so I decided to head to Wilson Park to paddle around the calm waters of Wickford Harbor.  

Wickford is located on the West Passage of Narragansett Bay and is built around a large, well-protected harbor. It was established in the early 17th century when Roger William purchased land from the Narragansett Indians and established a trading post. In 1637, Williams sold the land to Richard Smith who constructed a large fortified house on the site, giving the house its nickname the “Castle”. That house was burned during King Philip's War, and the structure that can be seen from the put-in today was built in1678.

Wickford Harbor

While the backwaters around Rabbit Island and Cornelius Island looked interesting, I headed out into Wickford Harbor as far as the breakwater, and then into Wickford Cove. With the exception of a couple of fishing boats, the marinas were quiet.

Wickford grew to become a major port and shipbuilding center, and today contains a large collection of 17th and 18th century homes. It is a picturesque village whose streets are lined with shops and restaurants.

Wickford Cove

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My Pictures

Wilson Park from RI Blueways