While Narragansett Pier is officially an unincorporated village in the town of Narragansett, Rhode Island, the pier itself means something much more to the surrounding community and region. The physical structure and intangible idea of Narragansett Pier has come to define the identity of the surrounding area in a way that connects it to the history of the region as well as to the contemporary community.
Cultivating the Culture and Community of Naragansett
The first “Narragansett Pier” would be constructed in 1781 in the center of the village next to the present location of The Towers. The popularity of the space would eventually enable the creation of the Narragansett Pier Casino that became a hub of activity in the “Gilded Age.” The Towers are the only piece of the structure that remains, but they have become a big part of the identity that Narragansett Pier now embraces.
Images of The Towers appear all over the Narragansett Pier, which provides stunning views of the ocean. The structure of the pier itself has been rebuilt and expanded over the decades, but the structure allows people to easily move about and explore the entire area. The Pier Marketplace contains nineteen stores, services and restaurants, all of which offer a variety of products and services. Some of those products have a direct connection to the Narragansett Pier.
The popularity of Narragansett Pier has enabled the installation of several distinct monuments like “Dancing with Waves” and “Dance of Peace” by local artist by Anne Mimi Sammis. They reside near a sculpture of Chief Canonchet that was installed in 1977. That piece is depicts the chief who was related to the Native American leaders that welcomed Roger Williams, the founder of nearby Providence, to the area in 1636.
The through line with all of these developments relates to an identity that can be instantly recognized as being associated with the Narragansett Pier, whether it’s related to the icons of The Towers or the beautiful scenery or the distinctive landmarks. This collective identity showcases what kind of an impact it can have on a community as something they everyone can embrace, utilize and celebrate.
Interest and Activities Across the Eras
Narragansett continues to be a popular city to live in or visit, with much of that interest centered on the activities that take place all across the Narragansett Pier. This interest is connected in multiple ways to the identity that the Narragansett Pier has enabled and will further influence over the eras.
