07 Critical Points
Key shifts were identified which altered the physical environment of the city. These shifts also caused social, political, and economic shifts to occur.
Critical Point 01: King Philip’s War (1676)
On March 29, 1676, the town of Providence was burned to the ground by a Native American group during King Philip's War, after negotiations failed between the Narragansett tribe and Roger Williams, the founder of Providence colony. Prior to this event, Providence town was mainly an agricultural and fishing village. After the reconstruction, Providence began to focus on industry and commerce.
On March 29, 1676, the town of Providence was burned to the ground by a Native American group during King Philip's War, after negotiations failed between the Narragansett tribe and Roger Williams, the founder of Providence colony. Prior to this event, Providence town was mainly an agricultural and fishing village. After the reconstruction, Providence began to focus on industry and commerce.
Critical Point 02: The Revolutionary War: The Sugar Act (1764) & the Occupation of Newport (1776)
The Revolutionary War was a critical point for Providence, Rhode Island for several reasons. Initially, the Sugar Act in 1764 greatly impacted Providence, which heavily relied on sugar for their distillery industry. At this time, Providence was heavily involved in the "triangular trade" in rum and slaves. Because of the triangular trade, Providence also began to gain a small black population. Providence renounced their allegiance to Great Britain in 1776. The major effect of the Revolutionary War on Providence, however, actually came by way of refugees. In December of 1776, Newport came under British occupation. The occupation of Newport led to a massive number of refugees fleeing Newport for Providence. The occupation lasted three years. During the Revolutionary War, Providence increased it’s manufacturing, ushering in the growth of four major industries that would support the economy of Providence until the 1950s: base metals and machinery, cotton textiles, woolen textiles and jewelry and silverware.
The Revolutionary War was a critical point for Providence, Rhode Island for several reasons. Initially, the Sugar Act in 1764 greatly impacted Providence, which heavily relied on sugar for their distillery industry. At this time, Providence was heavily involved in the "triangular trade" in rum and slaves. Because of the triangular trade, Providence also began to gain a small black population. Providence renounced their allegiance to Great Britain in 1776. The major effect of the Revolutionary War on Providence, however, actually came by way of refugees. In December of 1776, Newport came under British occupation. The occupation of Newport led to a massive number of refugees fleeing Newport for Providence. The occupation lasted three years. During the Revolutionary War, Providence increased it’s manufacturing, ushering in the growth of four major industries that would support the economy of Providence until the 1950s: base metals and machinery, cotton textiles, woolen textiles and jewelry and silverware.
Critical Point 03: Railroad Arrives in Providence (1835)
The railroads, and subsequent public works projects spurred by the railroads, strengthened the continually growing factory industry. Factories and warehouses grew rapidly in number near the port of Providence and near the Salt Cove, both stopping points for the railroad. The arrival of the railroad also lead to escalating racial tension as the immigrant population grew exponentially. By 1835 there were 1,005 non-naturalized foreigners in Providence, who were almost entirely of Irish Catholic Descent. This was a significant increase from 1820, when there were only thirty-nine un-naturalized citizens in Providence. Racial tensions grew volatile between the free black population and the Irish-catholic population; both were low-income groups who competed for inexpensive housing and labor/factory jobs. Irish-catholic immigration only continued to increase with the onset of the Irish Potato Famine, which began in 1845.
The railroads, and subsequent public works projects spurred by the railroads, strengthened the continually growing factory industry. Factories and warehouses grew rapidly in number near the port of Providence and near the Salt Cove, both stopping points for the railroad. The arrival of the railroad also lead to escalating racial tension as the immigrant population grew exponentially. By 1835 there were 1,005 non-naturalized foreigners in Providence, who were almost entirely of Irish Catholic Descent. This was a significant increase from 1820, when there were only thirty-nine un-naturalized citizens in Providence. Racial tensions grew volatile between the free black population and the Irish-catholic population; both were low-income groups who competed for inexpensive housing and labor/factory jobs. Irish-catholic immigration only continued to increase with the onset of the Irish Potato Famine, which began in 1845.
Critical Point 04: The Civil War (1860-1868)
The Civil War impacted Providence in that it continued to bolster manufacturing, particularly in textiles and machinery. Factories in Providence were responsible for the creation of uniforms and weapons for troops. Immigration patterns also shifted during and after the Civil War with an influx of French Canadians, Germans, Swedes, and English, occurring simultaneously with Irish immigration. French Canadians and English workers were typically highly skilled, and replaced the skilled workers lost during the Civil War.
The Civil War impacted Providence in that it continued to bolster manufacturing, particularly in textiles and machinery. Factories in Providence were responsible for the creation of uniforms and weapons for troops. Immigration patterns also shifted during and after the Civil War with an influx of French Canadians, Germans, Swedes, and English, occurring simultaneously with Irish immigration. French Canadians and English workers were typically highly skilled, and replaced the skilled workers lost during the Civil War.
Critical Point 05: The Great Hurricane of 1938
The Great Hurricane of 1938 and subsequent tidal wave caused massive devastation. 120-mile-an-hour winds reportedly fell power lines and thousands of trees and destroyed the infrastructure in the inner harbor. The damage caused an extremely expensive rebuilding phase, only serving to further catalyze the flee of industry from Providence which began in the 1940s. Between 1940 and 1970, the local textile industry completely collapses. Since the 1920’s, cotton industry had been slowly shifting to the Southern states, which had cheaper labor and newer factories. The Hurricane served as the final blow for the remaining textile industry in Providence.
The Great Hurricane of 1938 and subsequent tidal wave caused massive devastation. 120-mile-an-hour winds reportedly fell power lines and thousands of trees and destroyed the infrastructure in the inner harbor. The damage caused an extremely expensive rebuilding phase, only serving to further catalyze the flee of industry from Providence which began in the 1940s. Between 1940 and 1970, the local textile industry completely collapses. Since the 1920’s, cotton industry had been slowly shifting to the Southern states, which had cheaper labor and newer factories. The Hurricane served as the final blow for the remaining textile industry in Providence.
Critical Point 06: Construction of I-195 through downtown Providence (1960s)
Between World War I and World War II, highways were built in and around Providence. The two major highways that were built were I-95 and I-195. I-195 was particularly detrimental for Providence; it cut the downtown area off from the rest of the city. The downtown area lost almost all of its commerce as major department stores lost business to shopping malls in the suburbs. Most of the entertainment opportunities subsequently closed as well.
By 1970, the population shift showed a 28% decline in population from 1950, the fastest depopulation of any city in the United States. This can be attributed not only to the construction of the highways, but the loss of other transportation systems such as the trolley and the loss of industry. Also, urban revitalization in the 1950s had focused on large-scale housing projects that fractured neighborhoods and further segregated middle and upper class populations in the city from other economic classes. By the mid1970s, urban renewal forces were at work, demolishing large parts of neighborhoods such as West River, South Providence, and West Elmwood, which had lost most of their Irish-American tenants. Mashapaug Pond, Lippitt Hill, Randall Square and Weybosset Hill were also largely affected. West River and Mashapaug became new industrial parks for the city.
Between World War I and World War II, highways were built in and around Providence. The two major highways that were built were I-95 and I-195. I-195 was particularly detrimental for Providence; it cut the downtown area off from the rest of the city. The downtown area lost almost all of its commerce as major department stores lost business to shopping malls in the suburbs. Most of the entertainment opportunities subsequently closed as well.
By 1970, the population shift showed a 28% decline in population from 1950, the fastest depopulation of any city in the United States. This can be attributed not only to the construction of the highways, but the loss of other transportation systems such as the trolley and the loss of industry. Also, urban revitalization in the 1950s had focused on large-scale housing projects that fractured neighborhoods and further segregated middle and upper class populations in the city from other economic classes. By the mid1970s, urban renewal forces were at work, demolishing large parts of neighborhoods such as West River, South Providence, and West Elmwood, which had lost most of their Irish-American tenants. Mashapaug Pond, Lippitt Hill, Randall Square and Weybosset Hill were also largely affected. West River and Mashapaug became new industrial parks for the city.
Critical Point 07: Urban Revitalization & the Re-routing of I-195 (1980s)
Large scale funding efforts of the 1980s managed to refurbish many of the neglected neighborhoods of the city, however South Providence and sections of Elmwood, the West End, and Mount Hope, which were still largely immigrant neighborhoods, never recovered from urban renewal. However, the downtown area was revitalized through a massive infrastructure project that re-routed I-195, to allow the downtown to regain access to the waterfront. The revitalization of the downtown area spurred the development of new service industries, such as healthcare and education. A large part of this relied on their hospital systems and colleges, particularly Brown University and the Rhode Island School of Design. Providence attempted to rebrand itself as “a governmental, health services, educational, and financial center" as well as a “creative capital.” (Conley and Campbell 2014).
Large scale funding efforts of the 1980s managed to refurbish many of the neglected neighborhoods of the city, however South Providence and sections of Elmwood, the West End, and Mount Hope, which were still largely immigrant neighborhoods, never recovered from urban renewal. However, the downtown area was revitalized through a massive infrastructure project that re-routed I-195, to allow the downtown to regain access to the waterfront. The revitalization of the downtown area spurred the development of new service industries, such as healthcare and education. A large part of this relied on their hospital systems and colleges, particularly Brown University and the Rhode Island School of Design. Providence attempted to rebrand itself as “a governmental, health services, educational, and financial center" as well as a “creative capital.” (Conley and Campbell 2014).