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Block Island is an island in the Atlantic Ocean. The island is a fragment of glacial terminal moraine approximately twelve miles off the coast of Rhode Island, of which it is part, and from which it is separated by Block Island Sound. The United States Census Bureau defines Block Island as Census Tract 415 of Washington County, Rhode Island. As of the 2000 census it had a population of 1,010 living on a land area of 25.211 km² (9.734 sq mi). Census Tract 415, Washington County United States Census Bureau
In 1524, it was sighted by Giovanni da Verrazzano. In 1614, it was charted by the Dutch explorer Adriaen Block, after whom it is named. At the time of the arrival of the Europeans, it was occupied by a branch of the Narragansett people who called the island "Manisses." English settlers from the mainland first arrived in 1661, when the island was part of the Massachusetts Bay Colony. The island became part of the colony of Rhode Island in 1672. A Map-Novi Belgii Novæque Angliæ (Amsterdam, 1685).jpg of 1685 clearly shows Block Island, indicated as Adrian Block Island ("Adriaen Blocks Eylant").
The only town on the island is New Shoreham. The island is a popular summer tourist destination and is known for its excellent bicycling. Two historic lighthouses are present on the island; Block Island North Light, on the northern tip of the island (established in 1829, current lighthouse was built in 1868), and Block Island Southeast Light, is on the southeast side of the island (built in 1875). Much of the northwest tip of the island is an undeveloped natural area and resting stop for birds along the Atlantic flyway.
Additionally, every summer the island hosts Block Island Race Week, a highly competitive, week-long sailboat racing event. Captains and crew compete in various classes, racing to and from the island, as well as around its perimeter. Other popular events include the annual Fourth of July Parade and celebration. During these times the island's population can triple over the normal summer vacation crowd.
Chronology
| 1524 | reported by Giovanni da Verrazzano, the first European to note the island's existence. |
| 1614 | rediscovered by Adriaen Block, who named it for himself. |
| 1636 | taken in combat by Massachusetts soldiers, in retaliation for killing of a trader. |
| 1661 | settled by 16 families from the English colony of Massachusetts. |
| 1664 | becomes part of the English colony of Rhode Island |
| 1672 | island government adopts the name "New Shoreham". |
| 1687 | Margaret Guthry buried, now the oldest identifiable gravestone. |
| 1690-1704 | invaded by privateers four times while England at war with France. |
| 1699 | pirate Captain Kidd visits Block Island a month before his capture in Boston. |
| 1737 | emigrant ship Princess Augusta wrecks, leaving Palatine survivors & dead. |
| 1775-83 | during American Revolution the island was neutral, trading with both sides. |
| 1812-15 | during War of 1812 against British, island returned to status of 35 yrs earlier. |
| 1832 | first postmaster appointed; office in his bedroom. |
| 1867 | the present-day North Lighthouse was built, the 4th lighthouse at Sandy Point. |
| 1870s | breakwater successfully built on east side, creating the Old Harbor. |
| 1875-90s | many Victorian hotels & stores built at Old Harbor; now nationally historic. |
| 1875 | Island Free Library founded, and still operating. |
| 1873 | construction began on the brick Southeast Lighthouse; moved in 1993. |
| 1895 | Great Salt Pond channel successfully dug, creating the New Harbor. |
| 1907 | steamer Larchmont sinks off Block Island; hundreds dead; islanders heroes. |
| 1917-18 | In WW1, from a population of about 1,000 islanders, 63 go off to war. |
| 1933 | Block Island School built, replacing five scattered, one-room schools. |
| 1941-45 | In WW2, from a population of about 700 islanders, 95 go off to war. |
| 1942 & 44 | Two US aircraft carriers are named “Block Island”; the 1st sank 7 U-boats. |
| 1950 | State airport opens, replacing informal grass fields used since 1920s. |
| 1960 | winter population plunges to 486; the lowest since the 1770s. |
| 1972 | Block Island Conservancy founded; 1/3 of island now saved from development. |
| 1974 | Old Harbor village declared a National Register historic site. |
| 1993 | the massive brick Southeast Lighthouse moved 245 feet from eroding bluffs. |
| 2000 | winter population surpasses 1,000 for first time since the 1930s. |
Climate
Block Island's weather is greatly influenced by the surrounding ocean. Because the ocean stays cold during the Spring and Summer months, Block Island stays cooler than the mainland during this period. However, summers can still be hot on Block Island although July and August average in the mid and upper 70's instead of low and mid 80's that New York and New England experiance. Block Island's record high temperature is 95 °F. In comparison, Chester, Massachusetts which is far inland, has a record high of 107 °F. On the flipside, Block Island stays warmer than the mainland during the fall and winter months when the ocean remains relatively warmer than the mainland. Block Island's record low is -7 °F while Chester's record low is -35 °F.Block Island, RI Averages and Records. Accessed April 20, 2006.Chester, MA Averages and Records. Accessed April 20, 2006.
Block Island's High and Low Temperature Averages and Precipitation Averages:
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg high °F | 39 | 40 | 45 | 53 | 62 | 71 | 77 | 77 | 71 | 62 | 53 | 44 | 58 |
| Avg low °F | 27 | 28 | 33 | 41 | 49 | 58 | 64 | 64 | 57 | 49 | 41 | 32 | 45 |
| Rainfall (inches) | 3.68 | 3.04 | 3.99 | 3.72 | 3.40 | 2.77 | 2.62 | 3.00 | 3.19 | 3.04 | 3.77 | 3.57 | 39.79 |
Beaches
Crescent Beach: This beach can be viewed from the Pt. Judith Ferry run by Interstate Navigation on the way to the island. It contains three smaller beaches, Fred Benson Town Beach (still popularly known as "State Beach" due to its former status as one), Scotch Beach, and Mansion Beach, all of which are safe for swimming and line Corn Neck Road. "State Beach" is the only beach on the island with on duty life guards, as well as a beach pavilion with food and boogie board/chair rentals. For smaller children, the "Surf Beach" or "Baby Beach" that begins at the Surf Hotel, near the Beachhead offers calm water for smaller children.
Black Rock: Black Rock is known as the island's nude beach as well as the best surfing location on the island. It can be quite a bit more rough than Crescent beach, and the beach can also be very rocky. This beach is not recommended for small children.
While most beaches on Block Island are safe for swimming, the beaches at and near North Point are not considered safe for swimming as there is a strong undertow.
Tourist Locations
Block Island contains a number of locations for tourists besides the beach.
Southeast Lighthouse: Located directly off of Spring Street on the Mohegan Trail, visitors can climb a staircase to the top of the lighthouse during the summer.
Mohegan Bluffs: Located directly next to the Southeast Lighthouse, the Bluffs are the site of a battle between the invading Mohegan Indians, and the native Manisee Indians in which the Mohegans were driven off the edge of the tall cliffs to their deaths on the beach below. Today, one can walk down a long staircase to the bottom of these clay cliffs and look out over the Atlantic. On clear days, Montauk, New York can be seen in the distance from the southwestern side of the island.
North Lighthouse: Located at the very northern tip of Block Island, at the end of Corn Neck Road, the North Light warns boaters of a stretch of dangerous shallow waters, known locally as "Sandy Point."
Farmers Market: Held every Saturday and Wednesday during the summer, the farmers market contains many island grown vegetables and island made goods, including bees-wax candles and honey. The times and location can vary, so check with the local newspaper, The Block Island Times, for more information.
Getting To and From Block Island
The island is connected by a ferry year-round to Point Judith, and in summer to New London, Connecticut, Montauk, New York and to Newport, Rhode Island.
New England Airlines offers scheduled airline service to the island from Westerly, Rhode Island.
External links
- BlockIsland.com The Block Island Homepage
- Block Island Times Newspaper site
- Providence, RI site on Block Island history
- Block Island Race Week Official site for Race Week
References
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