Our
Community
Burrillville
Description
Why
Live Here?
Local
Activities
Geography
Quiz
Heritage
Poem
Glocester
Description
|
| Local
Activities
Fall: [
... Winter Spring Summer]
Burrillville Arts Festival: The
Arts Festival is one of the most highly anticipated events
all year. Browse through racks of old pictures of the town,
admire the artistic talent of local painters and sculptors,
and find that perfect hand made birdhouse or bookcase that
you were looking for. There are balloons, face painting, and
sand art for the kids. And if you want to make a whole day
of it, there is music and food vendors, all set around the
majestic Harrisville waterfall and the neighboring grounds
and parks. The Festival takes place the first or second
weekend of September, and is located at the intersection of
East Avenue and Main Street, Harrisville.
Buck Hill Fire Tower: One
of the highest points in town, the Buck Hill Fire Tower rises
730 feet above sea level. It was built in the early 20 century
to provide a place to watch for forest fires, which could be
devastating to a 57 square acre town primarily made up of woods
and forests. The tower is five stage of metalwork with an enclosed
top, which offers a commanding view of the surrounding hills
and terrain. It is not open to the public to climb, but the
view from the bottom also offers a spectacular look at the
surrounding forests, especially colored in autumn’s hues. Located
on Buck Hill Road, Pascoag.
Buck Hill Trail: The
Buck Hill Trail is a 4.7 mile hike that winds through the untouched
forests of three states: Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and Connecticut.
Along the hike are many opportunities for viewing the wildlife
of the forests from the nesting boxes placed in tiny ponds
to fox and deer tracks in the loose sand and mud to the occasional
glimpse of rabbits, squirrels, deer, and fox. There are places
to stop along the way to rest and enjoy the beauty all around.
Special things to note on the trail are a surreal marsh filled
with hundreds of skeleton trees that remain after a dike was
formed to create the marsh; stonewalls that once marked extensive
farmland and clear rolling hills in that area; a flat-stone
bridge with a brook running under it; and a field stone with “RI” chiseled
on one side and “C” on the other side, marking the boundary
between the two states. Directions: Take RI 100 North from
Pascoag to Buck Hill Road and turn left. The entrance is 2.3
miles from the turnoff. You will pass a fire tower and a road
for a Boy Scout Camp on your left, then a rifle range on the
right, before reaching the gravel access road, also on the
right.
Buck Hill Campgrounds: After a long day of exploring
Buck Hill, there is nothing like a relaxing night lying under
the stars. The Buck Hill Campgrounds offers seasonal family
camping in a beautiful, rural location. The campground is
located on 464 Wakefield Road. For directions or information,
call 401-568-0456.
Mill Pond/Harrisville Waterfall: Often
photographed and admired, the Harrisville waterfall creates
a sense of beauty and calm throughout any season, but takes
on special brilliance in the fall, when the colorful maples,
oaks, and birches that frame the border of the pond are colored
with autumn’s paintbrush. The still waters of the pond serve
as a perfect mirror of its beauty while ducks and geese perch
upon the waterfall’s crest, providing numerous photo opportunities.
Take a stroll across the walking bridge over Clear River, or
sit by the pond’s side and enjoy a good book. On the east side
of the waterfall is Freedom Park, which has a playground for
children and benches by the waterfall. The Waterfall is
located on East Avenue, Harrisville. Free parking is provided
on the corner of East Avenue and Main Street in the Lion’s
Club Parking Lot, across from the Assembly.
Burrillville Schools: With
the beginning of fall comes the toll of school bells calling
all children back to school. Burrillville’s schools provide
productive educational settings and opportunities for its students.
In terms of student attendance, graduation rates, and SAT scores,
Burrillville students performed better than the district and
state averages.
The
high school is currently undergoing a 13.5 million dollar renovation
project to add more classroom space, a larger media center,
and handicap accessibility. Burrillville High School has also
instituted many innovative programs, such as the Biotechnology
Class, which has formed an alliance with Brown Medical School,
the University of Massachusetts Medical School, and Landmark
Hospital; an IMP mathematics program, funded by a National
Science Foundation Grant; a new literature sequence created
by the English Department to introduce students to more world
literature; and the school journalism class and newspaper annually
wins awards from the Providence Journal Bulletin’s Scholastic
Journalism Competition. The Austin T. Levy Elementary School
has also been honored with a national award for excellence
in education.
The schools:
William L. Callahan School
- 75 Callahan School Street, Harrisville, 568-1330
Austin T. Levy School - 135
Harrisville Main Street, Harrisville,
568-1340
Steere Farm Elementary School
- 915 Steere Farm Road, Harrisville, 568-1350 Burrillville Middle School
- 2220 Broncos Highway, Nasonville, 568-1320
Burrillville High School
- 425 East Avenue, Harrisville, 568-1320
Addeville East Farm: Addeville
East Farm, a pheasant farm, also offers a shooting and game
preserve with English Sporting clays and upland Game Hunts. The
Farm is located at 200 Pheasant Road, Mapleville.
Call Geoff Gaeb at 401-568-3185 for more information.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Winter: [Fall ... Spring Summer]
Wilson’s Reservoir: A
small, man-made lake, this body of water once helped power
the Wilson Mill. Now it is a site for recreation, including
fishing and boating in the summer and ice skating and ice-fishing
in the winter. Since it is not as big as some of the other
lakes in Burrillville, the surface usually freezes quicker
and is more solid. Strap on your skates and explore the lake,
its coves, and the wildlife that lives in the woods on the
far side of the lake. Or, if you enjoy the sport of fishing,
grab your tilts and try your hand at ice fishing. Remember,
though, you must have a valid fisherman’s license, which can
be purchased at Fishin’ Stuff, 70 Main Street, Pascoag, and
must obey all rules. You can access the lake from the boat
ramp, located on East Wallum Lake Road.
June Rockwell Levy Memorial
Rink: Located
on the grounds of the high school, this rink is home to high
school hockey games, various hockey leagues, figure skating
lessons and shows, and public skating. Hockey and ice skating
has always been a tradition during the winter season for
most Burrillville citizens, because the ponds would freeze
quickly and there often wasn’t that much else to do in town.
Throughout the years, Burrillville High School has been a
leader in schoolboy hockey and their Friday night games would
draw crowds that would fill the rink to its rafters. At one
point, Burrillville businesses would even close early just
so that everyone could attend. Burrillville is still a prominent
contender in high school hockey leagues. So lace up your
skates and take to the ice at the rink. Ice skates are sharpened
on the premises. Also in the rink is a snack bar, the perfect
place to grab a steaming cup of hot chocolate to warm up
cold fingers. The rink is located behind the Burrillville
High School, at 125 East Avenue.
Western Hotel: The
Western Hotel was a popular stagecoach stop on the Douglas
Turnpike, what is now Route 7. Throughout the years, the building
was used as a boarding house and tavern, and the second floor
once housed a dance hall and stage. Now it is a popular local
hangout and is known for its warm, cozy atmosphere, great service,
and delicious dinners and sandwiches, including the famous
Western Special. A bar is connected to the restaurant. Stop
by and enjoy this fine old restaurant. Located on Route
7, Nasonville. For more information, call 568-6254.
Aaron Smith Farm: Like
to cook? Like old houses? Why not combine those two interests
at the Aaron Smith Farm, where you can partake in gourmet dining
workshops in an actual 1730’s home. First you learn and share
in the preparation of historically inspired meals, and then
comes the best part...eating what you’ve cooked! The house
itself is a 1 1/2 story, Greek Revival style dwelling with
a side ell and much of its original detail. Reservations
must be made and can be by calling Richard and Claudette Brodeur
at 401-568-6702. The Farm is located on Victory Highway, Mapleville.
Jesse M. Smith Library: The
Jesse M. Smith Memorial Library is a tax-supported library
that is part of the CLAN system. The library’s collection includes
books, magazines, audio, video, and puzzles for all ages. There
are also special collections in the areas of Animal Husbandry,
Antiques and Collectibles, Early Americana, Parent’s Special
Education Resources, and Substance Abuse. The original library
on this site was part of a building funded through the will
of Mary Smith, who wanted the library to be named after her
late husband, the late Jesse M. Smith. The original building
was three stories and contained the library, town hall, courthouse,
businesses, an assembly hall and a bowling alley. The current
library was built by Austin T. Levy, when he built the other
town buildings to replace those in the Jesse M. Smith Memorial
Building. Library hours are: Mon., Wed., Thur.: 1 - 8:30
p.m.; Tuesday: 10 a.m. - 8:30 p.m.; Friday 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.;
and Saturday 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. The library is located at 144
Harrisville Main Street, on the corner of East Avenue and Main
St., Harrisville. Call 401-568-8244 for more information.
Austin T. Levy House: Drive
by one of the town’s most impressive houses. Built in 1856
by mill owner William Tinkham as a two family residence, it
was later bought and renovated by one of the town’s most prominent
mill owners, Austin T. Levy. The residence, called Southmeadow
under the Levys’, sports such features as an elevator, a large
rear yard leading down to Clear River, a terraced Italian garden,
an apple orchard, tennis courts, and extensive landscaping.
The house is built in the Greek Revival style. The house
is located on East Avenue.
Ernest Tinkham House: Enjoy
the view of the town’s most beloved houses, and known as much
for its majestic castle-like presence atop a grassy slope as
for Colonel Cheeko, a pet monkey who would make appearances
in the open corner turret. The house was built in the years
1880 to 1882 for William Tinkham, a mill owner and prominent
Burrillville citizen. The Queen Anne building that has such
features as patterned shingling and rustic stonework, was later
occupied by his son Ernest. The house is located on East
Avenue.
Town Hall/ The Ninth District
Court: The Town Hall: The original
Town Hall and District Court were housed in the Jesse M.
Smith Memorial Building on the corner of East Avenue and
Main Street, but when this building was razed, Austin T.
Levy funded these new buildings. They contain a meeting hall
for town meetings and offices for town services. Located
on the corner of Chapel Street and Main Street, Harrisville.
Call 568-4300 for more information.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Spring: [Fall Winter ... Summer]
Granite Acres Deer Farm: Granite
Acres is home to a special variety of red deer, whose antlers
are used for medicinal purposes. The farm itself is a beautiful
spread of rolling hills, golden fields, and stonewalls, presided
over by a stoic stone farmhouse and barn. Venison and choice
cuts of meat are sold Saturday and Sunday at the farm. The
farm is located on Smith Road, Harrisville.
White Mill Park: The
original White Mill, built in 1834 was located on this site.
A worsted mill was later erected in 1895 by Arnold & Perkins,
and changed hands numerous times throughout the years until
it closed in the 1960’s. In 1993 the White Mill Park was dedicated
by the Town of Burrillville, which features a playground and
a wooden bridge crossing the Pascoag River. The Park is
located at the fork of East Wallum Lake Road and Wallum Lake
Road, Bridgeton. Call 334-7773 for more information.
Wright’s Chicken Farm: A
Rhode Island Institution, Wright’s Chicken Farm has been providing
diners with a memorable experience for years and years. Well-known
for its all-you-can-eat traditional chicken family style dinner,
this restaurant is the destination of many day trips and bus
tours from all over New England. For one price, diners get
their fill of chicken, shells, french fries, salad tossed in
their special salad dressing, and rolls. Even though Wright’s
has large banquet sized rooms, expect a wait on most nights.
However, to make the wait more pleasant you can play Keno in
the lounge, relax at the bar, or go into the gift shop and
try Wright’s Farm’s homemade fudge, or stock up on their bottled
salad dressings and pasta sauces. This is one dining experience
you don’t want to miss! Take-out is also available. Located
at 84 Inman Road, Nasonville. For more information, call 769-2856.
Canoeing Clear River: Clear
River is one of the major rivers that powered Harrisville mills
in the 19th and 20th centuries. Now you can explore this beautiful
river as you wind your way through tunnels of overhanging trees,
past old mills, and throughout the quaint villages of Harrisville,
Nasonville, and Mapleville. The best spot to put in the canoe
is at the bottom of the waterfall in Harrisville, before the
Stone Arch Bridge that carries East Avenue over the river.
Make sure to leave a second car or bike at your exit location,
preferably where the river goes under Route 102 in Mapleville,
across from Bella’s Restaurant. The river course can be challenging,
especially in the springtime. Canoes should wear all proper
safety gear and exercise caution.
The Assembly: One
of Harrisville’s colonial style buildings, the Assembly was
built in 1933 by Austin T. Levy, owner of the Stillwater Mills,
to provide entertainment to his mill workers and citizens of
Burrillville. It is now home to a variety of plays including
the Theater Co. of Rhode Island, local productions, and high
school productions. Legend has it that a ghost haunts the bathrooms
in the back of the building. The Assembly is located at
26 East Avenue. Call the Assembly at 401-568-7179 for show
and ticket information or the Theater Co. of Rhode Island at
401-568-2929.
Burrillville Town Commons: The
Town Commons was built in 1998 to provide a central recreation
spot for the historic village of Harrisville. A beautiful gazebo
sits in the middle of the commons and is open for the public
to use. Pack a picnic lunch and enjoy a warm spring afternoon
lounging or playing frisbee on the commons. Surrounding the
commons are some of Harrisville’s most historic buildings including
the First Universalist Church, built in 1933; the Harrisville
Post Office, build in 1950; the Jesse M. Smith Memorial Library,
1937; Beaulieu Rest Home, originally the Central Hotel, built
in 1837; and the Austin T. Levy School.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Summer: [Fall Winter Spring ... ]
Spring Lake Recreation Center: Come
spend a day at the Spring Lake Beach Recreation Facility, one
of Burrillville’s premier beaches. The freshwater pond, fed
by springs throughout the lake, is always cool and clear. The
facility includes 750 feet of lakefront beach, two volleyball
areas, boat rentals, a snack bar and ice cream stand, an antique
penny arcade, shaded picnic groves, and a hall that is available
for social and family functions. It is open from Memorial Weekend
through Labor Day. Spring Lake Beach is located at 46 Pinecrest
Lane, Glendale. For more information, call 401-568-9457.
Bucket Smith’s Fruit Stand: A
favorite of locals, Bucket Smith’s Fruit Stand has graced many
picnic tables and cookouts with its farm fresh fruits and vegetables.
Stop by and sample some of the delectables grown right on the
farm. And don’t forget the butter and sugar sweet corn...a
local favorite! Located on the intersection of Lapham Farm
Road and Route 102.
Esten Farm: Built in the 18th century,
this is one of Burrillville’s last working farms. It was constructed
by John Esten, who was a member of the first town council when
the town was incorporated in 1806 and whose family was one
of the first settlers in town. The main farmhouse was built
in the rural tradition of two sections atop a sloping hill
in the center of a large farm. The farm has a 20th century
barn and fields divided by stonewalls, creating a scenic, picturesque
backdrop. Located on Mount Pleasant Road.
Pascoag Reservoir: Break
out those fishing poles and dig up some worms to spend an afternoon
engaged in one of Burrillville’s most beloved pastimes...fishing!
Pascoag Reservoir covers 351 acres of prime fishing territory,
with a maximum depth of 19 feet and an average depth of 10.5
feet. The known fish population of Pascoag Reservoir includes
yellow perch, bluegill sunfish, pumpkinseed sunfish, eastern-banded
sunfish, largemouth bass, chain pickerel, brown bullhead, and
golden shiners. Fishing licenses can be purchased at Fishin’ Stuff,
70 Main Street, Pascoag. There is a state boat launch and
parking area off Jackson Schoolhouse Road, Pascoag.
Pulaski Park: Pulaski
Park is the perfect spot to spend a warm summer day. Hidden
in the rural woods of the George Washington Management Area
of Burrillville and Glocester, Pulaski Park is protected from
the hustle-bustle of everyday modern life. Here you can relax
on the sandy beach, take a dip in the cool waters, eat lunch
under fir trees, or explore the parks’ many marked paths. There
are nearby trails for avid mountain bikers or cross-country
runners. Pulaski Park is also home to unique natural areas
in Rhode Island, as determined by the Rhode Island Audubon
Society. The Pulaski Cedar Swamp, a white cedar swamp with
unusual vegetation and white calla lilly and holly, can be
found along the Center Trail. South of the trail is an interesting
hemlock swamp. Ketch Brook, a small scenic stream, is another
unique area that is lined with hemlock trees. The Pulaski Wildlife
Marsh, a 10-acre habitat for waterfowl and other wetland-dependent
animals, is located in Pulaski Park. Take the red dot trail
for excellent bird watching, where you may spot warblers, thrushes,
flycatchers, hawks, and owls.
Country View Golf Course: For
all those avid golfers out there...sample Burrillville’s beautiful
18 hole public golf course! Set in the rolling, rural area
of Nasonville, the golf course offers golfers a chance to relax,
unwind, and truly focus on their game. Also located on the
facilities is a pro shop, snack carts, a restaurant, and banquet
facilities. The golf course is located on 49 Club Lane,
off Colwell Road, Nasonville. For directions or information,
call 401-568-7157.
Mr. Doughboy’s: Mr.
Doughboy’s is always a fun outing, whether you have kids or
just want to bring out the kid in you! Try your hand at golfing
through the windmills and around the corners of the miniature
golf course or don a helmet and take to the go-cart course
as the next Mario Andretti. If that isn’t enough, there are
batting cages and train rides around the grounds. After all
that excitement, you’re sure to have worked up an appetite,
so go inside and try what Mr. Doughboy’s is famous for...doughboys!
Also served are sandwiches, hot wieners, and ice cream, among
others. Mr. Doughboy’s is located on Bronco Highway, Glendale.
For directions or information, call 401-568-4897.
Echo Lake Campground: Camping
is one of summer’s greatest pleasures. It rekindles the naturalist
in everyone to lie under the stars, roast marshmallows over
an open fire, and wake to the sounds of blue jays and finches.
Echo Lake Campground is a well-known and well-kept seasonal
family campground. It is located on Moroney Road, Pascoag.
For directions or information, call 568-7109 or 568-5000.
|
