PCHC Providence Historical Walk
Posted By auntie on June 3, 2018
6.5 miles; Providence, RI
[Editor’s Note: Still in catch-up mode. This was a month ago.] Today’s hike was a brilliant walk through several Providence neighborhoods highlighting area history led by Ernie, who was wearing both his PCHC hat and his Blackstone Valley Heritage Corridor hat.
Fox Point Hurricane Barrier
So much fun. We started, and ended, by the Hurricane Barrier in the Fox Point neighborhood. It was a beautiful day for a walk, too.
Four Very Red Tugboats and a Very Blue Sky
Providence is a port city, and no large cargo ships are allowed into the upper Narragansett Bay unless they are accompanied by one of these boats.
Cruise Ship and the Remains of an Old Wharf
From Fox Point we walked to India Point Park, where the East Bay Bike Path begins. That’s a cruise ship docked there in the distance. At one time this was a very busy area with a railroad terminal and a big commercial wharf. Those rotting pilings are all that remains of the wharf.
Love Locks
This is now a very pleasant park with lots of trees and grass.
Mullein
And a few weeds.
First Unitarian Universalist Church
There was scaffolding covering the facade of this old church, originally founded in 1720. But it was open and we were welcomed inside to see interior.
Lovecraft Memorial Square
I first discovered the fiction of H.P. Lovecraft when I was MUCH younger and lived on the East Side. I was fascinated by the many sites in the city associated with him. More recently I did a Lovecraft self-guided walking tour with a friend.
Hi, Neighbor! Have a Gansett!
Sorry, couldn’t resist. Also I have no idea where I got the fantastic painting of Cthulhu, the Elder God, from. The honey ale isn’t bad, though.
Beautiful Old Fire Box
You see a lot of interesting things walking around city streets like this. This was almost like a piece of art. Guessing it still doesn’t work, though.
Prospect Terrace
Another of my favorite spots in the city—where Roger Williams overlooks his handiwork—this park on the side of a hill has an amazing view of the downtown area.
Ernie and Jenn, Our Guides
Ernie did a fantastic job planning this hike and kept up a fascinating historical narration for the entire thing. He really did his homework on this one.
Pretty Little Pocket Park
This little pocket park is dedicated to Matilda Sissieretta Joyner Jones, an African-American opera singer who lived in Providence until her death in 1933.
Personal Historical Site
And this building, on Benefit Street on the East Side, housed Auntie’s first ever apartment, that I moved into in 1973. I had a little 3 room flat on the 2nd floor. I was all of 17 years old. Our tour came right by here.
Roger Williams National Monument
Interesting stone sculpture in the Roger Williams National Monument, RI’s only National Park. Note the fledgeling robin on the stone to the left. We stopped here for snacks.
Rhode Island State House
We managed to visit most of the 7 hills of Providence. The State House dominates Smith Hill.
Turk’s Head Building
This is probably my favorite building in the city, in the Financial District. The turk’s head of the name is a replica of a ship’s figurehead that used to adorn the shop that was on the first floor of the building. Imma outsource the rest of the building’s history to Wikipedia. You should check it out, it’s kind of interesting.
Hidden Gondola
The jewel of the city is Waterplace Park, which wraps around the Providence River that was once completely covered by a huge bridge. It was the visionary late mayor Buddy Cianci who spearheaded the destruction of the bridge to showcase the river.
I have no idea where to start to find out more about this walk. Wikipedia, maybe? Or maybe just keep an eye on the PCHC Facebook Group for the next time Ernie decides to lead a hike in Providence. As always, click the image above for details about this hike and to download the gps track.
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