The Center of Woonsocket from the Bridge

The Center of Woonsocket from the Bridge

Woonsocket, RI

Before the arrival of European settlers in northern Rhode Island during the 17th century, today's Woonsocket region was inhabited by three Native American tribes — the Nipmucs, Wampanoags, and Narragansetts. In 1661, the English theologian Roger Williams purchased the area from the "Coweset and Nipmucks," and in a letter referred to modern day Woonsocket as "Niswosakit."

Woonsocket Falls Village was founded in the 1820s. Its fortunes expanded as the Industrial Revolution took root in nearby Pawtucket. With the Blackstone River providing ample water power, the region became a prime location for textile mills. The actual town of Woonsocket was not established until 1867 when three villages in the town of Cumberland, namely Woonsocket Falls, Social and Jenckesville, officially became the town of Woonsocket. In 1871, three additional industrial villages in Smithfield, Hamlet, Bernon and Globe, were added to the town establishing its present boundaries. Woonsocket was incorporated as city in 1888.

A. C. Bosselman & Co. (1901-1919)
100 Grand Street, New York, NY

A publisher of national view-cards in tinted halftones. They also published a set on Blacks under the Sunny South Series. Their cards were printed in Germany.

Undated, ca. 1907

Courtesy of the Historical Society of Smithfield, Smithfield, RI

JPEG Digital Image

Woonsocket, RI

Postcard

3.5 x 5.5 inches