Block Island

Block Island is a beautiful island in the Outer Lands coastal archipelago of New England. It is located about 9 miles south of mainland Rhode Island and 14 miles east of Long Island's Montauk Point. The island is part of the town of New Shoreham in Washington County and was named after the Dutch explorer Adriaen Block.

Block Island is a popular place for people to visit in the summer. Many people enjoy bicycling, hiking, sailing, fishing, surfing, and relaxing on the beaches. The island is home to two historic lighthouses: the Block Island North Light and the Block Island Southeast Light. About 40 percent of the island is protected for nature, providing a safe resting place for birds along the Atlantic flyway. The Nature Conservancy recognizes Block Island as one of "The Last Great Places" in the Western Hemisphere.

Each year, the island hosts fun events, including a big Fourth of July Parade, celebration, and fireworks. During the summer, the number of visitors can triple the island's usual population. According to the 2020 Census, about 1,410 people live on the island, which covers an area of 9.734 square miles (25.211 km²).

History

Before 1637

Block Island was formed by glaciers that also created places like Cape Cod and Martha's Vineyard near the end of the last ice age. The Niantic people called the island "Manisses," meaning "Manitou's Little Island." They lived by hunting, fishing, and growing crops like corn, beans, and squash. Explorer Giovanni da Verrazzano saw the island in 1524 and named it "Claudia." Later, Dutch explorer Adriaen Block charted the island in 1614 and named it after himself, and this name stayed.

Pequot War

Tensions grew among nearby tribes, causing the Niantics to split into two groups. In 1632, some Niantic people killed traders John Stone and Walter Norton. In response, Massachusetts authorities sent a group led by John Endicott to Block Island in 1636. They burned Niantic homes and fields and shot some people, but many Niantic fled. This event was one of the early causes of the Pequot War.

Settlement

Massachusetts Bay Colony claimed Block Island and later sold it to settlers. In 1661, twelve settlers led by John Allcock came to live there. In 1663, land was given to four Niantic leaders. By 1774, the Niantic population had greatly decreased. Block Island became part of Rhode Island in 1672 and was named "New Shoreham."

Post-colonial period

During the War of 1812, a British navy group briefly stayed on Block Island looking for food. The island's first lighthouse was built in 1829 but washed away. A new one was built in 1867. Breakwaters were added to create harbors in the late 1800s. During World War II, lookouts were placed on the island to help guide defenses. The island's airport opened in 1950, and efforts to protect the land from development began in 1972.

Climate

Block Island's weather is shaped by the nearby ocean. The island has an oceanic climate, which means its temperatures stay mild compared to inland areas. In winter and spring, the ocean stays cool but keeps temperatures a bit warmer than places farther inland. During summer, the ocean warms but still helps keep Block Island cooler than inland locations.

The island gets plenty of sunshine, about 2300 hours a year, which is more than the average for the United States. The hottest it has ever gotten was 95 °F (35 °C) in 1948, and the coldest was −7 °F (−22 °C) in 1994.

Demographics

Block Island, officially called New Shoreham, Rhode Island, had a population of 1,410 people in 2020, making it the smallest town in the state. There were 1,818 places to live, such as houses or apartments. Most people identified as White, with smaller groups of African American, Native American, Asian, and others from other races or a mix of races. Some people also identified as Hispanic or Latino.

Most households were led by couples, but some were led by one person without a spouse. The town had a mix of ages, with many people aged 65 or older. The median age was 51 years. The median income for a household was $72,450, and about 10% of people lived below the poverty line.

Arts and culture

Annual events

Block Island has many fun yearly events. One of the most popular is the Fourth of July Parade, where anyone can join with a float that matches the year's theme. After the parade, there is a fireworks show on the beach. The parade has prizes for the best family floats, company floats, and an overall grand prize.

Every summer, the island holds Block Island Race Week, a week-long sailboat competition. Different groups organize the race each year, and sailors race in many classes around the island.

The Block Island Film Festival happens each year. It started in 2018 and shows movies from local and international filmmakers, including documentaries and short films.

Block Island Pride is a celebration each summer that supports the LGBTQ+ community. It includes parades, live performances, and workshops about inclusivity and diversity.

Tourist attractions

The Southeast Lighthouse stands at the southeast corner of the island on the Mohegan Trail. Built in 1875, it is still used today to help ships navigate. The lighthouse has a museum open in the summer.

The Mohegan Bluffs are west of the lighthouse. A staircase with 141 steps leads down the tall cliffs to the beach below. On clear days, you can see Montauk, New York, from here.

Rodman's Hollow is a large area near the southern shore with walking trails.

The North Lighthouse is at Sandy Point on the northern tip of the island. It helps warn boaters about sandbars. Nearby, you can walk along a narrow strip of land with ocean on both sides.

The Block Island Historical Society Museum, near downtown, has many items that show the island's history.

_ U-853 _ is the wreck of a German submarine located 7 miles east of the island. Many divers visit the wreck.

The Block Island Wind Farm, the first offshore wind farm in the United States, is located 3 miles southeast of the island. It has five tall turbines that started operating in December 2016.

The island has many restaurants, but most are only open during the tourist season. Food is delivered to the island by plane when needed.

Parks and recreation

Block Island has 17 miles of beautiful beaches. Some of the popular beaches include Fred Benson Town Beach (also called State Beach), Surf Beach, Scotch Beach, Rouse’s Beach, and Mansion Beach. These beaches are found along Corn Neck Road.

North of Mansion Beach, you can find Clayhead and Pots & Kettles. Clayhead has cliffs made of iron-rich clay, great for exploring shells and rocks. At the northern tip of the island, near Cow Cove, stands the North Lighthouse. This is where the first settlers arrived and brought the island’s first cows. The west and south sides of the island are famous for their waves, especially in the fall, with Black Rock Beach and Town Beach offering the best surfing spots.

Block Island is also a special place for nature, protected by The Nature Conservancy, which considers it one of the top 12 sites in the Western Hemisphere. Much of the island is kept safe for wildlife and natural beauty.

Industry

Block Island is famous for its work in growing food from the water. People on the island are involved in raising animals and plants in the sea, especially a type of plant called kelp. This helps provide food and jobs for the community.

Transportation

The island is connected all year by a ferry to Point Judith. In the summer, ferries also run to New London, Connecticut; Orient; Montauk, New York; and Newport, Rhode Island. The traditional ferry takes about an hour and is the only way to bring a car to the island. A faster ferry from Point Judith takes 35 minutes but cannot carry cars. Another fast ferry from New London takes just over an hour.

Bikes are a popular way to get around the island because cars are not encouraged. Mopeds are also popular, especially with visitors, because they are easy to rent and drive. However, moped accidents have been a common problem on the island over many years.

New England Airlines offers short 12-minute flights to Block Island State Airport from Westerly, Rhode Island. The airport’s terminal is about one mile from the town center.

Notable people

Block Island has been home to many interesting people. Kenneth Bacon was a spokesperson for the Department of Defense and later served as president of Refugees International. Tad Devine is a political consultant who helped advise several presidential campaigns, including those of Al Gore, John Kerry, and Bernie Sanders. Elizabeth Dickens, known as "the Bird Lady of Block Island," was a writer and naturalist. Richard Parsons was a successful business leader, serving as chairman of Citigroup and later as chairman and CEO of Time Warner. Jens Risom was a famous Danish-American furniture designer, and William Stringfellow was an attorney and a thoughtful Anglican theologian.