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Timeline of Newport, Rhode Island facts for kids

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Timeline of Newport, Rhode Island.

17th century

  • 1639 - William Coddington settles.
  • 1643 - First Society of Friends established (approximate date).
  • 1644 - Newport becomes part of the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations.
  • 1647 - Friends' Burial Ground established.
  • 1654 - Thames Street laid out.
  • 1656 - Second Baptist Church established.
  • 1663 - Easton's windmill built.
  • 1675 - Clifton Burying Ground established.
  • 1677
    • Jewish Cemetery dedicated.
    • Stone mill in operation (approximate date).
  • 1681 - Custom-house established.
  • 1690 - Town House built.
  • 1695 - First Congregational Church established.
  • 1697 - Mumford house (residence) built (approximate date).
  • 1699 - Great Friends Meeting House built.

18th century

  • 1703 - Fort built on Goat Island (approximate date).
  • 1705 - John Stevens stonecarving shop in business.
  • 1723 - July 19: Pirates hanged on Gravelly point.
  • 1726 - Trinity Church built.
  • 1727 - James Franklin sets up printing press.
  • 1730
    • Literary and Philosophical Society organized.
    • Seventh Day Baptist Meeting House built.
    • White Horse Tavern in business.
  • 1732 - Rhode Island Gazette newspaper begins publication.
  • 1733 - Organ installed in Trinity Church.
  • 1735 - Clarke Street Meeting House built.
  • 1740 - January: Snow storm.
  • 1741
  • 1743 - Middletown separates from Newport.
  • 1746 - Almshouse built.
  • 1747 - Redwood Library established.
  • 1749 - Lighthouse built.
  • 1750 - Fire company organized.
  • 1752
    • Marine society established.
    • Hunter’s Dispensary in business.
  • 1755 - Aaron Lopez (merchant) in business.
  • 1758 - Newport Mercury newspaper begins publication.
  • 1760 - Francis Malbone House and John Tillinghast House built.
  • 1761
    • Jewish Club organized.
    • Douglass travelling theatre troupe performs.
  • 1762 - Brick Market built.
  • 1763 - Touro Synagogue and Granary built.
  • 1764 - Shots fired at HMS St John.
  • 1765
  • 1774 - Population: 9,209.
  • 1776
    • December 8: British occupation begins.
    • Population: 5,229.
  • 1778 - December: Snow storm.
  • 1779 - October 25: British occupation ends.
  • 1780
    • July 12: French troops arrive.
    • Charles Feke apothecary in business.
    • Clarke Cooke House built.
  • 1781
  • 1784
    • City incorporated.
    • George Hazard becomes mayor.
    • Goat Island sold to U.S. military.
  • 1787 - Town government resumes.
  • 1790
    • August 17: George Washington visits Newport.
    • Population: 6,716.
  • 1792 - Newport Association of Mechanics and Manufacturers incorporated.
  • 1799

19th century

  • 1803 - Newport National Bank incorporated.
  • 1805 - First Methodist Episcopal Church established.
  • 1810 - Spencer's variety store in business.
  • 1811
    • Hammond's Circulating Library in business.
    • Samuel Whitehorne House built.
  • 1814 - Sherman & Co. grocers in business.
  • 1815 - September 23: Gale.
  • 1819
    • Newport Asylum built on Coasters' Harbor Island.
    • Savings Bank of Newport incorporated.
  • 1823 - Newport Harbor Lighthouse built.
  • 1828 - Mechanics' Library established.
  • 1831 - Newport Steam Factory built.
  • 1832 - Cozzens carpet shop in business.
  • 1833 - June 19: Andrew Jackson visits Newport.
  • 1834 - Zion Episcopal Church built.
  • 1835
    • Davis' Family Bakery in business.
    • Perry Cotton Mill built.
  • 1837 - Coddington cotton mill built.
  • 1838 - Armory built.
  • 1839 - Kingscote (mansion) built.
  • 1845 - Ocean House hotel in business.
  • 1846
    • The Newport Daily News begins publication.
    • First Baptist Church building and Van Zandt house constructed.
  • 1847
    • Central Baptist Chursh established.
    • Hazard grocery and Langley & Bennett in business.
  • 1851 - Beechwood (mansion) built.
  • 1852
    • Street lighting by gas lamp begins (approximate date).
    • Chateau-sur-Mer (residence) built.
  • 1853
    • City incorporated again.
    • Robert B. Cranston becomes mayor.
    • Church of the Holy Name of Mary built.
  • 1854
  • 1855 - Touro Park established.
  • 1857 - United Congregational Church built.
  • 1859 - August 23: Reunion of the Sons and Daughters of Newport.
  • 1860 - Chepstow (mansion) built.
  • 1861 - Kaull & Anthony grocers in business.
  • 1862 - Nason upholstery in business.
  • 1863 - School house built on Willow Street.
  • 1864
    • Old Colony and Newport Railway begins operating.
    • Shiloh Baptist Church organized.
  • 1865
    • Newport Light Infantry formed.
    • Scott grocery in business.
  • 1866 - Atlantic House roller skating rink opens.
  • 1867
    • People's Library established.
    • Frasch confectionery in business.
  • 1869
    • U.S. Naval Torpedo Station established on Goat Island.
    • August: Ulysses S. Grant visits Newport.
  • 1870
    • Rose Island Light built.
    • Newport & Wickford Railroad and Steamboat Company organized.
  • 1871 - Newport Manufacturing Company mill built.
  • 1873
    • Newport Hospital opens.
    • Rogers High School founded.
  • 1874 - Ward's Circulating Library in business.
  • 1875 - Population: 14,028.
  • 1876 - International Polo Cup match held.
  • 1878
    • Young Men's Christian Association organized.
    • King & McLeod (dry goods) and Marshall & Flynn (printer) in business.
  • 1880
    • Channing Memorial Church and Newport Casino built.
    • May 30: The League of American Wheelmen is formed in Newport
  • 1881
    • City water system authorized.
    • Newport Skating Rink opens.
    • Tennis tournament begins at Newport Casino.
    • Groff pharmacy in business.
  • 1882
    • Couzens and Bull telephone exchange in business.
    • Free Chapel of St. John the Evangelist established.
    • Vinland Estate built.
  • 1883 - Isaac Bell House built.
  • 1884
    • Naval War College established.
    • July 4: Reunion of the Sons and Daughters of Newport.
  • 1885
    • St. Joseph's Church established.
    • Morton Park established (approximate date).
    • Stone Tower restored.
  • 1888 - Carr bookseller and Hass florist in business.
  • 1889 - Electric trolley begins operating.
  • 1891 - Rockhurst (residence) built.
  • 1892 - Marble House, Ochre Court, and Rough Point built.
  • 1893
    • Newport Country Club established.
  • 1894 - Belcourt Castle (residence) built.
  • 1895 - National Open Golf Championship held at Newport Country Club.
  • 1896 - St. George's School established near Newport.
  • 1898 - Vernon Court (residence) built.
  • 1899 - September 7: Automobile parade.

20th century

  • 1900 - Rhode Island state capital relocates to Providence.
  • 1901
  • - The Elms (residence) built.
  • - TJ Brown in business.
  • 1902 - Newport Historical Society Museum building and Oelrichs House constructed.
  • 1905
    • Civic League formed.
    • Population: 25,039.
  • 1912 - Art Association of Newport organized.
  • 1915 - Miramar (mansion) built.
  • 1919 - Seamen's Church Institute founded.
  • 1923 - Rhode Island Route 114 designated.
  • 1925 - Seaview Terrace (residence) built.
  • 1926 - Hotel Viking (hotel) opens.
  • 1926 - Courthouse built on Washington Square.
  • 1930 - America's Cup yacht race relocates to Newport.
  • 1934 - Salve Regina University chartered.
  • 1937 - Population: 27,612.
  • 1938 - September: Hurricane.
  • 1942 - Naval Academy Preparatory School relocates to Newport.
  • 1946 - United Baptist Church established.
  • 1948 - WADK radio (1540 AM) begins broadcasting as WRJM. Call Letters changed to WADK in November 1953.
  • 1950 - Naval Justice School relocates to Newport.
  • 1953 - September 12: wedding of John Fitzgerald Kennedy and Jacqueline Bouvier.
  • 1954
  • 1959
  • 1960 - Population: 47,049.
  • 1964 - Newport State Airport (Rhode Island) in operation.
  • 1965 - Fort Adams State Park established.
  • 1969 - Newport Bridge opens.
  • 1976 - Brenton Point State Park established.
  • 1978 - Naval War College Museum in operation.
  • 1980 - Newport Rugby Football Club (Rhode Island) formed.
  • 1993 - Yacht Restoration School founded.
  • 1998
    • Newport International Film Festival begins.
    • SVF Foundation established (livestock preservation).

21st century

  • 2004 - City website online (approximate date).
  • 2010 - Population: 24,672.
  • 2012 - October: Hurricane Sandy storm surge washes away large sections of the Cliff Walk
  • 2014 - June: The Cliff Walk reopens after restoration following 2012's storm damage by Hurricane Sandy
  • 2020 - March: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, all dine-in restaurants, bars, movie theaters, and all gatherings of 25 or more are banned in Newport and across the state. This brings a halt to nearly all concerts, sports, and other events. Newport mansions are closed.
  • 2022 - March: A 20-foot section of the Ciff Walk collapses near Narragansett Avenue and Webster Street and is closed

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Timeline of Newport, Rhode Island Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.