from
History of the State of Rhode Island with Illustrations
Albert J. Wright, Printer
No. 79 Mille Street, corner of Federal, Boston.
Hong, Wade & Co., Philadelphia
1878.
pp. 253 - 259... (part 6)
"The Roger Williams Park embraces a tract lying in the extreme south part
of Providence, and was a gift to the city by the late Betsy Williams, a
descendant of the distinguished founder of the State. This generous
donation was given upon condition that the citizens of Providence would
erect a monument to commemorate the memory of this illustrious
personage. The grounds are being tastefully laid out, the conditions of
the gift have been fulfilled, and a large, beautiful monument, designed by
Mr. Franklin Simmons, sculptor, of Rome, and executed under his directions,
has been recently set up and dedicated with very impressive
ceremonies. The monument is of granite, very tastefully executed, and is
surmounted by a life-size statue of Roger Williams, in bronze, while upon
the base, near the foot of the structure, stands the statue of History, in
exultant attitude for the illustrious autograph she has written. The park
contains one hundred and three acres, and, when completed, will present one
of the most beautiful and enticing spots within the environs of the
beautiful city of Providence.
The city is divided into ten wards, with a population of over one hundred
thousand. Its municipal government is ably and judiciously managed, under
the official direction of Thomas A. Doyle, who has held the office of mayor
since 1865, with the exception of one year; a fact that not only
demonstrates his great executive ability, but the high estimation in which
he is held by his fellow-citizens. The city is protected against fire by
an excellently arranged and equipped fire department, while its public
peace is guarded by a large and efficient police department, whose members
are a fine, gentlemanly body of men; and their faithfulness to the
important trusts confided to their charge, and disregard of danger when
duty calls, stamp them as worthy representatives of the true citizen, and
class this force among the best organized and most efficient police
department in New England. The city has an excellent water-supply, and
numerous fountains are scattered throughout it, that furnish conveniences
for quenching the thirst of man and beast. A more detailed history of
these fine water-works will be found in the history of Cranston.
A fine view is obtained of the city as you approach it from the beautiful
bay on the south, and a fine panoramic view may be obtained from Prospect
Park on the east, and Smith's Hill and Mount Pleasant on the
north. Providence, in the last half century, has rapidly advanced in all
that tends to material prosperity, and her religious, educational, and
benevolent institutions have kept pace with her commercial prosperity and
growth in extent of territory and population. Situated at the head of a
magnificent bay, whose shores are lined with numerous fine resorts, which
furnish ample accommodations for the comfort and wants of the thousands of
excursionists who daily frequent them in summer to enjoy the refreshing
breezes from the ocean, and feast their voracious appetites at the
world-renowned Rhode Island clam-bakes, and on other courses of refined and
epicurean dishes. With all of the advantages with which she is surrounded,
with the rapid development of all her varied interests, Providence presents
to-day a commercial and financial centre second to none in New England."
continued in part 7.