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Location: Bristol County
Population: 16,819, (As of April 1, 2000)
Population density: 1,998 persons per square mile of land area. (As of April 1, 2000)
Land Distribution: Total area is 15.425 square miles, 8.419 Sq. Miles of land area, 7.006 Sq.
Miles of water area
Established in: 1653
Incorporated in: June 16, 1770
School Information: visit www.schoolmatch.com
Form of Government: Town Manager with five-member Town Council
Town Hall : 283 County Rd., Barrington, RI 02806, 247-1900, 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
Climate: annual rainfall 41.7", annual snowfall 35.0", average humidity-January 63.5%, july 56.3%,
average temperatures- dec-feb 30o, mar-may 47o, jun-aug 70o, sep-nov 53o
History: Located on a peninsula in the East Bay, three sides of this shore community face upper
Narragansett Bay. Long recognized as the prime executive suburb of Providence; it is home to many
of the professional and business leaders of the state. It is a short and scenic twenty-minute
commute to Providence via Routes 114 and Interstate 195.
Barrington was originally known as Sowams, the residence of Massassoit, Chief of the Wampanoag
Indians.
In 1653, the Pilgrim Fathers, including Captain Miles Standish, Governor W. Bradford, and others
bought the area between Narragansett Bay and the Taunton River from Massassoit. In 1637, this area
was incorporated under the name of Swansea as part of the Plymouth Colony. In 1717, Barrington was
set off as a separate town, as part of the State of Massachusetts. In 1746, by Royal Decree, it was
made part of Rhode Island, together with Bristol, Tiverton, Little Compton, and Cumberland.
In 1747, the name was changed to Warren in honor of Sir Peter Warren of the British Navy.
Barrington was taken from Warren and incorporated June 16, 1770.
In the early days, Barrington was a farming community, and in the 19th Century was popular
as a summer resort area.
Although Barrington has several manufacturing establishments, it is best known as a place of
beautiful homes and country estates. At Nayatt Point, in the southwestern part of the town,
is a beautiful summer colony on the shores of Narragansett Bay. Here also is located the Rhode
Island Country Club, whose golf course is rated among the best in the east.
The Barrington River offers safe anchorage for a large number of motor and sailing craft,
providing convenient access to the broad reaches of Narragansett Bay.
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