History
This area was first settled in 1636 by Roger Williams, and was one of the original Thirteen Colonies. Williams secured a title to the land from the Narragansett natives around this time, renaming the area "Providence," because of "God's merciful providence." Williams cultivated Providence as a refuge for persecuted religious dissenters, as he himself had been exiled from Massachusetts. Shortly after being settled, much of Providence was burned down in King Philip's War, which lasted from 1675 to 1676.
In the mid-1770s, Providence was focused on fishing and maritime trade, and was becoming a major commercial center. Nevertheless, the British government's passage of several laws levying various taxes caused Providence to join the other colonies in renouncing allegiance to the British Crown. One such law was the Sugar Act, which levied a tax on sugar and molasses imports, and impacted Providence's distilleries and its trade in rum and slaves. During this period, Providence's population had exceeded 4,300 citizens by 1776, and Providence was able to avoid occupation by British soldiers during the American Revolutionary War, though the city did suffer major interruptions in education and trade as a result of its location and facility as quarters for many troops passing through the area.
Following the war, Providence's main focus on its economy shifted from maritime endeavors to manufacturing. Samuel Slater is credited as having begun the shift in about 1790, and historians mark the transformation's completion at about 1830. Manufacturing would be the city's major industry for the next one hundred years, particularly in jewelry and textiles. The city's industries attracted many people, including immigrants from Ireland, Germany, Sweden, England, Italy, and French Canada. Nevertheless, the city experienced social strife, notably with a series of race riots between whites and blacks during the 1820s. In response to continued growth and social conflicts, Providence residents issued ratified a city charter in November 1831. The city became the sole capital of Rhode Island in 1900. From 1854 to 1900, Providence was the joint capital of the state with Newport.
The Masonic Temple building in downtown, the construction of which had been abandoned amidst the Great Depression and has stood uncompleted for 75 years, is currently being renovated in the largest restoration project in Rhode Island history. When completed in the summer of 2006, it will host 274 guest rooms, a restaurant, and a lounge, and will preserve the original historic 1929 facade. Being constructed in the space next to the city's existing Westin Hotel is an additional 31-story tower.
Estimated to be ready for occupancy by Fall 2008, the 40-story 520-foot "OneTen" (110 Westminster Street) will contain condominiums and claim the title of the tallest building in the Providence, supplanting the 26-floor Bank of America building that was finished in 1927.
Although the new projects will expand the Providence tax base and build its skyline, there is disapproval from some local residents, who fear that some of the more modern-looking glass additions will taint the traditionally historic brick and concrete look of Down City Providence. Additional concerns include an equitable taxation policy for several of the new luxury highrises.
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