Home > Rhode Island > Newport > Thames Street Area Survey, Thames Street, between Washington Square & Memoria, Newport, Newport County, RI
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Item Title
Thames Street Area Survey, Thames Street, between Washington Square & Memoria, Newport, Newport County, RI
Locationbetween Washington Square & Memoria,
Newport, RI
Find maps of Newport, RI
Created/Published
Documentation compiled after 1933.
Notes
Survey number HABS RI-337
Significance: The settlement of Newport began in 1639, and Thames Street developing south from Washington Square, in a straight line parallel to the shore, was one of the first streets. By the early years of the 18th century the compact part of town extended as far south as Cannon Street (now Memorial Boulevard). Since Thomas Street gave access to many of the important wharfs it became increasingly important as a commercial street during the 18th century. Merchants continued to live on Thames Street during this period, and a fair number of buildings survive from the 18th century which in spite of alterations, still suggest the scale and architectural character of the area. In the 19th century building served primarily commercial purposes. Many buildings from the mid-century and just after, often of wooden construction, three and four stories high, and usually with Italianate detail, survive from this period. They are only slightly larger in scale than the 18th century buildings and with them set the basic character of the streetscape. A few buildings, by their size or their architectural distinction, stand out from this general context, including the 18th century Brick Market at the north end of the street, the 20th century Post Office at the south, and a few larger masonry or cast iron buildings that are characteristic of the commercial architecture of the later 19th century. In the mid-20th century the street, which has preserved its historic appearance, is subject to forces of radical change.
Collection
Historic American Buildings Survey (Library of Congress)
Contents
Photograph caption(s):
1. BRICK MARKET FROM THE NORTH
2. HAROLD'S CAMERA TO STRIDE-RITE SHOES FROM THE NORTHWEST
3. BEN'S FURNITURE TO THE SYNAGOGUE
4. SYNAGOGUE TO LAUNDROMAT FROM THE WEST
5. SYNAGOGUE TO LAUNDROMAT FROM THE NORTHWEST
6. RYAN'S TO K'S MELODY LOUNGE FROM THE NORTHWEST
7. CREDIT UNION AND HOSPITAL TRUST FROM THE NORTHWEST
8. GRAY'S TYPEWRITER TO PELHAM CAFE FROM THE NORTHEAST
9. E. L. FREEMAN'S TO J. N. FURNITURE FROM THE SOUTHEAST
10. E. L. FREEMAN'S TO J. N. FURNITURE FROM THE NORTHEAST
11. INDUSTRIAL NATIONAL BANK, LAWTON HAMMET AGENCY AND FRENCHY'S FROM THE SOUTHEAST
12. INTERIOR OF INDUSTRIAL NATIONAL BANK FROM THE EAST
13. PERRY MILL TO NEWPORT TIRE FROM THE NORTHEAST
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