1894 Map of Newport

About this map

Coastal fortifications and maritime navigation markers dominate this late 19th-century survey of Narragansett Bay. The strategic importance of the harbor is visible through the prominent grounds of Fort Adams and Fort Walcott on Goat Island, while the safety of the Atlantic approaches is managed by Beaver Tail Light and the Brentons Reef Light Ship. Along the western shore, the developing resort culture of the Gilded Age is evident at Narragansett Pier, connected to the interior textile and agricultural hubs of Wakefield and Peacedale. The map illustrates a landscape of transit, from the South Ferry crossing to Conanicut Island to the numerous private landings like Watsons Pier that once dotted Boston Neck. Extensive coastal features including Eastons Beach and the jagged Point Judith Neck highlight the complex relationship between the Rhode Island seafaring economy and its shoreline.