Newport County, Rhode Island (RI), United States, North America
Latitude
41°29'N
Longitude
71°19'W
Newport
, city (1990
pop. 28,227), Newport co., SE R.I., on Aquidneck Isl. (also
called Rhode Isl.); 41°29'N 71°19'W. A port of entry, the city's
economy revolves chiefly around tourism, educational institutions, and
fishing. The mfg. of electrical equip. is also important. Founded in
1639, Newport was united (1640) with Portsmouth and then entered (1654)
in a permanent federation with Providence and Warwick. Shipbuilding,
dating from 1646, and foreign commerce brought pre-Revolutionary
prosperity to Newport. In the Amer. Revolution the British occupied the
town (1776-1779); many bldgs. were destroyed, most of the citizens
moved away, and Newport never regained its former economic prestige. It
was replaced in importance by Providence, with which it was joint state
capital until 1900. In the 19th cent., Newport developed as a
fashionable resort of the wealthy, and many palatial mansions were
built. Outstanding tourist attractions are The Breakers, the former
summer house of Cornelius Vanderbilt; Belcourt Castle; The Elms; Marble
House; and Chateau-sur-Mer. Cliff Walk and Ocean Drive
are known for their spectacular views of the ocean and the coastline.
Of historic interest are the Wanton-Lyman-Hazard House (c.1675; scene
of a Stamp Act riot in 1765); Trinity Church (1726); Touro Synagogue
(1763), oldest in the country and since 1946 a natl. historic site; the
Redwood Lib. and Athenaeum (1747); and the brick market house or city
hall (1762). Also a natl. historic site. Fort Adams dates from 1776 and
remained a coastal defense command post through World War II. Newport
hosts yacht races, and it was the site of the Amer.'s Cup race until
the early 1980s. Tennis was popularized here; the Natl. Tennis Hall of
Fame is in the Newport casino. The Newport Jazz Festival was held until
1971, but other music and dance fests continue. The city is the seat of
Salve Regina Col., the U.S. Naval War Col. (on a small isl. connected
to the main isl. by a causeway), and other naval training schools. U.S.
navy facilities that closed in the 1970s created significant
unemployment. Pell Bridge (1969; commonly known as Newport Bridge)
spans the E passage of Narragansett Bay, linking the city with
Jamestown. Matthew Perry was born in Newport. Settled 1639, inc. 1784.
Capital city or county seat is shown by the symbol
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Newport co., SE R.I., on Aquidneck Isl. (also
called Rhode Isl.); 41°29'N 71°19'W. A port of entry, the city's
economy revolves chiefly around tourism, educational institutions, and
fishing. The mfg. of electrical equip. is also important. Founded in
1639, Newport was united (1640) with Portsmouth and then entered (1654)
in a permanent federation with Providence and Warwick. Shipbuilding,
dating from 1646, and foreign commerce brought pre-Revolutionary
prosperity to Newport. In the Amer. Revolution the British occupied the
town (1776-1779); many bldgs. were destroyed, most of the citizens
moved away, and Newport never regained its former economic prestige. It
was replaced in importance by Providence, with which it was joint state
capital until 1900. In the 19th cent., Newport developed as a
fashionable resort of the wealthy, and many palatial mansions were
built. Outstanding tourist attractions are The Breakers, the former
summer house of Cornelius Vanderbilt; Belcourt Castle; The Elms; Marble
House; and Chateau-sur-Mer. Cliff Walk and Ocean Drive
are known for their spectacular views of the ocean and the coastline.
Of historic interest are the Wanton-Lyman-Hazard House (c.1675; scene
of a Stamp Act riot in 1765); Trinity Church (1726); Touro Synagogue
(1763), oldest in the country and since 1946 a natl. historic site; the
Redwood Lib. and Athenaeum (1747); and the brick market house or city
hall (1762). Also a natl. historic site. Fort Adams dates from 1776 and
remained a coastal defense command post through World War II. Newport
hosts yacht races, and it was the site of the Amer.'s Cup race until
the early 1980s. Tennis was popularized here; the Natl. Tennis Hall of
Fame is in the Newport casino. The Newport Jazz Festival was held until
1971, but other music and dance fests continue. The city is the seat of
Salve Regina Col., the U.S. Naval War Col. (on a small isl. connected
to the main isl. by a causeway), and other naval training schools. U.S.
navy facilities that closed in the 1970s created significant
unemployment. Pell Bridge (1969; commonly known as Newport Bridge)
spans the E passage of Narragansett Bay, linking the city with
Jamestown. Matthew Perry was born in Newport. Settled 1639, inc. 1784.
