N. Kingstown, Rhode Island
Arriving at Rome Point about 9:00 am we started our hike along a newly graded path, passing wetlands and a hardwood forests on each side. Here and there the dying remains of cedar give evidence that this ws once cleared farmland. Their dead lower branchs turn to green as they fight for sunlight.. A cardinal flys by, its bright red feathers a striking contrast to the winter colors of the woods. Emerging out into the open, we have arrived at a beach bordering Narragansett Bay. Our journey now takes us north along the beach with more shells and rock underfoot than sand. At one point the small piece of land, only about 50 feet wide is held together with cedar trees and bull brirers. Rounding the point the group scan out into the water towards Fox Island and there on the "Clump" are seals. For over an hour we stand, sit and watch as the seals give us a show. Over 20 seals can be seen swimming or at rest on the rocks. The ones in the water are either bobbing around on their backs, head and rear flippers out of the water or crusing the water with just their head exposed. One clown liked to show off with airal jumps sending its whole body arching above the surface and into the air. Leaving the point, two new people have arrived with binoculars in hand. We head back along the rocky shore of Bissel Cove on the west side of the peninsular. Eventually hiking on higher ground following a footpath we can see the bay to our left and the cove to our right. At a fork in the trail I ask the group to follow the more westerly trail for I had never hiked it before. In a short distance the trail ends at an abandoned railroad trestle. Here a fresh water brook flows through a wetland and down to the cove. Now knowing why my map states a railroad is on the property and my curiosity quenched I turn the group around to take the more south/easterly trail. Climbing to higher ground the trail widens to an old cart path weaving through an oak woodland. To the right of the trail we pass old foundation holes, maybe an irrigation canal and the stone remains of an outbuilding. On the left is an old station wagon sits long forgotten, its roof caved in and trees from 6" to 8" growing around it. Merging back onto the main trail we started our hike with, my fellow hikers run into more people. By the time the group reaches the parking lot, it is full with groups heading out to see the seals. Live the Experience!
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Once called Namcook by the Narragansett
Indians and Boston Neck by the first English colonists,
Rome Point is a 230-acre peninsular in N. Kingstown, RI.
The point obtained its name from a George Rome who
purchased the property in 1766. For the short time he
owned the property he led an extravagant lifestyle. He is
reputed to have erected a lavish mansion on the property,
presided over huge parties, and installed gardens that
featured a fish pond, buttonwood trees, and boxwood
plants imported from England. The mansion is long gone,
but there are signs of evergreens and shrubs that may
have been part of Rome's original garden. In 1776 George
Rome had the land confiscated and sold because he was too
much an admirer of King George III. Apparently the Rhode
Island Colonal Government sent Rome packing back to
England. From 1776 to 1953 the land was used for
agriculture. Then in 1954 Narragansett Electric bought
Rome Point for the site of a coal powered electric plant
and in the late 1960’s a nucular plant was talked
about. Due to public outcry nothing was done with the
land till 2001 when it was turned over to the state.
Since then this finger of land is called the John H.
Chafee Wildlife Preserve.