Apponaug, Rhode Island
Encyclopedia
Apponaug is a neighborhood in central Warwick, Rhode Island
, situated on Apponaug Cove, a tributary to Greenwich Bay
and nearby Narragansett Bay
. The name Apponaug is a derivation of the Narragansett
Indian word for "place of oysters". Indeed, Apponaug Cove holds one of the richest shellfish beds in the United States and was, for many centuries prior to the arrival of European settlers, densely populated by the Narragansetts.
Apponaug consists of what is effectively a large rotary
. In the 1960s the Rhode Island Department of Transportation
was in need of a faster way to feed the increasing number of cars en route to West Shore Road and other locations through Apponaug. In what was supposed to be a temporary solution, traffic patterns were rerouted, creating a one-way hub in the center of the village.
Apponaug is located at the confluence of three of Warwick's primary streets: Post Road
(U.S. Route 1
), Greenwich Avenue (R.I. Route 5), and Centerville Road (R.I. Route 117). It is considered downtown or central Warwick as Warwick City Hall is located here as well as police and fire headquarters, the Apponaug branch of the Warwick Public Library, a museum, and post office. The cluster of municipal buildings in the center of Apponaug is designated as the Warwick Civic Center Historic District
, while a cluster of stately homes in the southern part of the neighborhood is designated as the Apponaug Historic District
.
, Union Army
general and noted engineer.
Warwick, Rhode Island
Warwick is a city in Kent County, Rhode Island, United States. It is the second largest city in the state, with a population of 82,672 at the 2010 census. Its mayor has been Scott Avedisian since 2000...
, situated on Apponaug Cove, a tributary to Greenwich Bay
Greenwich Bay (Rhode Island)
Greenwich Bay, is a bay on the coast of Rhode Island in the United States near East Greenwich, Rhode Island off of Narragansett Bay.The United States Navy seaplane tender USS Greenwich Bay, in commission from 1945 to 1966, was named for the bay....
and nearby Narragansett Bay
Narragansett Bay
Narragansett Bay is a bay and estuary on the north side of Rhode Island Sound. Covering 147 mi2 , the Bay forms New England's largest estuary, which functions as an expansive natural harbor, and includes a small archipelago...
. The name Apponaug is a derivation of the Narragansett
Narragansett (tribe)
The Narragansett tribe are an Algonquian Native American tribe from Rhode Island. In 1983 they regained federal recognition as the Narragansett Indian Tribe of Rhode Island. In 2009, the United States Supreme Court ruled against their request that the Department of Interior take land into trust...
Indian word for "place of oysters". Indeed, Apponaug Cove holds one of the richest shellfish beds in the United States and was, for many centuries prior to the arrival of European settlers, densely populated by the Narragansetts.
Apponaug consists of what is effectively a large rotary
Traffic circle
A traffic circle or rotary is a type of circular intersection in which traffic must travel in one direction around a central island. In some countries, traffic entering the circle has the right-of-way and drivers in the circle must yield. In many other countries, traffic entering the circle must...
. In the 1960s the Rhode Island Department of Transportation
Rhode Island Department of Transportation
The Rhode Island Department of Transportation is a Rhode Island state government agency charged with construction, maintenance and inspection of a wide range of transportation infrastructure. These include 1,102 miles of state roads and highways, 772 bridges, and 777 traffic signals...
was in need of a faster way to feed the increasing number of cars en route to West Shore Road and other locations through Apponaug. In what was supposed to be a temporary solution, traffic patterns were rerouted, creating a one-way hub in the center of the village.
Apponaug is located at the confluence of three of Warwick's primary streets: Post Road
Boston Post Road
The Boston Post Road was a system of mail-delivery routes between New York City and Boston, Massachusetts that evolved into the first major highways in the United States.The three major alignments were the Lower Post Road The Boston Post Road was a system of mail-delivery routes between New York...
(U.S. Route 1
U.S. Route 1
U.S. Route 1 is a major north–south U.S. Highway that serves the East Coast of the United States. It runs 2,377 miles from Fort Kent, Maine at the Canadian border south to Key West, Florida. U.S. 1 generally parallels Interstate 95, though it is significantly farther west between...
), Greenwich Avenue (R.I. Route 5), and Centerville Road (R.I. Route 117). It is considered downtown or central Warwick as Warwick City Hall is located here as well as police and fire headquarters, the Apponaug branch of the Warwick Public Library, a museum, and post office. The cluster of municipal buildings in the center of Apponaug is designated as the Warwick Civic Center Historic District
Warwick Civic Center Historic District
Warwick Civic Center Historic District is a historic district on Post Road in Warwick, Rhode Island.The center was built in 1890 and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1980....
, while a cluster of stately homes in the southern part of the neighborhood is designated as the Apponaug Historic District
Apponaug Historic District
The Apponaug Historic District is a historic district. It includes five contributing buildings at 3376, 3384, 3387, 3391, 3397-3399, and 3404 Post Rd., Warwick, Rhode Island. It represents a cluster of stately homes in the Apponaug neighborhood where Warwick's civic center is located.-External...
.
Notable people
Apponaug is the birthplace of George S. GreeneGeorge S. Greene
George Sears Greene was a civil engineer and a Union general during the American Civil War. He was part of the Greene family of Rhode Island, which had a distinguished military record for the United States. His greatest contribution during the war was his defense of the Union right flank at Culp's...
, Union Army
Union Army
The Union Army was the land force that fought for the Union during the American Civil War. It was also known as the Federal Army, the U.S. Army, the Northern Army and the National Army...
general and noted engineer.