Narragansett Bay

Rhode Island, the Ocean State, consists of only 1,200 square miles, and one-quarter of the state is tidewater. With over 350 miles of coastline, a third of the citizens live within a mile of the seashore. The Narragansett Bay, spanning 102 square miles, is the heart of the state. From the early 19th to the mid-20th century, the shell and finfish industries flourished within the bay. Amusement parks and seaside dining halls sprang up on both sides. Beaches catered to Victorian ladies and gentlemen who took in the air but never wet their feet. The nation’s security has also played a major role in these waters. Through more than 200 stunning images, readers will see how Rhode Islanders found their fortune and character on the Narragansett Bay.