Old Island Cemetery
Then ~ Originally the family cemetery of the major island families, it grew to become the largest cemetery on Block Island with views of the New Harbor an Great Salt Pond.
Now ~ 1705 graves present, dominated by Mott, Ball, Champlin, Dodge, Littlefield. There are tours that can be taken during the summer months for a fee and Island students record the graves each year as they learn to carbon copy the faces of the graves.
Old Indian Cemetery
Then ~ The Manissean Indian's Burial Grounds used post extermination, meaning the people burried within these grounds lived among the new settlers for years before the passed away.
Now ~ According to public records "150 burials with six inscriptions from 1809 to 1918 ~ 150 feet by 200 feet in good condition with no enclosure; sign is in good condition ~ 114 fieldstone graves could be counted in 1994 but there are more."
Millstones
Then ~ One of the Island's main crop exports during development in the 1600s was that of corn. There were mutiple mill sights around the Island which processed corn for distribution and consumption by livestock and people.
Now ~ Two now reside in the old town center at the intersection of Old Town Road and Center Road, Across the street from the original general store as well as the original Methodist island church.
Oceanview Pavilion
Then ~ Original home of the Oceanview Hotel, the islands largest hotel to ever be built, constructed by Nicholas Ball in 1874 with his wealth cultivated from the California Gold Rush in 1860s. The hotel was a safe haven to political figures who did not want to leave their vacation homes behind for work. There are rumors that Ulyses S. Grant would host congress within the Oceanview Hotel so they would not have to cut their vacations short for the sake of their jobs. The hotle burned to the ground in 1966.
Now ~ The land that the hotel was built on is now the home of the Oceanview Pavilion which is dedicated to environmental education is also used to create the Island children's gardens that are planted anually to teach the importance of the resources the island provides naturally.
Coast Guard Station
Then ~ Built in 1872 originally as a life saving station due to the large number of shipwrecks that occurred in the shallow waters surrounding the west side of Block Island in the Block Island Sound. It was originally located on the southwest side of the island and was moved to the entrance of New Harbor when they acquired motorized rescue vessels.
Now ~ Still in use the Coast Guard Station continues to ensure the safety of the harbors during the busy summer months as well as during the off season while harbor maintenence occurs.
Beacon Hill Road Submarine Tower
Then ~ The highest point on Block Island at 270 feet above sea level and one of the original submarine lookouts during WWI and WWII. During the World Wars as the British Navy attempted to occupy its land, but in preporation for the troops arival, Islanders had evacuated to Stonington, Connecticut. Seeking the islanders and their supplies, Commander Hardy attempted to raid Stonington and failed due to damage to his fleet, this is now refered to as The Battle of Stonington.
Now ~ A residential property with views of the entire island, from all sides.
Block Island School
Then ~ Five single room school houses were scattered around and used by the residents of Block Island until the school was built 1933. A kindergarden through 12th grade curiculum hosts a science focused school system which encourages Island students to explore the ecosystem that surrounds them.
Now ~ Home to Elizabeth Dicken's bird collection, the Block Island School exposes its students to the wealth of wildlife that the Island posesses. There are less than 150 students who attend the Block Island school yearly with an average class size of nine students.
Submarine Tower Southeast Road
Then ~ The third and final submarine tower used during WWI and WWII. This is the location of the arrest of Daniel Berrigan, radical activist, in 1969 after being on the run from the FBI for four months.
Now ~ This is now a residential property.
Then ~ Originally the family cemetery of the major island families, it grew to become the largest cemetery on Block Island with views of the New Harbor an Great Salt Pond.
Now ~ 1705 graves present, dominated by Mott, Ball, Champlin, Dodge, Littlefield. There are tours that can be taken during the summer months for a fee and Island students record the graves each year as they learn to carbon copy the faces of the graves.
Old Indian Cemetery
Then ~ The Manissean Indian's Burial Grounds used post extermination, meaning the people burried within these grounds lived among the new settlers for years before the passed away.
Now ~ According to public records "150 burials with six inscriptions from 1809 to 1918 ~ 150 feet by 200 feet in good condition with no enclosure; sign is in good condition ~ 114 fieldstone graves could be counted in 1994 but there are more."
Millstones
Then ~ One of the Island's main crop exports during development in the 1600s was that of corn. There were mutiple mill sights around the Island which processed corn for distribution and consumption by livestock and people.
Now ~ Two now reside in the old town center at the intersection of Old Town Road and Center Road, Across the street from the original general store as well as the original Methodist island church.
Oceanview Pavilion
Then ~ Original home of the Oceanview Hotel, the islands largest hotel to ever be built, constructed by Nicholas Ball in 1874 with his wealth cultivated from the California Gold Rush in 1860s. The hotel was a safe haven to political figures who did not want to leave their vacation homes behind for work. There are rumors that Ulyses S. Grant would host congress within the Oceanview Hotel so they would not have to cut their vacations short for the sake of their jobs. The hotle burned to the ground in 1966.
Now ~ The land that the hotel was built on is now the home of the Oceanview Pavilion which is dedicated to environmental education is also used to create the Island children's gardens that are planted anually to teach the importance of the resources the island provides naturally.
Coast Guard Station
Then ~ Built in 1872 originally as a life saving station due to the large number of shipwrecks that occurred in the shallow waters surrounding the west side of Block Island in the Block Island Sound. It was originally located on the southwest side of the island and was moved to the entrance of New Harbor when they acquired motorized rescue vessels.
Now ~ Still in use the Coast Guard Station continues to ensure the safety of the harbors during the busy summer months as well as during the off season while harbor maintenence occurs.
Beacon Hill Road Submarine Tower
Then ~ The highest point on Block Island at 270 feet above sea level and one of the original submarine lookouts during WWI and WWII. During the World Wars as the British Navy attempted to occupy its land, but in preporation for the troops arival, Islanders had evacuated to Stonington, Connecticut. Seeking the islanders and their supplies, Commander Hardy attempted to raid Stonington and failed due to damage to his fleet, this is now refered to as The Battle of Stonington.
Now ~ A residential property with views of the entire island, from all sides.
Block Island School
Then ~ Five single room school houses were scattered around and used by the residents of Block Island until the school was built 1933. A kindergarden through 12th grade curiculum hosts a science focused school system which encourages Island students to explore the ecosystem that surrounds them.
Now ~ Home to Elizabeth Dicken's bird collection, the Block Island School exposes its students to the wealth of wildlife that the Island posesses. There are less than 150 students who attend the Block Island school yearly with an average class size of nine students.
Submarine Tower Southeast Road
Then ~ The third and final submarine tower used during WWI and WWII. This is the location of the arrest of Daniel Berrigan, radical activist, in 1969 after being on the run from the FBI for four months.
Now ~ This is now a residential property.