Potowomut, Rhode Island
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"Potowomut" is an isolated neighborhood and a peninsula in Warwick, Rhode Island. It was originally a village in the Warwick Township of Kent County. It can be called an exclave, since there is no overland connection to the rest of the city of Warwick. Nathanael Greene (an American general) was born here in 1742.
Potowomut, "land of fires", the Narragansett Indians named the neck of land over three hundred years ago when they spent the growing seasons farming and fishing here. In the 1680's, the first white settlers encroached upon the Indian lands of Potowomut when James Greene built at the head of the tidal river which became known as Greene's River. Here, his son, Jabez, built a dam an a mill, later; his descendants established an anchor forge, Now located at the foot of Old Forge Rd. The Greene family mainly used the land to raise cattle and harvest hay, which was then shipped across Greenwich Bay to the town wharf in Apponaug, Rhode Island. Upon James' death, the property passed to his son Richard. A fondness for lavish hospitality and fancy living plunged Richard Greene deeply in debt.
The unusual thing about Potowomut is that you have to actually leave the City of Warwick to get to it. You do this by driving south on Rt. 1 (Post Rd.), and entering East Greenwich, then taking a left onto Forge Rd. where you re-enter Warwick on the peninsula known as Potowomut. Potowomut's emergency services are provided by the town of East Greenwich for a yearly fee, which adds up to hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Today, Potowomut is a beautiful reminder of Warwick's colorful past. Drive or walk to the peninsula's eastern tip and you'll be rewarded with a stunning view of Greenwich Bay. Explore the narrow streets and you'll see a mix of older and newer houses, bravely overlooking the Bay.
Unique to Potowomut is Goddard Memorial State Park. Goddard Park attracts thousands of visitors each year as Rhode Island’s most popular Metropolitan Park. Its facilities include a 9 hole golf course designed by Donald Ross, a horse barn where members of the public can rent and ride horses, a beach with bathhouse, sprawling open fields, and a carousel building that is used for functions. Located next to the park is Potowomut Country Club, a private club for the elite in society.