yes good old Bennys. I had a fellow contractor working me in Rhode Island where I was raised. He needed some odds and ends hardware stuff so I instinctly said let's run down to Bennys. He did not know what it was. We went and fouind just what he needed. URI grad. Born and raised in RI in 57
They should’ve found a way to go online somehow it could’ve saved them. Bennys was like a mom and pop Walmart you could literally find something for the whole house Dads- tools/power equipment Mom-cleaning supplies, Knick knacks Son-toys( my grandfather bought me so many baseball cards at the seekonk/Pawtucket location) they had fishing poles Daughter-toys, make up etc And the best part was the quality. family dollar prices with target/Walmart quality
I still have a crock pot that I paid $5 for in 1985 I got at Benny's in Coventry. Still have a tool set with the price tag on it still. I just happened to be in RI when Benny's closed its doors. It was sad to see that.
How come the old documentaries sound & feel so good & hopeful? So pleasing to our eyes. Even the sun is brighter, the green is greener, the fruits are healthier, children seem happier stronger & people seem to be so happy & protected like everything is just a perfect paradise.
Better time in many ways. Not perfect but better. More social cohesion, respect for tradition, rule of law . RI, like many places which have deteriorated over time - not just because of age- must've been real nice. One party Democrat- modern day not the Dems of Kennedy etc- rule hasn't helped as it hasn't helped the rest of the N'east.
Born in Woonsocket and lived there until I married. French was my first language and attended parochial schools where both languages were taught. It went downhill when they lost the textile mills and others to the southern states and Asia. I did enjoy living there, but after living in Massachusetts, am now in North Carolina and loving it.
Grew up on east school at. My memere worked at the old good will. It’s gang run now. I went in the military but am in Cumberland now. North Carolina sounds nice.
I have always lived in RI and watching this makes me smile! I just get very annoyed how they say Woonsocket! But I love old things like old movies,shows, and history so this is a blessing that we are able to watch this short film about the best state in the USA!
My home state and 1947 is the year I was born. It was still reasonably beautiful in the 1950's when I was growing up. But then, mismanagement and, with the exception of South Main St. and Brown, the complete abandonment of major historical buildings to fire and slow ruin, it's greatness was dissipated, undermined and lost. One of the earliest train stations in the country, from the1830's, lay abandoned and eventually burned... the Outlet company, filled with history, abandoned and lost to fire, and many many more including the old trolley car barn on Cranston St., left abandoned for years, a huge magnificient brick building. Unrestricted real estate development, unwise public pensions systems and unrestrained taxation completed its downfall. What a tragedy, and betrayal of the people and residents whose ancestors worked so hard, across lifetimes, to build for themselves and their families, only to see the decay of the infrastructure and the imposition of unsuccessful public taxation and refinancing schemes.
I might add that Dorothy Duke and a few others did major work in preservation in Newport too...if only there were more like them, we might have had a Rhode Island unique among the states. But that would have required long term planning, sacrifice, non-partisan coordination...something their political leaders are incapable of, even as Rhode Island moves inexorably to its future status, think Greece.
I am from Toronto(born 1994), I would love to visit you're US state for historical and literary purposes(H.P Lovecraft). Unfortunately you're description gives me second thoughts.
Woonsocket wasn't the only French-speaking part of Rhode Island...all the mill towns were, and into the 70s and 80s there were older people whose primary language was French. This video is quaint and very limited, leaving out the real history which wasn't taught when I was in school in the 50's and 60's, about the prominent Rhode Island families were were major slave traders, and the destruction of the Native American people...and on the happier side, it misses the constant influx of immigrants. Also omitted Touro Synagogue and the Newport Naval Base.
I'm French canadian my late great grandfather on my fathers side went down there in Connecticut a few years and two of his children stayed and raised a family so have relatives there. But missquamicut beach and Burlingame campground. I've been going down there since I was a toddler for a week or two. Benny's is where my dad bought me a boogie board in 1996 and I still have it. I love RI . It is peaceful and friendly despite the protests.
I was born on July 26, 1947 in Providence, Rhode Island . The Providence that was GONE WITH THE WIND by the early 1970s . Providence born horror writer H.P. Lovecraft LOVED this city . " I AM PROVIDENCE " he wrote. But today in 2022 Kennedy Plaza could have inspired Lovecraft's tale " Horror At Red Hook ". The city was so much more ALIVE and vibrant in the 1950s and 1960s -years that I do remember. More " friendly " bars back then and charming ,cheap places to buy lunch. Some classic movie theaters.
I would walk down Bucklin St to the end and go to the United Star Supermarket. About a block away, where Elmwood Ave and Reservoir Ave split up, there was a mini park with Columbus holding a bowling ball and pointing down the lane. Or that's what I thought at the time. Columbus has since moved to the Johnston park.
Ronruggier, you and I are about the same age. Imagine how Roger Williams must feel! Personally I don't think change is bad thing. Many, no ALL of the textile mills moved away. They didn't want to pay a fair wage. They were also afraid of unions. Sorta un-American, IMHO First they moved to the south & then they just kept on going south right out of the country. Loyalty was a foreign concept to them, I guess...not for me and many other Rhodies. Without a sound industrial base our state did flounder for a while. "You can't put your hand in same river twice" Change is inevitable but nostalgia is forever. I too miss the old days when movies were shown in really cool theaters or hanging out at the Pink Elephant or Ted's Big Boy on the East Side was a what to do or just simply go to the drive-in. I always liked the diversity of cultures and the food they brought with them especially the French bakery's in Woonsocket, where I'm sure they still park their cars side by each.
I Was Born In The Dominican Republic🏝 But Came Here With My Mom & Older Brother When I Was 3 Yrs Old Never Look Back Visited Dr🇩🇴 A Few Times But Lived In Providence & Central Falls Now Ever Since Love My State Lil Rhody🏙😍❤️💙
Bro this is exactly My story! I thought I wrote this comment! I live in Rhode Island and I come from Dominican Republic and I came here when I was about 3 Too :O
"Most industrialized" "Most mills" -- I've lived here in RI for most of my life (and still live here), and it seems like now, the only reminders of the mills, are lots of apartments made by converting old abandoned mill buildings! Same with Southeastern Mass. too though. Interesting to get a look at this snapshot of the past!
all the pols. care about is getting as many gov't. dependent people to come here and bribe them with free stuff.R.I. is one of the highest taxed states in the country and the worst to retire in. the pols.always vote to raise taxes and when they retire they move to FLA. as soon as they can to avoid paying the taxes on their high pensions they voted for themselves. leaving us holding the bag.
Say what you want, but I love Rhode Island. I lived all my 53 years (except for being in the service for 3 years) in this state and I choose to continue to live here. Some people say the people here are rude. We do really need to change that. Rhode Island has a rich history and has a lot to offer!!!! True, it is expensive to live here, but it is so worth it. Even if you don't live here, you should take advantage of the beauty of our coastlines... come visit us!!!!
Sad that the stability and comforts are gone. When industry died, so did the state. I was born in Prov. and it's painful to visit now. Crowded ... everything and everybody seem so ungrounded-- lost. No one and nothing has a permanent place as they once did. Bedford Falls turned into Pottersville. Still love it for the memories.
I love Rhode Island, and this was a walk down memory lane for me. But in my 70 years, things have changed. Rhode Island is no longer the wonderland of old. That aside, I still love it here... and as I was born here so shall I die here! Thanks for the video memory! PS: lol. I'm surprised they didn't show the big blue bug!
My grandfather was Superintendent of the state hospital in Howard in the 30's,and when my mom went to grade school in Cranston, she remembered people kind of looking at her funny when she gave her home address. They went through the Hurricane of '38 there, and 40 years later I was going to school in Providence, and went through the Blizzard of '78. For all that, I always loved R.I.
What I find amusing is I am a french Canadian living in RI working at a textile mill in Woonsocket. It's like I was born to be here yet I was born in Connecticut and was raised in New Brunswick.
I’ve been a lifelong resident of Rhode Island and I can tell you in my entire 20+ years, Rhode Island has never been anything like it’s described in this video. The waterfronts and beaches are stinky and polluted at best, The sand is not soft, it’s dirty and filled with years of kid piss and sloppiness. Woonsocket is nothing like it was in 1947, it’s a dump crawling with pill heads, welfare moms, and nobody speaks proper English. 98% of all businesses that existed back then have since either shut down or moved. None of the existing mills in this state operate anymore, if they haven’t burnt down already, they are slowly being taken over by greedy property management companies who are only interested in renovating them and turning them into loft apartments so they can take more peoples money.
The landscape looks so vastly different now. It’s interesting to see some of these old buildings in a completely different setting now, surrounded by newer buildings.
Narragansett is still great but was so much more untouched back evmven in the seventies. Such a beautiful summer retreat with summery great beach houses. Great summercmeniries when I was young
The Unions and so called “Political Leaders of Rhode Island ” Do Not care about Rhode Island at all... Together, they are destroying Rhode Island...disgusting and unbelievable so many have no character!!!
I was a few miles away at the Sunny Side Bar.It's not there anymore. When I heard Lennon was killed I ordered 4 shots of Jack it did Not stop the pain!
I am 57, born and raised in Prov. now live in Cranston where I will stay. When they were trying to decide our new state logo, I wanted it to be: Rhode Island, the most littered state in the world!. I sent it to Governor Gina's office but heard no reply back. I keep sending letters to Mayors of Warwick, Cranston and Providence about the filth. Only once did I succeed. I go on every volunteer earth day there is. I just wish and pray with all my heart that people would respect our nation and keep America clean again. What the outside of your house looks like with garbage and littered, makes you wonder what the inside looks like. It also downgrades the whole neighbourhood.
I moved here from Mass. I am shocked how filthy it is. They let dump sites be right near neighborhoods but your new mayor didn't think Costco was in the right spot? I try to tell people industry brings jobs new roads but they keep saying I'm not paying my taxes for that? New bridge in Onleyville was never cleaned around it after construction now has graffiti on it. Homeless begging everywhere. What a shame.
@@zurdoremi better yet we could do one of Joe Biden wearing his bathrobe and slippers, a glimpse from two years down the road when he's in the nursing home with dementia
Sad that most of the industries that were there are gone and most of the farms are housing developments. Don't live in RI anymore but you can't take the RI out of me.
I was l0 yrs old living in RI when this film was produced. I was born, raised and went to college in the State and have family there now. Interesting that people outside RI have more admiration for it then folks who actually live there. A widely published NY Times article this week states that Rhode Islanders themselves have the lowest regard for their own State than any other State citizens have of theirs.
I love my state (of Rhode Island). There are a variety of people here and has a lot of beauty. It is a shame that people feel this way. They obviously don't know the rich history that the state has to offer. Soooo sad.
You know growing up I took advantage of all the RI had to offer me. The beaches, the history, everything. So you are definatly right about have such low regard to our state. But then I moved away to VA and realized what I just gave up. I appreciate it way more now. And would give anything to live there once again. I brag on RI all the time about how beautiful it is and all the historical sites I used to visit with my class. I wish others who are still living there could see just how blessed they are to be surrounded by such beauty and history.
+Pauline Dyson Of course people have a low regard for the state ! What else can you expect - for example do you recall Governor Licht in 1970, insisting that the state income tax would be absolutely, positively, temporary ? I'm still wondering when Rhode Islanders are going to mention that, but the politicians know well, they never did and most have forgotten that, just what the pols are counting on. I moved away in 2002, good memories but the years away have enabled me to objectively consider the system there...unfavorably.
Born and raised... how Rhode island had changed for the worse over the years.... Brown University was a respected college...Woonsocket was actually nice at one time...haha.. sad how things change
@@bertroost1675 You see what happened was the huge immigration that Ruined this beautiful state + Bad Politicians. Once in the 90's Rhode Island became worse and worse.
Benny’s,Bennys,Benny’s is my favorite store, Benny’s Benny’s it’s the store I love to explore! Benny’s Benny’s is my favorite store! I miss Benny’s so much! It’s sad seeing the old buildings that are closed and are abandoned. RIP Benny’s
Grew up in Rhode Island. Born in Providence. At 13 moved to Coventry. Got married in 89. Moved out of state. Lived in many states because husband was military. I actually miss Rhode island. Love to go back as a tourist. I will never live there again for reasons known to us natives. From the comment section, I hear your dismay about RI. But, I know most of you will never leave. If I didn't marry my husband, I probably would never have left either. Yes it's the pot hole state. Politics are messed up. Over taxed without anything to show for it. It's been that way for generations. And I grew up in Providence in the 70s. Since I moved away, I came to appreciate our southern New England attitude. Btw, it's relatively a safe place to live too. You need to live in other areas to see that. I still have people there that don't lock their doors. That is unthinkable to me. It's not perfect. If it wasn't for the inequality of taxes to living expenses, I would move back in a heartbeat.
@@kingpinsmith22 if you look at an old map of rhode island you will see that warwick goes from the connecticut state line all the way to the cranston city line because warwick was at one time the combination of warwick, west warwick and coventry.
Loved it! Born in Woonsocket, grew up in North Smithfield and now living in Burrillville. Dad was from Manville and didn't learn English until. 16 years old
💞 I Remember Rocky Point very well....Grew up in Newport RI. Sheffield School on Broadway was torn down few years ago and i cried. It was elementary school for decades. Suddenly i fell old😏 but still young at heart.😊
@@katherinegates1559 I grew up in Newport too. What, Sheffield School torn down? I still have relatives there, they never told me! I don't like the way Newport looks like today. Miss the old Newport of the 60's and 70's.
😊 @ Generator John...So happy to hear that you are from Newport...all my great memories of growing up there will stay in my heart for ever. Born in 1947...The 50s 60s and 70s were the best. Yes Sheffield School has either offices or condos now. I got relatives still in Newport too. I use to live on 22 burdick avenue. Did you know any of the Kesson's by any chance? 😊💖✌️
GrammaMouse OMG I remember that 😆 Grew up in Newport R. I. We walked to school in waist deep snow for a mile and a half. It took us 15 minutes to take off our winter gear and another 30 to get warm. No buses until I was in high school in Middletown R.I. These kids today can’t walk half a mile in good weather.
Nicely done, I moved from Washington, D.C. to Cranston, Rhode Island in 1977. Lived there till 1992. LOVE the History and Architecture there ! Enjoyed most of that and some of the Best Italian Food. Though I did not fit in well, I liked many things about this region. ROCKY POINT PARK was the PARK ! Providence and Pawtucket was a step back in Amazing History ! The Slater Mills was the Beginning of the American Industrial Revolution. Newport Mansions are Incredible. Rhode Islanders have a lot to be Proud of there. 😊
I've lived here in Rhode Island for my entire 54 yrs. of life. Rhode Island has a lot of history and a lot of beautiful places to visit if you know where to look. Rhode Island's beautiful coastline and abundant forests with plenty of hiking trails are part of the state's New England charm and beauty. Unfortunately, a lot of the charm that Rhode Island once offered has been lost to corrupt government and dirty politics. We have potholes you could park your car in. We have highway bridges being held up with railroad ties. We have high taxes, high rent and are experiencing an invasion of illegal immigrants that we are forced to pay for. Rhode Island is no longer that charming little utopia shown in this video. But I really wish it were.
Rhody looks a lot less populated in these pictures. Also a guy on my street who is very old and quite dead now used to talk with my parents about how our neighborhood was back in the fifties. Apparently it used to be a pasture and power road was the only road for miles I always wish I could have seen it back then.
I am proud to say I was born and raised in providence. From the 10 cent toilets in woolworth on westminster mall to joslyn gym and the onlneyvill boys club . I smelt the felt at big dans. ( Not ri but funny). Knew george Pesare (rip). Ri toughest man. And CJ a close 2nd. Vinny paz was my neighbor at father and sons gym on laurel hill. My mom was the crossing guard on eastwood and laurel hill I lived on 202 eastwood. What a place to be from in the 70,s God bless
@@xxjessxx3732 my 1st girl dana d, angelo lived off charles. Leo ave. I grew up silver lake manton ave . Mt pleasant and federal hill. Mostly silver lake and mt pleasant. Old timers tap
Lived in Newport for 1 year. Mildest summer & harshest winter I ever experienced. BTW Columbus landed on a few Caribbean Islands but never stepped foot in America.
Lived in Warwick 86-07. They say little Rhody gets in your blood,this is true.been away ten yrs and do miss the people and the state.best times of my life.thanks Rhode island for great memories.
Born & Raised 4-20-1978 Been all around the United States and when I leave I can't wait to get back to da Ocean State #Mastamindz #BluntFactory #NewEnglandNephilimz #LoveAndLoyalty
Gilbert Stuart was in North Kingstown. There is no North Kingston in RI. There is North Kingstown and South Kingstown and Kingston and West Kingston. Anthony is NOT a town but a village within Coventry. I know this is from the 1940s but those errors really bother me.
I think you can cut the guy some slack for how he pronounces stuff not being a Rhody c'mon. Also they don't understand villages not being from there either. I think sometimes you just have to enjoy it for what it is.
Funny how in 1990 when they re-furbished the Newport court house area to circa 1839 to film part of Amistad, it was so clean and beautiful in contrast to the rest of the town lol. 1741 must've been gorgeous when Newport was the capitol and the navy wasn't in town yet till 1861 when Lower Thames became affectionately known as "Blood Alley". A bar between every side street on both sides, you could zig-zag to the end and be totally fubar'd off 50 cents. I think they actually caught a house my dad was renting in while he went to URI early 50's. Was hoping they'd show the Ferris Wheel at Easterns Beach but that might've rolled into the ocean during the '38 hurricane. Carol? I remember seeing old satellite pictures when it was just sticking out of the water. Can't find any now.
So i was born in Puerto Rico but lived in Pawtucket since i was 6 months old. Im 30 now. But my mom and i moved back to pr because we mised our family very much. But just so happends that i am missing ri so much. Im missing the ripta busses and well almost everything but the winter. I wish we would have never left. And now it would be hard if not imposible to go back. Because we have no family there. Only some friends but we cant just go and live with them till we have our own place cuz that would take some months most likely. Ok im done no one probably cares about my story anyways so dont know why i bother. Gues i juat had to express my thoughts and or feelings just like anyone else does on here. So dont judge. I MISS PAWTUCKET AND PROVIDENCE!!!
I know how you feel. I was born and raised in Narragansett RI but then I got married and moved down to VA where my husbands family lives. We've only been up there 3 times since. Every 2 years we get to go. But my family and friends are there and I miss the ocean more than anything. There were so many historical places in this video that I remember going to for class field trips. And learning about how our beautiful small state was founded. I wish I had never left.
0:48 Just want to point out ‘religious freedom’ was only part of the reason Roger Williams and his team founded RI. They were critical of how Boston leaders treated natives (heathens according to Boston leadership) and Roger was asked to leave. edit: 6:48 I'm actually watching this video from my house which would be in this frame.
We were and could have been the major Industrial State in the country until the State got "Greedy" and started to "TAX" and enforce rules that were "Detrimental" to the states growth. Greed is what Killed this State.
Where you to visit Woonsocket you might think you where in a foreign land... yeah Borat’s village maybe. I live on Ma border with Woonsocket and my friends referred to Woonsocket as Borats village
~Yeah, , , And We'll Never See That Again, Those Days Are Gone, Once We Hit The Digital Era, No More Theme Parks, etc. Cuz They Made It Comfortable For People To Stay Home... (Aside From The Influx Of People, or Some Having 6 Kids w/3 Woman, x Every Kid In The Neighborhood Doing It, = Just Totally Overpopulated Rhode Island!)
rhode island doesnt look like this any more, everything's in color
Lol
LOL
You got that right
Lmfaooo
who also just got this recommended
Same and i live in rhode island 😆
Me! Are you a Rhode Islander too?
I’m a rhody person
Im a rhody too!
Me, and in Rhode Island as well
RIP Benny's you will be missed
yes good old Bennys. I had a fellow contractor working me in Rhode Island where I was raised. He needed some odds and ends hardware stuff so I instinctly said let's run down to Bennys. He did not know what it was. We went and fouind just what he needed. URI grad. Born and raised in RI in 57
Do you mean the one that Walmart destroyed
Loved Benny’s wish they were still here
They should’ve found a way to go online somehow it could’ve saved them. Bennys was like a mom and pop Walmart you could literally find something for the whole house
Dads- tools/power equipment
Mom-cleaning supplies, Knick knacks
Son-toys( my grandfather bought me so many baseball cards at the seekonk/Pawtucket location) they had fishing poles
Daughter-toys, make up etc
And the best part was the quality. family dollar prices with target/Walmart quality
I still have a crock pot that I paid $5 for in 1985 I got at Benny's in Coventry. Still have a tool set with the price tag on it still. I just happened to be in RI when Benny's closed its doors. It was sad to see that.
How come the old documentaries sound & feel so good & hopeful? So pleasing to our eyes. Even the sun is brighter, the green is greener, the fruits are healthier, children seem happier stronger & people seem to be so happy & protected like everything is just a perfect paradise.
Selective editing
Better time in many ways. Not perfect but better. More social cohesion, respect for tradition, rule of law . RI, like many places which have deteriorated over time - not just because of age- must've been real nice. One party Democrat- modern day not the Dems of Kennedy etc- rule hasn't helped as it hasn't helped the rest of the N'east.
@@broughmar You're right, the blue wall is our downfall.
Born in Woonsocket and lived there until I married. French was my first language and attended parochial schools where both languages were taught. It went downhill when they lost the textile mills and others to the southern states and Asia. I did enjoy living there, but after living in Massachusetts, am now in North Carolina and loving it.
Woonsocket is a dump now. My Memere was born there too. It used to be a nice place
Grew up on east school at. My memere worked at the old good will. It’s gang run now. I went in the military but am in Cumberland now. North Carolina sounds nice.
I have always lived in RI and watching this makes me smile! I just get very annoyed how they say Woonsocket! But I love old things like old movies,shows, and history so this is a blessing that we are able to watch this short film about the best state in the USA!
definitely not best
@@lovelyjustine4ever100 and definitely not the worst
@@lovelyjustine4ever100 LOL, RIGHT
Rhode Island sucks
Amazing state. Just visited. Seafood is amazing
anyone live in Rhode island and just get this recommended?
Me
Yup......
Me! My husband just incorporated it into my sons homeschool history lesson for today.
meeeee
Yes I hate it here in Rhode Island though. I miss cslifornia
My home state and 1947 is the year I was born. It was still reasonably beautiful in the 1950's when I was growing up. But then, mismanagement and, with the exception of South Main St. and Brown, the complete abandonment of major historical buildings to fire and slow ruin, it's greatness was dissipated, undermined and lost. One of the earliest train stations in the country, from the1830's, lay abandoned and eventually burned... the Outlet company, filled with history, abandoned and lost to fire, and many many more including the old trolley car barn on Cranston St., left abandoned for years, a huge magnificient brick building.
Unrestricted real estate development, unwise public pensions systems and unrestrained taxation completed its downfall. What a tragedy, and betrayal of the people and residents whose ancestors worked so hard, across lifetimes, to build for themselves and their families, only to see the decay of the infrastructure and the imposition of unsuccessful public taxation and refinancing schemes.
Well put JImserac!
I might add that Dorothy Duke and a few others did major work in preservation in Newport too...if only there were more like them, we might have had a Rhode Island unique among the states. But that would have required long term planning, sacrifice, non-partisan coordination...something their political leaders are incapable of, even as Rhode Island moves inexorably to its future status, think Greece.
Jimersac "Truer words have never been spoken"
I hope your still alive while I'm replying
I am from Toronto(born 1994), I would love to visit you're US state for historical and literary purposes(H.P Lovecraft). Unfortunately you're description gives me second thoughts.
Wow that's crazy. I had no idea Woonsocket was predominantly French in the 40's.
Also, the way the announcer says Woonsocket is hilarious.
WUN-socket
Woonsocket wasn't the only French-speaking part of Rhode Island...all the mill towns were, and into the 70s and 80s there were older people whose primary language was French. This video is quaint and very limited, leaving out the real history which wasn't taught when I was in school in the 50's and 60's, about the prominent Rhode Island families were were major slave traders, and the destruction of the Native American people...and on the happier side, it misses the constant influx of immigrants. Also omitted Touro Synagogue and the Newport Naval Base.
Not WOOOOOONsocket..
It's Wunsockit
They still are.
According to Wikipedia, it's pronounced "one-SOK-it". :)
You still see it quite a bit, at least French names, and people in nursing homes who speak French
our family's home state. Great video… Where my dad was born and raised..
I'm French canadian my late great grandfather on my fathers side went down there in Connecticut a few years and two of his children stayed and raised a family so have relatives there. But missquamicut beach and Burlingame campground. I've been going down there since I was a toddler for a week or two. Benny's is where my dad bought me a boogie board in 1996 and I still have it. I love RI . It is peaceful and friendly despite the protests.
I was born on July 26, 1947 in Providence, Rhode Island . The Providence that was GONE WITH THE WIND by the early 1970s . Providence born horror writer H.P. Lovecraft LOVED this city . " I AM PROVIDENCE " he wrote. But today in 2022 Kennedy Plaza could have inspired Lovecraft's tale " Horror At Red Hook ".
The city was so much more ALIVE and vibrant in the 1950s and 1960s -years that I do remember. More " friendly " bars back then and charming ,cheap places to buy lunch. Some classic movie theaters.
you're right. RI has been ruined.
I would walk down Bucklin St to the end and go to the United Star Supermarket. About a block away, where Elmwood Ave and Reservoir Ave split up, there was a mini park with Columbus holding a bowling ball and pointing down the lane. Or that's what I thought at the time. Columbus has since moved to the Johnston park.
Ronruggier, you and I are about the same age.
Imagine how Roger Williams must feel!
Personally I don't think change is bad thing.
Many, no ALL of the textile mills moved away. They didn't want to pay a fair wage. They were also afraid of unions. Sorta un-American, IMHO
First they moved to the south & then they just kept on going south right out of the country.
Loyalty was a foreign concept to them, I guess...not for me and many other Rhodies.
Without a sound industrial base our state did flounder for a while.
"You can't put your hand in same river twice" Change is inevitable but nostalgia is forever.
I too miss the old days when movies were shown in really cool theaters or hanging out at the Pink Elephant or Ted's Big Boy on the East Side was a what to do or just simply go to the drive-in.
I always liked the diversity of cultures and the food they brought with them especially the French bakery's in Woonsocket, where I'm sure they still park their cars side by each.
@@ErsatzMcGuffin There are many sentimental songs about or inspired by nostalgia. Thank you for your thoughts !
I Was Born In The Dominican Republic🏝 But Came Here With My Mom & Older Brother When I Was 3 Yrs Old Never Look Back Visited Dr🇩🇴 A Few Times But Lived In Providence & Central Falls Now Ever Since Love My State Lil Rhody🏙😍❤️💙
It's wonderful
Sexy ass
@Masta Flipp creep
Bro this is exactly My story! I thought I wrote this comment! I live in Rhode Island and I come from Dominican Republic and I came here when I was about 3 Too :O
I guess I'll try to avoid Rhode Island in that case.
"Most industrialized" "Most mills" -- I've lived here in RI for most of my life (and still live here), and it seems like now, the only reminders of the mills, are lots of apartments made by converting old abandoned mill buildings! Same with Southeastern Mass. too though. Interesting to get a look at this snapshot of the past!
all the pols. care about is getting as many gov't. dependent people to come here and bribe them with free stuff.R.I. is one of the highest taxed states in the country and the worst to retire in. the pols.always vote to raise taxes and when they retire they move to FLA. as soon as they can to avoid paying the taxes on their high pensions they voted for themselves. leaving us holding the bag.
Say what you want, but I love Rhode Island. I lived all my 53 years (except for being in the service for 3 years) in this state and I choose to continue to live here. Some people say the people here are rude. We do really need to change that. Rhode Island has a rich history and has a lot to offer!!!! True, it is expensive to live here, but it is so worth it. Even if you don't live here, you should take advantage of the beauty of our coastlines... come visit us!!!!
Sad that the stability and comforts are gone. When industry died, so did the state. I was born in Prov. and it's painful to visit now. Crowded ... everything and everybody seem so ungrounded-- lost.
No one and nothing has a permanent place as they once did. Bedford Falls turned into Pottersville. Still love it for the memories.
Not to mention the demographic erosion
Industry was given to China etc. Was taken away from us.
I love Rhode Island, and this was a walk down memory lane for me. But in my 70 years, things have changed. Rhode Island is no longer the wonderland of old. That aside, I still love it here... and as I was born here so shall I die here! Thanks for the video memory! PS: lol. I'm surprised they didn't show the big blue bug!
Lots of “illegals “ here now, just like California. It’s a disgrace
You got a big blue bug? You better see a doctor! I gotta curve named Thurber's and a dog named Astro!! Memories.
My grandfather was Superintendent of the state hospital in Howard in the 30's,and when my mom went to grade school in Cranston, she remembered people kind of looking at her funny when she gave her home address. They went through the Hurricane of '38 there, and 40 years later I was going to school in Providence, and went through the Blizzard of '78. For all that, I always loved R.I.
Me too. I lived off Hartford Ave On Stella st. In the blizzard of 78
What I find amusing is I am a french Canadian living in RI working at a textile mill in Woonsocket. It's like I was born to be here yet I was born in Connecticut and was raised in New Brunswick.
I’ve been a lifelong resident of Rhode Island and I can tell you in my entire 20+ years, Rhode Island has never been anything like it’s described in this video.
The waterfronts and beaches are stinky and polluted at best, The sand is not soft, it’s dirty and filled with years of kid piss and sloppiness.
Woonsocket is nothing like it was in 1947, it’s a dump crawling with pill heads, welfare moms, and nobody speaks proper English.
98% of all businesses that existed back then have since either shut down or moved.
None of the existing mills in this state operate anymore, if they haven’t burnt down already, they are slowly being taken over by greedy property management companies who are only interested in renovating them and turning them into loft apartments so they can take more peoples money.
💯% facts!
The landscape looks so vastly different now. It’s interesting to see some of these old buildings in a completely different setting now, surrounded by newer buildings.
Narragansett is still great but was so much more untouched back evmven in the seventies. Such a beautiful summer retreat with summery great beach houses. Great summercmeniries when I was young
Everything in color now!
moved back and forth from this state a few times. Love the area. The political corruption and taxes might be the decision to make me move once more!
Now look our whole system of government is corrupt!.
The Unions and so called “Political Leaders of Rhode Island ” Do Not care about Rhode Island at all...
Together, they are destroying Rhode Island...disgusting and unbelievable so many have no character!!!
I rented a room in the Kingston Inn where I was watching Monday Night football when it was interrupted to announce the murder of John Lennon.
wow
I was a few miles away at the Sunny Side Bar.It's not there anymore.
When I heard Lennon was killed I ordered 4 shots of Jack it did Not stop the pain!
That's right, the famous Rhode Island Red ... in black and white.
My children are descendents of the artist who did all the carvings at the Gilbert Stuart Museum- can't wait to show this to them
I am 57, born and raised in Prov. now live in Cranston where I will stay. When they were trying to decide our new state logo, I wanted it to be: Rhode Island, the most littered state in the world!. I sent it to Governor Gina's office but heard no reply back. I keep sending letters to Mayors of Warwick, Cranston and Providence about the filth. Only once did I succeed. I go on every volunteer earth day there is. I just wish and pray with all my heart that people would respect our nation and keep America clean again. What the outside of your house looks like with garbage and littered, makes you wonder what the inside looks like. It also downgrades the whole neighbourhood.
I vote for keeping Rhode Island clean too!
I moved here from Mass. I am shocked how filthy it is. They let dump sites be right near neighborhoods but your new mayor didn't think Costco was in the right spot? I try to tell people industry brings jobs new roads but they keep saying I'm not paying my taxes for that? New bridge in Onleyville was never cleaned around it after construction now has graffiti on it. Homeless begging everywhere. What a shame.
That's what happens when you let Democrats run the state for decades
why not do a State Logo using trump dressed as a stupid viking ?
@@zurdoremi better yet we could do one of Joe Biden wearing his bathrobe and slippers, a glimpse from two years down the road when he's in the nursing home with dementia
I feel like bristol was pretty left out that's a town with some history.
That’s right. It has the oldest 4th of July parade in the US.
@@dougcargill6730 and in my opinion the best. proud to say its my hometown.
BRISTOL GANG
Anyone else just search Rhode Island because they live there and wanna know more?😂✨
Uhhh duhhhh Lmaooo
No
trust homie. unless you got the cash you don't wanna live here
Sad that most of the industries that were there are gone and most of the farms are housing developments. Don't live in RI anymore but you can't take the RI out of me.
I was l0 yrs old living in RI when this film was produced. I was born, raised and went to college in the State and have family there now. Interesting that people outside RI have more admiration for it then folks who actually live there. A widely published NY Times article this week states that Rhode Islanders themselves have the lowest regard for their own State than any other State citizens have of theirs.
I love my state (of Rhode Island). There are a variety of people here and has a lot of beauty. It is a shame that people feel this way. They obviously don't know the rich history that the state has to offer. Soooo sad.
You know growing up I took advantage of all the RI had to offer me. The beaches, the history, everything. So you are definatly right about have such low regard to our state. But then I moved away to VA and realized what I just gave up. I appreciate it way more now. And would give anything to live there once again. I brag on RI all the time about how beautiful it is and all the historical sites I used to visit with my class. I wish others who are still living there could see just how blessed they are to be surrounded by such beauty and history.
+Pauline Dyson Of course people have a low regard for the state ! What else can you expect - for example do you recall Governor Licht in 1970, insisting that the state income tax would be absolutely, positively, temporary ? I'm still wondering when Rhode Islanders are going to mention that, but the politicians know well, they never did and most have forgotten that, just what the pols are counting on. I moved away in 2002, good memories but the years away have enabled me to objectively consider the system there...unfavorably.
Tru3L0v391011 a
Bless you hope all is well 🙏🏾🙏🏼🙏🏽
I had no idea that Woonsocket was a Francophone stronghold. Interesting.
They had a train station and the trains went to Vermont that took people from Quebec.
Born and raised... how Rhode island had changed for the worse over the years.... Brown University was a respected college...Woonsocket was actually nice at one time...haha.. sad how things change
Are you allowed to tell us what happened?
@@bertroost1675 You see what happened was the huge immigration that Ruined this beautiful state + Bad Politicians. Once in the 90's Rhode Island became worse and worse.
NAFTA ruined it.
Very cool seeing this as a Rhode
Islander.
I was actually looking for this
Jamestown is like home to me. No other place in the world like it.
Benny’s,Bennys,Benny’s is my favorite store, Benny’s Benny’s it’s the store I love to explore! Benny’s Benny’s is my favorite store! I miss Benny’s so much! It’s sad seeing the old buildings that are closed and are abandoned. RIP Benny’s
Hey Reese! It’s Isla! As you know!
a the Adam drug store chain. Anybody remember Mammoth Mart? The big super store aka wal mart type
Who’s watching this 3018
Nope only 2021 🥺
Grew up in Rhode Island. Born in Providence. At 13 moved to Coventry. Got married in 89. Moved out of state. Lived in many states because husband was military. I actually miss Rhode island. Love to go back as a tourist. I will never live there again for reasons known to us natives. From the comment section, I hear your dismay about RI. But, I know most of you will never leave. If I didn't marry my husband, I probably would never have left either. Yes it's the pot hole state. Politics are messed up. Over taxed without anything to show for it. It's been that way for generations. And I grew up in Providence in the 70s. Since I moved away, I came to appreciate our southern New England attitude. Btw, it's relatively a safe place to live too. You need to live in other areas to see that. I still have people there that don't lock their doors. That is unthinkable to me. It's not perfect. If it wasn't for the inequality of taxes to living expenses, I would move back in a heartbeat.
Some years ago, I was in Providence and much of it reminded me of the cesspool called South Central LA. Kind of sad compared to the 1940s.
fuck you
You must have been in SOUTH Providence. Yes, very bad in that section.
“Town of Anthony”, only problem is there’s no such town in the state (nor has one every existed). The correct town is of course, Coventry.
Anthony is a section of Coventry. It has a post office and zip code so it's a registered place like Greene, summit, etc.
@@kingpinsmith22 if you look at an old map of rhode island you will see that warwick goes
from the connecticut state line all the way to the cranston city line because warwick was at one time
the combination of warwick, west warwick and coventry.
@@kingpinsmith22 still a village, not a town
Imagine not knowing every village in RI.
Love my Rhody!
Me too and your name!
it is eh
Loved it! Born in Woonsocket, grew up in North Smithfield and now living in Burrillville. Dad was from Manville and didn't learn English until. 16 years old
What is difference between Woonsocket, North Smithfield, and Burriville?
I’m in love with a Rhodeislander !
Recreation? What about Rocky Point?
IT'S GONE NOW.
This film was from 1947. Rocky Point was destroyed by the Hurricane of 1938, and was not rebuilt until ten or so years later.
💞 I Remember Rocky Point very well....Grew up in Newport RI. Sheffield School on Broadway was torn down few years ago and i cried. It was elementary school for decades. Suddenly i fell old😏 but still young at heart.😊
@@katherinegates1559 I grew up in Newport too. What, Sheffield School torn down?
I still have relatives there, they never told me! I don't like the way Newport looks like today. Miss the old Newport of the 60's and 70's.
😊 @ Generator John...So happy to hear that you are from Newport...all my great memories of growing up there will stay in my heart for ever. Born in 1947...The 50s 60s and 70s were the best. Yes Sheffield School has either offices or condos now. I got relatives still in Newport too. I use to live on 22 burdick avenue. Did you know any of the Kesson's by any chance? 😊💖✌️
This America needs to come back
Yeah none of those Woonsocket French people will ever speak French again.
@@Miniweet9167 Chacun qui veut parler francais peut le faire, s'il a la patience de l'etudier.
1947 the year I was born I was born and brought up in Providence in the Federal Hill area it's not the same anymore things changed quite a bit
NO SCHOOL FOSTA GLOCESTA
GrammaMouse lol
Yaaasss I hear that every snow day!
Salty Brine.. R.I.P.
GrammaMouse OMG I remember that 😆 Grew up in Newport R. I.
We walked to school in waist deep snow for a mile and a half. It took us 15 minutes to take off our winter gear and another 30 to get warm.
No buses until I was in high school in Middletown R.I.
These kids today can’t walk half a mile in good weather.
@@thoughtsc3425 very well said lol 😆
Kinda Cool seeing the history of the place.. I love exploring the old mills n sites along the water..
Middletowner here, love this cute little state :3
Love My State Grew up on South Side Providence🤟🏽🤟🏽🤟🏽
Public st!
Hamilton
@@starchild1198 that's awesome . I lived on moore st and weslyian ave and west friendship st when I was a baby moved to silver lake when I was 7
@@starchild1198 I went to vineyard st school
Nicely done, I moved from Washington, D.C. to Cranston, Rhode Island in 1977. Lived there till 1992. LOVE the History and Architecture there ! Enjoyed most of that and some of the Best Italian Food. Though I did not fit in well, I liked many things about this region. ROCKY POINT PARK was the PARK ! Providence and Pawtucket was a step back in Amazing History ! The Slater Mills was the Beginning of the American Industrial Revolution. Newport Mansions are Incredible. Rhode Islanders have a lot to be Proud of there. 😊
I've lived here in Rhode Island for my entire 54 yrs. of life. Rhode Island has a lot of history and a lot of beautiful places to visit if you know where to look. Rhode Island's beautiful coastline and abundant forests with plenty of hiking trails are part of the state's New England charm and beauty. Unfortunately, a lot of the charm that Rhode Island once offered has been lost to corrupt government and dirty politics. We have potholes you could park your car in. We have highway bridges being held up with railroad ties. We have high taxes, high rent and are experiencing an invasion of illegal immigrants that we are forced to pay for. Rhode Island is no longer that charming little utopia shown in this video. But I really wish it were.
Exactly. Things are changing FAST.
Rhody looks a lot less populated in these pictures. Also a guy on my street who is very old and quite dead now used to talk with my parents about how our neighborhood was back in the fifties. Apparently it used to be a pasture and power road was the only road for miles I always wish I could have seen it back then.
In the 1940's & 50's the population of Providence was twice what it is now. All of those people moved to the suburbs you refer to.
Living in Narragansett, born in Providence, Grew up in Woonsocket but wow 1947 thats even before my mother
Home state and we live right over the border in CT
I am proud to say I was born and raised in providence. From the 10 cent toilets in woolworth on westminster mall to joslyn gym and the onlneyvill boys club . I smelt the felt at big dans. ( Not ri but funny). Knew george Pesare (rip). Ri toughest man. And CJ a close 2nd. Vinny paz was my neighbor at father and sons gym on laurel hill. My mom was the crossing guard on eastwood and laurel hill I lived on 202 eastwood. What a place to be from in the 70,s God bless
Good times ..from charles street?
God bless 🙏🏽🙏🏼🙏🏾🙏🏿
@@xxjessxx3732 my 1st girl dana d, angelo lived off charles. Leo ave. I grew up silver lake manton ave . Mt pleasant and federal hill. Mostly silver lake and mt pleasant. Old timers tap
Lived in Newport for 1 year. Mildest summer & harshest winter I ever experienced. BTW Columbus landed on a few Caribbean Islands but never stepped foot in America.
And look at it now... this is depressing.
I was born and raised in East Providence 57
I believe the 1st and oldest Charles I.D. Looff Carousel is in East Province Rhode Island
401 loud and proud
Lived in Warwick 86-07. They say little Rhody gets in your blood,this is true.been away ten yrs and do miss the people and the state.best times of my life.thanks Rhode island for great memories.
Born & Raised
4-20-1978
Been all around the United States and when I leave I can't wait to get back to da Ocean State
#Mastamindz #BluntFactory #NewEnglandNephilimz #LoveAndLoyalty
I love how its barely changed
Except for the religious freedom and representative govt
Wouldn't it be nice to go back in time.
YES and stay forever!
Best state for beaches, over 400 miles of coastline and the finest restaurants ever!
My home . . .
LOVE MY STATE
I love this state too!!!!!
im from ukraine but i love your state no less than you!!!!!!!
Russell Davis a little different than you but still very much
lol yes thx .
Haha Woonsocket its funny when he said it
This is so cool to see
Who also lives in Rhode Island
Our little paradise is long dead
Pawtucket and Central Falls not mentioned?
Gilbert Stuart was in North Kingstown. There is no North Kingston in RI. There is North Kingstown and South Kingstown and Kingston and West Kingston. Anthony is NOT a town but a village within Coventry. I know this is from the 1940s but those errors really bother me.
I think you can cut the guy some slack for how he pronounces stuff not being a Rhody c'mon. Also they don't understand villages not being from there either. I think sometimes you just have to enjoy it for what it is.
I agree! They need to be accurate. I love how they said Woooooonsocket
Love these old films.
And I remember when they striked and basiclly put Browne and Sharpe out of business
I worked there for 5 yrs.
My papa was a part of that strike! He's gone now but I do still have his I.D. card with his picture from when he worked there.
i live in RI, born in Woonsocket of Irish back round and ancestry.
Funny how in 1990 when they re-furbished the Newport court house area to circa 1839 to film part of Amistad, it was so clean and beautiful in contrast to the rest of the town lol. 1741 must've been gorgeous when Newport was the capitol and the navy wasn't in town yet till 1861 when Lower Thames became affectionately known as "Blood Alley". A bar between every side street on both sides, you could zig-zag to the end and be totally fubar'd off 50 cents. I think they actually caught a house my dad was renting in while he went to URI early 50's. Was hoping they'd show the Ferris Wheel at Easterns Beach but that might've rolled into the ocean during the '38 hurricane. Carol? I remember seeing old satellite pictures when it was just sticking out of the water. Can't find any now.
So i was born in Puerto Rico but lived in Pawtucket since i was 6 months old. Im 30 now. But my mom and i moved back to pr because we mised our family very much. But just so happends that i am missing ri so much. Im missing the ripta busses and well almost everything but the winter. I wish we would have never left. And now it would be hard if not imposible to go back. Because we have no family there. Only some friends but we cant just go and live with them till we have our own place cuz that would take some months most likely. Ok im done no one probably cares about my story anyways so dont know why i bother. Gues i juat had to express my thoughts and or feelings just like anyone else does on here. So dont judge. I MISS PAWTUCKET AND PROVIDENCE!!!
Nothing wrong with that ! I lived in N Attleboro just down rte 1
I know how you feel. I was born and raised in Narragansett RI but then I got married and moved down to VA where my husbands family lives. We've only been up there 3 times since. Every 2 years we get to go. But my family and friends are there and I miss the ocean more than anything. There were so many historical places in this video that I remember going to for class field trips. And learning about how our beautiful small state was founded. I wish I had never left.
Hope you find your home its where the heart is.
So glad the Major General Nathanael Greene Homestead made the video.
My parents and I visited Rhode Island. We had fish and chips at a restaurant called Ye Olde English in Woonsocket.
Our home state...providence, west warick, coventry & foster - still have family-relatives in there !!!
0:48 Just want to point out ‘religious freedom’ was only part of the reason Roger Williams and his team founded RI. They were critical of how Boston leaders treated natives (heathens according to Boston leadership) and Roger was asked to leave. edit: 6:48 I'm actually watching this video from my house which would be in this frame.
We were and could have been the major Industrial State in the country until the State got "Greedy" and started to "TAX" and enforce rules that were "Detrimental" to the states growth. Greed is what Killed this State.
far cry form how it is today.
What do you mean, you don't like getting harassed by blacks and Puerto Ricans?
TF stands for training film in the military. Correction providence was settled in the year 1633...
Did he just say 246 miles of coast land?! That’s a huge portion of this only 24,000mi circumference!🤯
The ocean state. :)
there were a few things they neglected to mention.
Nah.
Narragansett wya tho?!?
Where you to visit Woonsocket you might think you where in a foreign land... yeah Borat’s village maybe. I live on Ma border with Woonsocket and my friends referred to Woonsocket as Borats village
POV: you live in Rhode Island
Anyone from Narragansett?
"The town of Anthony" ? Where was that?
It's a Mill Village in Coventry
I miss you RHODE ISLAND..... :(
What state now
There's the quarry I used to swim in.
Is that the one where you have to walk across through the woods make the jump then swim back to the other side?
I lived In North Attleboro MA just down the road a piece ( rte 1 to be specific lol)
LOL thats awesome that you remember that!
changed a lot ya know? but thats how I know I'm getting old! lmao
My grandfather owned the Minute Man diner a silver top just up the Road from Jolly Charlies park
~Yeah, , , And We'll Never See That Again,
Those Days Are Gone, Once We Hit The
Digital Era, No More Theme Parks, etc. Cuz
They Made It Comfortable For People To
Stay Home... (Aside From The Influx Of
People, or Some Having 6 Kids w/3 Woman,
x Every Kid In The Neighborhood Doing It, =
Just Totally Overpopulated Rhode Island!)
Providence ... Silver lake is were I grew up ❤️
I’m from Woonsocket, hbu ?
I wad trying to search old town road
Born and raised in RI...i live in Germany now...to paraphrase Arnold...i ll..be back
Why? Nothing here
This video is interesting
I can't believe they don't mention Rocky Point.