Block Island Chronology
A Block Island Chronology
By Robert M. Downie
1524 – reported by Verrazano, the 1st European to note the island’s existence.
1614 – rediscovered by Adrian Block, who named it for himself.
1636 – taken in combat by Massachusetts soldiers, in retaliation for killing of a trader.
1661 – settled by 16 families from English colony of Massachusetts.
1664 – becomes part of English colony of Rhode Island
1672 – island government adopts the name “New Shoreham”.
1687 – Margaret Guthry buried, now the oldest identifiable gravestone.
1690-1704 – invaded by privateers four times while England at war with France.
1699 – pirate Captain Kidd visits Block Island a month before his capture in Boston.
1737 – emigrant ship Princess Augusta wrecks, leaving Palatine survivors & dead.
1775-83 – during American Revolution the island was neutral, trading with both sides.
1812-15 – during War of 1812 against British, island returned to status of 35 yrs earlier.
1832 – first postmaster appointed; office in his bedroom.
1867 – the present-day North Lighthouse was built, the 4th lighthouse at Sandy Point.
1870s – breakwater successfully built on east side, creating the Old Harbor.
1875-90s – many Victorian hotels & stores built at Old Harbor; now nationally historic.
1875 – Island Free Library founded, and still operating.
1873 – construction began on the brick Southeast Lighthouse; moved in 1993.
1895 – Great Salt Pond channel successfully dug, creating the New Harbor.
1907 – steamer Larchmont sinks off Block Island; hundreds dead; islanders heroes.
1917-18 – In WW1, from a population of about 1,000 islanders, 63 go off to war.
1933 – Block Island School built, replacing five scattered, one-room schools.
1941-45 – In WW2, from a population of about 700 islanders, 95 go off to war.
1942 & 44 – Two US aircraft carriers are named “Block Island”; the 1st sank 7 U-boats.
1950 – State airport opens, replacing informal grass fields used since 1920s.
1960 – winter population plunges to 486; the lowest since the 1770s.
1972 – Block Island Conservancy founded; 1/3 of island now saved from development.
1974 – Old Harbor village declared a National Register historic site.
1993 – the massive brick Southeast Lighthouse moved 245 feet from eroding bluffs.
2000 – winter population surpasses 1,000 for first time since the 1930s.