Central Falls is the smallest and most
dense community in the Blackstone Valley. Its one square mile offers a rich
ethnic diversity with
a population of about 19,000.The Central
Falls Landing, with its extensive new dock is home to the Riverboat Cruises most of the
summer and the annual June Rivers Day, a celebration of the boating
opportunities along the Blackstone River. In fact, enjoy a true English
experience on the historic Blackstone River on one of the region's unique bed
& breakfasts, the narrow boat Samuel
Slater. The attractive, historic arched bridge and the
nearby Heritage Park offer wonderful views of the power of the river and the
water wheel remnant still standing, giving insight into the historic
manufacturing past along the Blackstone River.
Central Falls is also the site of the practice
runs for the September annual Chinese Dragonboat races held in Pawtucket. The
magnificent horizons here along the Blackstone River offer memorable sights, so
all should take a river cruise on the Spirit, the Navigator or the Sam Slater
cruising from Spring to late August, when the boats are then brought to
Woonsocket for the Haunted River Cruises.
Central Falls was named for its location
between Valley Falls and Pawtucket Falls and its history includes a fatal attack
on 63 colonists led by Captain Michael Pierce in March 1676 during King
Philip's War. Though the colonists had strategized surprise attacks on the
Narragansett tribe, the Indians instead ambushed the approaching settlers in a
battle in which no colonists returned home! A civic landmark, Cogswell Tower,
situated on Dexter's Ledge in Jenks Park on Broad Street is in memoriam
to this event and their deaths.
Central Falls was at one time known as
Chocolate Mill after the chocolate factory established in 1790. However, Central
Falls has also been known for its extensive production of textiles and glass and
electrolytic extraction of gold and silver from copper ore.
United
Textile Workers clashed here with the National Guard in 1934. Its urban density, mill factory outlets
and ethnic eateries make Central Falls an interesting
place to spend a day of outlet shopping, Mexican, Asian or Colombian dining
after cruising the River. Many of its
older buildings are not yet restored, but its rich, ethnic diversity and pride is
very apparent throughout the city.
Central Falls is only one square mile in size,
yet its Director of Planning states that it works hard to maintain
its open space and will soon be officially opening an 11 acre site with sports
fields along Higginson Avenue. Many other charming spots including River Island
which contains virgin forest add to Central Falls' charm. So, too, do the ethnic
restaurants along the Main street!
Every Sunday afternoon in the summer, from 1-3
pm, enjoy great music with the city’s Sunday Summer Concert Series held
inside Jenks Park, on Broad Street, next to City Hall. The free concerts feature
weekly stylings ranging from jazz, oldies, country and more. While in the park
note its history.
Built on land donated to the city by Alvin Jenks in 1890, Jenks Park contains
the Cogswell Clock Tower, erected in 1904. The Tower stands atop Dexter's Ledge,
which was used as an Indian lookout during King Phillip's War in 1676. There is
no charge to climb the tower and enjoy a spectacular panoramic western view of
the Blackstone River Valley.
Call Central Falls City Hall at 401-727-7474 for concert schedule or log onto
www.centralfallsri.us for details.
An Urban Preserve
The revitalization of the Blackstone River, one
the nation’s most industrialized waterway, has become paramount to the region’s
communities. One location where travelers can see the river’s transformation is
in the Valley Falls Urban Preserve along the river in Valley Falls village, on
the Cumberland – Central Falls, RI border, at Broad Street.
The Blackstone River runs through an amazing
perspective in the village. In the middle of a highly urbanized and
multi-cultural area, the river flows through restored wetlands on the site of a
former drive-in movie theater.
Valley Falls Marsh, RI's largest freshwater marsh,
and Lonsdale Marsh, a RI habitat restoration project, is a haven for swallows,
blue heron, and other waterfowl, both resident and migratory.
Nearby, adjacent to Cumberland Town Hall, is
Valley Falls Heritage Park, a neighborhood respite on the banks of the
Blackstone River created from the ruins of a 19th century mill
complex.
Central Falls Landing, at Broad Street & Madeira
Avenue, provides canoe/kayak access for paddlers. In warmer weather seasonal
riverboat and canal boat tours are offered from this site.
A Blackstone Valley “DeTours” self guided
destination map of Valley Falls is available on line at
www.tourblackstone.com. Also available online is a Blackstone River Canoe
Guide of this portion of river that can be downloaded at http://www.nps.gov/blac/planyourvisit/upload/ValleyFalls8x11.pdf
In addition, there is an interpretive walking tour
guide available for Valley Falls that can be picked up free at any Blackstone
Valley Visitor Center or by calling the Visitor Center at 401-724-2200.
THE LYSANDER AND SUSAN
FLAGG MUSEUM & CULTURAL CENTER [DD-32]
209 Central Street, Central Falls, RI
Contact: Laura Marlene Email address: laurame@lori.state.ri.us
Website: www.cflibrary.org
Guided tours and Sullivan Ballou exhibits on
civil war history.
401-727-7440
RIVER FRONT COMMONS
[DD-31]
Broad Street & Madeira Ave, Central Falls, RI 401-727-7425
Contact: Anthony Tager Email address: cfrecreation@centralfallsri.us
SAMUEL SLATER CANAL BOAT [DD-31]
Central Falls Landing 401-724-2200
Contact: Amanda Wood Email address: blackstoneamanda@conversent.net
Website: www.tourblackstone.com
Reservations required, limited sitting. Experience an
authentic British canal boat ride on board of the Samuel Slater.
HERITAGE PARADE -
Columbus Day Weekend
Starting at the Central Falls Landing (corner of Broad St. & Madeira Ave.)
finish at Jencks Park
Registration: 401-727-7400 Day of
the event: 401-374-2487
Contact: Betty Crowley for registration; Ann Walter on the day of event
PAWTUCKET HAIR CLOTH MILL, BLACKSTONE LOFTS
501 Roosevelt Ave., Central Falls, RI 02863 401-369-0177
Contact: K.B. Chaudhary (Bush) Email address: rxri@cox.net
ST. GEORGE’S CHURCH
12 Clinton Street, Central Falls, RI 02863 401-722-9449
Contact: Modesta Pellot Email address: stgeorgeschurch@msn.com
Experience this historic Episcopal church
located next to the Town library.
Links: School
Department / Town
Gov't Phone #s / Successful
Transformation / Commercial
Site
