CHEPACHET, Rhode Island

The Nation's oldest operating General Store

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Chepachet Historic Walking Tour // Chepachet's Historic Places  // RI National Register Properties // Link: Glocester's Historic Places // Phillips Farm

Chepachet, Rhode Island is a charming little village with a cluster of antique, arts, crafts and collectible shops for everyone to browse. A small waterfall and sometimes raging stream, the Chepachet River, passes through the community and the bridge holds the  green metal sign is a humorous reminder of an May 25, 1826 escaped circus elephant named Betty which gave the villagers a wild search but ended on a sad note with the elephant being shot. This historical tale is the  precursor of the Barnum and Bailey Circus as Betty's owner, named Hakaliah Bailey, used to wander with his elephant from town to town. 

The presence of the Historical Society is strong throughout town, especially with the beautiful red old building housing the Society as well as the One Room Schoolhouse recently dedicated after renovation and relocation to the back of Town Hall. This schoolhouse, in use for 70 years,  dates back to 1867 when Daniel Evans built this schoolhouse with two entrance/exit doors separating gender. A walking tour, produced by the Town of Glocester and NHC, offers insight into 40 historical properties. 

Each July, the Ancients and Horribles Parade is a costumed event drawing locals and tourists from near and far.Each mid August, the Historical Society leads the town in holding the Heritage Days with many exciting events and specials offered throughout town.

Some of the little shops, known as The Craft Cottages,  are the renovated cottages formerly inhabited by the jockeys of horses racing at the former Lincoln Downs Racetrack. They are a charming addition to the larger Santa's Workshop and Johnson's Farm located in front in a large older home. The cottages are filled with a diversity of artisans and handmade products often found at very inexpensive rates. The larger store, Santa's Workshop, boasts a broad selection of handmade and specialty items along with a talking parrot and stray cat hospitably welcoming all that pass through.

The Stagecoach Restaurant  was the scene of an injury and attack during the Dorr Rebellion.