Did You Know? Fun Facts About Providence, RI

This edition of "Did you know" will be based on the city of Providence, RI. Providence has a rich history of well known historical events. The city was a prominent player in the Revolutionary War and served as a crucial stop of the Underground Railroad. Providence was also home to the Patriarca Crime Family, also known as the New England Mafia and a major branch of the American Mafia for several decades. But let's take a look at some lesser known fun facts about Providence.

Fun Fact #1

Babe Ruth played one season for the Providence Grays in 1914, when they played at the Messer Street Field in Providence.

Fun Fact #2

The first coffeehouse in America was established in Providence in 1676. Today, Providence has the most coffee and donut shops per capita of any city in the country, with over 25 doughnut shops for every 100,000 people.

Fun Fact #3

The construction of the Biltmore Hotel was financed by Johan Leisse Weisskopf, a known Satanist. The hotel opened in 1922 and is considered the most haunted place in Providence with a history of mob related murders and satanic rituals. During the Prohibition Era, the Biltmore was used as a speakeasy.

Fun Fact #4

The First Baptist Church in all of America was the Baptist Church of Providence.

Fun Fact #5

The famous author H.P. Lovecraft was born and lived in Providence for most of his life, and the city is considered a center of Lovecraftian lore and fandom.

H.P. Lovecraft’s grave can be found in Swan Point Cemetery located on the East Side of Providence, with an inscription that reads “I Am Providence.

Other famous people who have lived in Providence include:

• Seth Macfarlane, the creator of Family Guy and American dad is a graduate of RISD.

• Meredith Vieira was born in Providence.

• Actor Nicholas Colsanto was born in Providence on January 19, 1924. He played Coach on the tv series Cheers.

• Emma Watson from the Harry Potter movies graduated from Brown University.

Fun Fact #6

This important inventor and his inventions originated in Providence:

• Zacharian Allen, was born in Providence in 1795. He was a lawyer, inventor, and civic leader. A couple of his most notable inventions were the home hot-air furnace and the cut off valve used in steam engines. Allen was a pioneer in creating fire safety. He was the first person to use heavy fire doors, sprinkler systems and a rotary fire pump in the Allendale Mill he built in North Providence. He is given credit for introducing the first vehicles to the Providence Fire Company and he also played an important role in setting up the mutal fire insurance system in early America.

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