Did You Know? Fun Facts About Smithfield, RI

With roots dating back to 1663, Smithfield, Rhode Island is one of the oldest towns in the state. The town is named after John Smith, one of the original six Rhode Island settlers who traveled with Roger Williams when he founded Providence. Smithfield was initially located within the boundaries of Providence, and became incorporated as its own town in 1731.

Fun Fact #1

The state capital building was built on land once owned by John Smith. Located on Smith Hill, the area is named after and also dedicated to John Smith.

Fun Fact #2

Smithfield is made up of 6 diverse villages. To me, #6 is the most fascinating!

1. Greenville is the largest village in Smithfield, and is a popular shopping and dining destination.

2. Georgiaville is home to the beautiful Georgiaville Pond. This is a great place to go swimming, fishing and spend time with family and friends on those hot summer days.

(Georgiaville Pond Photo courtesy of See/Swim)

3. Stillwater is home to the Stillwater Reservoir, another great fishing spot and place to go kayaking.

4. Esmond is a quiet residential village with several parks and recreational areas.

5. Spragueville is known for its scenic beauty and suburban neighborhoods.

6. Hanton City is also known as Haunted City or Ghost City. It was estblished in the 1600's. It has been abandoned for almost 200 years and today, it is completely over grown with trees.

(Photo courtesy of Trails and Walks RI)

If you're up for doing some exploring, Hanton City is a place where you can find centuries-old ruins of stone foundations from some of the original buildings, as well as stone walls and grave sites.

Fun Fact #3

Most people in RI know that Bryant University (formerly Bryant College) is located in Smithfield. However, that wasn't always the case. Originally, Bryant College was located on College Hill in Providence, near Brown University.

In 1967, Earl S. Tupper, a Bryant alumnus who invented Tupperware, donated 428 acres of land in Smithfield to Bryant for the creation of a new campus. In 1971, Bryant moved from Providence to its current location.

Fun Fact #4

Former Boston Red Sox tv commentator, Don Orsillo, lived in Smithfield for several years, until he was let go by the Red Sox in 2015. Today, Orsillo lives in California and does games for the San Diego Padres.

Fun Fact #5

In 2022, the average sale price of a single family home in Smithfield was $409,788. If you are thinking of buying or selling a home in Smithfield, click here to schedule a free consultation.

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