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Photo by Michelle Silvia

The town of Little Compton, Rhode Island was founded by a band of explorers from Plymouth Colony seeking to expand their settlement along the Massachusetts coastline. The land they chose, some twenty square miles situated on a peninsula sixty miles southwest of present-day Plymouth, Massachusetts, was originally named Sakonnet (after the local Sogkonnite tribe of Indians).

In 1682, Sakonnet was incorporated by Plymouth Colony and renamed Little Compton. In January 1746/47, Little Compton became an incorporated town of the state of Rhode Island, pursuant to a royal decree, and shortly thereafter was annexed to Newport County.

The Little Compton Historical Society was incorporated in 1937 to preserve the history and cultural heritage of Little Compton for the enrichment and enjoyment of the general public.
For more information on The Little Compton Historical Society and Little Compton's historical buildings and heritage, visit their web site at www.littlecompton.org.

For more information on the Town of Little Compton's history and background, visit the following links:
Rhode Island Historical Preservation & Heritage Commission State Surveys

Photo by Michelle Silvia
Click on the photo above for larger view.

Photo by John Suspancic
Click on the photo above for larger view.

Established in 1682, incorporated in 1746
Form of Government: Five member Town Council headed by a Council President.
Council Meetings: The first Thursday after the first Monday each month and two weeks thereafter.
Financial Town Meeting held the third Tuesday in May.
Fiscal Year Begins: July 1

The town is located in a rural part of the State. Bounded on the east by the Town of Westport, Mass., on the south by the Atlantic Ocean, and the west by the Sakonnet River (approximately 13.5 miles of coast-line), it is the third smallest in population compared to all the 39 cities and towns in Rhode Island. Little Compton encompasses an area of 23.2 square miles of which 1.7 square miles is inland water. The town is a rural agricultural community with a small fishing fleet that operates from Sakonnet harbor.

Agriculture, fishing, and seasonal based economic activity are the most significant elements of the local economy. Most businesses are small, there are no motels, large office buildings, or multiple family dwellings, and only one hotel (14 rooms, 3 stories high). Employment for Little Compton residents is largely centered in Newport, Providence and Southeastern Massachusetts.

Town of Little Compton's official web site:
http://www.little-compton.com/
Little Compton Public Schools official web site:
http://www.littlecomptonschools.org/main/home.asp

For more information on the Town of Little Compton's government, schools and economic information, visit the following links:
Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation
RI.gov
School Matters (Standard & Poors)
Great Schools
Public School Review

Spinnaker Real Estators ◊ Rosemary M. Bowen, Broker ◊ Sales Agents: Margaret Bowen Manning, Peter Tirpaeck, Shelley Bowen
Phone 401-635-2300 ◊ Fax 401-635-1620 ◊ info@spinnakerrealestate.com

Page last updated 05.05.08