Timeline of Newport, Rhode Island

17th century

1639 - William Coddington settles.

1643 - First Society of Friends established (approximate date).

1644 - Newport becomes part of the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations.

1647 - Friends' Burial Ground established.

1654 - Thames Street laid out.

1656 - Second Baptist Church established.

1663 - Easton's windmill built.

1675 - Clifton Burying Ground established.

1677

Jewish Cemetery dedicated.

Stone mill in operation (approximate date).

1681 - Custom-house established.

1690 - Town House built.

1695 - First Congregational Church established.

1697 - Mumford house (residence) built (approximate date).

1699 - Great Friends Meeting House built.

18th century

1703 - Fort built on Goat Island (approximate date).

1705 - John Stevens stonecarving shop in business.

1723 - July 19: Pirates hanged on Gravelly point.

1726 - Trinity Church built.

1727 - James Franklin sets up printing press.

1730

Literary and Philosophical Society organized.

Seventh Day Baptist Meeting House built.

White Horse Tavern in business.

1732 - Rhode Island Gazette newspaper begins publication.

1733 - Organ installed in Trinity Church.

1735 - Clarke Street Meeting House built.

1740 - January: Snow storm.

1741

State House built.

Artillery Company of Newport chartered.

1743 - Middletown separates from Newport.

1746 - Almshouse built.

1747 - Redwood Library established.

1749 - Lighthouse built.

1750 - Fire company organized.

1752

Marine society established.

Hunter’s Dispensary in business.

1755 - Aaron Lopez (merchant) in business.

1758 - Newport Mercury newspaper begins publication.

1760 - Francis Malbone House and John Tillinghast House built.

1761

Jewish Club organized.

Douglass travelling theatre troupe performs.

1762 - Brick Market built.

1763 - Touro Synagogue and Granary built.

1764 - Shots fired at HMS St John.

1765

June: Demonstration against impressment.

August 27: Protest against Stamp Act.

1774 - Population: 9,209.

1776

December 8: British occupation begins.

Population: 5,229.

1778 - December: Snow storm.

1779 - October 25: British occupation ends.

1780

July 12: French troops arrive.

Charles Feke apothecary in business.

Clarke Cooke House built.

1781

March 6: George Washington visits Rochambeau in Newport.

French troops depart.

1784

City incorporated.

George Hazard becomes mayor.

Goat Island sold to U.S. military.

1787 - Town government resumes.

1790

August 17: George Washington visits Newport.

Population: 6,716.

1792 - Newport Association of Mechanics and Manufacturers incorporated.

1799

Fort Adams built.

Yellow fever epidemic.

19th century

1803 - Newport National Bank incorporated.

1805 - First Methodist Episcopal Church established.

1810 - Spencer's variety store in business.

1811

Hammond's Circulating Library in business.

Samuel Whitehorne House built.

1814 - Sherman & Co. grocers in business.

1815 - September 23: Gale.

1819

Newport Asylum built on Coasters' Harbor Island.

Savings Bank of Newport incorporated.

1823 - Newport Harbor Lighthouse built.

1828 - Mechanics' Library established.

1831 - Newport Steam Factory built.

1832 - Cozzens carpet shop in business.

1833 - June 19: Andrew Jackson visits Newport.

1834 - Zion Episcopal Church built.

1835

Davis' Family Bakery in business.

Perry Cotton Mill built.

1837 - Coddington cotton mill built.

1838 - Armory built.

1839 - Kingscote (mansion) built.

1845 - Ocean House hotel in business.

1846

The Newport Daily News begins publication.

First Baptist Church building and Van Zandt house constructed.

1847

Central Baptist Chursh established.

Hazard grocery and Langley & Bennett in business.

1851 - Beechwood (mansion) built.

1852

Street lighting by gas lamp begins (approximate date).

Chateau-sur-Mer (residence) built.

1853

City incorporated again.

Robert B. Cranston becomes mayor.

Church of the Holy Name of Mary built.

1854

Newport Historical Society and Newport Reading Room founded.

Sisters of Mercy convent built.

Lighthouse commissioned on Lime Rock.

1855 - Touro Park established.

1857 - United Congregational Church built.

1859 - August 23: Reunion of the Sons and Daughters of Newport.

1860 - Chepstow (mansion) built.

1861 - Kaull & Anthony grocers in business.

1862 - Nason upholstery in business.

1863 - School house built on Willow Street.

1864

Old Colony and Newport Railway begins operating.

Shiloh Baptist Church organized.

1865

Newport Light Infantry formed.

Scott grocery in business.

1866 - Atlantic House roller skating rink opens.

1867

People's Library established.

Frasch confectionery in business.

1869

U.S. Naval Torpedo Station established on Goat Island.

August: Ulysses S. Grant visits Newport.

1870

Rose Island Light built.

Newport & Wickford Railroad and Steamboat Company organized.

1871 - Newport Manufacturing Company mill built.

1873

Newport Hospital opens.

Rogers High School founded.

1874 - Ward's Circulating Library in business.

1875 - Population: 14,028.

1876 - International Polo Cup match held.

1878

Young Men's Christian Association organized.

King & McLeod (dry goods) and Marshall & Flynn (printer) in business.

1880

Channing Memorial Church and Newport Casino built.

May 30: The League of American Wheelmen is formed in Newport

1881

City water system authorized.

Newport Skating Rink opens.

Tennis tournament begins at Newport Casino.

Groff pharmacy in business.

1882

Couzens and Bull telephone exchange in business.

Free Chapel of St. John the Evangelist established.

Vinland Estate built.

1883 - Isaac Bell House built.

1884

Naval War College established.

July 4: Reunion of the Sons and Daughters of Newport.

1885

St. Joseph's Church established.

Morton Park established (approximate date).

Stone Tower restored.

1888 - Carr bookseller and Hass florist in business.

1889 - Electric trolley begins operating.

1891 - Rockhurst (residence) built.

1892 - Marble House, Ochre Court, and Rough Point built.

1893

Newport Country Club established.

1894 - Belcourt Castle (residence) built.

1895 - National Open Golf Championship held at Newport Country Club.

The Breakers (residence) built.

1896 - St. George's School established near Newport.

1898 - Vernon Court (residence) built.

1899 - September 7: Automobile parade.

20th century

1900 - Rhode Island state capital relocates to Providence.

1901

- The Elms (residence) built.

- TJ Brown in business.

1902 - Newport Historical Society Museum building and Oelrichs House constructed.

1905

Civic League formed.

Population: 25,039.

1912 - Art Association of Newport organized.

1915 - Miramar (mansion) built.

1919

Seamen's Church Institute founded.

U.S. Navy sex scandal.

1923 - Rhode Island Route 114 designated.

1925 - Seaview Terrace (residence) built.

1926 - Hotel Viking (hotel) opens.

1926 - Courthouse built on Washington Square.

1930 - America's Cup yacht race relocates to Newport.

1934 - Salve Regina University chartered.

1937 - Population: 27,612.

1938 - September: Hurricane.

1942 - Naval Academy Preparatory School relocates to Newport.

1946 - United Baptist Church established.

1948 - WADK radio (1540 AM) begins broadcasting as WRJM. Call Letters changed to WADK in November 1953.

1950 - Naval Justice School relocates to Newport.

1953 - September 12: wedding of John Fitzgerald Kennedy and Jacqueline Bouvier.

1954

Newport Jazz Festival begins.

Tennis Hall of Fame established.

1959

Newport Folk Festival begins.

Rovensky Park established.

1960 - Population: 47,049.

1964 - Newport State Airport (Rhode Island) in operation.

1965 - Fort Adams State Park established.

1969 - Newport Bridge opens.

1976 - Brenton Point State Park established.

1978 - Naval War College Museum in operation.

1980 - Newport Rugby Football Club (Rhode Island) formed.

1993 - Yacht Restoration School founded.

1998

Newport International Film Festival begins.

SVF Foundation established (livestock preservation).

21st century

2000 - National Museum of American Illustration opens.

2004 - City website online (approximate date).

2010 - Population: 24,672.

2012 - October: Hurricane Sandy storm surge washes away large sections of the Cliff Walk

2014 - June: The Cliff Walk reopens after restoration following 2012's storm damage by Hurricane Sandy