Westerly
Westerly, Rhode Island | |
|---|---|
The Westerly Town Hall and Court House (2021) The Westerly Armory (2005) Westerly High School (2017) | |
 Flag  Seal | |
 Interactive map of Westerly | |
  Westerly Location of Westerly in Rhode Island  Westerly Location in the United States | |
| Coordinates: 41°22′39″N 71°49′38″W / 41.37750°N 71.82722°W | |
| Country |  United States |
| State |  Rhode Island |
| County | Washington County |
| First settled | 1661 |
| Incorperated | 1669 |
| Villages | List
|
| Government | |
| • Type | Town Council |
| • Council President | William J. Aiello |
| • Council Vice-President | Philip M. Overton, Jr. |
| • Councilors | Kevin J. Lowther, II Joy L. Cordio Dylan J. LaPietra Mary E. Scialabba Robert L. Lombardo |
| Area | |
| • Total | 74.8 sq mi (194 km2) |
| • Land | 30.1 sq mi (78 km2) |
| • Water | 44.7 sq mi (116 km2) |
| Elevation | 36 ft (11 m) |
| Population (2020) | |
| • Total | 23,359 |
| • Density | 777/sq mi (300/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−5 (EST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) |
| ZIP Codes | 02891 02808 (Bradford) |
| Area code | 401 |
| FIPS code | 44-77000[1] |
| GNIS feature ID | 1220091[2] |
| Website | westerlyri |
Westerly is a town on the southwestern coastline of Washington County, Rhode Island, United States, first settled by English colonists in 1661, and incorporated as a municipality in 1669. Westerly is a beachfront community on the south shore of the state with a population of 23,359 as of the 2020 census.
The Pawcatuck River flows on the western border of Westerly, and was once renowned for its own species of Westerly salmon, three of which are displayed on the town's official seal. The Pawcatuck River flows from 15 mi (24 km) inland, emptying into Little Narragansett Bay. It also serves as the boundary between Westerly and Pawcatuck, Connecticut. Three large salt ponds lie along the coast of Westerly which serve as shallow, reef-like pools whose outer walls form the long, white beaches for which the town is renowned, such as the Misquamicut State Beach. From west to east, these ponds are Maschaug Pond, Winnapaug Pond, and Quonochontaug Pond.
The Westerly area was known for its granite and stone-cutting industry,[3][4] which quarried a unique stone known as Westerly granite. This pinkish granite is ideal for statuary and has been used in numerous government buildings of several states on the eastern seaboard.[5]
Westerly becomes a notable tourist destination during the summer months when the population nearly doubles.[6] Its well-known beaches include Weekapaug Beach, Westerly Town Beach, Misquamicut State Beach, East Beach, and Watch Hill Beach.
- ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
- ^ "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. October 25, 2007. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
- ^ "National Register of Historic Places" (PDF). virginia.gov. Retrieved April 4, 2018.
- ^ Civil War Monuments of Connecticut Suppliers & Materials
- ^ Pearson, Dan (August 30, 2004). "Modern Sculpture Makes Connection To Westerly's Past". The Day.
- ^ "Home - Ocean Community Chamber of Commerce, RI". www.westerlychamber.org. Retrieved April 4, 2018.