Allenton

The Historic Village of Allenton about 175 years ago………. An area that grew around a need for goods and services of residents and travelers eventually becomes The Historic Village of Allenton in North Kingstown RI. An enterprising person chose to create a deliberate commercial area to serve the surrounding mills like Shady Mill, Silver Spring Mill and Belleville.

Mostly a farming and mill locality, it remained so until about the mid 1800’s when William H. Allen saw the potential of the area on the main thoroughfare between Boston and New York.

Trades people, carriage makers, blacksmiths, shoemakers and dressmakers were part of 24 merchants dotting the streets. This was both for local people and travelers from Boston to New York. He established a general store and at one time served as postmaster. He sold all types of supplies, dry goods, groceries, tools and was even an informal banking center and credit service.

The US Postal Service established a branch in 1851 calling the Village Allenton. The most dominant building still standing, and still being used, is The Allenton Baptist Church, built in 1854. The Church was built for worship, but became the hub for social gatherings and events to support the mill workers in the area. This was instrumental in the development of the Historic Village of Allenton.

Allenton, in studying its remaining historic buildings, is still a good example of the development of a linear village.