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.

Text provided by Tim Cranston, Swamptown Enterprises

This is a photo of old houses in the historic village of Allenton, With multiple mills nearby, housing was built to accommodate the workers. Serving as a "Center" Village, Allenton functioned as the commercial, social, and service hub for nearby, smaller industrial villages. These surrounding mill communities included Belleville,Narraganset to the north, and Shady Lea and Silver Spring to the south.

This is a picture from the historic village of Allenton. It is an early photo of Lafreniere’s General Store. It was a cherished family-run and historic "mom and pop" country store located on Tower Hill Road in the Allenton area of North Kingstown, Rhode Island. Operated for years by Oscar and Minnie Lafreniere (and daughter Ruth), it was known for fresh ground beef, penny candy, hand-scooped ice cream, and personal service. The store is remembered fondly by North Kingstown residents as a staple of the Allenton neighborhood with the building still standing as a historic landmark.