Colt State Park History

DATE STATE ACQUIRED: By condemnation on August 3,1965

TOTAL ACREAGE: 464.165

PREVIOUS  OWNERS:  The Colt Church and Coggeshall families.

ORIGIN OF NAME: From Samuel Pomeroy Colt

DEDICATION: August 21, 1968 by Governor Chafee

In 1915 Buster Crabbe, the famous Tarzan of the movie screen as a youngster played with a former Park Manager, the late Manual Andrade on the old Colt Farm. Buster Crabbe's dad was the first farm superintendent for the Colt family.

Today Colt State Park is opened year round and is proud of its popular open air Chapel by the Sea, ten playfields, six picnic groves with 300 picnic tables available on first  come first served basis, a 55 ft. observation tower, rest rooms, public boat ramp, four miles of walking and jogging trails, bicycle, and bridle trails.

THE COLT FARM

Two  bronze lions guard the stone barn built in the early 1900's to house the prize Jersey herd of Colonel Samuel P. Colt. Within the huge barn is an elegant, octagonal room, designed  to display the trophies which the cows were to win. In 1916  the finishing touches were added to the barn. An artist, brought from Paris to paint in Colt's Bristol home, came to the farm and painted a mural in Colt's barn office. That same year, Colonel Colt purchased the first Jerseys to occupy his magnificent barn. From these he hoped to breed the world's finest Jersey herd.

Samuel Colt, chairman of the board of the United States Rubber Company, created an extraordinary farm. He bought and combined  three farms and designed a system of roads that linked them together as one...the Colt farm. The stone bridge which still spans the Mill Gut was part of this road system. His large summer house, the Casino, was constructed on the shore of  Narragansett Bay. Two smaller guest houses were also built near the water. Closer to the stone barn was a farmhouse where some of his employees lived. Bronze statues of horses, deer and Greek gods and goddesses looked out over the meadows where Colonel Colt's prize Jersey herd grazed. The realistic, artistic, and unashamed depictions of the goddesses caused one of Colt's relatives to call the drive, "Wall Street," because it reminded her of the 'bulls' and the 'bares.'

Personal care was lavished upon the Jerseys. A  large barn staff  tended the herd, one man for every five cows. The  cows' horns were polished and their tails washed daily. When in their stanchions, the cows always had a thick bed of fresh straw. Cork and  rubber covered the concrete floor where the cows stood. The spotless, comfortable barn was even heated in the winter.

Each summer Colonel Colt's finest Jersey cows, and his prize Berkshire sows, were transported in specially padded  railroad cars to state and county fairs throughout the  East. The show season ended in September with the annual Eastern States Exposition in Springfield, Massachusetts. Every show season brought more trophies and ribbons to the elegant trophy room. In one year alone the Berkshire sows won 125 ribbons.

Tractors  were not used on the farm; Colt preferred to see Percheron draft horses working in the fields. During the summer, hay was carried in horse drawn wagons from the  fields  to  the hayloft  where  it was stored as winter food. Colonel Colt, who often visited  the farm from his home in Bristol, valued the Percheron horses as much as he did his Jersey herd. If he saw that the horses were sweating from hauling wagon loads  of  hay, Colt ordered  the haying stop for the day. In the winter, the same  horses were harnessed to snow plows for clearing the  roads of the farm. Colt insisted that the horses wear blankets for protection from the cold winter wind that blew off Narragansett Bay and across the exposed fields and roads of the farm. The Percherons were housed in a large wooden barn that still stands on a hill across the salt marsh from the stone barn.

Colonel Colt felt that the public should be able to share in his enjoyment of the farm. He had an open invitation engraved  in marble at the main entrance: "Colt Farm, Private Property, Public Welcome". On pleasant days families walked from  the town of Bristol  to picnic in the fields, dig clams and quahogs in the Mill Gut salt marsh or fish for flounder, tautog and striped bass from the shore. Workers in white guided people through the magnificent stone barn, pointing out prize cows and offering glasses of fresh milk to the visitors. The mangers (feeding troughs) were scrubbed after each feeding, and the white-tile ceiling was  kept mirror clean so that the entire herd of cows in their  stanchions could  be  seen reflected in the ceiling. A visitor to the farm once wrote, "If I were the biggest liar in the world, I could not exaggerate the magnitude and the wonders of the Colt Farm".

To members of Rhode Island society, parties at the Casino were an important part of the summer season. Friends of the Colts often came by train from Providence to Bristol where Colt's car or sometimes his carriage would meet them and bring them to the Casino.

Colonel Samuel Colt died of a stroke in 1921. The Industrial Trust Company, the bank he had founded, later Fleet, continued the operation of the farm. In 1965 the State of Rhode Island bought Colt Farm to preserve it as a State Park. Within this park, the stone barn stands as reminder of the farm and the man who created it. His words at the entrance still welcome the public to his farm.

The main entrance to Colt State Park is dominated by statues of two Jersey bulls which once grazed in the fields of Colt Farm. On  the right stands one of Colonel Colt's favorites, a Grand Champion. The bull on the left, also from prize stock, was added to  the herd to sire future champions. However, soon after being brought to the farm, this bull killed a farm worker. Colt ordered the bull shot, and had it buried behind the stone barn.

Colonel Colt sent photographs of the bulls to a sculptor in France, who created the bronze statues and shipped them to Bristol. For more than half a century they have stood at the entrance on their marble pedestals.

THE MAN

Samuel Pomeroy Colt was born January 10,1852, in Paterson, New Jersey. His father was brother to the famous Samuel Colt of revolver fame  and whose family was centered in  Hartford. His mother, Theodora DeWolf Colt, was Colt's link to Bristol. The DeWolfs had been active in Bristol for years, building their homestead mansion, "Linden  Place", early in the 1800's. The mansion was later to become the home of Colonel Colt. The collapse of DeWolf business empire in the 1840s - largely based on the illegal slave trade - plunged the whole town into economic turmoil. Colt struggled all his life to redeem the family name by taking on worthy community projects. 

Bristol endeared itself early to Colt, who went to school there  before his enrollment in the Columbia law school  in  New York. His regard for the town was so great that, upon Colt's graduation and admittance to the bar, he returned to Rhode Island and made Bristol his home.

What followed was an amazingly active life, incorporating business, politics and philanthropy. Even before his graduation from Columbia, Colt was active in public life, gaining the title of Colonel during his service as aide-de-camp for Governor Henry Lippitt of Rhode Island. In Rhode Island, he served in various high level state posts and at one time ran for United States senator. He withdrew from the race in order to keep the Republican party unified.

As a business man, Colonel Colt was extremely successful, although, more on the model of Bristol sea captain, Simeon Potter, who often sailed close to the line of piracy. Colt organized the Industrial Trust Co. in 1887 and developed it to the prestigious institution it was by the turn of the century.

His greatest achievement in world business, however, was as developer of the U.S. Rubber Company. With characteristic bravado, Colt took over leadership of the bankrupt India Rubber Company, based in Bristol. Seeing the great potential of the rubber industry in the world market, he undertook a thorough study of its culture and manufacture. In a short while after his takeover, the company began paying dividends to its investors and, through acquisitions of smaller rubber companies throughout the United States, the firm became the largest rubber conglomerate in the country, with Colt the acknowledged rubber king.

His concern for Bristol was evident even in his business dealings. When advisors counseled him to close the Bristol plant, Colt refused in order to save the jobs of those who worked there.

Although his duties as a business executive often took Colt out of Bristol, he resided there as often as possible, maintaining his residence at Linden Place, often opening it to the Bristol public for various festivities. His gifts to the town were numerous and future oriented. He did much to beautify the town. His work on the Colt farm and gift to the town of the marble high school are but two of the examples of his philanthropic nature, ameliorating somewhat his high handed approach to business matters.

From all newspaper accounts there seemed to be little, if any, personal desire for fame in these actions. The motivation always was attributed to his deep seated affection for the town.

That the townspeople appreciated his works is exemplified in the following excerpt from his obituary. The account deals  with Colt's return to Bristol after a two year absence, while the Colonel was convalescing in a sanatorium. "Every man in the town and most of the women seemed to be anxious to demonstrate their pleasure that the first citizen of Bristol had come back to his town. The President of the United States could not have received a warmer reception than was tendered to Colonel Colt. All the way from the railway station to the Hotel Bellvue he was cheered to the echo".

COLT FARM

In a move characteristic of his attitude towards Bristol, Colt, circa 1905, bought up choice acreage on Poppasquash Neck, with the idea of transforming a large portion of it to a beauty spot unparallel in the state. That it should be opened to the public was the intention of the owner from the beginning.

The newly acquired land came from the farms of old Bristol families, the Chase farm, in the western part of the Poppasquash Neck, the Church farm in the center, running from Bristol  Harbor to  the mill gut and the Van Wickle farm, bounding southerly on the other two farms.

The great plans for the estate were put into action quickly, and by 1906, a great private roadway was finished, complete  with the state's largest private bridge and ornamented with thirteen pieces of statuary, with more to come later. These statues included five bronze castings and seven of white stone and were positioned as follows. Approaching  the bridge from the north was a statue of Cupid, standing in the shadow of the bronzed Apollo and Venus, each on an abutment  of the bridge. Just before the bridge arches were placed the "Maiden of the Bath" and "Diana of the Bath", on opposing sides of the bridge, both of white stone. On the other end of the arch were two copies of Wild Boars, the originals housed in the  Vatican. The south entrance of the bridge was guarded by a bronze "Diana of the Hunt" and "The Gladiator", of the same material. A bronze dog also sat upon a rock in the water. At  the entrance of the drive leading from the  bridge  were figures of the "Neapolitan Wisher Children", on the right, "Child and Frog", on the left, "Child and Tortoise".

Later additions included the building of a large casino, which was used for entertainment and housing of overflow guests of the Colt family. Great parties were held  there, with the social elite of the state and much of the country reveling in a royal atmosphere, which included a fountain of flowing champagne.

Also added were two statues of colts, the family symbol, flanking the entrance to the Casino and two large Broghese vases. Colt also purchased four statues by Rodin, those of "le Leon Douloureoux", "Eve", "Psyche", and "L'Epervier et la Colombe".

Marble gates were erected at the entrance of the estate in August, 1913. The gates were made of Georgian marble and were situated on the site of an old school house. They carried  the inscription,  "Private  Property, Samuel P. Colt,  Open to  the Public". On September 26, 1913, the final addition to the gateway was unveiled in an official opening ceremony for the driveway. When the massive American flag was removed, the  public  caught sight  of  two large bronze bulls, each over six feet high and weighing over a ton. They were cast by Val D'Onse and Co. of Paris, from models made by Isadore Bonheur, at a total cost of $7,000. The gate was an adaptation of the sentry boxes guarding the approach to the Petit Trianon at Versailles and cost $30,000 to erect.

The town enjoyed the drive for six years without incident until a dispute over twenty-six acres of town property deeded to the Colonel caused a major dispute. In 1919,  two gentlemen, insisting  that the letter of the law be carried out, challenged Colt's right to the land north of Asylum Lane and proposed that Colt return the land to the town and be reimbursed his purchase price. Colt wrote a counter-proposal in a letter conveying an understandably irked attitude. He proposed that if one hundred voters signed a petition saying that his method of acquiring the twenty-six acres was unjust, then not only would he give back the land (less  cost and improvements), but he would also sell the entire estate to Bristol for half the cost of its purchase  and development.

In a town meeting shortly thereafter, former Governor Bourne proposed a resolution to decline the offer, with thanks and by public vote, ratify Colt's clear claim to the land. The resolution was passed, with two votes opposed.

Colt died two years later, August 13, 1921. His death caused grief in the town and his loss was keenly felt throughout the state. However, even in his preparation for death, the Colonel showed an incredible amount of foresight. He knew that if his estate was to serve as a public beauty spot, he would  have to make provisions for such in his will. He did, which caused much controversy amongst his family.

THE WILL

In a long and complex will that generously provided for many people, Colonel Colt specified the conditions by which the Colt farm should be run. His son, Russell Colt, received the right to live on the farm rent free, with the provision that it not be sold and that it be kept open to the public. It was to be held in trust and run by the Industrial National Bank. Russell was married for a while to actress Ethel Barrymore.

The sons immediately thereafter sought to break the will, citing unsoundness of mind and coercion by associates. They dropped this first attempt before the case came to court.

Further complications followed, for while Colt  was alive, the farm was run at a $40,000 deficit. The Industrial Bank had to seek court advice in order to reduce the cost to $14,000 a year.

Another provision in the will, which called for the farm to remain in the family until the death of all but one of Colt's grandchildren, caused complications. The ambiguity of the clause left confusion over which grandchildren Colt had in mind, those born during his life or after his death.

A second complication caused by this provision was of a financial nature. An argument was developed, based on the assumption that the will's author had the benefit of the grandchildren in mind. If so, the will should be broken "on the grounds that the expense of maintaining the estate is so great that it is all out of proportion to the benefits to be derived if the trust provisions of Colonel  Colt's  will were carried out...(the heirs)...seek termination of the will." This was the basis of the attempt by the heirs to break the will again in 1926. The heirs went so far as to state that if no other  way  could  be found, the trust could sell the estate and hold the money for the ultimate grandchild, in an attempt to cut expenses.

The court disagreed, upholding the will and citing the provision that the property not be sold. As an added proof  that the will intended to benefit more than just the grandchildren, the court cited the gate inscription of "Public Welcome". No further action that amounted to any change in policy took place during the next twenty-five years or so, until 1957, when the heirs once again tried to get around the will.

At this time, the heirs consisted of Russell Colt, Samuel's son, and four grandchildren. The heirs had arranged a sale of the farm to the Studley Land Co., if the court approved the sale. The price agreed upon was $400,000. If the purchase was approved, the land company would develop the acreage along the lines of the Governor Francis development in Warwick, R.I., i,e. upper class residential housing. The heirs felt that if all the survivors named in the will agreed to sell the land, one of  them was to be the ultimate survivor and therefore the court could grant the request to sell. And it might have, if not for Mrs. Elizabeth C. Morey, granddaughter of Colt.

In January of 1959, Mrs. Morey expressed a desire not to sell, wishing to occupy the Casino from time to time. The judge granted her plea. In response to the Studley Company's objection and those of her fellow heirs, Mrs. Morey stated that the  agreement had expired. The other heirs were not pleased, but abided by her wishes.

Although the estate was saved from residential development at this time, there were still other problems facing its  existence, one of the greatest being the problem of vandalism. From time to time since its opening, the farm was the object of senseless destruction. Its statues had been defaced and fires set in its buildings. As a result, many of the statues, including  those adorning the bridge, were removed to safer surroundings. The bronze dog had been a target for marksmen and eventually, it was stolen from its site.

Finally, in retaliation, Mrs. Morey placed a chain across the bridge and closed the farm in the evenings. The farm was opened several days later, but not before pranksters had stolen the locks and chains. In 1961, two youths from a neighboring town were apprehended after they had entered the Casino and destroyed a brass bed, then toppled and cut off the tails of the two bronze colts guarding the driveway. Their conviction and punishment did little to deter the destruction. What did result, however, was the loss of easy access to a multitude of works of art.

STATE ACQUISITION

As early as 1935, interest in the purchase of the farm was expressed by the state when the Metropolitan Park Commission recommended that the state buy the area. The next thirty years saw a battle over the farm: issue divided mainly along partisan lines. The battle intensified in 1959, when the state announced its intention to buy the estate as part of a multi-million dollar statewide recreation plan. The plan was supported by Republican Governor DelSesto. The Democratic house didn't like the plan for funding such a program, and killed the bill.

In July 1959, the Rhode Island Developmental Council gave a description of the plans to the Bristol Town Council, which included a multi-faceted recreation facility including tennis courts, ice rink, golf course and a private motel. The town beach obtained by the town from the Colt Estate in 1955, would remain in the hands of the town as the only bathing facility and all revenues from concessions open to the public would go to  the town. The spokesman went further, saying  that the assembly's rejection of the park program decreased the opportunities to make Rhode Island the most desirable east coast state to live in.

Bills of a similar nature were brought before the assembly until, under Governor Chafee, a bill was cautiously okayed by the house that, if the public approved of the park plan in a public referendum, the plan could be implemented. Further, the town of Bristol had to be receptive to the idea. The plan would be financed through a bond issue.

There were several objections raised in Bristol towards the formulation of the park. Basically, all of them centered around the issue of tax loss if the area were turned into a public facility. A counter objection raised; if the land was developed residentially, the influx of people would raise the cost of  town services. There was a fear of increased traffic to the park causing problems to the townspeople.

Finally, however, the question was thrown to the Bristol voters in a straw vote outside the polling places. The park was supported three to one, with over 2,300 voting.

The state, with its way cleared, acquired the estate through condemnation for park purposes under the Green Acres Program on August 3, 1965. The will clause held out payment of the purchase  price until all but one of the grandchildren and died. The will was never completely broken.

PRESENT

Colt State Park is known as the gem of the State Parks System. The entire western border of the park is an open panorama onto Narragansett Bay. Colt State park is open year round. Four miles of bicycle trails pass along the Bay and through 464 acres of groomed fruit trees, carefully nurtured flowering bushes, and manicured lawns. Rich in history, it proudly displays its popular open air Chapel-By-The-Sea, ten large playfields, and six picnic groves containing 200+ picnic tables.

In recent years, Colt State Park has taken on new significance as the nucleus of State plans to preserve open space and provide additional recreational opportunities along the east side of Narragansett Bay. Two recent projects are worth noting:

First is the recent construction of a new fishing pier and dock on the northwest shore of the park.

The second project for the East Bay Bicycle Path was completed and the path runs from India Point Park in Providence, along the northeast side of the Bay and will terminate and intergrade with the existing bike path system in Colt State Park in Bristol.

In both of these projects Colt State Park has been the cornerstone to providing important public access to recreational opportunities on Narragansett Bay and along the northeast shore of upper Narragansett Bay.

Colt State Park hosts a variety of activities including: picnicking, hiking, jogging, saltwater fishing, boating, bicycling, snowmobiling and naturalist programs. In the past, concerts have been a favorite summer pastime drawing attendance of anywhere from 200 to 10,000 people to it’s spacious lawns for sunset programs overlooking Narragansett Bay.