Fishermen's Memorial State Park-Campground History

TOTAL  ACREAGE:  91.46 Acres. Originally 98 acres but in 1953 the Division of Parks and Recreation donated 6.54 acres to the transportation department to build an escape road from Galilee to Pt. Judith.

 

NAME OF PREVIOUS OWNER: The United States Government

DEDICATION: Governor Licht - July, 18 1970

OTHER NAMES: Fort Nathaniel Greene

 

Nathaniel Greene, an American Revolutionary soldier born in  Potowomut, Rhode Island, was appointed Brigadier General of the Rhode Island Forces in 1775. For his services in battles, General George Washington  promoted him to the rank of Major General.

 

General Greene was the president of the military court that tried  Major John Andre as an accomplice of Benedict Arnold  for espionage and treachery.

 

It was requested by the local Fishermen's Association that the name of Fort Greene be changed to Fishermen's Memorial  State Park in honor of all the fishermen in the Narragansett area,  the "TUNA CAPITAL OF THE WORLD."

 

Fishermen's Park opened as a campground on July  18, 1970 with  140  campsites.

 

A total of 3,105 permits were issued for 1970. In 1979 area #4 opened with an additional 42 sites for a new total of  182 campsites.  In 1979 a total of 6,377 permits were  issued.

 

From 1970 to 1977, Fishermen's Memorial State Park camping permits were issued on a

first come-first served basis. In 1978, the Division of Parks and Recreation  changed  its' format from (first come-first served ) to" reservations only" sent by mail. Those that are cancelled or late arriving ( after the designated time of occupancy ) are sold the  following day at 8:30 in the morning on a first come- first served basis.

 

September 28, 1954

Mr. Arthur Famiglietti, Adm. Asst.Executive

Mr. William H. Cotter, Jr. Chief

Division of Parks and Recreation

 

PURCHASE OF REMAINING PORTION OF WEST RESERVATION FORT NATHANIEL GREENE

 

When Governor Roberts, Attorney General Powers, Purchasing Agent Adams and Secretary of State Cote sign the deed on Monday, October 4th, the remaining 8.37 acres of the west reservation,  Fort Nathaniel Greene (with its 11 wood frame buildings) will complete the acquisition of the west reservation for further State Park developmental.

The adjoining 83.1 acres of this reservation were purchased previously.

 

The park development of the area will supplement the facilities at Sand Hill Cove and Scarborough State Beaches with its' accessibility from both beaches and its' generally  favorable terrain for picnic areas, game areas, and observation vantage points of the nearby ocean and Point Judith pond area. Shelters for individual, family and group comforts, observation areas and  picnic facilities will be provided as rapidly as possible in the initial development but only very limited facilities can be expected in time for the 1955 season as priority  must  be given to the reconstruction of the  Sand  Hill Cove and Scarborough State Beach facilities.