Wickford

Understand

Wickford began as a small island bounded on the north by Mill Cove (North Cove), the south by Academy Cove (South Cove), and on the east by Wickford Harbor. According to Historic Wickford, to the left of the harbor was a small body of water that connected Mill Cove and Academy Cove.

In the early 1700s the village of Lodowicke Updikewide had streets leading to the harbor. Lodowicke Updikewide is now known as Main Street. The name Wickford, has no known origin. Some believed the name originated from England while some believe it originated from “Wicke’s Ford” a crossing through the west boundary neck of water near Newton Avenue. Although its origin remains a mystery, Wickford was known for a time as Updike’s Newton.

Historic Wickford says that in the early 1700s the harbor was a primary port for supplying and transporting the produce of plantations. Eventually, the port expanded to facilitate shipping and shipbuilding after the Revolutionary War. This boom period was from 1780-1830, as seen from the historical houses that were built and still stand today.

After the 1830s, steamboat and railroad lines bypassed Wickford. This helped maintain and preserve the village. In the late 19th century, Wickford experienced a revival and joined Narragansett and Newport as a summer destination.

Wickford is a thriving village with a year-round community who work to keep its unique heritage alive.

Get in

By car

• From the highway, you can get to North Kingstown from Route 4 South, exits 5A and 5B, and Route 4 North, exit 5. There are 2 "Park & Rides", one off of Ten Rod Rd. and the other off of Frenchtown Rd.
• From Newport or Jamestown Bridge, drive off of the Jamestown Bridge and take the first exit to the right, “to Wickford”. Drive straight on 1A (Boston Neck Rd) until you reach Wickford.
• From south take route 1N (Tower Hill Rd). At the Route 4 North split, bear left continuing on route 1N. At Phillips Street turn right and continue straight into Wickford.

By plane

• Quonset State Airport, +1 401 294-4504, in North Kingstown.
• T.F. Green Airport, +1 401 294-4504, Rhode Island’s main airport 30 minutes from Wickford

By train

Kingston Train station, +1-800-872-7245. Serves Amtrak trains and is next to the University of Rhode Island. 25 minutes from Wickford. Wickford Junction Train Station, +1 401 294-0020. 1051 Ten Rod Rd # 5 North Kingstown. Rates to T.F. Green Airport $2.25 and Providence $2.50. July 1 T.F. Green $3.00 and Providence $3.25 each way. Wickford Junction to Boston $9 one way, $11 starting in July. Half price for seniors and people with disabilities. Free for children with paying adult.

By bus

• R.I.P.T.A. Rhode Island Transportation Authority, +1-800-221-3797. Bus stop in Wickford, right across from The Wickford Market Place.

Get around

• R.I.P.T.A., +1-800-221-3797.
• Enterprise Rent-A-Car, 6980 Post Rd., +1 401 885-7558. Hours and prices may vary. Must be 25 years or older to rent a vehicle. Building is 10 minutes from Wickford.
• Vineyard Fast Ferry, +1 401 295-4040, Terminal at Quonset Point, very close to Wickford. Travels in Narragansett Bay.

Go next

• North- If you go North along Post Road you will go through the rest of North Kingstown where Wickford is incorporated into. Keep going and you’ll reach the cities of East Greenwich and Warwick.
• South- Plan on driving south along the coast on Post Road or Scenic 1A and you’ll enter South Kingstown, Wakefield, and Narragansett and all the beaches they have to offer.
• East- Take Post Road and take a right that takes you to the Jamestown Bridge, which in turn will take you to Claiborne Pell Bridge ($4 toll) entering another historic city: Newport.