College Hill, Providence, Rhode Island
College Hill is a historic neighborhood of Providence, Rhode Island, and one of six neighborhoods comprising the city's East Side. It is roughly bounded by South and North Main Street to the west, Power Street to the south, Governor Street and Arlington Avenue to the east and Olney Street to the north. The neighborhood's primary commercial area extends along Thayer Street, a strip frequented by students in the Providence area. College Hill is the most affluent neighborhood in Providence, with a median family income of nearly three times that of the whole city. Portions of College Hill are designated local and national historic districts for their historical residential architecture. In 2011, the American Planning Association designated the neighborhood one of the "Great Places in America". Name The toponym "College Hill" has been in use since at least 1788. The name refers to the neighborhood's topography and numerous higher educational institutions: Brown University, Rhode Island School of Design, Pembroke College, and the since–relocated Bryant University. Prior to Brown University's 1770 relocation to Providence, the area was known as Prospect Hill. History The indigenous Wampanoag and Narraganset people inhabited the region prior to the arrival of English settlers. Settlement In 1635, religious dissenter Roger Williams established the settlement of Providence Plantations near the confluence of the Moshassuck and Woonasquatucket Rivers. By 1644, this settlement had taken root around a natural spring at the base of what is now College Hill. In 1638, the settlers allotted home lots. Roughly six acres each, these narrow tracts extended from Towne Street (now Main Street) to Hope Street, falling largely within the bounds of modern College Hill. Back Street—originally a series of paths running parallel to Towne and Hope—developed into what is now Benefit Street. In 1770, the college that became Brown University moved to College Hill, establishing its campus on land purchased by Moses Brown and John Brown. By the time of the American Revolution, the foot of the hill was densely populated with wharves, warehouses, shops, public buildings, and residential houses. Benefit Street was home to several hotels, including the Golden Ball Inn which hosted noted guests such as George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and Marquis de Lafayette. 19th century In the nineteenth century, precious metals and jewelry trading drove much business on North Main Street. In 1893, the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) moved from a space leased in Downtown Providence to its current home at the base of College Hill. Over a century later, the school would expand by relocating its main library, undergrad dormitories, and graduate studios into Downtown buildings. 20th century In 1935, Bryant College of Business Administration moved from Downtown Providence to College Hill. Beginning in 1922, Brown University began expanding its property holdings as an attempt to increase on-campus housing for its growing student body. These efforts culminated in the 1949-1957 construction of Keeney and Wriston Quadrangles, which involved the demolition of 59 historic homes. Through the middle of the 20th century, the area nearer to the waterfront