STORIES BEHIND THIS LOVELY LIGHTHOUSE

The amazing stories behind this lovely lighthouse in Riverside, RI

Patty J. is chief content creator at, and founder of, the award winning lifestyle blog PattyJ.com, which showcases noteworthy food & drink, style, and travel (as well as dynamic individuals) within the Ocean State and beyond. Photo by: Stacey Doyle Photography

INSTAGRAM: @PATTYJDOTCOM WEBSITE: WWW.PATTYJ.COM WEBSITE: HTTPS://WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/PATTYJSTYLE/ A few years ago, I was eating a late lunch at Pazi's Place, a retro 50s and 60s diner in East Providence, when I stumbled on an interesting narrative about the Pomham Rocks

Lighthouse which I'd not heard thing one about until that very day.

Am I the only one who has

daydreamed about living in a lighthouse? I don't think so. Never gotten around to learning how to swim, though, which could be a big problem.

Thinking I could get a clear view of it from somewhere nearby, I set the GPS app on my phone and proceeded to drive around for about a half hour, finally ending up at East Providence Water. I could see the lighthouse off in the distance, but figured the folks at the plant wouldn't be too keen on my roaming around the grounds, trying to snap pictures with my iPhone. (The photo you see above is courtesy of a professional photographer — nothing but the best for readers of PattyJ!)

Okay, my attempt to get photos or get anywhere near this landmark failed, but that didn't stop me. From there, I emailed the gentleman who wrote the piece [local Rhode Island author, Brian S.] that I'd read that afternoon in the diner and he gave me the green light to go ahead and

share it with you. So, without further adieu, here it is:

“The area around Pomham Rocks

has been annoying and harassing ships ever since ships ventured into that part of Narragansett Bay. Difficult to see in the fog or at low tide, they have claimed many a victim. So, way back in 1828, a simple tower was put up to warn ships. This proved to be inadequate, so, in 1871, the Pomham Rocks Lighthouse was built. The actual name of the lighthouse and rocks is probably in honor of a Narragansett sachem who died in King Philip's War. (Lots of history and very old names around here.)

Many lighthouses look similar and have the same design, but the Pomham is a unique one that is more of a housethan a light. In fact, at one time, it had a piano and people would stand on the shore, 800 feet away, and listen to the music played by the talented 'keeper.’ [Note: That keeper's daughter, Marjorie, also had emergency surgery, to remove her appendix, at the lighthouse because she was too sick to travel ashore.] The half acre island also had a fine garden and and several dogs and cats living there. (Quite a comfy place!) One of the cats, named Tommy, actually became famous for his fishing skills. Legend has it that he would sit on the rocks near the

water and when an unsuspecting fish would go by, Tommy would grab and drag it to shore.

The light was active until 1974 when it was replaced by a modular tower. After that, it just sort of sat neglected, like a lot of other lighthouses. Finally, in 1980, it was purchased by Mobil Oil. Hard to believe that a big oil company would give a flying crap about a lighthouse, but apparently, someone in the company did. [Note: Mobil, now Exxon Mobil, then turned around and leased it to out The

American Lighthouse Foundation, which via its local outlet, The Friends

of Pomham Lighthouse, has overseen the subsequent restoration.] In 2006, the light was restored and relit. Hard to believe I would say something positive about a big oil company, but Mobil does deserve a big pat on the back for this.

The light can now be seen from the East Bay Bike Path or the Stone Gate Apartments on Rt. 103. Of course, kayaking out to the light would be the best view, but you absolutely cannot go on the island. (This is a unique light with tons of cool history!) Maybe someday it will be opened to the public and fools like me that dream about visiting old lighthouses?” And in fact, this summer, there are actually PUBLIC TOURS of Pomham for the first time ever!

AMERICA’S

FIRST POLO CLUB

NEWPORT INTERNATIONAL POLO SERIES

PRESENTED BY TURKISH AIRLINES

4 11 18 25 JUNE

USA vs. Colombia. . . . . . . . . 5pm Newport Cup . . . . . . . . . . . 5pm USA vs. Portugal . . . . . . . . . 5pm Newport vs. Boston . . . . . . . . 5pm

5 6 13 20 27 AUGUST

Kia Ora Cosmic Ball at Rosecliff . 7pm USA vs. New Zealand . . . . . . 5pm Newport vs. Palm Beach . . . . . 5pm USA vs. Jamaica . . . . . . . . . 5pm Newport vs. New York . . . . . . 5pm

JULY SEPTEMBER

2 9 16 23 30

Independence Cup . . . . . . . . 5pm USA vs. Ireland . . . . . . . . . . 5pm Newport vs. Pittsburgh . . . . . . 5pm USA vs. Italy. . . . . . . . . . . . 5pm Newport vs. Washington D.C. . . 5pm

3 10 17 24

USA vs. England . . . . . . . . . 4pm Bentley vs. Rolls-Royce . . . . . . 4pm USA vs. Egypt . . . . . . . . . . . 4pm Turkish Airlines Finals . . . . . . . 4pm

Herb Chambers Exotics Village Catered Menu by Reservation

Tickets and Info: www.nptpolo.com

Schedule Subject to Change

Join Goslings & the Cocktail Guru for an encore toast with the players after every match in the Modern Luxury Lounge.

RESTAURANTS OF RHODE ISLAND

Your go-to guide for the best restaurants in Rhode Island. From warm comfort food to healthy alternatives, there is so much to choose from. Whether fresh catches from the sea or a brand new hot spot, you can find it all in Rhode Island.

AVVIO RISTORANTE

Address: 90 Hillside Rd, Cranston, RI 02920 Phone: (401) 942-2900

CAMILLE'S

Address: 71 Bradford St, Providence, RI 02903 Phone: (401) 751-4812

ROGUE ISLAND LOCAL KITCHEN & BAR

Address: 65 Weybosset St #108, Providence, RI 02903 Phone: (401) 831-3733

TRAFFORD RESTAURANT

Address: 285 Water St, Warren, RI 02885 Phone: (401) 289-2265

MAINSAIL AT MARRIOTT NEWPORT RHODE ISLAND

Address: 25 Americas Cup Ave Newport, RI 02840 Phone: (401) 849-1000

THE DISTRICT

Address: 54 South St Providence, RI 02903 Phone: (401) 421-0050

BYWATER

Address: 3129 54 State St Warren, RI 02885 Phone: (401) 694-0727

RED STRIPE

Address: 465 Angell St Providence, RI 02906 Phone: (401) 437-6950

LA MASSERIA RI

Address: 223 Main St East Greenwich, RI 02818 Phone: (401) 398-0693

MACERA'S ITALIAN RESTAURANT

Address: 957 Reservoir Ave Cranston, RI 02910 Phone: (401) 463-5303

JULIAN'S

Address: 318 Broadway Providence, RI 02909 Phone: (401) 861-1770 MILL’S TAVERN $$$

101 N Main St Providence Seafood, Steakhouses, Salad 437-6950

RED STRIPE $$

465 Angell St Providence Bruch, Steakhouses 437-6950

TWIN OAKS RESTAURANT

Address: 100 Sabra St Cranston, RI 02910 Phone: (401) 781-9693

LEGAL SEA FOODS - CRANSTON

Address: 175 Hillside Road Cranston, RI 02920 Phone: (401) 732-3663

IRON WORKS

Address: 697 Jefferson Boulevard Warwick, RI 02886 Phone: (401) 739-5111

MASSIMO

Address: 134 Atwells Ave Providence, RI 02903 Phone: (401) 273-0650

CHASKA

Address: 16 Midway Rd Cranston, RI 02920 Phone: (401) 537-7900

CORK AND RYE

Address: 255 Lambert Lind Hwy Warwick, RI 02886 Phone: (401) 921-8324

PARKSIDE ROTISSERIE & BAR

Address: 76 South Main Street Providence, RI 02903 Phone: (401) 331-0003

CASSARINO'S

Address: 177 Atwells Avenue Providence, RI 02903 Phone: (401) 751-3333

BACCO VINO & CONTORNI

Address: 262 Atwells Ave Providence, RI 02903 Phone: (401) 572-0243

UNION STATION BREWERY

Address: 36 Exchange Ter Providence, RI 02903 Phone: (401) 274-2739

MARE ROOFTOP

Address: 229 Waterman St # 2906 Providence, RI 02906 Phone: (401) 336-6273

THE RIVER SOCIAL

Address: 200 Exchange St Riverwalk Level Providence, RI 02903 Phone: (401) 548-6688

REVOLUTION

Address: 2190 Broad St Cranston, RI 02905 Phone: (401) 780-8700

MILL'S TAVERN

Address: 101 North Main Street Providence, RI 02903 Phone: (401) 272-3331

QUITOS RESTAURANT

Address: 411 Thames St Bristol, RI 02809 Phone: (401) 253-9042

INDIA RESTAURANT

Address: 1060 Hope Street Providence, RI 02906 Phone: (401) 421-2600

SAJE KITCHEN

Address: 332 Atwells Ave Providence, RI 02903 Phone: (401) 473-0504

THE WAVE

Address: 400 Metacom Ave Bristol, RI 02809 Phone: (401) 253-8811

Learn more at navigantcu.org or by calling 401-233-4700.

HOUSE OF THE MONTH

216 Gray Craig Road, Middletown| $6,500,000

Built in 1926 and nestled within a 77 acre estate, “The Stables at Gray Craig” is one of the more peaceful and private residences on Aquidneck Island. Offering 5 bedrooms, 4 full and 2 half baths within 7,800 sq ft., the main house and its guest quarters are abundant in period detail and charm. The first level is both elegant and comfortable and is comprised of a spacious great room, an office which leads to a beautiful patio, dining room which is conveniently located next to the expansive kitchen, family room, two bathrooms, and two bedrooms. The second level consists of a large primary suite and a guest bedroom with a full bath.

The third level is a separate seating area with a private balcony that overlooks spectacular grounds with a wonderful ocean view. The lower level is partially finished w/ a magnificent wine cellar and lounge area, gym and half bath. The original Gray Craig estate was designed by well-known architect, Harrie T Lindeberg and was centered around a chateau-like home which included kennels, greenhouses, a secret garden, tea house, gate house and “The Stables”. Currently, the Gray Craig estate makes up a very desirable private association which abuts acres of conservation land and wildlife sanctuaries. Located 2+ miles from downtown Newport and 1/2 mile from Sachuest Beach the location is a perfect retreat for those who desire privacy, but also enjoy having the ocean and all that Newport has to offer in close proximity.

For more information, please contact Eric Kirton with Lila Delman.

Bristol, Rhode Island

333 Poppasquash Road

$7,450,000 11 BD 9.3 BA 12.29 Acre Waterfront Compound

Listed by Gregory Arakelian 401.954.5703