Harrisville

The village of Harrisville was once called Rhodesville. It was named after Captain William Rhodes, a privateer during the American Revolution who owned considerable land and property in the village. There was a saw mill and grist mill on his property. During the 1800's, Andrew Harris purchased the Rhodes propery and operated a mill there. Harrisville gets its name from this mill owner, Andrew Harris.

William Tinkham was running the mill in Harrisville at the turn of the century. He built a row of houses along Mill Pond on River Street which were later removed by Austin T. Levy. Tinkham was the driving force to bring the railroad line through Burrillville and was the founder of the Providence and Springfield Railroad.

He donated land on Main Street to build the Universalist Church. The church was completed in 1886.

In 1936 Austin T. Levy started the Burrillville Town Buildings Project. He built the town hall, the Assembly, the Post Office and renovated the Unversalist Church.

Universalist Church 1886 Universalist Church 1999

Main Street Harrisville circa 1915. Memorial Building is on right with the steeple from the Universalist Church showing behind it. On the left is the Harrisville Cafe with the horse watering trough in front. The sign for the Wheeler Livery, Hack and Feed Stable was on Main Street with the business operating near where the Austin T. Levy School is now. People would leave their horses there to be fed and watered while they took the trolley or train to the city. People hired a hack for a funeral - a horse drawn carriage with fringe on it. If you remember this livery stable or have any pictures of old Main Street, please email me.

This picture was taken on Main Street in Harrisville. Charles Wheeler, Sr., owner of the Livery, Hack and Feed Stable is seen in the white shirt, far left. If you recognize the name of the store, please email me.