You’ll find several fascinating ghost towns scattered across Rhode Island, including the mysterious Hanton City, a lost colonial settlement from the 1730s with visible stone foundations and graves. There’s also Napatree Point, a coastal community destroyed by the 1938 hurricane, and the haunting Ramtail Factory Village, known for unexplained phenomena. From abandoned military installations to forgotten amusement parks, these sites hold compelling stories of Rhode Island’s past that await your discovery.
Key Takeaways
- Rhode Island has several ghost towns, with Hanton City being the most notable abandoned colonial settlement dating back to the 1730s.
- Napatree Point was a coastal community with 39 summer cottages until the Hurricane of 1938 destroyed everything and claimed 15 lives.
- Ramtail Factory Village, a former woolen mill, was abandoned after 1850 and gained notoriety for reported supernatural occurrences.
- Rocky Point, once New England’s premier amusement park, closed in 1994 and now stands as a ghost town with ruins.
- Ghost towns in Rhode Island often maintain partial populations or modern uses, with abandoned structures and economic decline defining their status.
What Defines a Ghost Town in Rhode Island
While ghost towns across America share common characteristics of abandonment and decline, Rhode Island’s unique context requires specific criteria to define these historical sites.
You’ll find that ghost town criteria in the state focus more on economic abandonment and structural remnants than complete desertion. Rhode Island’s legal framework emphasizes owner intent through demonstrated acts of abandonment, rather than just population loss.
Unlike Western states where mining camps clearly qualify as ghost towns, Rhode Island’s historical sites often maintain some population or modern use. The sites must have tangible remains visible for visitors to explore and document these locations.
When you’re exploring potential ghost towns in the state, you’ll need to look for dilapidated buildings or foundations, combined with significant economic decline, rather than expecting completely abandoned settlements. The Ladd School in Exeter stands as a prime example of such abandonment, with its empty halls echoing its institutional past.
The Lost Settlement of Hanton City
If you venture into the woods of Smithfield, Rhode Island, you’ll discover the eerie stone foundations and cellar holes of Hanton City, an abandoned colonial settlement dating back to the 1730s.
Hidden among these ruins, you’ll find a small, lonely cemetery containing just two marked graves belonging to Alice Herringdon and Daniel Brown.
The remaining stone walls and building foundations serve as silent witnesses to this once-thriving community of tanners and bootmakers who gradually relocated after changing traffic patterns isolated their settlement.
The site’s history includes an ancient Threshing Rock that was used by both Native Americans and early settlers to process their grain harvests.
The area became increasingly difficult to inhabit due to the development of swampy conditions that eventually forced the last residents to abandon their homes.
Eerie Colonial Foundations Remain
Deep in the woods of Smithfield, Rhode Island, the haunting remains of Hanton City stand as a memorial to colonial New England‘s forgotten past.
You’ll find ghostly remnants of colonial architecture scattered throughout this abandoned settlement, which peaked in the 1730s before vanishing from official maps by the 1850s.
The archaeological evidence reveals a community of hardworking settlers who made their living through:
- Tanning leather goods
- Crafting boots and shoes
- Trading with travelers between Providence and Woonsocket
- Operating small family farms
These ruins tell the story of English families like the Hurtings, who received land grants after King Philip’s War in 1676. The rocky terrain and mosquito-infested land made farming particularly challenging for the early settlers. Visitors today can access the site via the Hanton City Trail, which begins at West Reservoir Road.
Today, only stone foundations, collapsed wells, and two marked graves – belonging to Alice Herringdon and Daniel Brown – remain as silent witnesses to this once-thriving colonial outpost.
Hidden Cemetery and Walls
Hidden beneath thick forest growth in northwest Smithfield, the remnants of Hanton City’s cemetery and stone walls offer rare glimpses into colonial Rhode Island’s past.
You’ll discover forgotten graves marked by 18th and 19th-century headstones, including those attributed to Alice Herringdon and Daniel Brown.
Throughout the site, hidden histories emerge through the unmortared fieldstone foundations and dry-laid walls that once defined colonial homesteads, fields, and livestock pens.
The abandoned village was once home to tanners and bootmakers who relied on Providence markets to sell their goods.
Time and nature have taken their toll – lichens, moss, and aggressive root systems have gradually displaced many stones and partially collapsed these historic structures.
While you’re free to explore the public conservation land, you’ll need to stick to established paths to protect both the fragile archaeological features and neighboring private properties.
Napatree Point: Washed Away by Nature
Napatree Point’s rich history as a thriving coastal community came to an abrupt end during the Hurricane of 1938.
What you’ll discover there today is vastly different from its early 20th-century heyday when 39 summer cottages lined the dune crest, and Fort Mansfield stood guard with its military installations.
The devastating hurricane transformed Napatree’s landscape forever:
- All 39 beachfront cottages were completely destroyed
- 15 Watch Hill/Napatree residents lost their lives
- Storm breaches separated Napatree from Sandy Point
- Fort Mansfield’s remaining structures were damaged beyond repair
Since then, coastal erosion has continued reshaping this historic peninsula, with shoreline retreat measuring approximately 200 feet in some areas.
Today, you’ll find only concrete gun emplacements from the fort, slowly surrendering to the relentless forces of nature.
This dramatic transformation began long before the hurricane when the Great Gale of 1815 destroyed the dense forest cover that had inspired Dutch trader Adriaen Block to name the area “Nap of Trees.”
The area now serves as a wildlife preserve, providing crucial habitat for various species including deer, fox, osprey, and migratory birds.
The Mysterious Ramtail Factory Village
You’ll find the haunting legacy of Peleg Walker at the heart of Ramtail Factory’s most enduring ghost story, as his suspicious death in 1822 – whether by hanging or slit throat – sparked decades of reported supernatural occurrences.
The factory earned its distinctive name from the wool clipping process that took place within its walls before the tragic events unfolded.
While serving as a partner in the thriving woolen mill, Walker’s loss of control due to mounting debts marked a turning point in the factory’s history.
The mill’s final years remained shrouded in mystery until its destruction by arson in 1873, but witnesses continued to report unexplained bell ringings, phantom machinery sounds, and spectral lights long after the building was reduced to ruins.
Peleg Walker’s Haunting Legacy
Deep in Foster’s forested landscape lies the haunting tale of Peleg Walker and the Ramtail Factory Village, one of Rhode Island’s most enigmatic ghost stories.
In 1822, Walker, a partner in the Foster Woolen Manufacturing Company, lost his ownership due to mounting debts. On his final night, he took his own life within the factory walls, but his story didn’t end there.
Peleg Walker’s legacy lives on through numerous documented haunting phenomena:
- The factory bell would toll at midnight, even after its rope was removed
- Machinery would mysteriously start on its own
- The mill wheel would turn against the river’s natural flow
- Electronic Voice Phenomena recordings claim Walker was murdered
The site’s paranormal reputation became so established that the 1885 Rhode Island Census officially listed it as haunted.
Mill’s Mysterious Final Days
Beyond the ghostly tales of Peleg Walker, the Ramtail Factory Village‘s final chapter unfolded through a series of mysterious events leading to its ultimate destruction.
After Walker’s death, the Ramtail Factory struggled through financial hardships until it ceased regular operations around 1850. The once-bustling woolen mill, which had harnessed the power of the Ponagansett River since the late 18th century, fell silent.
But its most dramatic moment came in 1873 when arson engulfed the building in flames, destroying what remained of the historic structure.
Today, you’ll find only scattered ruins – foundation stones and crumbling rock walls – along a short trail from Ramtail Road. The site, now reclaimed by forest and riverside vegetation, stands as a haunting reminder of Rhode Island’s industrial past.
Rocky Point: From Entertainment Hub to Abandoned Ruins
While many Rhode Island residents today know Rocky Point as a peaceful state park, this iconic coastal destination once stood as New England’s premier amusement park for nearly 150 years.
You would’ve found amusement nostalgia at every turn, from the thrilling Corkscrew Loop to the famous Shore Dinner Hall serving thousands of clam-loving visitors daily.
The park’s attractions included:
- A massive saltwater pool that trained the 1936 U.S. Olympic swim team
- The Palladium Ballroom hosting legendary acts like Janis Joplin and AC/DC
- A 13-story Freefall ride launching thrill-seekers at 55 mph
- The historic baseball stadium where Babe Ruth once played
After surviving multiple hurricanes and financial struggles, Rocky Point finally closed in 1994.
Its rides were dismantled, leaving only memories and scattered ruins of its glorious past.
Military Remnants at Fort Wetherill
Standing sentinel over Narragansett Bay since the Revolutionary War, Fort Wetherill evolved from a simple earthwork fortification known as Dumpling Rocks into one of Rhode Island’s most formidable coastal defense installations.
Today, you’ll find the haunting Fort Wetherill ruins scattered across 61.5 acres of state parkland. The concrete gun emplacements, which once housed massive 12-inch and 10-inch artillery pieces, stand as silent witnesses to America’s coastal defense history.
You can explore the reinforced tunnels and ammunition magazines hidden behind earthen embankments, though many areas remain off-limits due to structural instability.
While the wooden barracks and mess halls from WWII have largely vanished, the surviving observation posts and batteries – now adorned with decades of graffiti – offer a fascinating glimpse into Rhode Island’s military past.
The Forgotten Enchanted Forest
The Enchanted Forest once brought fairy-tale magic to life across 31 wooded acres in Rhode Island.
Nestled within Rhode Island’s woodlands, this whimsical 31-acre park transformed reality into storybook enchantment for visitors.
You’d find storybook buildings, rides, and a charming petting zoo around a central pond with cascading waterfalls.
Since its 2005 closure, enchanted nostalgia lives on through memories of families who experienced this regional treasure during its three-decade run.
Today, fairy tale decay has transformed the once-magical landscape.
Nature reclaims what remains:
- Dilapidated themed structures like “The House That Jack Built”
- Overgrown pathways where children once explored
- Abandoned remnants of the former go-kart track and mini-golf course
- Hidden Humpty Dumpty mascot among the forest growth
While you can’t visit anymore – it’s private property and trespassing is forbidden – the park lives on through photos, videos, and cherished memories of southern New England families.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Any Rhode Island Ghost Towns Legally Accessible for Overnight Camping?
You won’t find legal ghost town camping in Rhode Island’s abandoned sites – Hanton City, Ramtail, and other ruins fall under local restrictions that don’t permit overnight stays on these properties.
What Paranormal Investigation Teams Have Documented Evidence at These Locations?
You won’t find documented evidence from professional paranormal investigation teams at these ghost towns. While locals report paranormal sightings, no formal investigation methods or scientific research has been conducted at these sites.
Do Any Former Residents Still Live Near These Abandoned Sites?
Like scattered seeds from old trees, you’ll find former residents’ descendants living in nearby communities around these sites, though none inhabit the actual ruins of Hanton City, Napatree Point, or Ramtail.
How Many Undiscovered Ghost Towns Might Exist in Rhode Island?
You’ll likely find 2-3 undiscovered locations across Rhode Island, given the state’s historical significance, limited land area, and pattern of documented ghost towns hidden beneath dense forest cover.
Which Ghost Towns Have Been Redeveloped for Modern Use?
You’ll find urban redevelopment at Rocky Point and Fort Wetherill, now public parks, while ghost town preservation efforts maintain Hanton City as hiking trails and Napatree Point as a conservation area.
References
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_ghost_towns_in_Rhode_Island
- https://www.visitrhodeisland.com/things-to-do/haunted-rhode-island/
- https://newenglandwithlove.com/ghost-towns-in-rhode-island/
- https://www.rhodeislandredfoodtours.com/2024/10/28/haunted-sites-of-rhode-island/
- https://www.rimonthly.com/haunted-places-rhode-island/
- https://www.geotab.com/ghost-towns/
- https://www.providencejournal.com/story/lifestyle/things-to-do/2025/10/12/real-haunted-houses-and-places-in-rhode-island-to-know-this-october/86600081007/
- https://www.atlasobscura.com/things-to-do/rhode-island/ruins
- https://westernmininghistory.com/664/what-is-a-ghost-town-wmh-town-classifications-explained/
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ghost_town
