Providence, Warren and Bristol Railroad
Encyclopedia
The Providence, Warren and Bristol Railroad was a railroad in Rhode Island
connecting the city of Providence
with Bristol, Rhode Island
. It formed in 1854 by a consolidation of the Providence, Warren and Bristol Railroad Companies of Massachusetts and Rhode Island. (Prior to 1862, a portion of the line crossed through part of the town of Seekonk, Massachusetts
, which later became East Providence, Rhode Island
as part of a boundary settlement between the two states). The 14.1 mile line was completed between Providence and Bristol on July 12, 1855.
In 1865, the Fall River, Warren and Providence Railroad
built a branch off the line at Warren
, which connected to Fall River
in 1875.
On July 1, 1891 the line was leased to the Old Colony Railroad
for 99 years.
In 1893 the line became part of the New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad
upon its lease of the entire Old Colony Railroad
system.
In 1992, the right-of-way of the Providence, Warren and Bristol Railroad opened as the East Bay Bike Path
.
Rhode Island
The state of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, more commonly referred to as Rhode Island , is a state in the New England region of the United States. It is the smallest U.S. state by area...
connecting the city of Providence
Providence, Rhode Island
Providence is the capital and most populous city of Rhode Island and was one of the first cities established in the United States. Located in Providence County, it is the third largest city in the New England region...
with Bristol, Rhode Island
Bristol, Rhode Island
Bristol is a town in and the historic county seat of Bristol County, Rhode Island, United States. The population was 22,954 at the 2010 census. Bristol, a deepwater seaport, is named after Bristol, England....
. It formed in 1854 by a consolidation of the Providence, Warren and Bristol Railroad Companies of Massachusetts and Rhode Island. (Prior to 1862, a portion of the line crossed through part of the town of Seekonk, Massachusetts
Seekonk, Massachusetts
Seekonk is a town in Bristol County, Massachusetts, United States, on the Massachusetts border. It was incorporated in 1812 from the western half of Rehoboth. The population was 13,722 at the 2010 census. Until 1862, the town of Seekonk also included what is now the City of East Providence, Rhode...
, which later became East Providence, Rhode Island
East Providence, Rhode Island
East Providence is a city in Providence County, Rhode Island, United States. The population was 47,037 at the 2010 census, making it the fifth largest city in the state.-Geography:East Providence is located at ....
as part of a boundary settlement between the two states). The 14.1 mile line was completed between Providence and Bristol on July 12, 1855.
In 1865, the Fall River, Warren and Providence Railroad
Fall River, Warren and Providence Railroad
The Fall River, Warren and Providence Railroad was a railroad in southeastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island connecting the city of Fall River, Massachusetts with Warren, Rhode Island. It incorporated in 1862 as a merger of the Warren and Fall River Railroad Company of Rhode Island and the Fall...
built a branch off the line at Warren
Warren, Rhode Island
Warren is a town in Bristol County, Rhode Island, United States. The population was 10,611 at the 2010 census.-History:Warren was the site of the Indian village of Sowams on the peninsula called Pokanoket , and was first explored by Europeans in 1621, by Edward Winslow and Stephen Hopkins...
, which connected to Fall River
Fall River
-Cities and towns:In Canada:*Fall River, Nova ScotiaIn the United States:*Fall River, Kansas*Fall River, Massachusetts, the largest city with this name*Fall River, Tennessee*Fall River, Wisconsin*Fall River County, South Dakota-Rivers:In Canada:...
in 1875.
On July 1, 1891 the line was leased to the Old Colony Railroad
Old Colony Railroad
The Old Colony Railroad was a major railroad system, mainly covering southeastern Massachusetts and parts of Rhode Island. It operated from 1845 to 1893. Old Colony trains ran from Boston to points such as Plymouth, Fall River, New Bedford, Newport, Providence, Fitchburg, Lowell and Cape Cod...
for 99 years.
In 1893 the line became part of the New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad
New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad
The New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad , was a railroad that operated in the northeast United States from 1872 to 1968 which served the states of Connecticut, New York, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts...
upon its lease of the entire Old Colony Railroad
Old Colony Railroad
The Old Colony Railroad was a major railroad system, mainly covering southeastern Massachusetts and parts of Rhode Island. It operated from 1845 to 1893. Old Colony trains ran from Boston to points such as Plymouth, Fall River, New Bedford, Newport, Providence, Fitchburg, Lowell and Cape Cod...
system.
In 1992, the right-of-way of the Providence, Warren and Bristol Railroad opened as the East Bay Bike Path
East Bay Bike Path
right|thumb|400px|The East Bay Bike Path in July 2009, facing south near the southern terminus of the bike path in Bristol.The East Bay Bike Path is a paved rail trail in Rhode Island....
.