Rocky Point Park
Once considered a New England treasure, and now laying in a state of decay, this area of Warwick has been a focal point for the SBA, potential developers, and concerned residents who wish to return Rocky Point to the splendor of yesteryear. Click here to learn more about the major players, view some current photos, and learn more about the history of this historical landmark.

"In the 1840's, Captain William Winslow began to land his passengers on the land we now refer to as Rocky Point for Sunday outings. By 1847, He had purchased a portion of the land and began to offer amusements and shore dinners. Col. Harrington was the second owner who billed the park as "New England's most beautiful amusement park" on an 1918 advertisement. By this time, the rail line provided easier access to the popular spot which featured a Looff ferris wheel, a circle swing (and a version that swung in the ocean), and a flume type coaster called the Russian Tobbogan which was destroyed in the Gale of 1938. Other coasters included a Looff coaster, a tumble-bug, the Wildcat, a Thompson scenic railway, and the interesting Flying Turns in which cars raced through tubes without tracks. These early coasters were replaced by the Cyclone, the saltwater Flume, and the corkscrew in later years. The famous saltwater pool was installed in the 1930s, only to be paved over in the last years of the park. Other popular rides included the skydiver, the musik express, and the spider...along with the house of horrors and the freefall (which was 13 stories tall and fell at 55 mph)."
-- Rob Lewis, Ryan Young , Rhode Island: Amusement Parks (American Century)
(October 16, 1998)

Rocky Point Amusement Park - Outstanding site dedicated to the memories of Warwick's playground. Dozens of photographs from the turn of the century to today make this site particularly engaging. It even provides recipes for Rocky Point clam chowder and clam cakes!

Rocky Point Today - Interactive map with a large collection of historical images courtesy of the Warwick Historical Society and the Providence Public Library.

Rocky Point Redevelopment - Learn more about this intriguing plan.

The Bones of Rocky Point - A large collection of pictures of the park shortly after it closed.

Defunct Amusement Parks - Explore other parks which met a similar fate as Rocky Point.

The American Carousel Society - Read about this non-profit organization whose goal is to preserve operating carousels and the art of the antique wooden carousel. Its international membership includes preservationists, carvers,artists, collectors and people who just love carousels.

The Dark Ride and Funhouse Historical Society -This site has not only documented many rides, builders and artists from the past and present, but has also" guided a huge number of visitors to rides that exist today, therefore helping to ensure that those rides continue to operate and stay healthy and scary!"

SBA aims to pick Rocky Point developer soon - (Warwick Beacon) - Following Tuesday’s action of the former amusement park, Mark Hayward, district director of the Small Business Administration, said the agency has “three offers in hand” and that over the next two weeks it will be talking with those developers as well as any other potential buyer that might step forward.

Rocky Point Park Map and Brochure (1980s) - Explore the park as you remember it.