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==Geography==
==Geography==
Bristol is situated on {{convert|10.1|sqmi|km2}} of a [[peninsula]] (the smaller sub-peninsula on the west is called Poppasquash), with [[Narragansett Bay]] on its west and Mount Hope Bay on its east. According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the town has a total area of 20.6&nbsp;square miles (53.4&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>), of which, 10.1&nbsp;square miles (26.2&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>) of it is land and 10.5&nbsp;square miles (27.2&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>) of it (50.99%) is water. Bristol's harbor is home to over 800 boat moorings in seven mooring fields.
Bristol is situated on {{convert|10.1|sqmi|km2}} of a [[peninsula]] (the smaller sub-peninsula on the west is called Poppasquash), with [[Narragansett Bay]] on its west and Mount Hope Bay on its east. According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the town has a total area of 20.6&nbsp;square miles (53.4&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>), of which, 10.1&nbsp;square miles (26.2&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>) of it is land and 10.5&nbsp;square miles (27.2&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>) of it (50.99%) is water. Bristol's harbor is home to over 800 boat moorings in seven mooring fields.

==Climate==
{{Weather box
|location = Bristol, Rhode Island
|single line = yes
|Jan record high F = 69
|Feb record high F = 72
|Mar record high F = 90
|Apr record high F = 98
|May record high F = 95
|Jun record high F = 98
|Jul record high F = 102
|Aug record high F = 104
|Sep record high F = 100
|Oct record high F = 88
|Nov record high F = 81
|Dec record high F = 77
|year record high F = 104
|Jan high F = 37
|Feb high F = 40
|Mar high F = 48
|Apr high F = 59
|May high F = 68
|Jun high F = 78
|Jul high F = 83
|Aug high F = 81
|Sep high F = 74
|Oct high F = 63
|Nov high F = 53
|Dec high F = 42
|year high F = 61
|Jan mean F = 29
|Feb mean F = 32
|Mar mean F = 39
|Apr mean F = 50
|May mean F = 59
|Jun mean F = 68
|Jul mean F = 74
|Aug mean F = 72
|Sep mean F = 65
|Oct mean F = 54
|Nov mean F = 45
|Dec mean F = 34
|year mean F = 52
|Jan low F = 21
|Feb low F = 24
|Mar low F = 30
|Apr low F = 40
|May low F = 49
|Jun low F = 58
|Jul low F = 64
|Aug low F = 63
|Sep low F = 55
|Oct low F = 44
|Nov low F = 36
|Dec low F = 26
|year low F = 42
|Jan precipitation inch = 3.86
|Feb precipitation inch = 3.43
|Mar precipitation inch = 5.01
|Apr precipitation inch = 4.36
|May precipitation inch = 3.55
|Jun precipitation inch = 3.64
|Jul precipitation inch = 3.29
|Aug precipitation inch = 3.60
|Sep precipitation inch = 3.92
|Oct precipitation inch = 3.93
|Nov precipitation inch = 4.51
|Dec precipitation inch = 4.22
|year precipitation inch = 47.32
|source = The Weather Channel <ref> {{cite web
|url = http://www.weather.com/weather/wxclimatology/monthly/graph/USRI0007
|title = Climate Statistics for Bristol, Rhode Island
|accessdate = March 15, 2012}}</ref>
}}


==Demographics==
==Demographics==

Revision as of 20:55, 15 March 2012

Town of Bristol
Town
Bristol Harbor
Bristol Harbor
Location of Bristol in Bristol County, Rhode Island
Location of Bristol in Bristol County, Rhode Island
CountryUnited States
StateRhode Island
CountyBristol
Incorporated1746
Government
 • TypeCouncil-manager
 • Town AdministratorDiane C. Mederos (D) RI
Area
 • Total
20.6 sq mi (53.4 km2)
 • Land10.1 sq mi (26.2 km2)
 • Water10.5 sq mi (27.2 km2)
Elevation
131 ft (40 m)
Population
 (2010)
 • Total
22,954
 • Density2,269/sq mi (876.1/km2)
Time zoneUTC-5 (EST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP code
02809
Area code401
FIPS code44-09280Template:GR
GNIS feature ID1220083Template:GR
DemonymBristolian ("brihs-TOH-lee-an")
Websitewww.bristolri.us

Bristol is a town in and the historic county seat of Bristol County, Rhode Island, United States.Template:GR The population was 22,954 at the 2010 census. Bristol, a deepwater seaport, is named after Bristol, England.

Major industries include boat building (and related marine industries), manufacturing and tourism. The town's school system is united with neighboring Warren, Rhode Island. Prominent ethnic minorities include Luso Americans (Portuguese-Americans), mostly Azorean, and Italian-Americans.

History

The first battle of King Philip's War took place here in 1675; although Philip was eventually defeated, a variant of his Indian name, Metacomet, is now the name of a main road in Bristol: Metacom Avenue (RI Route 136).

King Philip made nearby Mount Hope (Montaup) his base of operations. "King Philip's Chair", a rocky ledge on the mountain, was a lookout site for enemy ships on Mount Hope Bay. After that war concluded, the town was settled in 1680 as part of the Plymouth Colony. It was presumably named after Bristol, England.

Bristol was the "shire town" (county seat) of Bristol County, Plymouth Colony, when the county was created in 1685. (It was later split into Bristol County, Rhode Island and Bristol County, Massachusetts.) It was sold for £1100 to four Boston investors by the names of Byfield, Walley, Oliver, and Burton. It remained a part of Massachusetts until the Crown transferred it to the Rhode Island Colony in 1747.

The DeWolf family was among the earliest settlers of Bristol. Bristol and Rhode Island became a center of slave trading. James DeWolf, a leading slave trader, later become a United States Senator from Rhode Island. Quakers from Rhode Island were involved early in the abolition movement.

During the American Revolutionary War, the British Navy bombarded Bristol twice. On October 7, 1775, a group of ships led by Captain Wallace and the HMS Rose sailed into town and demanded provisions. When refused, Wallace shelled the town, causing much damage. The attack was stopped when Lieutenant Governor William Bradford rowed out to the Rose to negotiate a cease-fire, but then a second attack took place on May 25, 1778. This time, 500 British and Hessian troops marched through the main street (now called Hope Street (RI Route 114)) and burnt 30 barracks and houses, taking some prisoners to Newport.

Bristol has the oldest continuously celebrated Independence Day festivities in the United States. The first mention of a celebration comes from July 1777, when a British officer noted sounds coming from across Narragansett Bay:

"This being the first anniversary of the Declaration of Independence of the Rebel Colonies, they ushered in the morning by firing 13 cannons, one for each colony, we suppose. At sunset, the rebel frigates fired another round of 13 guns, each one after the other. As the evening was very still and fine the echo of the guns down the Bay had a grand effect." [citation needed]
Crowded street scene prior to the Bristol Fourth of July Parade. The town's unusual red, white, and blue center line is also visible.

The annual official and historic celebrations (Patriotic Exercises) were established in 1785 by Rev. Henry Wight of the First Congregational Church and Veteran of the Revolutionary War, and later by Rev. Wight as the Parade, and continue today, organized by the Bristol Fourth of July Committee [1]. The festivities officially start on June 14, Flag Day, beginning a period of outdoor concerts, soap-box races and a Firefighters muster at Independence Park. The celebration climaxes on July 4 with the oldest annual parade in the United States, "The Military, Civic and Firemen's Parade", an event that draws over 200,000 people from Rhode Island and around the world. These elaborate celebrations give Bristol its nickname, "America's most patriotic town". In 2009, a Tea Party group was briefly banned from future participation when they were accused of handing out political literature, including the Declaration of Independence, from a float in violation of parade rules.[1][2]

The summer celebrations usually conclude at Independence Park, on Labor Day Sunday with an open aired free concert featuring the Rhode Island Philharmonic and a spectacular fireworks display.

Until 1854, Bristol was one of the five state capitals of Rhode Island.

Bristol is home to Roger Williams University, named for Rhode Island founder Roger Williams.

The southerly terminus of the East Bay Bike Path[3] is located at Independence Park on Bristol Harbor. The Bike path continues North to East Providence, R.I. Constructed on an old abandoned railway, some of the best views of Narragansett Bay can be seen along this magnificent corridor. This path is a valued commodity to Bristol, it allows bikers, roller skaters and walkers to enjoy the area. The construction of the East Bay Bike Path was highly contested by Bristol residents before construction because of the potential of crime, the Bike Path has become a welcome asset to the community, and the anticipated crime was non-existent.

The Bristol-based boat company Herreshoff built five consecutive America's Cup Defenders between 1893 and 1920. The Colt Estate, now known as Colt Park, was home to Samuel P. Colt, nephew of the man famous for the arms company. Colt Park lies on magnificently manicured gardens abutting the West Passage of Narragansett Bay, and is popular for its unparalleled views of the waterfront and spectacular sunsets.

Bristol is the site of one National Historic Landmark, the Joseph Reynolds House built in 1700. The Marquis de Lafayette and his staff in 1778 used the building as headquarters during the Battle of Rhode Island.[4]

Notable inhabitants

Geography

Bristol is situated on 10.1 square miles (26 km2) of a peninsula (the smaller sub-peninsula on the west is called Poppasquash), with Narragansett Bay on its west and Mount Hope Bay on its east. According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 20.6 square miles (53.4 km2), of which, 10.1 square miles (26.2 km2) of it is land and 10.5 square miles (27.2 km2) of it (50.99%) is water. Bristol's harbor is home to over 800 boat moorings in seven mooring fields.

Climate

Climate data for Bristol, Rhode Island
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °F (°C) 69
(21) 		72
(22) 		90
(32) 		98
(37) 		95
(35) 		98
(37) 		102
(39) 		104
(40) 		100
(38) 		88
(31) 		81
(27) 		77
(25) 		104
(40)
Mean daily maximum °F (°C) 37
(3) 		40
(4) 		48
(9) 		59
(15) 		68
(20) 		78
(26) 		83
(28) 		81
(27) 		74
(23) 		63
(17) 		53
(12) 		42
(6) 		61
(16)
Daily mean °F (°C) 29
(−2) 		32
(0) 		39
(4) 		50
(10) 		59
(15) 		68
(20) 		74
(23) 		72
(22) 		65
(18) 		54
(12) 		45
(7) 		34
(1) 		52
(11)
Mean daily minimum °F (°C) 21
(−6) 		24
(−4) 		30
(−1) 		40
(4) 		49
(9) 		58
(14) 		64
(18) 		63
(17) 		55
(13) 		44
(7) 		36
(2) 		26
(−3) 		42
(6)
Average precipitation inches (mm) 3.86
(98) 		3.43
(87) 		5.01
(127) 		4.36
(111) 		3.55
(90) 		3.64
(92) 		3.29
(84) 		3.60
(91) 		3.92
(100) 		3.93
(100) 		4.51
(115) 		4.22
(107) 		47.32
(1,202)
Source: The Weather Channel [5]

Demographics

As of the censusTemplate:GR of 2000, there were 22,469 people, 8,314 households, and 5,653 families residing in the town. The population density was 2,222.2 people per square mile (858.1/km2). There were 8,705 housing units at an average density of 860.9 per square mile (332.4/km2). The ethnic group makeup of the town was 97.14% European, 1.29% Hispanic or Latino (of any race), 0.67% Asian, 0.62% African, 0.16% Native American, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.33% other ethnic group, and 1.03% from two or more races.

Points of interest and Registered Historic Places

File:Bridgeandrockss.jpg
Colt State Park
Mt. Hope Bridge

Places of Worship

See also

References

  1. ^ "RI Tea Party banned from parade". WPNI. 2009-07-10. Retrieved 2010-04-27.
  2. ^ "RI Tea Party: Parade group lifts ban". WPNI. 2009-07-16. Retrieved 2010-04-27.
  3. ^ http://www.riparks.com/eastbay.htm
  4. ^ http://www.eastbaychamberri.org/East_Bay_Life/index.cfm/Pages/Town_Descriptions/
  5. ^ "Climate Statistics for Bristol, Rhode Island". Retrieved March 15, 2012.
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