Village Centers in Warwick, RI

Busy Apponaug Four Corners was once a Native American path called the Pequot Trail. While no longer the geographical center of Warwick, this intersection remains the historic heart of the city. This is where Routes 1 (Post Rd), 5 (Greenwich Ave) and 117 (Centerville Rd) converge. Having undergone a remarkable transformation in recent years, historic Apponaug Village is now more pedestrian friendly, and home to Warwick City Hall, the Greenwood Credit Union City Hall Plaza/Rink, the Central Rhode Island Chamber of Commerce, the Warwick Center for the Arts, the Henry Warner Budlong Memorial Library, Police and Fire headquarters, several houses of worship, restaurants and a variety of service-related businesses.

Apponaug, situated on Apponaug Cove and the intersection of Warwick’s three primary streets (Post Road aka US Route 1, Greenwich Avenue aka RI Route 5, and Centerville Road aka RI Route 117), is a derivation of the Narragansett Indian word for “place of oysters,” and the Cove holds one of the richest shellfish beds in the US. Apponaug is considered downtown Warwick as it is home to Warwick City Hall as well as police and fire headquarters.

Conimicut derives its name from the granddaughter of Narragansett sachem Canonicus, the head of the Narragansett when the English arrived, and the daughter of Queen Quaiapen and the sachem Mixanno and dates back to the founding of Warwick in 1643. The main artery of this thriving and picturesque village is West Shore Road, which is home to restaurants, a gift shop, spa, several non-profits, and a number of small businesses. Conimicut Village is also home to the eponymous Conimicut Lighthouse and Conimicut Point Beach, and has a very active neighborhood association, which organizes a number of family-friendly, community events throughout the year.

Pawtuxet Village is not only the oldest village in Warwick; it’s one of the oldest villages in New England, settled in 1638. The most serious early act of defiance of the American Revolution occurred in Warwick, even before the Boston Tea Party, off Pawtuxet Village on June 8, 1772, when the British revenue schooner, the Gaspee, was burned.

Despite the changes of the 21st century, Pontiac Village managed to retain much of its 19th century identity, which was dominated by the Pontiac Mill aka Fruit of the Loom. Today, the village is home to the refurbished Pontiac Mills, now home to the Loom hotel, apartments, several retail establishments, and the Apponaug Brewing Company situated along the Pawtuxet River. Also home to the Howard Conservation Area Canoe Launch.