Pawtucket, Industrial city in Providence County, Rhode Island
Pawtucket is a city in Providence County in northeastern Rhode Island, spreading along the banks of the Blackstone River with many converted brick mill buildings lining its streets. The layout connects residential neighborhoods with 19th-century architecture to a downtown area where shops, restaurants, and public buildings stand close together.
Samuel Slater built the first successful water-powered cotton mill in North America along the Blackstone River in 1793, marking the start of American industrial manufacturing. The city grew quickly around textile and metal factories that employed thousands of workers through the mid-20th century.
The name comes from a Narragansett word for the waterfalls on the Blackstone River, which once powered mills and still shape how the city looks today. Locals gather in former factory buildings now converted into community spaces and art studios, giving the area a working creative atmosphere.
The Pawtucket/Central Falls station offers regular MBTA commuter rail connections north to Boston and south to Providence, making travel straightforward for visitors arriving by train. Many points of interest lie within walking distance of downtown, though parking is available near main streets for those arriving by car.
The global headquarters of Hasbro occupies several downtown buildings where hundreds of employees develop well-known toys and games. Visitors sometimes notice large promotional displays and themed decorations on the facades of these company locations.
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