Narragansett Pier Life Saving Station

The Narragansett Pier Life Saving Station is a maritime rescue building located on Ocean Road with a distinctive oblong footprint and semicircular northern section. Its steeply pitched slate roof and solid construction reflect the practical design standards of late-nineteenth-century coastal safety architecture.

The building was designed in 1888 by McKim, Mead & White when Narragansett Pier functioned as a fashionable summer resort. It served the local maritime rescue operations during a formative period for coastal safety in New England.

The station operated continuously for maritime rescue operations from 1888 to 1946, marking a significant period in Rhode Island's coastal safety history.

The building is accessible on Ocean Road where it now operates as a restaurant, making it easy to visit and explore the interior. The expanded dining spaces on the south and east sides allow visitors to appreciate both the original structure and modern use.

The transformation to a restaurant required significant interior modifications, including the leveling of what was once the boat storage area. This conversion shows how practical maritime buildings can adapt to completely different uses while maintaining their historic character.

Location: Rhode Island

Architects: McKim, Mead & White

GPS coordinates: 41.43000,-71.45556

Latest update: December 14, 2025 13:03