Gladstone Springhouse and Bottling Plant, historic complex in Rhode Island, USA
Gladstone Springhouse and Bottling Plant is a historic building complex in Narragansett, Rhode Island, featuring a small round stone springhouse and a two-story wood and concrete building. The springhouse sits directly over a natural spring source that sits about 18 inches above ground, while the larger structure once housed offices, apartments, and bottling equipment for water production.
The springhouse was built over a century ago to protect a natural spring used by the community for drinking water. The bottling plant was added around 1911 when entrepreneurs like Frederick C. Olney began bottling and selling spring water to supply the growing seaside resort town of Narragansett after the Civil War.
The springhouse served as a gathering place where the community valued pure water from the land. The simple stone structures show how local people relied on and trusted this natural resource for their daily needs.
The site sits on a quiet piece of land with trees and open space, so wear comfortable shoes when exploring the buildings and grounds. The historic structures can be viewed from outside to get an authentic look at how spring water was collected and bottled in the early 20th century.
Frederick C. Olney, one of the first African-American lawyers admitted to Rhode Island, played a key role in leading the company and shaping the site's history. This connection highlights the diverse history of the community and the role this place played in bringing people together around spring water as a valuable resource.
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