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| Take a virtual tour of Cumberland (RI) including local real estate, landmarks and schools | ||||||
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Cumberland Rhode Island (RI) Real Estate & Homes for Sale
Let Cumberland RI real estate assist you in finding the right property to meet your needs from local area homes for sale, foreclosure listings (bank-owned), country properties, land, condominiums and equine facilities -- all through the RI real estate Multiple Listing Service (MLS). Request relocation information, or school statistics and neighborhood demographics.
Cumberland, Rhode Island is a historic town at the heart of the Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor in Providence County. Situated within easy reach of the state capital, Cape Cod and Boston, the town offers gorgeous natural surroundings, a wealth of historic sites, a healthy local economy and excellent recreational opportunities.
The community was settled in 1635 by William Blaxton. An ordained Anglican minister who had been the first European settler of Boston, Blaxton was driven out of the Massachusetts Bay Colony by Puritans who accused him of trying to bring the Church of England to the new country. His homestead was in fact the first European settlement in Rhode Island, as Roger Williams did not establish the Providence Colony until a year later.
One of five towns received from Massachusetts by Royal Decree, the community was known as Attleboro Gore until 1746, when it was incorporated in Rhode Island under its present name. The town was named in honor of William, the Duke of Cumberland.
The town's early industrial growth centered around the abundant water power of the Blackstone and Abbott Run Rivers. The town was once known as the mining capital of New England because of the extensive mineral deposits within its border; an extensive industry developed around the excavation of iron ores for use in cannons. Several shafts over one hundred years old are still visible, but mineral deposits are no longer commercially mined.
Today, manufacturing and retail trade are the community's largest sources of income. The town still retains its early rural charm even with steady growth in industry, commerce and population. Notable historic and recreational sites include Diamond Hill Park, a former ski resort with excellent hiking trails and stunning views of the surrounding region; the Diamond Hill Vineyards, which offers garden parties along with wine and cheese tastings; Berkeley Mill Village, largely constructed as workers' housing in 1872; and "Nine Men's Misery," the site of nine colonists' capture during King Philip's War in 1676, now commemorated with what is believed to be the oldest veterans' memorial in the United States. Popular annual events include Cumberlandfest, generally held in August and featuring live entertainment, carnival amusements, and a fireworks show; and the Arnold Mills Fourth of July Parade and Road Race, with food, music, floats, a concert, and one of the oldest foot races in New England. A rustic atmosphere, convenient location, and abundant prospects for growth make Cumberland an excellent choice for residential and business interests.
Through this site you will find comprehensive facts about as well as extensive information on buying or selling real estate in Cumberland, Rhode Island. If you are looking to invest in Cumberland real estate you will find a variety of opportunities available to you. Cumberland Rhode Island real estate offers relocation information, residential real estate, new home construction and development, condominiums (condos), adult living communities (55+ communities), retirement homes and facilities, land, waterfront properties and multi-family investment properties. Cumberland, RI, and the surrounding areas offer vacation homes, farms, equine facilities, country properties. To search the statewide MLS (multiple listings service) also referred to as RI MLS, for properties in Cumberland based on a keyword search, click on the following:
Cumberland new construction - RI custom homes, executive home building and development
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Cumberland real estate - RI landed property, Rhode Island homes
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RHODE ISLAND THE MOST -- "HOPE"
The state boasts so much history that it is practically a living museum. This tiny coastal state has one of the country's highest concentations of historic landmarks. While the Gilded Age mansions of Newport are probably the state's most famous historic attraction, remnants of a colorful past can be found in every corner of its 1200-square-mile expanse.
The state was founded by Roger Williams in 1636, who established the first permanent white settlement on land he had purchased from the local Narragansett Indians. Forced to flee Massachusetts due to persecution, Williams founded the colony as a haven for religious and political freedom, attracting settlers who would not be welcome amidst the strict religious climate of the Puritans at Plymouth and Massachusetts Bay.
On May 4, 1776, the state renounced its allegiance to Great Britain and declared independence; it was the first of the thirteen colonies to do so. At the close of the Revolutionary War, independed-minded Rhode Islanders demanded the addition of the Bill of Rights, which protects individual liberties, before the state would ratify the U.S. Constitution.
The Revolutionary War era was followed by a period of industrial expansion. Samuel Slater established the nation's first water-powered cotton mill at Pawtucket in 1793; it was this development that signaled the beginning of America's Industrial Revolution. Nehemiah and Seril Dodge established the American jewel industry in Providence in the early 1800's, placing the city at the forefront of the industrial age.
Today, the state remains a leader in American industry; Providence, the state's capital city, has emerged as a retail center and hotbed of international commerce. At the same time, the countryside offers escape for residents and seasonal visitors alike, with classic New England town squares and restored colonial-era villages. The state's 400-mile shoreline offers bountiful opportunities for sailing and fishing, while over 100 beaches feature clambakes, music festivals, picnic areas and much more. The historic city of Newport boasts a colorful history of nearly 400 years; one of America's oldest commercial seaports, Newport has become a major tourist attraction with numerous colonial landmarks, historic boatyards, village shops and the famed "summer cottages" of the early 20th century, which served as getaways for the country's most powerful families in the late Victorian era. A living shrine to America's fabled past, Newport embodies Rhode Island's historic pride, while bustling Providence and its surrounding communities supply a crucial progressive edge for the future.
State Facts:
1,214 square miles
Population: 1,067,610 (2006)
Largest cities (2005): Providence, 176,862; Warwick, 87,233; Cranston, 81,614; Pawtucket, 73,742; East Providence, 49,515
Nicknamed "The Ocean State"
400 miles of Atlantic Ocean coastline
Per capita income: $27,217 (2005)
Highest point: Jerimoth Hill (812 ft)
Climate:
New England is famous for its four distinct seasons, with brisk, snowy winters giving way to colorful springs and hot, humid summers. The state's coastal location makes its climate more moderate than that of most New England states. Don't be too surprised at the occasional 60-degree day in January…or the odd snowflake in May!
Government:
The state capital is Providence, located at the head of Narragansett Bay in the north-central region of the state. The state government has three branches: Executive, headed by the governor; Legislative, comprised of the Rhode Island General Assembly; and Juducial, headed by the Supreme Court.
Taxes:
The state generally imposes an income tax on all individuals that have Rhode Island-source income. The state personal income tax is 26% of the federal income tax liability. Property taxes are determined by an annual State Valuation and vary from town to town.