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| Take a virtual tour of Middletown (RI) including local real estate, landmarks and schools | ||||||
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Middletown RI Real Estate & Middletown Rhode Island Homes for Sale
Let Middletown 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.
Middletown, Rhode Island is located on historic Aquidneck Island, between Newport and Portsmouth. The community is bounded by Rhode Island Sound on the south, Narragansett Bay on the west, and the Sakonnet River on the east. The town is semi-agricultural with a diverse landscape. Delicate sand dunes broken up by a partially rocky coastline and snow white beaches give this community a seaside flair. Endless stone walls line the landscape, contributing to the town's classic New England ambience.
The town's rich history is deeply bound to the endless promise and mystery of the sea. Early native settlers relied upon fishing and hunting for sustenance, maintaining a fairly quiet existence before the outbreak of a long war between the Narragansetts and the Wampanoags. After many years of struggle the Narragansetts, the largest branch of New England's Algonquin family, emerged victorious.
In 1524, Giovanni da Verranzo became the first European explorer to make contact with the Indians of Narragansett Bay, although long-term relations between the natives and Europeans were not established until Dutch traders arrived in 1614. In 1638, Roger Williams facilitated the trasfer of Aqidneck Island to several of his fellow exiles, the proprietors of the ever-expanding Providence colony.
At the time, what is now Middletown was included within the jurisdinction of Newport, anticipating a long historical association between the two communities. As Newport developed into one of America's leading commercial seaports during the colonial era, farms began appearing all over the countryside; local farmers now had an international market for their goods, and agriculture flourished in the area over the next two centuries. Wealthy Newport residents soon established country estates in the village, and continued growth and development led to Middletown's establishment as a separate town in 1743.
Many hallmarks of the town's illustrious history survive today, with luxurious colonial mansions, antique farmhouses, one-room schoolhouses, St. George's School, and the historic town hall just some of the sites enjoyed by residents and visitors alike. The coast offers marvelous fishing, boating, surfing and swimming facilities. Abounding in recreational and cultural activities, this thriving New England community remains a beacon of living history.
Through this site you will find comprehensive facts about as well as extensive information on buying or selling real estate in Middletown, Rhode Island. If you are looking to invest in Middletown real estate you will find a variety of opportunities available to you. Middletown 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. Middletown, 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 Middletown based on a keyword search, click on the following:
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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.