Reservoir (Providence, Rhode Island)

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The area known as the Reservoir Triangle is a primarily residential neighborhood located in the southwestern quadrant of Providence, bounded by the city of Cranston on the west, Narragansett Avenue to the east, and Sinclair Avenue to the south.

The first residents of the Reservoir Triangle were the Narragansett Indians who had a village on the shores of Mashapaug Pond, most likely near the pond outlet behind where the Jewel Case warehouse is now located. During the War of 1812, Mashapaug Pond was the western terminus of a line of entrenchment set up from Field's Point across the southern end of Providence in case of attack by a land force. During the last part of the 19th century, Mashapaug Pond was the scene of numerous society parties.

The area remained mostly undeveloped farmland until the mid-19th century when new roads were established, including Reservoir Avenue and Elmwood Avenue, which provided access to downtown Providence. Reservoir Avenue remains the main thoroughfare for the residents of the community.

Some of the earliest known industries in the area included a 600-spindle cotton mill established in the early 1800s and a massive ice-making operation on the north shore of Mashapaug Pond founded as early as 1820. The industry that was most influential in the development of this area was the Gorham Manufacturing Company on Adelaide Avenue, built in 1889. Many of the skilled silversmiths and jewelry specialists employed by Gorham built houses between Reservoir Avenue and Mashapaug Pond, making it a thriving residential neighborhood. The other side of Reservoir Avenue, the east side, did not see development until the start of the 20th century.

In the 1870s, a reservoir was built at Sockanosset Crossroads in Cranston. It was the first great engineering project of the City of Providence. To be able to have water piped to one's house from this reservoir was the symbol of modernity. The reservoir became a catalyst for residential development in the area. During the late 1920s, a new reservoir was built with the damming of the Pawtuxet River to the west of the city in the town of Scituate.

Today, the Reservoir Triangle neighborhood is a stable community with relatively high owner occupancy rates.

The neighborhood is 40.5% Non-Hispanic White, 15.4% Asian or Pacific Islander, 16.6% African-American, and 22.6% Hispanic. The median household income is $39,769, and the median family income is $41,202. 10.4% of families live below the poverty line.

www.providenceri.com/ONS/neighborhoods/reservoir-triang...