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Writer's pictureMeghan Hirst

Pawcatuck, CT - Part 1 History

Updated: Mar 6, 2023

A village that is on the border of Connecticut and Rhode Island.

Pawcatuck River, Building with Ghost Sign and Retail Stores on Westerly, Rhode Island Side of River. Photos by Nature Photographer Pam Hirst at PKH Photography. Writing by Freelance Content Writer and Travel Blogger Meghan Hirst at Meghan Hirst, Writer.


It is unclear where the name "Pawcatuck" originated from. I am thinking it may be a word from one of the numerous Native American languages. The New England states that we have visited have a lot of Native American street, village, and town names. This fascinates me because I love Native American cultures <3


Pawcatuck sits on the outskirts of the town of Stonington. The first settlers in this village used the same post office as the citizens of the town of Westerly, Rhode Island, which must have been confusing :O In the 1800's, immigrants played a large role in the evolution of workplaces and rise in population in Pawcatuck. There were a lot of manufacturing mills on the river's edge that required proficient workers and they were the people with the most expertise. They are surmised to have mainly come from England, Ireland, and Italy. English immigrants got hired for positions in textile mills. Irish and Italian immigrants got hired for railroad track construction positions and stonework positions.


We will be discussing a deli called Bogue’s Alley next!


Have you ever been to a place that is on the border of two states?


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