Barrington, Rhode Island is located on the eastern
shore of Narragansett Bay approximately ten miles southeast of Providence,
Rhode Island's capital city. Located on the state line, it borders the
Massachusetts towns of Swansea and Seekonk. Barrington became part of Rhode
Island in the eighteenth century - originally it was part of the Plymouth
Colony. Prior to World War II the community consisted of farms, summer
cottages on Narragansett Bay, and a few industries such as lace and brick
works. Today, however, Barrington is essentially suburban in character
and its former lace factory is being converted to apartments for the elderly.
Modern Barrington is a waterfront "bedroom" community with approximately
16,000 residents.
