Pawtucket

Pawtucket is a city in Providence County, Rhode Island, United States. It is the second-largest city in the state and lies along the Blackstone River in the northern part of Rhode Island, near the border with Massachusetts. It is part of the Providence metropolitan area and has a history tied to early American industry.

The name Pawtucket derives from an Algonquian word, and the area was settled in the 17th century as part of the Providence Plantations. In 1793, Samuel Slater opened the Slater Mill, the first successful water-powered textile mill in the United States, an event widely regarded as a starting point of the American Industrial Revolution. The nearby Blackstone Canal, completed in 1829, connected Pawtucket to Worcester, Massachusetts, fueling rapid growth. Throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries, the city developed as a manufacturing hub along the river.

In the modern era, Pawtucket has undergone economic restructuring as traditional manufacturing declined. The city has invested in historic preservation, parks, and redevelopment while preserving its industrial heritage. The Slater Mill remains a National Historic Landmark and a focal point for museums and cultural activity. The Blackstone River Valley, including Pawtucket, is commemorated by the Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor.

Demographically, the city has a population that is around several tens of thousands, with a diverse community and urban neighborhoods. Pawtucket operates under a mayor-council form of government within Providence County. Notable features include Slater Memorial Park and various historic districts, which reflect the city’s industrial past and ongoing revitalization efforts.