Southeast Light is a Block Island landmark. The Eastern Time Zone ( ET) of the Western Hemisphere falls mostly along the east coast of North America and the west coast of South America UTC−5 is the Time offset used in the North American Eastern Time Zone during Standard time and in the North American Central Time Zone during Daylight saving time ( DST The Eastern Time Zone ( ET) of the Western Hemisphere falls mostly along the east coast of North America and the west coast of South America UTC−4 is the Time offset used in the Atlantic Standard Time Zone in Canada in winter and the North American Eastern Time Zone during The ZIP code is the system of Postal codes used by the United States Postal Service (USPS A telephone numbering plan is a plan for allocating Telephone number ranges to countries regions areas and exchanges and to non-fixed telephone networks Area code 401 is the Telephone Area code serving all of the state of Rhode Island. Block Island Southeast Light is a Lighthouse located on the southeastern shore of Block Island, Rhode Island.

Block Island, shown in red, off the coast of the State of Rhode Island.

Block Island is part of the U.S. state of Rhode Island and is located in the Atlantic Ocean approximately 13 miles (21 km) south of the coast of Rhode Island, and is separated from the mainland by Block Island Sound. A US state is any one of the fifty subnational entities of the United States of America that share Sovereignty with the federal government Rhode Island ( officially named the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, is a state in the New England region of the United States Rhode Island ( officially named the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, is a state in the New England region of the United States Block Island Sound is a strait in the open Atlantic, approximately wide separating Block Island from the coast of Rhode Island in the United The United States Census Bureau defines Block Island as Census Tract 415 of Washington County, Rhode Island. The United States Census Bureau (officially Bureau of the Census as defined in Title) is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census A census tract, census area, or census district is a particular Community defined for the purpose of taking a Census. Washington County is a County located in the southwestern part of the U As of the 2000 census the population of 1,010 lived on a land area of 25. 211 km² (9. 734 sq mi). The island is a fragment of glacial terminal moraine (tracing through the Outer Lands region). Moraine refers to any glacially formed accumulation of unconsolidated glacial debris (soil and rock which can occur in currently glaciated and formerly glaciated regions such as those The Outer Lands is a term denoting the prominent Terminal moraine archipelagic region off the southern coast of New England in the United States ^[1]

Block Island was named by the The Nature Conservancy as one of twelve sites in its list of "The Last Great Places" in the Western Hemisphere. The Nature Conservancy is a US charitable Environmental organization working to preserve the Plants, Animals, and natural communities Roughly 20% of the Island has been set aside for conservation. ^[2]

The only town on the island is New Shoreham. New Shoreham is a town located on Block Island in Washington County, Rhode Island, United States. The island is a popular summer tourist destination and is known for its excellent bicycling, hiking, sailing, fishing, and beaches. Two historic lighthouses are present on the island: Block Island North Light, on the northern tip of the island (established in 1829, current lighthouse was built in 1868), and Block Island Southeast Light, on the southeast side of the island (built in 1875). Block Island Norh Light (Lighthouse built in 1884, is a historic lighthouse on Block Island Rhode Island (New Shoreham Block Island Southeast Light is a Lighthouse located on the southeastern shore of Block Island, Rhode Island. Much of the northwest tip of the island is an undeveloped natural area and resting stop for birds along the Atlantic Flyway. The Atlantic Flyway is a Bird migration route that generally follows the Atlantic Coast of North America and the Appalachian Mountains.

Every summer the island hosts Block Island Race Week, a highly competitive, week-long sailboat racing event. On odd years, the event is held by the Storm Trysail Club, and on even years by the Block Island Race Week organization. Yachts compete in various classes, sailing courses in Block Island Sound, and circumnavigating the island.

Other popular events include the annual Fourth of July Parade and celebration. During these times the island's population can triple over the normal summer vacation crowd.

History

In 1524, what later became known as Block Island was sighted by Giovanni da Verrazzano who named it Luisa after Louise of Savoy, the Queen Mother of France. Giovanni da Verrazzano (c 1485 &ndash c 1528 was an Italian Explorer of North America, in the service of the French crown. Louise of Savoy ( September 11, 1476 &ndash September 22, 1531) was the mother of Francis I of France. Queen mother is a title or position reserved for a widowed Queen consort (a Queen dowager) whose son or daughter from that marriage is the reigning monarch This article is about the country For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic France topics. He described Luisa as "about the size of the Island of Rhodes. Rhodes (Ρόδος Ródos, ˈɾo̞ðo̞s Rodi ردوس Rodos; Ladino: Rodi or Rodes) is a Greek island " In fact, they are shaped very similarly. When the founders of Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations surveyed the land, they thought that Aquidneck Island was the place referred to by Verrazzano--possibly because in 1614, it was charted by the Dutch explorer Adriaen Block, after whom it is named. Providence Plantation was founded in 1636 by Roger Williams, a theologian independent preacher and linguist on land gifted by the Narragansett sachem Canonicus Aquidneck Island (or Rhode Island) is the largest island in Narragansett Bay. The Netherlands ( Dutch:, ˈnedərlɑnt is the European part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, which consists of the Netherlands the Netherlands Adriaen (Aerjan Block (c 1567 Amsterdam &ndash buried April 27 1627, Amsterdam was a Dutch private trader and navigator who is best ^[3] At the time of the arrival of the Europeans, it was occupied by a branch of the Narragansett people who called the island "Manisses. The Narragansett tribe are a Native American Tribe who controlled the area surrounding Narragansett Bay in present-day Rhode Island, and also " English settlers from the mainland first arrived in 1661, when the island was part of the Massachusetts Bay Colony. England is a Country which is part of the United Kingdom. Its inhabitants account for more than 83% of the total UK population whilst its mainland The Massachusetts Bay Colony (sometimes called the Massachusetts Bay Company, for the institution that founded it was an English settlement on the east coast of North America The island became part of the colony of Rhode Island in 1672 and the island government adopted the name "New Shoreham. " A Dutch map of 1685 clearly shows Block Island, indicated as Adrian Block Island ("Adriaen Blocks Eylant").

In 1829 the original North Lighthouse was built, but it was replaced in 1837 after it was washed out to sea. For the game see 1829 (board game. Year 1829 ( MDCCCXXIX) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link will display Year 1837 ( MDCCCXXXVII) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian Calendar (or a Common This lighthouse was also claimed by the ocean. In 1867, the lighthouse that can be seen today was constructed. Year 1867 ( MDCCCLXVII) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year starting ^[4] A few years later in 1873, construction began on Block Island's other lighthouse, Southeast Light. Year 1873 ( MDCCCLXXIII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common Block Island Southeast Light is a Lighthouse located on the southeastern shore of Block Island, Rhode Island.

Since Block Island has no natural harbors, in 1870 breakwaters were constructed to form Old Harbor. Year 1870 ( MDCCCLXX) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common Block Island's other harbor, New Harbor, wouldn't be created until 1895 when a channel was dug that connected the Great Salt Pond to the ocean through the north west side of the island. Year 1895 ( MDCCCXCV) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year

The Island Free Library, Block Island's only public library, was established in in 1875. A public library (also called circulating library) is a Library which is accessible by the Public and is generally funded from public sources (such Year 1875 ( MDCCCLXXV) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common Block Island's school was built in 1933, replacing five one roomed schools. Year 1933 ( MCMXXXIII) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. The island's airport was opened in 1950 and remains open today as a general aviation airport. Block Island State Airport is a public Airport located on Block Island, in Washington County, Rhode Island, USA. Year 1950 ( MCML) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. General aviation (abbr GA) is one of two categories of Civil aviation. In 1972 the Block Island Conservancy was founded. Year 1972 ( MCMLXXII) was a Leap year starting on Saturday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. The Conservancy and other environmental organizations are responsible for protecting over 40% of the island being from development^[5]. In 1974 Old Harbor was declared a National Register historic site. Year 1974 ( MCMLXXIV) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar of the 1974 Gregorian calendar. The National Register of Historic Places (NRHP is the United States government's official list of districts sites buildings structures and objects deemed worthy of

Climate

Block Island's weather is greatly influenced by the surrounding ocean and prevailing winds that generally blow offshore. The climate is continental, with some maritime influence. The humid continental climate is a Climate found over large areas of land masses in the temperate regions of the mid-latitudes where there is a zone of conflict between Because the ocean stays cold during the Spring and Summer months, Block Island stays cooler than the mainland during this period. However, summers can still be hot on Block Island although July and August average in the mid and upper 70s instead of low and mid 80s that New York and New England experience. Block Island's record high temperature is 95 °F (35 °C). Block Island stays warmer than the mainland during the fall and winter months when the ocean remains relatively warmer than the mainland. Block Island's record low is −7 °F (−22 °C).

Block Island's High and Low Temperature Averages and Precipitation Averages:

Beaches

Crescent Beach can be viewed from the Pt. Judith Ferry on the way to the island. It contains three smaller beaches, Fred Benson Town Beach (still popularly known as State Beach due to its former status as one), Scotch Beach, and Mansion Beach, all of which are located on Corn Neck Road. State Beach and Ballards Beach are the only beaches on the island with on-duty life guards. State Beach has a pavilion with food and beach rentals. The so-called Baby Beach begins at the Surf Hotel, near the Beachhead Restaurant on Corn Neck Rd. Scotch Beach is located just north of Fred Benson Town Beach and Mansion Beach is located north of Scotch Beach.

From Mansion Beach north you run into Clayhead and Pots & Kettles. Clayhead are the cliffs that you first see when riding the ferry in from Point Judith or New London. This area is rocky and full of iron rich clay deposits, great for shell and rock hunting. and if you continue north you will end up at the Northern tip of the island.

Cow Cove, Settler's Rock & Sandy Point make up the northernmost point of Block Island. Here lies the North Lighthouse and the postcard sunsets. Settler's Rock is here at Cow Cove, right where the settlers landed and swam to shore bringing with them the island's first cows which they pushed off the boats and forced ashore. Attached to the rock is a plaque that holds the names of the original settlers of Block Island. This beach is not good for swimming on the ocean side, especially at the point, as the rip current is fierce. On the other side, however, is Sachem Pond, fresh water and good for swimming.

On the south side of the island, Black Rock Beach is widely regarded as the best beach for surfing on the island due to its high surf. However, the beach tends to be very rocky and has a reputation for being a nude beach, despite laws against nudity on Rhode Island's beaches. It is located near the Mohegan Bluffs and Southeast Lighthouse.

Coastguard Beach is situated between the Great Salt Pond and the ocean on the north west side of the island. It is a popular beach for fishing and walking, but not particularly good for swimming due to the large number of boats traveling nearby.

Ballard's Beach is on the southern side of the Block Island Ferry Dock and jetty. Set right in front of Ballard's Restaurant and Inn, popular with boaters and with the young crowd. There are cocktail waitresses on the sand, and daily live music outside. There's also a busy volleyball court with daily games and tournaments. There are lifeguards at Ballards Beach, it's busy and sometimes noisy.

Bluffs Beach is accessed by parking at the Mohegan Bluffs entrance and walking down the stairs. There are 141 steps to this rocky area, the view from above is spectacular attraction. At the foot of these steep wooden stairs are big rocks leading to the beach. A word of caution also about walking near the bluffs. If you look up at the steep cliffs along the sand you will see where the island is eroding. This can be very dangerous as there is no warning as to when a chunk of land will fall from above. This has proved to be fatal in the past, so do not walk or sit too close to the bluffs. The same is true for when you are at the top of the bluffs, be mindful and watch your children. Do not walk too close to the edge. For this reason the main bluffs overlook is now closed to sightseers. Continuing south from the Bluffs you'll run into Vail Beach. Access this beach by parking at the first left on Snake Hole Road, where the painted rock is. There's only room for two or three cars here and the path can be a difficult walk. This is a popular surfing spot when the surf is up. You won't find many people here. It's very rocky, no sand and the surf is usually too rough for swimming.

Tourist attractions

Southeast Lighthouse is located at the southeast corner of the island on the Mohegan Trail. Block Island Southeast Light is a Lighthouse located on the southeastern shore of Block Island, Rhode Island. The lighthouse was constructed in 1875^[6] and remains to this day an active US Coast Guard navigational aid. Year 1875 ( MDCCCLXXV) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common ^[4] In addition to offering tours of the tower, the lighthouse has a museum that is open during the summer season. ^[7]

Mohegan Bluffs is located a short distance to the west of Southeast Lighthouse. The Bluffs are the site of a battle between the invading Mohegan Indians, and the native Manisee Indians in which the Mohegans were driven off the edge of the tall cliffs to their deaths on the beach below. The Mohegan tribe is an Algonquian-speaking tribe that lives in eastern upper Thames valley Connecticut A long staircase leads to the bottom of these clay cliffs and looks out over the Atlantic. On clear days, Montauk, New York can be seen in the distance from the southern and western sides of the island.

Rodman's Hollow is a 230-acre glacial outwash basin, near the southern shore of the island. The hollow has several walking trails. ^[8]

North Lighthouse is located at Sandy Point on the northern tip of Block Island. The North Lighthouse warns boaters of a sandbar extending from this end of the island. The surrounding dunes are part of the Block Island National Wildlife Refuge, home to many species, including the Piping Plover and American Burying Beetle. The Piping Plover ( Charadrius melodus) is a small Plover. The Piping Plover is a sand-colored sparrow-sized shorebird that nests and feeds along coastal Nicrophorus americanus, the American burying beetle or giant carrion beetle, is a critically endangered species of Beetle endemic ^[9]

U-853 is a U-boat wreck 7 miles (11 km) east of the island, lying in 130 ft (40 m) of water. U-boat is the anglicized version of the German word, itself an abbreviation of Unterseeboot ( undersea boat) and refers Recreational divers frequently visit the wreck, though at least three have died there. ^[10][11]

Transportation

The island is connected year-round by a ferry to Point Judith, and in summer to New London, Connecticut; Montauk, New York; and Newport, Rhode Island. New London is a seaport city and a Port of entry on the northeast coast of the United States Montauk is a hamlet (and Census-designated place) in Suffolk County, New York on the South Shore of Long Island. Newport is a city on Aquidneck Island in Newport County, Rhode Island, United States, about 30 miles (48 km south of Providence The traditional ferry, takes about an hour to reach the island from Point Judith. A high-speed ferry on the same route takes 35 minutes. Another high-speed ferry from New London, Connecticut to Block Island takes an hour and a half. New London is a seaport city and a Port of entry on the northeast coast of the United States New England Airlines offers regularly scheduled 12-minute flights to Block Island State Airport from Westerly, Rhode Island. New England Airlines is a Regional airline based in Westerly Rhode Island, USA. Block Island State Airport is a public Airport located on Block Island, in Washington County, Rhode Island, USA. Westerly is a town on the south shore of Washington County, Rhode Island, United States. ^[12]

Shipwrecks

The area around Block Island has been the site of numerous shipwrecks, including the Steamer Larchmont in 1907 [1]. Year 1907 ( MCMVII) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year Two submarines also sank off of Block Island: the USS S-51 in 1925^[13], and the German U-Boat U-853 in 1945^[14]. Operations The new submarine was based at New London Connecticut, on 1 July 1922 as a unit of Submarine Division 4 and followed a normal peacetime Year 1925 ( MCMXXV) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. U-boat is the anglicized version of the German word, itself an abbreviation of Unterseeboot ( undersea boat) and refers Year 1945 ( MCMXLV) was a Common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar

References

External links

• Block Island Times Newspaper
• BlockIslandRI.net
• Block_Island travel guide from Wikitravel

• Block Island is at coordinates 41°10′N 71°35′W / 41.17, -71.58 (Block Island)Coordinates: 41°10′N 71°35′W / 41.17, -71.58 (Block Island)