Warren RI (Rhode Island)

Warren RI is a Warren River cruise port and town in Rhode Island USA (Bristol County), with total area approx 22 km2 (9 ml2) and population around 11,000. The town is located on river's east bank and opposite Barrington RI. The area was a former Pokanoket (Sowam Indian) village.

Permanent English settlement started east of the village. In 1675, the Indian settlement was destroyed. Sowams township was officially incorporated in 1668. In 1691, Plymouth Colony merged with Massachusetts Bay Colony. Warren was ceded from Massachusetts to Rhode Island in 1747.

In mid-18th-century, the town was a famous whaling port. Shipbuilding soon also became a major industry. American Revolutionary War (1775-83) affected town's prosperity. Brown University was established here as College in 1764. At the time, it was the only school to welcome students of all religious persuasions.

After the American Revolutionary War, commerce revived and until mid-19th century, the port was famous for the wooden ships built at its yards. The vessels were largely commanded and operated by local crews and engaged in merchant services, West India shipping trade and whaling. With whaling industry's decline by mid-19th-century, local economy turned to textile manufacturing. Town's first cotton mill was opened in 1847. More factories and mills developed after the American Civil War (1861-65) attracting many immigrant workers.

Warren's current economy is based on waterfront businesses, including Anchorage Inc (Dyer Boats / yacht building), Blount Boats (shipbuilding) and Blount Fine Foods (prepared foods and soup manufacturer).