The Little Compton Blog

'Windmill House' looks much the same today as it did in this vintage postcard. Elderly townspeople deeply appreciate the historic Windmill House. "This place hasn't changed since I was a young boy," is a sentiment frequently shared among Little Compton’s older residents.  According to Boston Magazine , the property was offered for sale in 2016 for the first time in its history, eventually selling in 2019 for $1.225 million. The Little Compton Historical Society preserves the home's unique heritage on its website, describing it as "an octagonal grist mill around which wraps a 1 1/2 story section of sweeping roof." Little Compton, RI Street Sign

  Little Compton has always attracted qualified and competent citizens willing to run for town office, and this election cycle was no exception. Democrats throwing their hat into the 2002 Town Council race were Mark DeSouza, Alex Goulart, Henry Laferriere, Richard Lisle, and Johanna McKenzie. I can't remember which of these candidates prevailed in the 2002 election, however each one of them is civically minded with reputations for giving back to their community. Although partisan politics has become more prevalent over the years, it wasn't uncommon for political opposites in Little Compton to sign each other's nomination papers. Let's hope that Little Compton continues to set such a fine example of political collegiality. Little Compton, RI Summer Beach Lockers (LC)

The Burgess Cottage looked to be a relaxing homestead. Yesteryear, Little Compton. I don’t know much about The Burgess Cottage, or even where it stands in town. I often wonder if it is still out there, or if it has been remodeled beyond recognition. Worse yet, was it torn down and replaced by one of the McMansions that have become so common in recent decades?  This postcard, while fascinating, doesn't offer many clues; unfortunately, the back of the card is entirely blank. If you have any information about the history or location of The Burgess Cottage, please share it in the comments below! Little Compton, RI LC by Fiedler_Mundt

The entrance to present day Lloyd's Beach is displayed in this 1912 postcard. The entrance and beach look much the same today, though Lloyd's Beach appears considerably less rocky in this 1912 postcard. Back then, an unpaved sandy road led up to the imposing entrance, with sweeping dunes visible in the distance. A one cent stamp made sure this 1912 postcard made it from Little Compton to Boston. Although the sender's handwriting was a bit shaky, they made sure to emphasize the "great scenery" of Sakonnet and Little Compton, Rhode Island. In 1912, Sakonnet boasted its own postmark, and this "Gateway" to Lloyd's Beach was a landmark that visitors traveled long distances to see. Produced for the Sakonnet Transportation Co., the postcard likely served as a marketing tool to encourage tourism to Little Compton’s beaches. Like many other postcards of the era, "Gateway, Sakonnet, RI" was manufactured in Germany, printed by B.Y. and Co. Sakonn...

West Island was home to several stately buildings in 1911. West Island was once home to the exclusive West Island Club. Organized by a group of influential men, the club was used as a fishing getaway until 1906, when the club closed. At the time of this postcard's writing, West Island would have been owned by the Episcopal Diocese of Rhode Island. It's unclear if the writer actually visited West Island or purchased the postcard at Sakonnet Point. M.M.C. raves about her 1911 lobster dinner at Sakonnet Point. In this letter, M.M.C. writes about the fine lobster dinner she enjoyed, probably at a hotel or restaurant on Sakonnet Point. M.M.R. addresses the postcard to Mrs. E.A. Taylor, 130 Pleasant St, Attleboro, Mass.  Interestingly, the postcard was made by the Excelsior Postcard Company, an outfit with offices in Leipzig, Dresden, and Berlin, Germany. C.R. Wilbur of Little Compton published the postcard. Here's the letter, as written by M.M.C. "Dear Missy, Wish you were ...

  Swimming at Warren's Point with 'Onadune' and other cottages in the background. This 1919 postcard depicts a glorious summer day on the beach in Little Compton, RI. Although the postcard describes the beach as "Sakonnet," locals will know this stretch of sand is Warren's Point. The beach is noticeably empty, with only a few swimmers braving the surf just where the waves are breaking. The Warren's Point Beach Club bathhouses had yet to be const ructed, and amenities such as showers, restrooms, or a sandwich shop were mere pip e dreams. One can only wonder if umbrellas and backboards—though out of view—had yet made their debut on the beach. Beachgoers didn't have bodyboards, masks, or snorkels; simply relaxing in the refreshing ocean water was the activity of the day. Although LC's beaches have gotten busier over the years, it's reassuring to know that much also remains the same. The rock formations and summer houses in the background provide...

Vintage photo of 'Sealands' estate on Warren's Point. Located on a town road—with no homeowners association to contend with—yet within walking distance of one of Rhode Island's finest private beach clubs, Sealands seemingly has it all.  Mott & Chace Sotheby's Realtor Cherry Arnold said, "With its rich history dating back to the early 1920s, it is a truly treasured Little Compton estate." While the house in its current form is smaller than the one pictured on the postcard, Sealands still boasts more than 8,000 square feet of living space. The home and its accompanying five acres last sold in 2020 for $7.3 million, a price not seen in the Little Compton real estate market since 2012.  Property highlights include limestone fireplaces, beautifully landscaped gardens, a swimming pool, and multiple patios. Although the front of the postcard reads "Sakonnet, RI," locals will recognize Warren's Point as the property's more precise location....