Block Island Luxury Real Estate
Ten thousand years ago, glaciers pushed their way down the East Coast and left behind the rocks and soil that was to form this little paradise that we call home. The result was a cozy community (only around 800 folks in the winter), a land of stunning vistas and a very fragile ecosystem that we have had the good fortune to preserve for all to share. Because of the particular forces of nature that went to work on Block Island, no other place on earth shares its geography, nor its balance of species. A rarity, indeed.
 
Block Island Real Estate
Single-Family Home - Block Island. Step out your front door onto beautiful sandy beaches or out your back door to your own private salt pond dock. 5 bedroom, 2 bath home with adjacent 2 bedroom cottage. Mixed zone offers various uses. Views from all windows. Once here you'll never leave! 5 bedrooms, 2/0 baths, List Price $2,800,000. For immediate personal assistance and detailed information on this great Block Island home Call: Bruce Brast @ 877-855-7913 The Information Data Exchange is an innovative program between cooperating members to provide complete listing information to the public. Listed By: Doris Desouza - Century 21 Anchor Associates. ML# 733660.
Single-Family Home - Block Island. Step back in time with this 5 bedroom, 2 bath New England cottage Peace and tranquility abound on this private, 3.5 acres with ocean and pond views. Seperate quest cottage. Established rental history. Owner will hold second mortgage. Approved for B & B. 5 bedrooms, 2/0 baths, List Price $1,500,000. For immediate personal assistance and detailed information on this great Block Island home Call: Bruce Brast @ 877-855-7913 The Information Data Exchange is an innovative program between cooperating members to provide complete listing information to the public. Listed By: Doris Desouza - Century 21 Anchor Associates. ML# 553748.
The data relating to real estate for sale on this web site comes in part from the IDX Program of the State-Wide Multiple Listing Service, Inc. Real estate listings held by brokerage firms other than Coleman, Realtors are marked with the MLS logo and detailed information about them includes the name of the listing brokers.
Block Island is located approximately 8.5 miles off the coast of Rhode Island. The Southeast Lighthouse was constructed in 1873, shortly after steamship service to the island had begun.
The Southeast Lighthouse is one of nine lighthouses in the U.S. that have been designated as National Historic Landmarks. The lighthouse was originally constructed 355 feet from the edge of Mohegan Bluff, which rises 150 feet above sea level on the Southeast corner of Block Island, however by 1993, years of erosion had left only 55 feet between the lighthouse and the cliffs. In August 1993, the lighthouse was moved 360 feet back from the cliffs by a system of steel rails.
The Southeast Lighthouse is one of the most popular attractions in Rhode Island and is visited annually by thousands of tourists. It is constructed of red brick and the tower is 52 feet in height. The current light is a first order Fresnel that was originally used by the Cape Lookout Lighthouse in North Carolina. The lighthouse was deactivated in 1990 and reactivated in 1994; it is currently an active U.S. Coast Guard aid to navigation.
Year-Around ferry service to Block Island is available from Point Judith, Rhode Island and seasonal ferry service is available from New London, Connecticut and Montauk Point, Long Island, New York.
Block Island is a rarity in another sense; it's a place that moves at its own pace and is known for a relaxed way of life. It's where "dressed up" means a pair of shorts. Islanders speak of going to the mainland as going "off island" - an expression of the feeling that Block Island is its own entity, as unique as the North Light or the 250-foot bluffs.
Block Island Heritage Trail A 10-square mile gem of a seaside resort located just 12 miles off the Rhode Island coast has been heralded as "one of the twelve best unspoiled areas in the Western Hemisphere," the island's rolling green hills and dramatic Mohegan Bluffs are reminiscent of Ireland, and its beautifully restored Victorian hotels and charming inns and B&B's preserve the elegance of a bygone era. The bluffs rise abruptly to a height of about 200 feet above the sea and stretch for nearly three miles along the southern shore, offering spectacular scenic vistas.
Along this trail you'll see magnificent views of lighthouses, sweeping views of the Atlantic , unmatched hiking and biking, fresh seafood, and more!
Old Harbor The Point Judith and Newport ferries land in Old Harbor. The Island's only village offers a variety of restaurants, shops, and hotels. The village's authentic architecture is typical of a historic seaside New England town.
Manisses Animal Farm A rambling farm featuring an outdoor zoo complete with exotic animals from around the globe. Featuring corralled llamas, Sicilian donkeys, fainting goats, a zebu, Indian runner ducks, emus, our immense Scottish Highland steer called Mr. McDuff, and our newest edition Nyla the camel. 1 Spring Street, Block Island; 401-466-2421, 800-626-4773; www.blockislandresorts.com
Southeast Lighthouse The Mohegan Bluffs rise abruptly to a height of about 200 feet above the sea and stretch for nearly three miles along the southern shore, offering spectacular scenery. The lighthouse, visited by President Grant, has one of the most powerful electric beacons on the eastern United States coast. The lighthouse was moved from the edge of the Bluffs in 1993. Jul-Aug, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. 122 Mohegan Trail, Block Island; 401-466-5009
Mohegan Bluffs A beautiful and tranquil area with magnificent views and stunning landscapes . The bluffs rise about 200 feet above the sea and stretch for nearly three miles. Spectacular vistas. To help make your descent and climb easier, there is a staircase to walk up and down on. Nature walks. Mohegan Trail, BlockIsland; 401-466-5009
Rodman's Hollow This 230-acre glacial outwash basin, located in the southwest part of the island, is considered the birthplace of conservation on Block Island . It was preserved through a 30-year partnership between the Block Island Conservancy, The Nature Conservancy, the Town of New Shoreham , and the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management. Several miles of walking trails. Off of Cooneymus Road , Block Island ; 401-466-2129; www.nature.org
 New Harbor Nestled at the most inland edge of the Great Salt Pond is a concentration of marina and tourism facilities that serve the pleasure boats that take shelter in the large, protected basin.
North Light The fourth lighthouse to attempt the shifting sands on Block Island 's Sandy Point. The building was opened in 1993 as an interpretive center. National Wildlife Sanctuary trails lead to the lighthouse. No tower access. Corn Neck Rd., Block Island; 401-466-3200
Block Island National Wildlife Refuge The refuge encompasses the northern tip of Block Island ( Sandy Point ) and includes the historic North Lighthouse. The shoreline of the refuge consists of a cobble beach that extends from the Settler's Rock parking area to Sandy Point, and a sandy/cobble beach that extends several miles along the west side from Sandy Point to Great Salt Pond. The uplands of vegetated dunes provide a rookery for seagulls, and Sachem Pond is a feeding area for a wide variety of waterfowl. An ideal area for walking, bird watching, and enjoying the view in all directions. Sunrise-sunset. 401-364-9124; www.friendsnwr-ri.org
Block Island Refuge is broken into two parts. The first is located at the north end of the island on a former U.S. Coast Guard light station. This parcel consists of 46 acres of sandy beaches and rolling dunes. The lighthouse is open to the public during the summer months. Although no formal trails exist, the site is accessible by foot over sandy terrain. The diversity of birds that migrate through the refuge in the spring and fall is often spectacular. The Beane Point Parcel is located 3 miles south on the West Beach. Beane Point is not open to the public to to minimize disturbance to nesting birds Ninegret National Wildlife Refuge Ninigret Refuge consists of 400 acres of diverse upland and wetland habitats including grasslands, shrublands, wooded swamps and freshwater ponds. The refuge, located on a former naval air station, provides visitors with over 9 miles of trails on a mix of paved and unpaved materials. An observation platform overlooking Ninigret Pond (the largest coastal pond in Rhode Island), and numerous trails offer visitors an opportunity to see some of the more than 250 bird species recorded at the refuge. Refuge shores also support a large diversity of marine life such as blue crab, bay scallop, and winter flounder. Settler's Rock At the end of Corn Neck Road, near a cobble beach on Rhode Island Sound, a rock with a plaque marks the landing site of the European settlers of Block Island in 1661. On the shore of Cow Cove, Block Island.
We want you to come here and shed your whole way of life for a while. Forget your agendas and your deadlines, lose your ambitions and your daily planner; sink into natural splendor, clean air and the clear night sky. There's a story about a visitor who went into a café on the island and asked some of the regulars where the beach was. Four of the patrons turned around and each pointed in a different direction. Well, they all got it right. Perhaps the real reason Block Island was put on this earth was to make sure everybody gets enough beach time. More than 350 freshwater ponds (from natural springs) and 17 miles of beach invite you to jump in the surf, spend a lazy afternoon building a sandcastle or burying Dad in sand. Indulge in the novel you've never finished, or just take a snooze.
This island is ours and this island is yours. Enjoy it and be kind to it.
 Rhode Island has more shipwrecks per square mile than any other state. Over 2,000 wrecks, including colonial trading ships, ships of war, and luxury passenger vessels from the 19th century, can be found in state waters.
Rhode Island's underwater archaeology program is administered by the Rhode Island Historical Preservation & Heritage Commission. The Commission maintains files on the location and condition of shipwrecks, and issues permits for their study. We also supervise, assist, and coordinate with the work of the Rhode Island Marine Archaeology Project, a non-profit organization that instructs divers in the basics of underwater archaeology, and then surveys Rhode Island's shipwrecks with the help of these trained volunteers.
Block Island was named after the Dutch explorer Adrian Block who landed on the island in 1614. The Island was first settled by the Narragansett Indians who called it Manisses. The first European to visit the Island was the Italian explorer Giovanni da Verrazzano in 1524.The first permanent European settlers landed on Block Island in 1661 and the town of New Shorham was incorporated in 1672.
All of the ferries now dock at Old Harbor although at the turn of the century many of the steamers docked at New Harbor. There were no natural harbors on Block Island; Old Harbor was completed in 1876 and New Harbor was completed in 1896. New Harbor is now used primarily by private yachts and the fishing fleet.
The Town of New Shoreham
The Town of New Shoreham has a number of departments which provide visitor services. Aside from the usual Police, Fire and, Ambulance services, the Harbors Department offers moorings and wharfage at the Town docks, the Recreation Department offers a number of visitor activities, the Island Free Library has a fine selection of books and videos, and the Road Department maintains the Town Parks. The Town also maintains a full service Medical Center. To contact the Town of New Shoreham, call the Town Hall at (401) 466-3200. Nancy Dodge, Town Manager.
The first lighthouse was built on this site in 1829 to mark the entrance to the Long Island Sound and warn sailors away from Sandy Point which extends several miles out from Block Island. Two additional structures were built in 1837 and in 1857. The present lighthouse, (North Light) was built in 1867 approximately 700 yards from the end of the point. (The three previous lighthouses were known as the "Sandy Point Light.") The North Light was automated in 1956 and deactivated in 1973. A tower was built a short distance away replacing the old light. In 1989, the town of New Shorham received a Federal grant of $400,000.00 and the building was restored. North Light was opened to the public as a Museum on August 5, 1989.
SPORTS & RECREATION
Fishing/Charter Boats & Rentals
Block Island Harbor Cruises, Payne's Dock, (cellular) 742-1935 Block Island Parasail, PO Box 216, 466-2474 G. Willie Makit, (fishing charter) Old Harbor, 466-5151 Island Tours, PO Box 216, 466-2474 Oceans and Ponds, The Orvis Store, PO Box 136, 466-5131, (800) 678-4701 Persuader Sportfishing Charters, Narragansett, RI, 783-5644 Sport Fishing on the "Sakarak", Block Island, Point Judith, RI, (401) 789-8801, Cell: 788-6018 White Rose Sail Charters, Naragansett, RI, 466-SAIL, 789-0181
The Hygeia Hotel was built in 1883. The original hotel burned to the ground, however guests continued to stay at the Hygeia House, (originally the Hygeia Hotel Annex used to house the staff) until the owner, Dr. John C. Champlin and his wife passed away. At the time Dr. Champlin was Block Island's only physician and he used the Hygeia House as his home and office. The Hygeia House was abandoned many years ago and suffered years of neglect. Champlin Starr, the great grandson of Dr. Champlin purchased and restored the old Hygeia House in 1999. Current room rates range from $65 to $315. The "new" Block Island Fire and Police Station was built on the site of the old Hygeia Hotel.
Horseback Riding - Carriage Rides
Rustic Rides Farm, PO Box 842, 466-5060
Kayaks & Canoes
Champlins Kayak and Paddle Boat Rentals, PO Box J, 466-7777, (800) 762-4541 Oceans and Ponds, The Orvis Store, PO Box 136, 466-5131, (800) 678-4701 Payne's New Harbor Kayak Rentals, PO Box 112, 466-5572
Marinas/Marine Services
A. H. Edwards Marine Repair, PO Box 708, 466-2655 Block Island Boat Basin, PO Box 369, 466-2631, Off Season: 294-3361, Race Week: 466-2982
Floating docks, no rafting, ships's store, bicycle/car rentals, The Oar Bar-Restaurant on premises. Block Island Marine, PO Box G, 466-2028 Champlin's Marina, PO Box J, 466-7777, (800) 762-4541 Block Island Sails & Canvas, PO Box 268, 466-8981 Payne's New Harbor Dock, PO Box 112, 466-5572
Sailing & Parasailing Block Island Club, PO Box 147, 466-5939 Block Island Maritime Institute, 466-2133 Block Island Parasail, PO Box 216, 466-2474
Attractions
Block Island Historical Society Bridgegate Square, 466-2481 Farmer's Market Negus Park, 466-3199 Fred Benson Town Beach Pavilion Corn Neck Road, 466-7717 North Light House Corn Neck Rd., 466-3200 Southeast Lighthouse Spring Street to Mohegan Trail, 466-5009
--------------------------------------------
Galleries
Art Cellar Painting Workshops 203-915-9043 Eisenhauer Gallery Box 1012, New Post Office Bldg., Water St 466-2422 Greenaway Photography Water Street, 466-2122 Jessie Edwards Studio Box 89, New Post Office Bldg., 466-5314 www.JessieEdwardsGallery.com Featuring contemporary paintings, drawings, prints, photographs & sculpture. Lazy Fish Box 1407, 466-2990 Mixed Media Box 271, New Post Office Bldg., 466-2910 Spring Street Gallery www.springstreetgallery.org Box 1903, Spring Street, 466-5374
"This data is updated weekly on Saturday nights. Some properties which appear for sale on this web site may subsequently have sold and may no longer be available." Coldwell Banker participates in State-Wide MLS's IDX program, allowing us to display other broker's listings on our site. However, Rhode Island Luxury Homes displays only properties with list prices above $1,000,000.
Thanks for visiting.....
|
