View source for Barrington, Rhode Island

{{Use American English|date=June 2025}}
{{Redirect-distinguish-for|Barrington, Massachusetts|Great Barrington, Massachusetts|other areas of the same name|Barrington (disambiguation){{!}}Barrington}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name                            = Barrington, Rhode Island
| settlement_type                 = [[New England town|Town]]
| nickname                        = 
| motto                           =

<!-- Images -->
| image_skyline                   = Aerial view of Barrington, Rhode Island.jpg
| image_caption                   = Aerial view of Barrington in 2008
| image_flag                      = BarringtonRIflag.png
| image_seal                      = BarringtonRIseal.png

<!-- Maps -->
| image_shield                    = Coat of arms of Barrington, Rhode Island.svg
| image_map                       = Bristol County Rhode Island incorporated and unincorporated areas Barrington highlighted.svg
| map_caption                     = Location in [[Bristol County, Rhode Island|Bristol County]] and the state of [[Rhode Island]].
| pushpin_map_caption             = Location in Rhode Island
| pushpin_label                   = Barrington
| pushpin_map                     = Rhode Island#USA#North America

<!-- Location -->
| subdivision_type                = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
| subdivision_name                = {{USA}}
| subdivision_type1               = [[U.S. state|State]]
| subdivision_name1               = {{flag|Rhode Island}}
| subdivision_type2               = [[List of counties in Rhode Island|County]]
| subdivision_name2               = [[Bristol County, Rhode Island|Bristol]]

<!-- Government -->
| government_footnotes            = 
| government_type                 = [[Council-manager]]
| leader_title1                   = Town Moderator
| leader_name1                    = Julia P. Califano (D)
| established_title1              = Settled
| established_date1               = 1652
| established_title2              = Incorporation (Massachusetts)
| established_date2               = November 18, 1717
| established_title3              = Annexed to Warren
| established_date3               = January 27, 1747
| established_title4              = Incorporation (Rhode Island)
| established_date4               = June 16, 1770

<!-- Area -->
| unit_pref                       = Imperial
| area_footnotes                  = 
| area_total_km2                  = 39.9
| area_land_km2                   = 21.8
| area_water_km2                  = 18.1
| area_total_sq_mi                = 15.4
| area_land_sq_mi                 = 8.4
| area_water_sq_mi                = 7.0

<!-- Population -->
| population_as_of                = [[United States Census, 2020|2020]]
| population_footnotes            = 
| population_total                = 17153
| population_density_km2          = 786.8
| population_density_sq_mi        =

<!-- General information -->
| timezone                        = [[North American Eastern Time Zone|Eastern (EST)]]
| utc_offset                      = &minus;5
| timezone_DST                    = EDT
| utc_offset_DST                  = &minus;4
| elevation_footnotes             = <ref>Maximum elevation is at Prince's Hill.</ref>
| elevation_m                     = 0 to 15
| elevation_ft                    = 0 to 50
| coordinates                     = {{Coord|41|44|43|N|71|19|5|W|region:US-RI_type:city(17,000)|display=inline,title}}
| postal_code_type                = [[ZIP Code]]
| postal_code                     = 02806
| area_code                       = [[Area code 401|401]]
| blank_name                      = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
| blank_info                      = 44-05140<ref name="GR2">{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=January 31, 2008 |title=U.S. Census website }}</ref>
| blank1_name                     = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
| blank1_info                     = 1220084<ref name="GR3">{{cite web|url=http://geonames.usgs.gov|access-date=January 31, 2008|title=US Board on Geographic Names|publisher=[[United States Geological Survey]]|date=October 25, 2007}}</ref>
| website                         = {{URL|http://barrington.ri.gov}}
}}

'''Barrington''' is a suburban, residential town in [[Bristol County, Rhode Island]], United States, approximately {{convert|7|mi|km}} southeast of Providence. As of the [[2020 United States Census]], the population was 17,153.

Barrington was founded by Congregationalist separatists from [[Swansea, Massachusetts]], and incorporated in 1717.<ref name=mason/> It was ceded from Massachusetts to Rhode Island and merged into [[Warren, Rhode Island|Warren]] in 1747, and in 1770 made into a separate town by the Rhode Island legislature. It was a sparsely developed, agricultural community until the arrival of brickmaking companies in the 1850s, which employed large numbers of [[French-Canadians]] and Italians. The construction of a railroad to Providence in 1855 further contributed to suburban development, attracting residents of neighboring urban areas and contributing to the development of manufacturing industries. The [[post–World War II baby boom]] increased suburbanization trends, resulting in a large population increase.

Historical sites provide examples of architectural and suburban development during various stages of the town's history, including the [[Allen-West House]], [[Barrington Civic Center Historic District]], and [[O'Bannon Mill]]. Nine sites in Barrington are listed under the [[National Register of Historic Places]].

== History ==
Barrington was originally occupied by the Wampanoag Indians, whose territory spread from [[Narragansett Bay]] to [[Cape Cod]].<ref name="bicknell">{{cite book|last1=Bicknell|first1=Thomas|title=A History of Barrington, Rhode Island|url=https://archive.org/details/cu31924028840028|date=1898|publisher=Snow & Farnham|isbn=1293409553}}</ref>{{rp|54}} But epidemics largely eliminated their coastal settlements, and their main settlement was roughly [[Bristol, Rhode Island|Bristol]], Barrington, and [[Warren, Rhode Island]]<ref name="preservation"/>{{rp|5}} at the time of the [[Pilgrims (Plymouth Colony)|Pilgrims']] arrival in 1620. The [[Narragansett people|Narragansetts]] called the area Sowams.<ref name="bicknell"/>{{rp|104}}<ref name="preservation">{{cite book|title=Historical And Architectural Resources of Barrington, Rhode Island|date=1993|publisher=Rhode Island Historical Preservation Commission|oclc=30898642|url=http://www.preservation.ri.gov/pdfs_zips_downloads/survey_pdfs/barrington.pdf|access-date=April 22, 2016}}</ref>{{rp|5}} In 1653, investors from [[Plymouth Colony]] bought "Sowams and Parts Adjacent" from the Wampanoags, corresponding to Barrington and parts of Bristol, Warren, and [[Swansea, Massachusetts]].<ref name="bicknell"/>{{rp|43}}<ref name="preservation"/>{{rp|6}} Some areas in Barrington draw their name from the initial proprietors of this land, such as Prince's Hill, named for [[Thomas Prence|Thomas Prince]].<ref name="bicknell"/>{{rp|1}}

Religious differences between settlers of Sowams and the neighboring Wannamoissett and Rehoboth prompted the incorporation of Swansea in 1667. Plymouth created [[Bristol County, Rhode Island|Bristol County]] in 1685 to improve administration of western lands, which was followed by a merger of the Plymouth and [[Massachusetts Bay Colony|Massachusetts Bay]] colonies orchestrated by the British government.<ref name="preservation"/>{{rp|6}} Baptist residents petitioned for separation from Swansea in 1711, and Barrington was incorporated as an independent town in 1717. Barrington likely received its name from [[Barrington, Somerset]], the origin of several settlers.<ref name="mason">{{cite web|last1=Mason|first1=Ken|title=History of the Town of Barrington, RI|url=http://www.barrington.ri.gov/community/history/history2.php|website=Town of Barrington website|publisher=Town of Barrington|access-date=April 8, 2016}}</ref> Barrington was ceded to Rhode Island in 1747 and made a part of Warren. In 1770, the Rhode Island legislature made Barrington a separate town.<ref name="mason"/>

===Townhood===
[[File:Congregational Church, Barrington RI.jpg|thumb|left|Shifts in influence between northern and southern portions of Barrington resulted in relocation of the Congregational Church (pictured).]]
Agriculture provided the basis for Barrington's economy in the early decades. Farmers typically cultivated grains, especially corn, rye, oats, and barley. Many farmers planted fruit trees and some developed large orchards, as apple cider was an important commodity for trade. Farming significantly affected the landscape, separating large grassland fields with fencing and stone walls.<ref name="preservation"/>{{rp|12}}

Religion continued to influence Barrington politics. The new Congregational Society was formally declared the town's religion, following Massachusetts custom. Taxes supported the Congregational minister until 1797, and he was employed by the town meeting.<ref name="preservation"/>{{rp|12}} Baptists and other religious groups were given the option to support their own meetings in 1728. In 1737, discussions about relocating the Congregational church proved divisive between the southern and northern portions of Barrington. The southern area was the historical center of town where the Congregational church and original Sowams settlers had been. But rapid population increases shifted influence northward, where abundant marshland and fertile soil allowed farmers to establish large, successful farms. Ultimately, the church relocated to the north, using a lot provided by Joshua Bicknell along County Road.<ref name="preservation"/>{{rp|13}} The north continued to develop due to a combination of commercial establishments (mainly taverns and inns) and farmhouses near the relocated church.<ref name="preservation"/>{{rp|14}}

===Industrial production and suburbanization===
{{multiple image||caption_align=center|header_align=center
 | width = 150
 | image1 = O'Bannon Mill Barrington RI 2012-2.jpg
 | alt1 = Red brick building overlooking street in late afternoon
 | image2 = Barrington_Town_Hall_in_2014.jpg
 | alt2 = Cobblestone building with steeple and chimney, surrounded by shrubbery
 | footer = The railroad from Providence was constructed in 1855 and led to the development of commercial and public facilities
 | align = left
}}
In 1847, Nathaniel Potter founded Nayatt Brick Company, which used Brickyard Pond's extensive clay deposits. The company was reincorporated as the Narragansett Brick Company in 1864, and the New England Steam Brick Corporation was founded in 1890 as a competitor.<ref name="preservation"/>{{rp|20}} Brick production resulted in road-building, visits from seafaring vessels, and other such economic activity. These companies' original employees were mainly of French-Canadian descent, but Italians immigrated to the U.S. as a result of [[Long Depression#Italy|economic depression in the 1880s]]. A few hundred came to Barrington and worked at the brickyard, and their descendants make up a significant portion of the town population.<ref name="mason"/> Barrington's population grew from 850 in 1850 to 3,697 in 1920, mirroring overall trends in Rhode Island. Clay deposits began to deplete in 1900, and brickmaking operations ceased by 1930.<ref name="preservation"/>{{rp|20}}

The construction of a railroad between Bristol and Providence in 1855 allowed residents to commute to Providence, resulting in an increasingly suburban milieu.<ref name="preservation"/>{{rp|3}} The railroad led to the creation of several manufacturing industries in West Barrington, such as [[O'Bannon Mill]] and Rhode Island Laceworks (which provided commercial firefighting services for the town). New public facilities were also constructed during this period, such as a high school, town hall, and library. Developments catered to wealthy residents of urban areas who came to Barrington in the summer for its location near the shore, such as the Barrington Yacht Club and [[Rhode Island Country Club]].<ref name="mason"/>

===Modern era===
Manufacturing establishments continued to operate in West Barrington throughout the 20th century. Throughout the 1930s, the Neweth Rubber Company produced [[retread]] tires, but its building burned down in the 1940s and was not rebuilt. Rhode Island Laceworks continued to operate until 1990, when its owners deemed profits insufficient. The [[1938 New England hurricane]] caused considerable damage to homes along the shoreline and pleasure craft, and railroad service was discontinued shortly afterward.<ref name="mason" /><ref name="preservation" />{{rp|3}}

Trends continued towards suburbanization, spurred by the availability of the automobile and the later [[post–World War II baby boom]].<ref name="mason" /> Commercial establishments on County Road further reduced the need for outside travel and significantly altered the existing town landscape.<ref name="preservation" />{{rp|22}} Barrington Shopping Center was constructed in 1948 and included a supermarket, pharmacy, and bank; two smaller shopping centers were constructed afterward. Six schools comprise Barrington's modern education system, constructed throughout the 1950s. Town services grew with the establishment of a police force in 1934 and a fire department in 1953. Rapid population growth led the town to adopt a [[council-manager]] charter in 1960. New churches also opened, accommodating [[Roman Catholicism|Roman Catholic]], [[Baptist]], [[Methodist]], and [[Presbyterian]] citizens. In the 1980s, the [[East Bay Bike Path]] was constructed along the former railroad lines connecting Providence to Bristol.<ref name="preservation" />{{rp|3}} In the 1990s, the [[American Civil Liberties Union]] (ACLU) sued the town for its Christmas display, which featured a [[Nativity scene|crèche]]. The town removed the display, and someone placed a privately owned scene on the road neighboring the town hall. Similarly, a lawsuit filed in 1996 by the ACLU regarding the town's decision to plow church parking lots for free was not contested.<ref name="mason" /> Barrington was the sole "[[Dry county|dry]]" town in Rhode Island until 2011, when the town council approved two liquor stores.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Niedowski|first1=Erika|title=RI's last dry town getting first 2 liquor stores|url=http://bangordailynews.com/2011/12/18/news/nation/ris-last-dry-town-getting-first-2-liquor-stores/|website=The Bangor Daily News|publisher=Bangor Daily News|access-date=April 8, 2016}}</ref>

==Geography==
Barrington is on the eastern side of [[Narragansett Bay]], in [[Bristol County, Rhode Island|Bristol County]], the [[County statistics of the United States#Nationwide land area extremes|third-smallest county in the United States]].<ref name="2010 qf dataset">{{cite web|url=http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/download/DataSet.txt |title=DataSet.txt |work=State & County QuickFacts |publisher=U.S. Census Bureau |access-date=November 16, 2012 |url-status = dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130930014430/http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/download/DataSet.txt |archive-date=September 30, 2013 }} (See "[https://web.archive.org/web/20150807220054/http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/download_data.html Download the Database]" for an explanation  of this data set.)</ref> Situated {{convert|7|mi|km}} southeast of Providence, it consists of two peninsulas divided by the [[Barrington River (Rhode Island)|Barrington]] and [[Warren River|Warren]] rivers. The shoreline of the western peninsula, Phebe's Neck or Popanomscut, is marked by many coves and indentations, making a sharp bend at Nayatt Point. Rumstick Neck, around one and a half miles east of Nayatt, forms the southern end of Phebe's Neck. Northeast of Phebe's Neck lies the second peninsula, New Meadow Neck, which is bordered by Hundred Acre Cove and the [[Palmer River (Massachusetts-Rhode Island)|Palmer River]].<ref name="preservation"/>{{rp|1}} According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], Barrington has an area of {{convert|15.4|sqmi|km2}}, being composed of {{convert|8.2|sqmi|km2}} land and {{convert|7.2|sqmi|km2}} water.<ref>{{cite web|title=Rhode Island County Subdivisions|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/county_sub_list_44.txt |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=May 5, 2016}}</ref>

Barrington lies on a low, mostly flat plain bordering the sea. This plain, composed mostly of layers of clay, gravel, sand, and silt soils, was formed by a melting glacier towards the end of the [[Last glacial period|last ice age]].<ref name="bicknell"/>{{rp|2–5}}<ref name="preservation"/>{{rp|1}} Bedrock underlying the soil is largely composed of shales, sandstone, and conglomerate rock, with some outcrops of [[quartz]]. A few extremes in elevation, such as Nayatt Point, Primrose and Prince's Hill, rise to heights of 50 feet.<ref name="preservation"/>{{rp|1}}

Freshwater bodies in Barrington include artificial ponds originally used for brickmaking and some minor streams. Clay deposited by the glacier near Brickyard Pond is exposed to tidewater at Mouscochuck Creek, which was used as a canal for brickmaking operations. Two other artificial ponds, Echo Lake and Volpe Pond, exist along this area; a third, Prince's Pond, drains into the Barrington River in the northeast.<ref name="preservation"/>{{rp|1–2}}

==Demographics==
{{Historical populations
|type= US
|align=left
|width= 6em
|percentages= off
|cols= 2
|1774|601
|1776|538
|1782|534
|1790|683
|1800|650
|1810|604
|1820|634
|1830|612
|1840|549
|1850|795
|1860|1000
|1870|1111
|1880|1359
|1890|1461
|1900|1135
|1910|2452
|1920|3897
|1930|5162
|1940|6231
|1950|8246
|1960|13826
|1970|17554
|1980|16174
|1990|15849
|2000|16819
|2010|16310
|2020|17153
|source=U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html |title=Census of Population and Housing |publisher=Census.gov |access-date=June 4, 2016 }}</ref><ref name="Cen1865">{{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=NxsxC5mK7NAC|title=Report upon the Census of Rhode Island 1865 | publisher=Providence Press Company | author=Snow, Edwin M. | year=1867 | location=Providence, RI}}</ref>}}

{|class="wikitable"
|+Demographics (2010)<ref name="2010census">{{cite web|url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/DPDP1/0600000US4400105140|title=Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 - 2010 Demographic Profile Data|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|website=[[American FactFinder]]|access-date=June 11, 2016|archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213152605/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/DPDP1/0600000US4400105140|archive-date=February 13, 2020|url-status=dead}}</ref>
|-
|[[White American|White]]
|94.7%
|-
|[[Asian American|Asian]]
|2.8%
|-
|[[Multiracial Americans|Two or more races]]
|1.5%
|-
|[[African American|Black]]
|0.5%
|-
|Other race
|0.4%
|-
|[[Native Americans in the United States|American Indian or Alaska Native]]
|0.1%
|}

As of the 2010 United States Census, Barrington had a population of 16,310. It is a predominantly white community at 94.7 percent of residents. There were 6,011 households; 40.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 68.7% were married couples living together, 7.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 21.6% were non-families. Of all households, 18.8% were made up of individuals, and 10.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.73 and the average family size was 3.14. The population was spread out, with 28.2% under the age of 18, 5.1% from 18 to 24, 26.4% from 25 to 44, 25.6% from 45 to 64, and 14.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.0 males.

According to 2017 United States Census estimates, the median income for a household in the town was $117,408,<ref name="2017FactsIncomeIndividuals">{{cite web |url=https://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/17_5YR/S1702/0600000US4400105140 |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=February 26, 2019 |title=American FactFinder |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213162055/https://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/17_5YR/S1702/0600000US4400105140 |archive-date=February 13, 2020 |url-status=dead }}</ref> and the median income for a family was $139,591.<ref name="2017FactsIncomeIndividuals"/> Males had a median income of $93,125 versus $76,534 for females. The per capita income for the town was $59,515.<ref name="2017FactsIncomeIndividuals"/> About 1.7% of families and 2.8% of the population<ref name="2017FactsIncomeIndividuals"/> were below the poverty line, including 1.6% of those under age 18 and 5.7% of those age 65 or over.<ref name="2017FactsIncomeIndividuals"/> Barrington's $117,408 median household income ranks it as the wealthiest town in the state.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.dlt.ri.gov/lmi/census/inc/towninc.htm|title=Rhode Island City & Town Income|website=www.dlt.ri.gov|access-date=August 27, 2019|archive-date=August 14, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180814200945/http://www.dlt.ri.gov/lmi/census/inc/towninc.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Government==
{| class="wikitable" style="float:right; margin:1em 0 1em 1em; font-size:95%;"
|+ Barrington town vote<br /> by party in presidential elections<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.elections.ri.gov/elections/preresults/|title=Rhode Island Board of Elections: Previous Election Results|website=www.elections.ri.gov|access-date=August 27, 2019}}</ref>
|-
! Year
![[Republican Party (United States)|GOP]]
![[Democratic Party (United States)|DEM]]
!Others
|-
|  style="text-align:center"; {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''[[2020 United States presidential election in Rhode Island|2020]]'''
|  style="text-align:center"; {{Party shading/Republican}}|26.67% ''2,889''
|  style="text-align:center"; {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''71.21%''' ''7,713''
|  style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;"|2.12% ''230''
|-  
|  style="text-align:center"; {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''[[United States presidential election in Rhode Island, 2016|2016]]'''
|  style="text-align:center"; {{Party shading/Republican}}|29.70% ''2,898''
|  style="text-align:center"; {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''63.06%''' ''6,153''
|  style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;"|7.25% ''707''
|-  
|  style="text-align:center"; {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''[[United States presidential election in Rhode Island, 2012|2012]]'''
|  style="text-align:center"; {{Party shading/Republican}}|40.14% ''3,836''
|  style="text-align:center"; {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''58.15%''' ''5,557''
|  style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;"|1.71% ''163''
|-  
|  style="text-align:center"; {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''[[United States presidential election in Rhode Island, 2008|2008]]'''
|  style="text-align:center"; {{Party shading/Republican}}|37.11% ''3,666''
|  style="text-align:center"; {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''61.50%''' ''6,075''
|  style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;"|1.39% ''137''
|-  
|  style="text-align:center"; {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''[[United States presidential election in Rhode Island, 2004|2004]]'''
|  style="text-align:center"; {{Party shading/Republican}}|42.40% ''4,020''
|  style="text-align:center"; {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''55.80%''' ''5,291''
|  style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;"|1.80% ''171''
|-  
|  style="text-align:center"; {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''[[United States presidential election in Rhode Island, 2000|2000]]'''
|  style="text-align:center"; {{Party shading/Republican}}|42.60% ''3,864''
|  style="text-align:center"; {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''50.55%''' ''4,585''
|  style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;"|6.86% ''622''
|-  
|  style="text-align:center"; {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''[[United States presidential election in Rhode Island, 1996|1996]]'''
|  style="text-align:center"; {{Party shading/Republican}}|42.05% ''3,518''
|  style="text-align:center"; {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''48.12%''' ''4,026''
|  style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;"|9.83% ''822''
|-  
|  style="text-align:center"; {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''[[United States presidential election in Rhode Island, 1992|1992]]'''
|  style="text-align:center"; {{Party shading/Republican}}|40.22% ''3,846''
|  style="text-align:center"; {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''41.50%''' ''3,968''
|  style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;"|18.28% ''1,748''
|-  
|  style="text-align:center"; {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''[[United States presidential election in Rhode Island, 1988|1988]]'''
|  style="text-align:center"; {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''55.77%''' ''4,968''
|  style="text-align:center"; {{Party shading/Democratic}}|43.88% ''3,909''
|  style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;"|0.35% ''31''
|}

Barrington is a part of the 32nd District in the Rhode Island Senate, represented by Democrat Pamela Lauria. The town is in [[Rhode Island's 1st congressional district]], represented by Democrat [[Gabe Amo]]. It is a Democratic stronghold in presidential elections, as the majority of residents have not voted for a Republican presidential nominee since 1988, when the town backed [[George H. W. Bush]].

During the 2016 Republican presidential preference primaries, Barrington was the only town in Rhode Island to be won by former [[Governor of Ohio|Governor]] [[John Kasich]] of [[Ohio]]. He received 700 votes (44.87%), ahead of [[Donald J. Trump]], who got 687 votes (44.04%).

The town is run by a town council.

== Education ==

===Public schools===
{{main|Barrington Public Schools (Rhode Island)}}
[[Barrington Public Schools (Rhode Island)|Barrington Public Schools]] consists of four elementary schools (Sowams School, Primrose Hill School, Nayatt School, and Hampden Meadows School), Barrington Middle School, and [[Barrington High School (Rhode Island)|Barrington High School]].<ref>{{cite web|title=BPS District - Home|url=http://www.barringtonschools.org|website=Barrington Public Schools|access-date=August 25, 2017}}</ref>

===Private schools===
Private schools in Barrington include [[Barrington Christian Academy]],<ref>{{cite web|title=About - Barrington Christian Academy|url=http://www.bcacademy.org/|website=bcacademy.org|publisher=Barrington Christian Academy|access-date=May 5, 2016}}</ref> St. Luke's,<ref>{{cite web|title=Saint Luke's School / Homepage|url=http://www.stlukesri.org/site/default.aspx?PageID=1|website=Saint Luke's School|access-date=April 8, 2016}}</ref> and [[St. Andrew's School (Rhode Island)|St. Andrew's School]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Saint Andrew's Home - Saint Andrew's School|url=http://www.standrews-ri.org/|website=Saint Andrew's School|access-date=April 8, 2016}}</ref>

Two Christian colleges occupied the [[Belton Court]] estate throughout the 20th and early 21st century. [[Barrington College]] was founded in 1900 and merged with [[Gordon College (Massachusetts)|Gordon College]] in 1985.<ref>{{cite web|title=History of Barrington College - Gordon College|url=http://www.gordon.edu/page.cfm?iPageID=377&iCategoryID=31&About&History_of_Barrington_College|website=Gordon College|access-date=April 8, 2016|url-status = dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140629100658/http://www.gordon.edu/page.cfm?iPageID=377&iCategoryID=31&About&History_of_Barrington_College|archive-date=June 29, 2014}}</ref>

===Barrington Public Library===
Barrington established a library in 1806 when the pastor of the Barrington Congregational Church served as a librarian to the Barrington Library Society. After 20 years of the members paying a $1 fee, the town decided to help build up the library; starting in 1880 the library grew with books and materials. In 1984 the library moved next door. Since then, it has added a children's room, space for meetings, and renovations to keep up with technology and patrons' needs.<ref>{{Cite web|title=History of the Library {{!}} Barrington Public Library|url=https://www.barringtonlibrary.org/history-library|access-date=July 21, 2020|website=www.barringtonlibrary.org}}</ref>

==Historical locations and points of interest==

Nine residential and commercial developments from the town's [[Barrington, Rhode Island#Industrial production and suburbanization|early suburbanization]] are listed on the [[National Register of Historic Places]], a record of important historical sites in American history.<ref name="preservation"/>{{rp|49}}

The [[Allen-West House]], among Barrington's oldest houses, stands on grounds farmed from the 17th to 20th century. A rare, well-preserved example of a vernacular house plan, it exemplifies architecture from Barrington's agricultural era.<ref name="allenwest">{{cite web|url=http://www.nps.gov/history/nr/feature/places/pdfs/13000887.pdf|archive-url=https://archive.today/20170924224414/http://www.nps.gov/history/nr/feature/places/pdfs/13000887.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 24, 2017|title=NRHP nomination for Allen-West House|publisher=National Park Service|access-date=April 10, 2014}}</ref> [[Alfred Drowne Road Historic District]] and [[Jennys Lane Historic District]] are historical subdivisions that developed during the late 1800s and early 1900s, having attracted residents from neighboring urban communities.<ref name="alfreddrowne">{{cite web|url=http://www.preservation.ri.gov/pdfs_zips_downloads/national_pdfs/barrington/barr_alfred-drowne-road-hd.pdf|title=NRHP nomination for Alfred Drowne Road Historic District|publisher=RI Preservation|access-date=June 8, 2014}}</ref><ref name=NRHP>{{cite web|url=http://www.preservation.ri.gov/pdfs_zips_downloads/national_pdfs/barrington/barr_jennys-lane-hd.pdf|title=NRHP nomination for Jennys Lane Historic District|publisher=RI Preservation|access-date=June 8, 2014}}</ref> [[Rhode Island Country Club]] was constructed by [[Donald Ross (golfer)|Donald Ross]] in 1911, and since 1999 has hosted the [[CVS Charity Classic]] annually.<ref>{{cite web|title=Directory of Golf Courses designed by Donald J. Ross|url=http://www.donaldross.org/Resources/Documents/DRSList_Rev_2011.pdf|website=donaldross.org|publisher=Donald Ross Society|access-date=May 5, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130216051036/http://www.donaldross.org/Resources/Documents/DRSList_Rev_2011.pdf|archive-date=February 16, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Rhode Island Country Club About Us Home|url=http://www.ricc.org/club/scripts/public/public.asp?GRP=23604&NS=PUBLIC|website=Rhode Island Country Club|access-date=May 5, 2016}}</ref>

The [[Barrington Civic Center Historic District]] in central Barrington includes Prince's Hill Cemetery, Barrington Town Hall, and the Leander R. Peck School, the last now housing the library and town senior center. Barrington Town Hall, described by the architects as "medieval", was originally used as the town's seat of government, library, and school; with the construction of Leander R. Peck School in 1917, the school moved and the library took its space. The T-shaped [[Tudor Revival architecture|Elizabethan-Revival]] Peck School, which features a stairway to access its main entrance, was repurposed as the Barrington Public Library in the 1970s.<ref name="civiccenter">{{cite web | url=http://www.preservation.ri.gov/pdfs_zips_downloads/national_pdfs/barrington/barr_barrington-civic-center-hd.pdf | title=National Register of Historic Places nomination – Barrington Civic Center Historic District | publisher=National Park Service | date=December 12, 1976 | access-date=May 2, 2014| author=Morgan, Keith}}</ref>

[[Nayatt Point Lighthouse]], adjoined with its corresponding dwelling, served to guide vessels along the Providence River, marking the narrow passage between Nayatt and Conimicut Point.<ref>{{cite web|title=Nayatt Point Light history|url=http://www.preservation.ri.gov/pdfs_zips_downloads/national_pdfs/statewide/lighthouses-of-ri_mps.pdf|website=National Register of Historic Places—Nomination Form|publisher=Rhode Island Preservation Society|access-date=May 5, 2016}}</ref> [[St. Matthew's Episcopal Church (Barrington, Rhode Island)|St. Matthew's Episcopal Church]], founded by an Episcopal mission in the 1880s, mixes Queen Anne and Gothic Revival-style architecture.<ref name="episcopalchurch">{{cite web|url=http://www.preservation.ri.gov/pdfs_zips_downloads/national_pdfs/barrington/barr_chapel-road-5_st-matthew-episcopal-church.pdf|title=NRHP nomination for St. Matthew's Episcopal Church|publisher=RI Preservation|access-date=June 8, 2014}}</ref> [[Belton Court]], built for Frederick Peck, a businessman and Rhode Island politician, was the site of two colleges before being auctioned to a Massachusetts investor who intends to repurpose it as elderly housing.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Dunn|first1=Christine|title=Retirement community planned in Barrington|url=http://www.providencejournal.com/business/content/20140408-retirement-community-planned-in-barrington.ece|access-date=May 5, 2016|newspaper=Providence Journal|date=April 8, 2014}}</ref> [[O'Bannon Mill]], among the first mills to mass-produce imitation leather, went through three purchasers before being converted into elderly apartment housing in the 1990s.<ref name="obannon">{{cite web|url=http://www.preservation.ri.gov/pdfs_zips_downloads/national_pdfs/barrington/barr_bay-spring-avenue-90_o%27bannon-mill.pdf|title=NRHP nomination for O'Bannon Mill|publisher=RI Preservation|access-date=June 8, 2014}}</ref>

<gallery widths="200px" heights="140px">
File:Nayatt Point Lighthouse in Barrington RI.jpg|[[Nayatt Point Lighthouse]], {{circa|late 1800s}}
File:Princes Hill Cemetery, Barrington Rhode Island.jpg|Prince's Hill Burial Ground
</gallery>

== Notable people ==
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* [[David Angell]], television sitcom producer (''[[Frasier]]''); multiple [[Emmy Award]] winner; lived in West Barrington; died during the [[September 11 attacks]]<ref name="angell">{{cite news|last1=Anderson|first1=Porter|title=Industry, media figures among crash fatalities|date=December 5, 2001|url=http://edition.cnn.com/2001/US/09/11/notable.victims/|publisher=[[CNN]]|access-date=April 27, 2016}}</ref>
* [[Nicholas Bianco]], boss of the [[Patriarca crime family]]; lived in Barrington<ref>{{cite news|last1=White|first1=Tim|title=The History of New England's Mob Bosses|url=http://wpri.com/2008/11/24/history-new-englands-mob-bosses/|website=WPRI.com|publisher=TVL Broadcasting LLC.|access-date=April 27, 2016}}</ref>
* [[Thomas W. Bicknell]], educator and historian; born in Barrington<ref name="bicknellgenealogy">{{cite book|last1=Bicknell|first1=Thomas|title=History and genealogy of the Bicknell family and some collateral lines, of Normandy, Great Britain and America. Comprising some ancestors and many descendants of Zachary Bicknell from Barrington, Somersetshire, England, 1635|date=1913|publisher=Higbee-Bicknell Publishing & Printing Co.|page=[https://archive.org/details/historygenealogy1913bick/page/474 474]|url=https://archive.org/details/historygenealogy1913bick|access-date=April 27, 2016}}</ref>
* [[Ken Block (politician)|Ken Block]], founder of the [[Moderate Party of Rhode Island]], lives in Barrington<ref name="Benton">{{cite news |title=Candidates make appeal for Jamestowners' votes |author=Benton, Holly |url=http://www.jamestownpress.com/news/2010-10-28/Front_Page/Candidates_make_appeal_for_Jamestowners_votes.html |newspaper=Jamestown Press |date=October 28, 2010 |access-date=October 1, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150317094835/http://www.jamestownpress.com/news/2010-10-28/Front_Page/Candidates_make_appeal_for_Jamestowners_votes.html |archive-date=March 17, 2015 |url-status = dead}}</ref><ref name="Gregg">{{cite news |title=Ken Block, Moderate Party's 2010 candidate for governor, seeking GOP nomination in 2014 |author=Gregg, Katherine |url=http://www.providencejournal.com/breaking-news/content/20131027-ken-block-moderate-partys-2010-candidate-for-governor-seeking-gop-nomination-in-2014.ece |newspaper=[[The Providence Journal]] |date=October 28, 2013 |access-date=May 31, 2016}}</ref>
* [[Matt Borges]], Ohio Republican Party Chairman from 2013 to 2017, born and raised in Barrington<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cleveland.com/open/index.ssf/2016/05/the_next_republican_national_c.html|title=The next Republican National Committee chairman? Here's the book on Matt Borges.|date=May 31, 2016 }}</ref>
*[[Bob Burnett]], folk singer, banker and member of the folk band [[The Highwaymen (folk band)|The Highwaymen]], served as bank vice president in Barrington<ref name="Warner2006">{{cite book|author=Jay Warner|title=American Singing Groups: A History from 1940s to Today|url=https://archive.org/details/americansingingg00warn|url-access=registration|year=2006|publisher=Hal Leonard Corporation|isbn=978-0-634-09978-6|pages=[https://archive.org/details/americansingingg00warn/page/392 392]}}</ref>
* [[Christopher Denise]], illustrator of children's books (''[[The Great Redwall Feast]]'', ''[[A Redwall Winter's Tale]]''), lived in Barrington<ref name="eb-denise">{{cite web|last1=McGaw|first1=Jim|title=Mouse tales in Barrington|url=http://www.eastbayri.com/stories/mouse-tales-in-barrington,591|work=The Barrington Times|date=September 23, 2012 |publisher=East Bay Newspapers|access-date=April 27, 2016}}</ref>
* [[Nick DiGiovanni]], American online personality and chef, lived in Barrington
* [[Thomas Francis Doran]], Roman Catholic bishop, born in Barrington<ref>{{cite web|url=http://dioceseofprovidence.org/rt-rev-thomas-f-doran-dd|publisher=[[Diocese of Providence]]|title=Rt. Rev. Thomas F. Doran, D.D.|access-date=May 31, 2016}}</ref>
* [[Brad Faxon]], golfer with the [[PGA Tour]]; lived in Barrington<ref name="eb-faxon">{{cite news|title=Pro golfer's home sells for $4.525 million|url=http://eastbayri.com/stories/pro-golfers-home-sells-for-4525-million,11432|access-date=April 27, 2016|publisher=East Bay Newspapers|date=August 19, 2014}}</ref>
* [[Henry Giroux]], academic and cultural critic; taught high-school social studies in Barrington<ref>{{cite web|last1=Provenzo|first1=Eugene|title=Henry Giroux|url=http://www.education.miami.edu/ep/contemporaryed/henry_giroux/henry_giroux.html|website=Contemporary Educational Thought|publisher=University of Miami|access-date=April 27, 2016|url-status = dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304030332/http://www.education.miami.edu/ep/contemporaryed/Henry_Giroux/henry_giroux.html|archive-date=March 4, 2016}}</ref>
* [[Spalding Gray]], actor, screenwriter and playwright (''[[Swimming to Cambodia]]''); raised in Barrington<ref>{{cite book|last1=Gray|first1=Spalding|editor1-last=Casey|editor1-first=Nell|title=The journals of Spalding Gray|date=2011|publisher=Vintage Books|location=New York|isbn=9780307474919|page=5|quote=He had never been a good student, failing most of his classes at the public school in Barrington while wandering about with a group of wayward local boys who drank too much.}}</ref>
* [[Michael S. Harper]], Poet Laureate of Rhode Island (1988-1993); lived in Barrington<ref name="afamerpoets">{{cite book|last1=Bloom|first1=Harold|title=African-American Poets|volume=2|date=2009|publisher=Infobase Publishing|isbn=9781604138108|page=38|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=nwq1Pq9BRmQC|access-date=April 27, 2016|quote=Harper was a relative newcomer to Rhode Island when he joined the faculty at Brown University in 1971, having moved from Brooklyn as a teenager to southern California. He attended high school and college in Los Angeles, earned an M.F.A. at the Writers' Workshop at the University of Iowa in 1963, and held a number of short-term positions at schools along the Pacific coast before moving to Barrington, Rhode Island.}}</ref>
* [[Robert J. Healey]], political activist, lived in Barrington<ref name="healydeath">{{cite web|url=http://turnto10.com/news/local/report-bob-cool-moose-healey-jr-dies-at-58|title=Bob "Cool Moose" Healey dies at 58|publisher=Turnto10.com|access-date=March 21, 2016|date=March 21, 2016|archive-date=April 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160404101322/http://turnto10.com/news/local/report-bob-cool-moose-healey-jr-dies-at-58|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* [[Brian Howe (actor)|Brian Howe]], actor, lived in Barrington<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ric.edu/news/Pages/Actor-Brian-Howe-Says-RIC-Education-Made-His-Hollywood-Career-Possible.aspx|title=Actor Brian Howe Says RIC Education Made His Hollywood Career Possible|date=May 21, 2013|publisher=[[Rhode Island College]]|access-date=August 25, 2017}}</ref>
* [[Carolyn Huntoon]], [[NASA]] scientist, first woman director of the [[Johnson Space Center]], resides in Barrington<ref>{{cite news|last1=Tompkins|first1=Bob|title=She's one of prominent figures in Leesville history|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/local/2015/09/25/one-prominent-figures-leesville-history/72822836/|access-date=August 25, 2017|work=The Town Talk|publisher=USA Today|date=September 26, 2015}}</ref>
* [[Linda Laubenstein]], [[HIV/AIDS research]]er, raised in Barrington<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.nytimes.com/1992/08/17/nyregion/linda-laubenstein-45-physician-and-leader-in-detection-of-aids.html | title=Linda Laubenstein, 45, Physician And Leader in Detection of AIDS | work=[[The New York Times]] | date=August 17, 1992 | access-date=March 29, 2017 | last=Lambert|first= Bruce}}</ref>
* [[Phil Madeira]], [[Nashville, Tennessee|Nashville]] musician and songwriter, raised in Barrington<ref name="Madeira2013">{{cite book|last=Madeira|first=Phil|author-link=Phil Madeira|title=God on the Rocks: Distilling Religion, Savoring Faith|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Pml-__wQgMQC|access-date=May 31, 2016|date=June 11, 2013|publisher=FaithWords|isbn=978-1-4555-7315-8|chapter=Passageway}}</ref>
* [[Shanna Moakler]], model and actress; first runner-up at [[Miss USA 1995]]; alumna of [[Barrington High School (Barrington, Rhode Island)|Barrington High School]]<ref>{{cite news|year=2006|title=Paris Hilton says Former Miss Teen Rhode Island punched her|url=http://www.projo.com/news/content/projo-20061004-moakley.6e237a2.html |newspaper=The Providence Journal|access-date=October 13, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110622012755/http://www.projo.com/news/content/projo-20061004-moakley.6e237a2.html|archive-date=June 22, 2011}}</ref>
* [[Janet Moreau]], [[1952 Summer Olympics|1952 Olympic]] champion runner in the 4 × 100 meters lived in Barrington<ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/providence/name/janet-stone-obituary?pid=199252854| title = Janet Stone Obituary (2021) - Barrington, RI - The Providence Journal| website = [[Legacy.com]]}}</ref>
* [[Sean Spicer]], former White House Press Secretary, was raised in Barrington<ref>{{cite news|url=http://heavy.com/news/2016/12/sean-spicer-bio-age-wife-kids-rebecca-miller-donald-trump-rnc-republican-national-committee-trade-white-house-george-bush/|title=Sean Spicer: 5 Facts You Need To Know|publisher=Heavy|first=Brendan|last=Morrow|date=December 16, 2016|access-date=February 21, 2017}}</ref>
* [[Edward F. Welch, Jr.]], rear admiral of the United States Navy, born in Barrington<ref name="welchobituary">{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/01/15/AR2008011503567.html|title=Obituaries: Edward F. Welch Jr.; Led Naval War College|newspaper=The Washington Post|first=Yvonne|last=Shinhoster Lamb|date=January 16, 2008|access-date=May 31, 2016}}</ref>
* [[Carolyn D. Wright|C. D. Wright]], poet, lived in Barrington<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.providencejournal.com/article/20160114/NEWS/160119564/13938/ENTERTAINMENT |title=C.D. Wright, ex-R.I. state poet and MacArthur 'genius grant' winner, dies at 67 |newspaper=The Providence Journal |date=January 14, 2016 |access-date=January 14, 2016}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Barrington, Rhode Island}}
{{wikivoyage|Barrington (Rhode Island)|Barrington, Rhode Island}}
* [http://barrington.ri.gov Town of Barrington Official Web Site]
* [http://www.mainstreetmaps.com/RI/Barrington/ Town of Barrington Official GIS Maps and Property Information] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201016163334/http://www.mainstreetmaps.com/RI/Barrington/ |date=October 16, 2020 }}

{{Bristol County, Rhode Island}}
{{Rhode Island}}
{{Greater_Boston}}
{{authority control}}

[[Category:Barrington, Rhode Island| ]]
[[Category:Narragansett Bay]]
[[Category:Populated coastal places in Rhode Island]]
[[Category:Providence metropolitan area]]
[[Category:Towns in Bristol County, Rhode Island]]
[[Category:Towns in Rhode Island]]