

The issue remained hotly controversial in Rhode Island for two more years until the state finally became the last of the original thirteen states to join the union. Eventually, a compromise was reached and the celebrants agreed to celebrate Independence Day only and not the ratification of the Federal Constitution. Because anti-federalist sentiment was strong in Rhode Island, General William West led 1,000 armed farmers to Providence to stop the celebration. The organizers of the celebration intended to celebrate the ratification of the Federal Constitution by the 9 of the 13 states needed to create the United States. History įederal Hill received its name after a 1788 Fourth of July ox roast celebration on the plain adjacent to the hill. The fountain was completely restored at a cost of about $500,000 in July 2020.

In April 2019 the fountain was struck by an automobile and became only partially working.

In the summer of 2018 the plaza's "famous" fountain was in a state of partial disrepair, with only two levels flowing and the base filled with plants. The plaza features a central grand fountain surrounded by restaurants and outdoor dining. A few streets remain paved with cobblestone.ĭePasquale Plaza, sometimes referred to as "the heart of the neighborhood," is a popular spot for outdoor dining and people-watching. Most cross streets in the historic neighborhood between Atwells Avenue and Broadway are one-way due to their narrowness. Johnson and Wales University maintains the Renaissance Hall dormitory on Federal Hill as well. Other than a commercial and warehouse section in the area of Dean and Washington Streets, most of the rest of the neighborhood is residential, often catering to college students. Other important streets in the neighborhood include Broadway, home to restaurants as well as professional, medical and legal offices, but also to the historic Columbus Theater now used for movies and live performances. The La Pigna (or The Pine Cone) sculpture hanging from its center - a traditional Italian symbol of welcome, abundance, and quality - is often mistakenly referred to as "The Pineapple" and has become the symbol of Federal Hill. The gateway arch over Atwells Avenue near Downtown is one of the most recognizable landmarks in Providence. La Pigna sculpture, a traditional symbol of welcome, abundance and quality, hangs from the center. It also contains a mix of other typical urban businesses such as sandwich and pizza shops, convenience stores, a hotel, and tattoo parlors. The area borders Downtown to the east, Smith Hill and Valley to the north, Olneyville to the west, and the West End and South Providence to the south.Ītwells Avenue is the cultural centerpiece of the neighborhood, with many famous restaurants densely clustered along it between Interstate 95 and Harris Avenue. Geography įederal Hill is bounded by Westminster Street to the south, Route 6 and Route 10 to the west and north, and Interstate 95 to the east. Since the late 19th century, Federal Hill has been an enclave of Providence's Italian American community today the neighborhood is known as Providence's Little Italy and is noted for its abundance of Italian restaurants, markets, and cultural establishments. It lies immediately west of the city's Downtown, across Interstate 95. Providence neighborhoods with Federal Hill in redįederal Hill is a neighborhood in Providence, Rhode Island.
