Weekapaug, Rhode Island

Weekapaug is a census-designated place in southern Washington County, Rhode Island, part of the town of Westerly, Rhode Island.

Weekapaug, Rhode Island at sunset

History

"Weekapaug" is a Narragansett word meaning "at the end of the pond". The area is not as well known as neighboring Watch Hill, Rhode Island, even though it has had summer cottages since 1877. It was known as "Noyes Beach" from 1701 to 1899, named after Reverend James Noyes who purchased 300 acres (1.2 km2).

Geography
A photo of Weekapaug showing the breachway, jetty, channel, Fenway Beach, and numerous ocean front homes

The Winnapaug and Quonochontaug salt ponds dominate the area. Each pond is open to the Atlantic Ocean via a breachway lined with rock jetties. Most of the rock is granite which is readily available in the Westerly area and used to be its primary industry.

References
    • Aubin, George Francis. (1975). A Proto-Algonquian Dictionary. Ottawa : National Museums of Canada.
    • Huden, John C. (1962). Indian Place Names of New England, Museum of the American Indian Heye Foundation.

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