Smith Hill, Providence, Rhode Island

Providence neighborhoods with Smith Hill in red

The neighborhood gets its name from settler John Smith, who set up a grist mill here in 1636, after being banished from England.[3]

Prior to the mid-1800s, the area was considered rural escape from downtown, with few homes.[3] However, in the 1900s industrialization attracted immigrants from Ireland, Eastern Europe and the Balkans to work in nearby mills.[3]

The neighborhood's proximity to the Woonasquatucket and Moshassuck Rivers provided power for the industrial mills.

In the 21st century, Smith Hill is home to about 6,000 people in a densely populated residential neighborhood.[3] The location offers easy access to downtown, featuring small parks, a post office, a library branch, and the Harry Kizirian Elementary School.[3] The Smith Hill Partners Initiative (SHPI) plans community events.[3]

The neighborhood is home to whites of European descent and an increasing number of minorities. As of the 1990 census, Smith Hill was 20% Hispanic, 17.2% Asian and 12.2% black. The neighborhood's unemployment and poverty rates are above average for the city, though efforts have been made to revitalize the area, although, without success.

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  Christopher Dodge house, Holden Street
• 
  Saint Patrick Academy, 244 Smith Street
• 
  Carroll Tower, an assisted living facility on Smith Street
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  A. T. Cross Company headquarters, Promenade Street
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  Baba's Original New York System, a local eatery on Smith Street

Smith Hill Community Development Corporation, neighborhood non-profit dedicated to community building and affordable housing

Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Providence - Smith Hill.

• Providence Neighborhoods at Providenceri.com

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Smith Hill, Providence, Rhode Island.

• State Office Building photograph from the Rhode Island State Archives